Minutes of the first session of the twentieth Council (51st Annual Meeting), held at the Skinners Hall, Dowgate Hill, Cannon Street, London, on Whitsun Tuesday, May 18th, 1949.
The Master of the Skinners Company, Canon Adam Fox, and Dean Matthews, of St. Paul’s Cathedral, extended a welcome to the members, which was acknowledged by the President.
A letter from the Private Secretary to the Princess Elizabeth, expressing regret that neither the Princess nor the Duke of Edinburgh could be present, was read by the President.
Prayers were offered by Dean Matthews.
PRESENT:-
Ancient Society of College Youths.- Mr. G. W. Cecil, Mr. E. G. Fenn, Mr. H. R. Newton, Mr. A. B. Peck.
Bath and Wells Diocesan Association.- Mr. J. T. Dyke, Mr. H. J. Sanger, Miss N. G. Williams.
Bedfordshire Association.- Mr. H. Harding, Mr. A. C. Sinfield.
Cambridge University Guild.- Mr. E. M. Atkins, Rev. B. F. Sheppard.
Chester Diocesan Guild.- Mr. J. E. Bibby, Mr. J. W. Clarke, Mr. C. W. Lawton, Mr. C. K. Lewis.
Coventry Diocesan Guild.- Mrs. D. E. Beamish, Mr. F. W. Perrens.
Derby and District Association.- Mr. G. C. Briggs.
Devon Guild.- Mr. A. L. Bennett, Mr. F. C. Smale.
Dudley and District Guild.- Mr. F. Colclough.
Durham and Newcastle Association.- Mr. W. H. Barber, Mr. W. N. Park.
East Grinstead Guild.- Mr. A. Relfe.
Ely Diocesan Association.- Mr. C. W. Cook, Mr. E. H. Mastin.
Essex Association.- Mr. F. V. Gant, Mr. F. B. Lufkin, Mr. H. J. Mansfield.
Gloucester and Bristol Diocesan Association.- Mr. W. B. Kynaston, Mr. S. T. Price, Mr. F. Skidmore, Mr. W. Williams.
Guildford Diocesan Guild.- Mr. G. L. Grover, Mr. A. Harman, Mr. A. C. Hazelden, Mr. A. H. Pulling.
Hereford Diocesan Guild.- Mr. G. E. Oliver, Mr. G. J. Lewis, Mr. W. F. Moreton.
Hertford County Association.- Mr. W. Ayre, Mr. R. G. Bell, Mr. H. G. Cashmore, Mr. C. W. Woolley.
Irish Association.- Mr. F. E. Dukes, Mr. J. T. Dunwoody.
Kent County Association.- Dr. E. S. J. Hatcher, Mr. F. M. Mitchell, Mr. T. E. Sone, Mr. G. H. Spice.
Ladies’ Guild.- Mrs. G. W. Fletcher, Mrs. A. Richardson, Miss E. Steel.
Lancashire Association.- Mr. P. Crook, Mr. W. H. Shuker, Mr. A. Tomlinson.
Leicester Diocesan Guild.- Mr. A. Ballard, Mr. J. P. Fidler, Mr. H. J. Poole, Mr. A. E. Rowley.
Lincoln Diocesan Guild.- Mr. J. Bray, Mr. G. E. Feirn, Mr. J. Freeman, Mr. J. A. Freeman.
Llandaff and Monmouth Diocesan Association.- Mr. J. W. Jones, Mr. E. Stitch.
London County Association.- Mr. H. W. Rogers, Mr. T. H. Taffender, Mr. T. W. Taffender.
Middlesex County Association.- Mr. J. E. L. Cockey, Mr. A. W. Coles, Mr. T. J. Lock, Mr. W. G. Wilson.
Midland Counties’ Guild.- Mr. J. W. Cotton, Mr. B. G. Key.
North Staffordshire Association.- Mr. R. S. Anderson.
North Wales Association.- Mr. A. J. Hughes.
Norwich Diocesan Association.- Mr. W. C. Duffield, Mr. F. N. Golden, Rev. A. G. G. Thurlow.
Oxford Diocesan Guild.- Mr. A. D. Barker, Mrs. A. D. Barker, Mr. F. D. Boreham, Mr. A. E. Lock.
Oxford University Society.- Miss B. Spice.
