MINUTES of the first session of the Seventeenth Council (47th Annual Meeting), held in the Council Chamber of the Guildhall, Westminster, by kind permission of the Middlesex County Council, on Whitsun Tuesday, May 30th, 1939.
The Council was welcomed to Westminster by the Rev. Canon Jocelyn Perkins, of Westminster Abbey. The President responded and took the chair. The meeting opened with prayer.
PRESENT:-
Ancient Society of College Youths.- Mr. E. G. Fenn, Mr. A. B. Peck.
Bath and Wells Diocesan Association.- Mr. J. T. Dyke, Mr. J. Hunt, Miss N. Williams.
Bedfordshire Association.- Mr. A. King, Mr. A. E. Sharman.
Cambridge University Guild.- Mr. E. M. Atkins, Rev. B. F. Sheppard.
Chester Diocesan Guild.- Mr. J. Cooke, Mr. J. Swindley.
Devon Guild.- Mr. T. Laver, Mr. F. C. Smale.
Dudley and District Guild.- Mr. F. Colclough.
Durham and Newcastle Diocesan Association.- Mr. W. H. Barber, Mr. W. J. Davidson.
East Derbyshire and Notts Association.- Mr. T. Clarke.
East Grinstead and District Guild.- Mr. A. Relfe.
Ely Diocesan Association.- Mr. C. W. Cook, Mr. F. Warrington.
Essex Association.- Mr. E. J. Butler, Mr. G. R. Pye, Mr. H. Edwards.
Gloucester and Bristol Diocesan Association.- Mr. J. Austin, Mr. E. Guise, Mr. W. B. Kynaston.
Guildford Diocesan Guild.- Mr. G. L. Grover, Mr. A. C. Hazelden, Mr. A. Harman, Mr. A. H. Pulling.
Hertford County Association.- Mr. W. Ayre, Mr. H. G. Cashmore, Mr. H. E. C. Goodenough.
Irish Association.- Mr. G. Lindoff.
Kent County Association.- Mr. F. J. Cullum, Mr. F. M. Mitchell, Mr. T. E. Sone, Mr. G. H. Spice.
Ladies’ Guild.- Mrs. G. W. Fletcher, Mrs. R. Richardson, Miss E. Steel.
Lancashire Association.- Mr. P. Crook, Mr. G. R. Newton, Mr. W. H. Shuker, Mr. T. B. Worsley.
Lincoln Diocesan Guild.- Mr. J. Bray, Mr. R. Richardson.
Llandaff and Monmouth Diocesan Association.- Mr. J. W. Jones, Mr. E. Stitch.
London County Association.- Mr. T. H. Taffender, Mr. T. W. Taffender.
Middlesex County Association.- Mr. J. E. L. Cockey, Mr. C. T. Coles, Mr. G. W. Fletcher, Mr. W. G. Wilson.
Midland Counties Association.- Mr. A. J. Harris, Mr. J. H. Swinfield, Mr. P. L. Taylor, Mr. W. E. White.
Norwich Diocesan Association.- Mr. A. L. Coleman, Mr. F. Nolan Golden, Mr. L. W. Houghton.
North Staffordshire Association.- Mr. A. Thompson.
Oxford Diocesan Guild.- Mr. A. D. Barker, Rev. Canon G. F. Coleridge, Mr. A. E. Lock, Mr. R. A. Post.
Oxford Society.- Mr. W. Collett.
Oxford University Society.- Rev. C. E. Wigg.
Peterborough Diocesan Guild.- Mr. H. Chambers, Rev. E. S. Powell.
Romney Marsh and District Guild.- Mr. P. Page.
St. Martin’s Guild.- Mr. A. Paddon Smith.
Salisbury Diocesan Guild.- Rev. F. Ll. Edwards, Mr. S. H. Hillier, Mr. C. H. Jennings, Mr. F. W. Romaine.
Society of Royal Cumberland Youths.- Mr. G. H. Cross, Mr. G. Gilbert, Mr. G. W. Steere.
Stafford Archdeaconry Society.- Mr. B. Horton, Mr. H. Knight.
Suffolk Guild.- Rev. H. Drake, Mr. C. Mee, Mr. C. J. Sedgley.
Surrey Association.- Mr. W. Claydon, Mr. D. D. Cooper, Mr. C. H. Kippin.
