The Fifth Annual Meeting of the Council was held at The Wharncliffe hotel, Sheffield, on Tuesday, April 16th, the President, Mr. Percival Heywood, in the chair. Of representative members 40 were present out of 77, representing 21 out of 31 societies; and of Honorary members 3 out of 8. The minutes of the meeting of 1894 were read by the Hon. Secretary, the Rev. H. Earle Bulwer, and confirmed.
The President addressed the Council, referring to the lamented death of Mr. Proctor, and urging upon the members the importance of presenting a solid front against the attack of the Liberationists upon the endowments of the Church of England.
The Hon. Secretary stated that the year began with a balance of £40 3s. 0½d. in hand; subscriptions received, £9 7s. 6d.; sale of report on calls 14s. 8½d., total, £50 5s. 3d.; Expenditure, stationery for three years, 5s.; postage, 12s. 8½d.; printing, £7 1s. 4d.; cost of reporting, £1; total, £8 19s. 0½d.; balance in hand, £41 6s. 2½d.
On the motion of the Rev. G. F. Coleridge, seconded by the Rev. E. W. Carpenter, the accounts were passed.
Mr. W. Snowdon moved, and the Rev. F. E. Robinson seconded, and it was carried unanimously: “That this meeting desires to place on record its high appreciation of the services rendered to the Exercise by the late Leonard Proctor, Esq., of Bennington, than whom no one has done more to encourage practical ringing in its highest branches.”
The Rev. F. E. Robinson moved, and Dr. Carpenter seconded, and it was carried unanimously, that Messrs. Thompson, Boughey, and Strange, be elected Honorary members of the Council, the two first-named and Captain Acland having retired by rotation.
The Hon. Secretary reported that he had duly placed in the hands of the Church Congress Subjects Committee the application of the Council to have the subject of ringing placed on the agenda for the ensuing meeting, but that he had little hope the appeal would be successful.
A letter was read from Mr. Strange reporting his advance with the Bibliography of ringing. It was decided to convey the thanks of the Council to Mr. Strange for his labours.
The report of the handbell committee was read, and Mr. Pritchett moved, and Mr. Catchpole seconded, that the recommendation of the majority of the Committee that there should be an umpire to every handbell peal should be adopted. This however was amended by the addition of the words “where practicable,” and in this form the motion was carried by a large majority.
In regard to the report of the Committee on Technical terms, after some discussion it was moved by the Rev. F. E. Robinson, seconded by the Rev. G. F. Coleridge, and carried, that the report be referred back to the committee for further consideration, and that the suggested changes in terms be published in “The Bell News.”
The Rev. H. A. Cockey stated that the Committee on reduced railway fares had not yet received a definite reply to their enquiries of the railway managers.
The Rev. C. D. P. Davies reported the progress of the Committee for the publication of peals, and stated that a further selection would shortly be issued.
Mr. Pritchett, moved, and Mr. Washbrook seconded: “That a Committee be appointed to consider the propriety of establishing a benevolent fund for the benefit of veteran ringers in poor circumstances, and to report as to the best means of carrying such a scheme into effect.” The motion was lost by a large majority.
Mr. G. F. Attree moved, and the Rev. C. D. P. Davies seconded: “That owing to the very unsatisfactory manner in which members are now frequently elected, it is desirable that the elections for the future be only made at some recognised annual, general, or district meeting duly called by such Association.” The motion was lost by a large majority.
It was moved, seconded, and carried that the next meeting of the Council be held at Brighton.
The president being here compelled to leave to attend a funeral, the Rev. H. Earle Bulwer took the chair.
Mr. Snowdon moved, and Mr. Lockwood seconded the following additions to the Council’s definition of a six-bell peal: “Nevertheless when a multiplicity of methods of which no two are the same is rung, peals of Doubles and portions of true 720s, embracing bobs and also singles when the method requires them, shall be admissible, provided that the 720 changes be first rung in their entirety.” The motion was lost by a large majority.
Mr. Snowdon moved, and it was seconded, “That some mode of admitting proxy voting under certain circumstances is desirable, and that a sub-committee be formed to report on this question to the next meeting of the Council” The motion was lost by a large majority.
Mr. Attree moved, and Mr. Pritchett seconded: “that the present schedule of points used in ascertaining the respective value of peals rung by the various Associations be considered, altered if found necessary, and issued in future under the authority of the Council.” It was decided to refer the matter to a Committee consisting of the President, Mr. Attree, Dr. Carpenter, Mr. Dains, Mr. Washbrook, Mr. E. B. James, and Mr. J. Carter.
Mr. Attree gave notice that at the next meeting he would move that the Council meet in Whit-week instead of Easter-week.
Votes of thanks to the President and Hon. Secretary concluded the meeting.
| Societies | represented | 21 |
| " | unrepresented | 10 |
| Representatives | present | 40 |
| " | absent | 37 |
| Hon. members | present | 3 |
| " | absent | 5 |
| Total members | present | 43 |
| " | absent | 42 |
The Bell News and Ringers’ Record, May 25, 1895, page 633