Peterborough Diocesan Guild.- Mr. G. W. Jeffs, Mr. W. Rose, Mr. G. S. Valentine, Mr. E. E. Whitmore.
St. David’s Diocesan Guild.- Mr. A. Hoare.
St. Martin’s Guild, Birmingham.- Mr. A. Paddon Smith.
Salisbury Diocesan Guild.- Rev. F. Ll. Edwards, Mr. G. H. Harding, Mr. W. C. West.
Society of Royal Cumberland Youths.- Mr. G. H. Cross, Mr. T. H. Francis, Mr. F. C. W. Knight, Mr. G. Steere.
Society for Archdeaconry of Stafford.- Mr. H. Knight, Mr. C. Wallater.
Suffolk Guild.- Mr. C. W. Pipe, Mr. C. J. Sedgley, Mr. G. E. Symonds.
Surrey Association.- Mr. F. E. Collins, Mr. D. Cooper.
Sussex County Association.- Mr. R. G. Blackman, Mr. F. H. Dallaway, Mr. F. I. Hairs, Mr. O. Sippetts.
Swansea and Brecon Diocesan Guild.- Mr. D. H. Bennett.
Truro Diocesan Guild.- Mr. H. Miles, Rev. A. S. Roberts, Mrs. A. S. Roberts, Mr. F. D. Teague.
Universities Association.- Miss M. Cross.
Winchester and Portsmouth Diocesan Guild.- Rev. K. W. H. Felstead, Mr. G. Pullinger, Mr. F. W. Rogers, Mr. G. Williams.
Worcestershire and Districts Association.- Mr. B. C. Ashford, Mr. S. T. Holt.
Yorkshire Association.- Rev. C. O. Ellison, Mr. P. J. Johnson, Mr. L. W. G. Morris, Mr. S. F. Palmer.
Honorary Members.- Mr. C. Dean, Mr. G. E. Debenham, Mr. T. Groombridge, sen., Mr. W. H. J. Hooton, Mr. A. A. Hughes, Mr. C. H. Kippin, Mr. E. H. Lewis, Mr. W. A. Osborn, Mr. F. Sharpe, Mr. J. F. Smallwood, Mr. E. C. S. Turner, Mr. A. Walker, Mr. G. W. Fletcher.
SUMMARY.
| Members | |||
| Associations. | Present. | Absent. | |
| Wholly represented | 36 | 99 | |
| Partly represented | 11 | 26 | 13 |
| Not represented | 6 | 8 | |
| 53 | 125 | 21 | |
| Hon. members | 13 | ||
| 138 | 21 | ||
REPORT AS TO MEMBERSHIP.
The Hon. Secretary reported a membership of 53 Associations, represented by 146 members as shown by 24 Associations entitled to four members, 4 to three, 13 to two, and 12 to one. Honorary members numbered seventeen.
The North Wales Association had reaffiliated and representation had increased in the Truro Diocesan Guild, Barnsley and District Association, Derby and District Association, and Midland Counties Guild.
The names of representatives had not been furnished by the Hereford Diocesan Guild, the Oxford Society, and the Scottish Association. The latter had failed to pay affiliation fees.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
Apologies were received from Mr. W. C. Wakley, Devon Guild; Mr. F. Ainsley, Durham and Newcastle Association; Miss H. G. Snowden, Essex; Mr. G. R. Newton, Lancashire; Mrs. O. L. Rogers, London County; Rev. C. E. Wigg, Oxford University; Mr. F. Precey, Salisbury Diocesan Guild; Mr. J. D. Johnson, Worcestershire and Districts; and Honorary Members, Mrs. C. C. Marshall, and Messrs. C. F. Johnston and E. A. Young.
PRESENTATION OF NEW MEMBERS TO THE PRESIDENT.