Sussex County Association.- Mr. F. H. Dallaway, Mr. A. W. Groves, Mr. F. I. Hairs, Mr. O. Sippetts.
Swansea and Brecon Diocesan Guild.- Mr. D. H. Bennett.
Warwickshire Guild.- Mrs. D. E. Beamish, Mr. F. W. Perrens.
Winchester and Portsmouth Diocesan Guild.- Mr. G. Pullinger, Mr. F. W. Rogers, Mr. G. Williams.
Worcester and Districts Association.- Mr. S. T. Holt, Mr. J. D. Johnson, Mr. C. H. Woodberry.
Yorkshire Association.- Mr. P. J. Johnson, Mr. L. W. G. Morris, Mr. S. F. Palmer.
Honorary members.- Mr. W. A. Cave, Mr. C. Dean, Mr. G. E. Debenham, Mr. J. S. Goldsmith, Major J. H. B. Hesse, Mr. A. A. Hughes, Mr. E. H. Lewis, Mr. J. A. Trollope, Mr. E. C. S. Turner, Mr. A. Walker, Mr. S. H. Wood, Mr. T. Groombridge, Mr. W. H. J. Hooton.
REPORT AS TO MEMBERSHIP.
The hon. secretary reported the constitution of the Council as:-
| Associations affiliated | 49 |
| Total members to which entitled | 139 |
| Total members elected | 132 |
| Honorary members | 16 |
The North Notts Association and North Wales Association were no longer affiliated.
The secretary also reported that three associations had failed to supply information as to membership and representatives, two associations were entitled to an extra representative, and one association had elected more representatives than it was entitled to under the rules.
Members of past Councils who did not appear on the new roll were noted as: Miss K. Willers and Messrs. R. G. Black, C. E. Borrett, H. W. Brown, J. H. Cheesman, F. E. Dawe, E. Denison Taylor, T. Groombridge and C. F. Winney.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
Apologies reported were: Mr. J. W. Milner, Chester; Mr. J. C. Pollard, Cleveland and N. Yorks; Messrs. E. W. Marsh and G. C. Woodley, Devon; Mr. J. W. Parker, Durham and Newcastle; Mr. L. W. Wiffen, Essex; Mr. J. P. Hyett, Hereford; Mr. C. W. Woolley, Hertford; Ven. Archdeacon Parry and Mr. G. Chester, Lincoln; Mr. P. A. Corby, London County; Mr. K. Thacker, North Staffs; Mr. T. Tebbutt, Peterborough; Mr. W. Saunders, Shropshire; Mr. J. Parker, Society of Royal Cumberland Youths; Mr. S. H. Symonds, Suffolk; Mr. H. Barton, Winchester; the Rev. C. C. Marshall, Yorkshire; and Messrs. C. W. Roberts, C. F. Johnston and E. Alex. Young, honorary members.
It was decided to convey to Mr. James Parker the Council’s best wishes for a speedy recovery from his illness.
PRESENTATION OF NEW MEMBERS TO THE PRESIDENT.
As provided by Rule 11 all new members were introduced to the President.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
President.- It was proposed by Mr. A. Paddon Smith, seconded by the Rev. Canon G. F. Coleridge and carried unanimously, that Mr. E. H. Lewis be re-elected President.
Hon. Secretary and Treasurer.- On the President’s motion, Mr. G. W. Fletcher was re-elected.
Hon. Librarian.- Mr. W. H. J. Hooton, who had ceased to be a member of the Council, was, on the proposal of Mr. A. Walker, seconded by Mr. S. H. Wood, elected an honorary member, and on the motion of Mr. A. Walker, seconded by the Rev. F. Ll. Edwards, re-elected hon. librarian.
ELECTION OF AUDITORS.
It was proposed by Mr. W. A. Cave, seconded by Mr. G. R. Newton and carried, that Mr. C. T. Coles and Mr. A. A. Hughes be re-appointed.
ELECTION OF HONORARY MEMBERS.
The following were re-elected on the proposal of Mr. A. Walker, seconded by Mr. J. T. Dyke: The Rt. Hon. the Earl of Shaftesbury, Alderman J. S. Pritchett, Major J. H. B. Hesse, Messrs. C. Dean, J. S. Goldsmith, C. F. Johnston, J. A. Trollope and E. Alex. Young.
