The Bristol Corn Trade Guild was established in 1898 as a charity to help those members in the "trade" who fell on hard times. Originally it was a "white collar - men only" association. However, as enlightenment dawned through the 20th century, the Guild is now open to both men and women engaged in any part of the grain, feed, flour and alliedtrades. The Guild encourages contact by organising various sporting and social events such as cricket, squash, skittles, golf and snooker. Most importantly, the Guild is primarily a charity. Those eligible are helped from Guild funds in all sorts of ways - such as regular payment of a certain bill (e.g. gas, electricity, telephone) or perhaps "one-off" payments for such things as building repairs, storage heaters or special medical treatment. The Guild's Committee is made up of working and retired members of the trade who give up their time voluntarily to ensure that its members (particularly those in need) are looked after. A few years ago it was difficult to find members who had fallen on hard times. However, more recently two things have happened to change this situation. Firstly, as mentioned earlier, the number of those eligible for benefit has increased; secondly, the Guild has established contact with "Charity Search" - an organisation which specialises in putting people in need in touch with charities that can help. In the language of modern big business, the amounts may not be huge, but they are sufficient to make a real difference to the individual recipients. The work of the Guild stands as a demonstration of friendship and human values still at work in modern business. Long may it last! Our newsletter "On The Nail" (shared with the Bristol Corn & Feeds Trade Association Ltd) is published three times a year and is sent to all Guild members. The Annual General Meeting is held in Bristol during April - the date being announced in On the Nail - and of course details of this meeting are sent to all Guild Members. Usually a buffet meal follows the meeting so there is time for a chat with the Guild Committee and fellow members. The following sporting events are held, usually annually, for all Guild Members, whether active or retired: Golf Tournament, Squash Tournament, Snooker Tournament, Cricket Match, Skittles Match. In addition a Spring Lunch for retired members and their partners is held. This is followed by an outing during the Summer. The year is then rounded off with a lunch at Christmas for retired members only.