New members presented were: Mr. G. W. Cecil, Ancient Society of College Youths; Messrs. J. E. Bibby, C. W. Lawton and C. K. Lewis, Chester; Mr. G. C. Briggs, Derby; Mr. W. N. Park, Durham and Newcastle; Mr. E. H. Mastin, Ely; Mr. F. V. Gant, Essex; Messrs. S. T. Price, F. Skidmore and W. Williams, Gloucester and Bristol; Mr. G. E. Oliver, Hereford; Messrs. R. G. Bell and C. W. Woolley, Hertford; Mr. J. T. Dunwoody, Irish; Dr. E. S. J. Hatcher, Kent; Mr. A. W. Coles, Middlesex; Mr. B. G. Key, Midland Counties; Mr. R. S. Anderson, North Staffs; Mr. A. J. Hughes, North Wales; Mrs. A. D. Barker and Mr. F. D. Boreham, Oxford Diocesan Guild; Miss B. Spice, Oxford University; Mr. E. E. Whitmore, Peterborough; Messrs. T. H. Francis and F. C. W. Knight, Society of Royal Cumberland Youths; Mr. G. E. Symonds, Suffolk; Mrs. A. S. Roberts and Messrs. H. Miles and F. D. Teague, Truro; Rev. C. O. Ellison, Yorkshire; and Mr. W. A. Osborn, Honorary Member.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
President.- It was proposed by Mr. A. Paddon Smith and seconded by the Rev. F. Ll. Edwards that Mr. E. H. Lewis be re-elected President. This resolution was carried.
Hon. Secretary and Treasurer.- Owing to Mr. G. W. Fletcher’s non-election as a representative member and there being some doubt as to whether an officer of the Council could serve during the meeting if elected as an honorary member, it was resolved on the motion of the President, seconded by Mr. A. Walker, that Mr. Fletcher act as Secretary for the period of the meeting. It was further resolved on the proposal of Mr. A. A. Hughes, seconded by Mr. H. Miles, that subject to his election as an honorary member, Mr. G. W. Fletcher be re-elected Hon. Secretary and Treasurer.
Honorary Librarian.- On the proposal of Mr. W. Ayre, seconded by the Rev. F. Ll. Edwards, Mr. W. H. J. Hooton was re-elected.
Election of Honorary Members.- It was proposed by Mr. W. Ayre, seconded by Mr. C. J. Sedgley, that the fourteen members retiring be re-elected, and it was further proposed by Mr. A. Paddon Smith, seconded by Mr. F. I. Hairs, that the following names be added: Rev. Canon G. F. Coleridge, Mr. G. W. Fletcher, Mr. H. Viggers and Mr. E. A. Barnett. The ballot for the seventeen places resulted in the following being elected: The Rt. Hon. the Earl of Shaftesbury, the Rev. Canon G. F. Coleridge, Mr. E. H. Lewis, Mrs. C. C. Marshall, and Messrs. E. A. Barnett, C. Dean, G. E. Debenham, G. W. Fletcher, T. Groombridge, sen., W. H. J. Hooton, A. A. Hughes, C. F. Johnston, F. Sharpe, J. F. Smallwood, H. Viggers, A. Walker and E. Alex. Young.
Election of Hon. Auditors.- The following were elected: Mr. C. Dean on the proposal of Mr. W. Ayre, seconded by Mr. J. F. Smallwood, and Mr. A. A. Hughes on the proposal of Mrs. E. K. Fletcher, seconded by Mr. W. H. J. Hooton.
LOSS OF MEMBERS THROUGH DEATH.
A silent tribute was paid to the memory of the following members and past members: G. Chester, Rev. H. Drake, Keith Hart, J. J. Jutson, E. H. Lindup, R. Matthews, Rev. E. S. Powell, E. Denison Taylor, F. B. Tompkins and J. A. Trollope.
MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING.
On the President’s motion, seconded by Mr. J. F. Smallwood, the minutes as published and circulated were taken as read and approved, subject to the insertion of a reference to the royal telegrams to the Princess Elizabeth and Queen Mary.
The various reports and accounts presented to the Council have been published as indicated and are preserved in the Council’s records.
REPORT OF HON. LIBRARIAN.
(‘Ringing World,’ No. 1,938, page 220.)
Adopted on the proposal of Mr. W. H. J. Hooton, seconded by Mr. G. H. Gross. Approval was given to print a Broadsheet devoted to classification of Minor Methods.
GENERAL ACCOUNTS.
(‘Ringing World,’ No. 1,938, page 220.)
Adopted on the proposal of Mr. G. W. Fletcher, seconded by Mr. A. D. Barker.
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE CARTER RINGING MACHINE.
(‘Ringing World,’ No. 1,938, page 220.)
Adopted on the proposal of Mr. A. A. Hughes, seconded by Mr. J. F. Smallwood, and it was also agreed to appoint Mr. A. Walker a trustee in place of Mr. E. A. Young, resigned.
REPORT OF STANDING COMMITTEE.