Four vacancies were filled by the election of Mr. T. Groombridge, proposed by Mr. A. A. Hughes, seconded by Major J. H. B. Hesse; Mr. J. F. Smallwood, proposed by Mr. T. B. Worsley, seconded by Mr. C. J. Sedgley; Mr. F. Sharpe, proposed by the Rev. C. E. Wigg, seconded by Mr. A. D. Barker; and Mr. W. H. J. Hooton, hon. librarian.
LOSS OF MEMBERS THROUGH DEATH.
The President reported the deaths of Mr. W. T. Pates (1891-1894), the Rev. F. J. O. Helmore (1894-1929) and Mr. A. B. Bennett (1903-1906).
A silent tribute was paid by all members standing.
MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING.
Proposed by Mr. J. Hunt, seconded by Mr. W. Ayre and carried, that minutes circulated to all members, and published in ‘The Ringing World,’ May 19th, 1939, pages 322-323, be taken as read and be approved.
The following reports, etc., were circulated to all members and associations and have been published in full or in abbreviated form in ‘The Ringing World.’ They are preserved in the Council’s records and are available for inspection.
REPORT OF THE HON. LIBRARIAN.
(‘The Ringing World,’ June 9th, 1939, page 371.)
The hon. librarian presented his report showing sales of 505 publications - 200 of which were the Minor and Doubles book. The surplus was £14 12s. 4d. The report was adopted on the motion of Mr. W. H. J. Hooton, seconded by Mr. A. A. Hughes.
Maintenance of books.- On the President’s motion, the hon. librarian was given full powers to repair and maintain the books in the library.
New publications.- On the proposal of the Rev. H. Drake, seconded by Mr. P. J. Johnson, the Standing Committee were asked to consider the preparation and publication of a new ‘Glossary.’
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO REVISE ‘MODEL RULES FOR A LOCAL COMPANY.’
The committee presented two complete sets of rules, which were considered in detail and amended as found desirable (‘The Ringing World,’ June 16th, pages 385-386). The committee’s report was adopted on the proposal of the Rev. F. Ll. Edwards, seconded by Mr. S. H. Wood, and on the motion of the Rev. H. Drake, seconded by Mr. C. H. Jennings, it was resolved to approve the amended rules and to authorise printing.
STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS.
(‘The Ringing World,’ June 2nd, 1939, page 354.)
The hon. treasurer presented accounts showing a balance of £115 11s. 8d. and investments of a market value of £133 2s. 6d., and moved the adoption. The motion was seconded by Mr. A. A. Hughes and carried.
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE CARTER RINGING MACHINE.
(‘The Ringing World,’ June 16th, page 386.)
The report, presented by Mr. A. A. Hughes, referred to the repair work now being undertaken by Mr. Sharman, which it was expected would be completed in a few weeks. The report was seconded by Mr. A. Paddon Smith and adopted, and authority was given for the payment of demonstrators’ fees.
REPORT OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE.
The committee reported that they had considered the agenda, and had given careful thought to the question of affiliation. They recommended that all societies be urged to pay more attention to the number of their members, and that the London County Association be asked to furnish further particulars as to their resident life members. They reported that they had considered the question of mechanical ringing and their findings would be placed before the Council. A final draft report was now being made on muffling. The report was adopted on the proposal of Mr. G. W. Fletcher, seconded by the Rev. Canon G. F. Coleridge.
Members re-elected were the Ven. Archdeacon H. T. Parry, Alderman J. S. Pritchett, Major J. H. B. Hesse, Messrs. W. A. Cave, J. T. Dyke, C. F. Johnston, R. Richardson, A. Paddon Smith, A. Walker and S. H. Wood on the proposal of Mr. T. Groombridge, seconded by Mr. J. Hunt, and additional members - Mr. E. C. S. Turner, proposed by Mr. A. Walker, seconded by Mr. C. J. Sedgley; Mr. G. E. Debenham, proposed by Mr. G. W. Fletcher, seconded by Mr. W. Ayre.
