The Guild is organised into ten Sections and is accepted at both national and local levels as the negotiating body for

travelling showmen. Through it's parliamentary agent, the Guild contests any proposed legislation that discriminates against

its members; or seeks concessions when legislation threatens their ability to make a living. In matters involving local

authorities a delegation of officers will usually be called upon to represent member's interests.

Each Section is managed by a Committee of Members who are elected annually by secret ballot.

The number of members elected to serve on the Committee is determined by a show of hands at the Annual General

Meeting of Members. Once the ballot has taken place, the new Committee then elect a Chairman and officials:

OfficialsChairman

Vice Chairman

Treasurer

Sergeant at Arms

Deputy Sergeant at Arms

Secretary

Assistant Secretary

The Committee is responsible for carrying out the objects of the Guild in their own Section.

Their duties include the control and running of fairs, breaches of the rules of the Guild as well as negotiations with

local authorities.

Central Council The Policy of the Guild is determined by the Central Council, whose officials are:

The President

Two Vice President

Past Presidents

Treasurer

General Secretary

Sergeant at Arms

The remainder of the Central Council is made up from the Chairman of each Section of the Guild and three other

delegates appointed by each Section.

The General Secretary is not a Member of the Guild

The Central Council meets in January.

Before the meeting, each Section holds an Extraordinary General Meeting of Members and takes voting instructions

from them on matters listed on the Central Council Agenda.

Most of the decisions of the Central Council are made by a show of hands but any variation in the Guild Rules has to

be approved by a card vote. Each Section vote is equal to their membership. Any proposed alteration to Rule must

have a vote of at least two-thirds majority.

There are three other main Committees within the Guild, they are:

The President, Vice Presidents,

Treasurer,

General Secretary and theChairman of each Section serve on this Committee.

They are responsible for the financial affairs of the Guild. They make recommendations on matters, which are to be

brought before the Central Council.

Safety Committee

There are 9 Members on the Safety Committee. The Senior Vice President chairs this Committee; they deal with

safety at fairgrounds. The Committee meets regularly with the Health & Safety Executive. The Guild played a very

large part in the drafting of the 'Code of Safe Practice at Fairs' published by the Health & Safety in 1984, the

Technical Annexe published in 1988 and more recently 'Fairgrounds and Amusement Parks - Guidance on Safe

Practice (HSG175) published in 1997.

All Guild Members have to have their equipment tested annually. Independent engineers who are registered with the

National Association for Leisure Industry Certification (NAFLIC) carry out this test.

The President, Vice Presidents, General Secretary and a delegate from each Section of the Guild make up the Appeals

Committee.

Should any member feel that another member or Section has infringed his interests, on his complaint form he must

quote the Rules of the Guild that he considers have been broken.

His complaint is brought before the appropriate Section Committee.

After the Committee have heard all the evidence, they will come to a decision, if the case is found to be proven, the

Committee will impose penalties.

Any member may appeal against the decision of the Section Committee.

The Appeals Committee will then review the case. Should the judgement of the Appeals Committee be unacceptable,

the objector has the right to refer the case to an Appeals Tribunal.

An Appeal Tribunal consists of a Barrister and two Past Presidents of the Guild.

This is the final court of Appeal within the Guild.