(‘Ringing World,’ No. 1,938, page 226.)
Adopted on the President’s motion. The following were elected to this committee. The election was by ballot, thirteen members being proposed for twelve places. Elected: Messrs. G. E. Debenham, J. T. Dyke, J. W. L. Clarke, F. I. Hairs, P. J. Johnson, F. W. Perrens, H. J. Poole, A. H. Pulling, J. F. Smallwood, A. Paddon Smith, Rev. A. G. G. Thurlow and Mr. A. Walker.
REPORT OF PEAL COLLECTION COMMITTEE.
(‘Ringing World,’ No. 1,938, pages 220-221.)
Adopted on the proposal of Mr. H. G. Cashmore, seconded by Mr. C. W. Woolley. The following committee was re-elected on the proposal of Mr. H. J. Poole, seconded by Mr. A. Walker: Messrs. H. G. Cashmore, G. R. Newton, C. W. Woolley and E. A. Barnett, with Mr. Cashmore as convener, proposed by Mr. F. W. Rogers, seconded by the Rev. K. W. H. Felstead.
REPORT OF METHODS COMMITTEE.
(‘Ringing World,’ No. 1,938, page 221.)
Adopted on the proposal of Mr. E. C. S. Turner, seconded by the Rev. K. W. H. Felstead. The following were elected to the committee: Mr. E. A. Barnett, proposed by Mr. F. I. Hairs, seconded by Mr. F. W. Rogers; Mr. H. G. Cashmore, proposed by Mr. W. H. Barber, seconded by Mr. W. N. Park; Rev. K. W. H. Felstead, proposed by Mr. G. Pullinger, seconded by Mr. G. Williams; Mr. Nolan Golden, proposed by Mrs. E. K. Fletcher, seconded by Mr. C. J. Sedgley; and Mr. C. K. Lewis, proposed by Mr. C. W. Lawton, seconded by Mr. J. P. Fidler, with Rev. K. W. H. Felstead as convener, proposed by Mr. J. P. Fidler, seconded by Mr. F. E. Dukes.
REPORT OF THE PEAL ANALYSIS COMMITTEE.
(‘Ringing World,’ No. 1,939, page 231.)
Adopted on the proposal of Mr. C. Dean, seconded by Mr. W. Ayre. Arising out of the report, it was agreed on the proposal of Mr. H. J. Poole, seconded by Mr. J. P. Fidler, to refer to the appropriate committee the question of the use of Singles in Treble Bob Compositions. The committee, consisting of Mr. C. Dean, convener, Mr. G. L. Grover and Mr. W. Ayre, was re-elected on the proposal of Mr. F. I. Hairs, seconded by Mr. F. E. Dukes.
REPORT OF THE RECORDS COMMITTEE.
(‘Ringing World,’ No. 1,938, page 221.)
Adopted on the proposal of Mrs. E. K. Fletcher, seconded by Mr. F. I. Hairs, and it was also resolved that the handbell peal of Double Norwich Court Bob Major of 13,664 changes rung at Bushey on February 29th, 1948, be admitted as a record peal, proposed by Mr. R. S. Anderson, seconded by Mr. F. I. Hairs. On the proposal of Mr. G. W. Fletcher, seconded by Mr. P. J. Johnson, the committee, Mrs. L. K. Marshall and Mrs. E. K. Fletcher, was re-elected, with Mrs. Fletcher as convener, proposed by the President.
REPORT OF TOWERS AND BELFRIES COMMITTEE.
(‘Ringing World,’ No. 1,939, page 231.)
Adopted on the President’s motion. On the proposal of Mr. G. W. Fletcher, seconded by Mr. A. Walker, the following committee was re-elected, with Mr. Lewis as convener: Mr. E. H. Lewis, Mr. E. A. Young, Mr. F. Sharpe and Mr. W. Osborn.
REPORT OF THE LITERATURE, PRESS AND BROADCASTING COMMITTEE.
(‘Ringing World,’ No. 1,939, pages 231-232.)
Adopted on the proposal of the Rev. F. Ll. Edwards, seconded by Mr. A. Paddon Smith. The committee, consisting of the Rev. F. Ll. Edwards (convener), Mr. A. Paddon Smith and Mr. A. Walker, was re-elected on the proposal of Mr. R. S. Anderson, seconded by Mr. H. Poole.
REPORT OF THE PEAL BOARDS COMMITTEE.