Ex-officio members.- President, Mr. E. H. Lewis; hon. secretary, Mr. G. W. Fletcher; hon. auditors, Messrs. C. T. Coles and A. A. Hughes; past officers, the Rev. Canon G. F. Coleridge and Mr. E. Alex. Young; conveners of committees - Peal Collection, Mr. G. Lindoff; Methods, Mr. J. A. Trollope; Peal Analysis, Mrs. E. K. Fletcher; Towers and Belfries, Mr. E. H. Lewis; Literature, Press and Broadcasting, the Rev. F. Ll. Edwards; Peal Boards, Mr. W. G. Wilson; Biographies, Mr. J. S. Goldsmith.
REPORT OF THE PEAL COLLECTION COMMITTEE.
The committee presented a collection of best compositions, and the Standing Committee recommended that these be printed if the cost was reasonable. The recommendation was adopted on the proposal of Mr. C. T. Coles, seconded by Mr. R. Richardson.
The committee was reconstituted as follows: Mr. G. Lindoff, the Rev. E. S. Powell, Messrs. G. R. Newton, G. R. Pye and T. B. Worsley, proposed by Mr. A. A. Hughes, seconded by Mr. E. C. S. Turner; Mr. H. G. Cashmore, proposed by Mr. W. Ayre, seconded by Mr. A. King, with Mr. Lindoff as convener, proposed by Mr. G. H. Cross, seconded by the Rev. F. Ll. Edwards.
REPORT OF THE METHODS COMMITTEE.
(‘The Ringing World,’ June 23rd, 1939, pages 401-2.)
The committee presented its report signed by two members only, and a minority report was submitted by Mr. S. H. Wood.
Arising from a discussion on the new Surprise Book, it was agreed, on the proposal of Mr. W. Ayre, that all methods printed in the book should be named.
The report was adopted on the motion of Mr. J. A. Trollope, seconded by Mr. S. H. Wood. The thanks of the Council were accorded to the committee, and on the proposal of Mr. W. A. Cave, seconded by Mr. J. Hunt, the committee was re-elected with Mr. Trollope as convener, proposed by the Rev. E. S. Powell, seconded by Mr. T. Clarke.
Committee: Messrs. J. A. Trollope, E. C. S. Turner and S. H. Wood.
Surprise Book.- The hon. secretary reported on the response regarding support to be given by the associations in the printing of this book. Of a proposed issue of 750 copies associations had under taken to purchase 462.
REPORT OF THE PEAL ANALYSIS AND RECORDS COMMITTEE.
(‘The Ringing World,’ April 7th, 1939, pages 217-219.)
The report was presented by Mrs. E. K. Fletcher, who moved the adoption. The motion was seconded by Mr. G. R. Pye and carried.
Attention was drawn to the need of accuracy when sending peals for publication. The committee - Mrs. E. K. Fletcher, Messrs. C. Dean, G. L. Grover, G. R. Pye and W. Ayre - was reappointed with thanks for past services on the proposal of Mr. T. Groombridge, seconded by Mr. F. Perrens, with Mrs. Fletcher as convener, proposed by Mr. A. A. Hughes, seconded by Mr. E. J. Butler.
REPORT OF THE TOWERS AND BELFRIES COMMITTEE.
(‘The Ringing World,’ June 23rd, 1939, page 402.)
Mr. E. H. Lewis reported for the committee and amplified the report regarding individual matters dealt with during the year. The report was adopted. The committee was reappointed on the proposal of Mr. P. Crook, seconded by Mr. A. J. Harris, with Mr. Lewis as convener, proposed by Mr. J. Hunt, seconded by Mr. W. A. Cave. Committee: Mr. E. H. Lewis, Major J. H. B. Hesse, Mr. E. Alex. Young and Mr. J. Hunt.
REPORT OF THE LITERATURE, PRESS AND BROADCASTING COMMITTEE.
(‘The Ringing World,’ June 30th, 1939, page 417.)
The Rev. F. Ll. Edwards presented the report and moved its adoption. The proposal was seconded by Mr. A. Paddon Smith and carried.
The committee was reappointed on the proposal of Mr. L. W. Houghton, seconded by Mr. F. W. Perrens, with the Rev. F. Ll. Edwards as convener, proposed by Mr. G. H. Cross, seconded by Mr. J. S. Goldsmith. Committee: The Rev. F. Ll. Edwards, Messrs. J. S. Goldsmith, A. Paddon Smith and A. Walker.
REPORT OF THE PEAL BOARDS COMMITTEE.
(‘The Ringing World,’ June 30th, 1939, page 417.)
On the motion of Mr. W. G. Wilson, seconded by Mr. W. Ayre, the report was adopted. The committee requested that they be authorised to appoint district representatives in order to obtain details of old peal boards in particular localities. The request was granted on the proposal of Mr. W. G. Wilson, seconded by the Rev. C. E. Wigg. The committee was reappointed on the motion of Mr. A. J. Harris, seconded by the Rev. F. Ll. Edwards, with Mr. Wilson as convener, proposed by Mr. S. H. Wood, seconded by Mr. E. C. S. Turner. Committee: Mr. W. G. Wilson, the Rev. C. E. Wigg and Mr. W. Ayre.
REPORT OF THE BIOGRAPHIES COMMITTEE.
(‘The Ringing World,’ June 30th, 1939, page 418.)
Mr. J. S. Goldsmith moved the adoption, of the report, which was seconded by Mr. W. A. Cave and carried. The committee - Mr. J. S. Goldsmith, Mr. W. A. Cave and Mrs. E. K. Fletcher, with the addition of Mr. A. C. Hazelden - was reappointed on the proposal of Mr. A. A. Hughes, seconded by Mr. F. I. Hairs, with Mr. Goldsmith as convener, proposed by Mr. W. A. Cave, seconded by Mr. R. Richardson.
CIRCULATION OF ‘THE RINGING WORLD.’
The hon. secretary reported on this matter, and the Standing Committee recommended that further consideration be left to the committee. The recommendation was adopted on the proposal of Mr. G. W. Fletcher, seconded by Mr. A. Walker.
MUFFLING OF BELLS.
The President reported that the drafting of a final report was proceeding.
PLACE OF NEXT MEETING.
The Standing Committee recommended that the next meeting be held at Cardiff. The recommendation was adopted on the motion of Mr. J. A. Trollope, seconded by Mr. W. A. Cave.
MECHANICAL RINGING.
The Rev. F. Ll. Edwards reported that this question, raised by the Rev. H. Drake last year, had been considered by the Standing Committee. He presented a report (‘The Ringing World,’ June 7th, 1939, page 435), which was adopted on the President’s motion, and it was agreed that it should be sent to all Diocesan Advisory Committees.
CHESTERFIELD BELLS.
The President referred to this matter and stated that in a recent article in ‘The Sheffield Telegraph’ the Archdeacon was considering installing some form of ‘canned’ bells or gramophone records if he was unable to obtain the services of ringers. On this matter the Towers and Belfries Committee were anxious for information. Mr. S. F. Palmer stated that he understood that the services of ringers had been offered, and that a meeting was being arranged between the Archdeacon and a Chesterfield ringer. On the proposal of the Rev. F. Ll. Edwards, seconded by Mr. W. G. Wilson, the secretary was instructed to write to the Archdeacon to say that the Council was very glad to hear of the proposed meeting and hoped that successful results would be the outcome.
HANDBELL RINGING.
On the proposal of Mr. G. W. Fletcher, seconded by Mr. W. H. J. Hooton, it was agreed that the draft book prepared by Mr. C. W. Woolley be passed to prominent handbell ringers for their comments, and afterwards to the Standing Committee for printing as soon as possible.
SILENCERS.
A question by Mr. A. D. Barker as to the recognition of a peal where silencers were used, and the general use of different types of silencers, was, on the President’s suggestion, deferred for consideration at a future meeting.
RECORD ATTENDANCE.
The hon. secretary reported the attendance at the meeting as 104 representative and 13 honorary members. Twenty-four associations were fully represented, 19 partly and six not.
VOTES OF THANKS.
On the President’s motion, thanks were accorded to Dr. Jocelyn Perkins for his welcome, the Middlesex County Council for the use of the Council Chamber, H.M. Office of Works for the use of Imperial Institute bells, and all Church authorities and towerkeepers, and to the London societies and their representatives for arrangements.
The meeting terminated at 4.45 p.m. with a vote of thanks to the President, proposed by the Rev. Canon G. F. Coleridge, and to the hon. secretary and Mrs. E. K. Fletcher, proposed by the President.
The Ringing World, May 12th, 1944, pages 199 to 200