(‘Ringing World,’ No. 1,939, page 232.)
Adopted on the proposal of Mr. W. G. Wilson, seconded by Mr. W. Ayre, and on the proposal of Mr. P. J. Johnson, seconded by Mr. S. F. Palmer, the committee was re-elected as follows: Mr. W. G. Wilson (convener), Rev. C. E. Wigg and Mr. W. Ayre.
REPORT OF THE BIOGRAPHIES COMMITTEE.
(‘Ringing World,’ No. 1,939, page 232.)
Adopted on the proposal of Mr. A. C. Hazelden, seconded by Mrs. E. K. Fletcher. The following committee was appointed on the proposal of Mr. F. I. Hairs, seconded by Mr. A. D. Barker: Mr. A. C. Hazelden (convener) and Mr. W. Viggers.
REPORT OF ‘THE RINGING WORLD’ COMMITTEE.
(‘Ringing World,’ No. 1,939, page 232.)
Adopted on the proposal of Mr. A. Paddon Smith, seconded by Mr. A. C. Hazelden, and on the proposal of Mr. G. W. Fletcher, seconded by Mr. A. Walker, the accounts for the year ended December 31st, 1947, were also adopted, and it was also agreed on the recommendation of the Standing Committee to pay to the auditor a fee of £21, being £5 5s. for each year.
On the proposal of the Rev. F. Ll. Edwards, seconded by Mr. A. Walker, a vote of thanks was accorded to the Editor and the following committee elected: Mr. E. H. Lewis (convener), Mrs. E. K. Fletcher, Mr. A. A. Hughes and Mr. G. W. Fletcher.
ALTERATIONS TO RULE 13.
On the motion of Mr. F. E. Dukes, seconded by Mr. J. T. Dunwoody, it was resolved that the words ‘The Ringing World’ be substituted for the words ‘the ringing papers.’
BOOK ON HANDBELL RINGING.
On the proposal of Mr. F. E. Dukes, seconded by Mr. J. T. Dunwoody, it was resolved that the book on handbell ringing be completed and printed at the earliest opportunity.
STEDMAN CATERS AND CINQUES.
On the proposal of Mr. G. E. Symonds, seconded by Mr. A. Walker, it was agreed to reprint the late John Carter’s Broadsheet of peals and place these on sale.
MR. LINDOFF’S MANUSCRIPTS.
On the proposal of the President, seconded by Mr. H. J. Poole, it was agreed to ask the Peal Collection Committee to examine these manuscripts and report thereon.
PLACE OF NEXT MEETING.
On the invitation of Mr. P. J. Johnson, supported by the Rev. C. O. Ellison, it was decided to hold the next meeting at York. Proposed by Mr. J. W. Jones, seconded by Mr. F. I. Hairs.
MEMORIALS.
The following sums were voted:-
To the Rupert Richardson Memorial, £3 3s., on the proposal of Mr. H. J. Poole, seconded by Mr. J. Bray.
To the J. W. Parker Memorial, £3 3s., on the proposal of Mr. A. Walker, seconded by Mrs. E. K. Fletcher.
VOTES OF THANKS.
On the President’s motion, thanks were accorded to the Master and Wardens of the Skinners Company for the use of the hall; to Mr. A. A. Hughes, who was responsible for the arrangements; to the Dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral; to the incumbents of the various towers for use of bells and to the steeple-keepers.
Mr. A. Paddon Smith expressed the members’ thanks to Mr. Lewis and Mr. Hughes for the tea which was provided during the afternoon session.
The meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the President, proposed by Mr. A. A. Hughes.
The Ringing World, May 13th, 1949, pages 218 to 219, correction May 5th, 1950, page 284
(Archivist’s note: also absent were H. Chant and D. Smith (Barnsley & District Guild), S. G. Coles (Bath & Wells Dio. Assn.), W. Lancaster (Derby & District Assn.), E. W. Biffin and T. G. W. Myers (Devon Guild), C. W. Evans (East Derbys & Notts Assn.), W. T. Poston (Hereford Dio. Guild), W. F. Judge (Oxford Society), W. C. G. Jinkins (Scottish Assn.), G. L. Hewitt (Shropshire Assn.), H. Denman and T. Groombridge, jun. (Southwell Dio. Guild) and W. M. Rowe and the Earl of Shaftesbury (Honorary))