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THE CENTRAL COUNCIL OF CHURCH BELL RINGERS

MINUTES OF THE LINCOLN MEETING

MINUTES of the second session of the twenty-first Council (55th annual meeting), held in the Chapter House, Lincoln, on Whitsun Tuesday, June 3rd, 1952.

A very warm welcome was extended to the Council by the Lord Bishop of Lincoln. Prayers were offered by the Very Rev. the Dean of Lincoln.

PRESENT:-

Ancient Society of College Youths.- Mr. J. F. Smallwood.
Bath and Wells Diocesan Association.- Mr. S. G. Coles, Mr. J. T. Dyke, Miss N. G. Williams.
Bedfordshire Association.- Mr. H. Harding, Mr. A. C. Sinfield.
Cambridge University Guild.- Mr. E. M. Atkins, Mr. S. E. Darmon.
Chester Diocesan Guild.- Mr. J. W. Clarke, Rev. J. Kingdon, Mr. D. Smith, Mr. J. Worth.
Coventry Diocesan Guild.- Mrs. D. E. Beamish, Mr. F. Perrens.
Derbyshire Association.- Mr. D. Carlisle, Mr. A. Mould.
Devon Guild.- Mr. A. L. Bennett, Mr. E. W. Biffin, Mr. J. E. Lilley.
Dudley & District Guild.- Mr. F. Colclough.
Durham and Newcastle Association.- Mr. F. Ainsley, Mr. W. N. Park.
East Grinstead and District Guild.- Mr. C. A. Bassett.
Ely Diocesan Guild.- Mr. F. W. Lack, Mr. E. H. Mastin.
Essex Association.- Mr. H. J. Mansfield, Miss H. G. Snowden.
Gloucester and Bristol Diocesan Association.- Miss D. M. Drew, Mr. W. B. Kynaston, Mr. F. Skidmore.
Guildford Diocesan Guild.- Mr. G. L. Grover, Mr. A. C. Hazelden, Mr. A. H. Pulling.
Hereford Diocesan Guild.- Mr. G. J. Lewis, Mr. W. F. Moreton.
Hertford County Association.- Mr. W. Ayre, Mr. R. G. Bell.
Irish Association.- Mr. F. E. Dukes, Mr. J. T. Dunwoody.
Kent County Association.- Mr. T. E. Sone, Mr. J. Willis.
Ladies' Guild.- Mrs. G. W. Fletcher, Mrs. A. Richardson, Mrs. P. J. Staniforth.
Lancashire Association.- Mr. F. Dunkerley, Mr. J. Ridyard, Mr. C. Sharples, Mr. L. J. Williams.
Leicester Diocesan Guild.- Mr. A. Ballard, Mr. H. J. Poole, Mr. A. E. Rowley, Mr. E. C. Turner.
Lincoln Diocesan Guild.- Mr. J. Bray, Mr. G. E. Feirn, Mr. J. Freeman, Mr. J. A. Freeman.
Llandaff and Monmouth Diocesan Association.- Mr. T. M. Roderick.
London County Association.- Mr. H. W. Rogers, Mrs. H. W. Rogers, Mr. W. G. Wilson.
Middlesex County Association.- Mr. T. J. Lock, Mr. C. W. Roberts, Mr. E. C. S. Turner.
Midland Counties Guild.- Mr. J. W. Cotton, Mr. B. G. Key.
National Police Guild.- Mr. T. R. Butler.
North Staffordshire Association.- Mr. R. S. Anderson.
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.- Mr. R. B. Meadows.
Peterborough Diocesan Guild.- Mr. G. W. Jeffs, Mr. B. P. Morris, Mr. R. C. Noon, Mr. W. Rose.
St. David's Diocesan Guild.- Mr. A. Hoare.
St. Martin's Guild, Birmingham.- Mr. F. E. Haynes.
Salisbury Diocesan Guild.- Rev. F. Ll. Edwards, Mr. G. Harding, Mr. W. C. West.
Sheffield and District Association.- Mr. N. Chaddock.
Society of Royal Cumberland Youths.- Mr. P. N. Bond, Mr. G. H. Cross, Mr. T. H. Francis, Mr. F. E. Hawthorne.
Southwell Diocesan Guild.- Mr. J. W. Raithby.
Stafford Archdeaconry Society.- Mr. H. Knight, Mr. C. Wallater.
Suffolk Guild.- Mr. C. W. Pipe, Mr. C. J. Sedgley, Mr. G. E. Symonds.
Surrey Association.- Mr. A. P. Cannon, Mr. F. E. Collins, Mr. D. Cooper.
Sussex County Association.- Mr. F. Bennett, Mr. R. G. Blackman, Mr. L. Stilwell.
Swansea and Brecon Diocesan Guild.- Mr. G. Lewis.
Truro Diocesan Guild.- Mr. H. Miles.
Universities Association.- Miss M. R. Cross.
Winchester and Portsmouth Diocesan Guild.- Rev. K. W. H. Felstead, Mr. C. H. Kippin, Mr. G. Pullinger, Mr. F. W. Rogers.
Worcestershire and Districts Association.- Mr. B. C. Ashford, Mr. W. B. Cartwright.
Yorkshire Association.- Mr. W. E. Critchley, Mr. P. J. Johnson, Mr. L. W. G. Morris, Mr. S. F. Palmer.
Life Members.- Mr. E. H. Lewis, Mr. G. W. Fletcher, Mr. W. H. J. Hooton, Mr. E. A. Young.
Honorary Members.- Mr. E. A. Barnett, Mr. J. P. Fidler, Mr. F. I. Hairs, Dr. E. S. J. Hatcher, Mr. A. A. Hughes, Mr. C. K. Lewis, Mrs. C. C. Marshall, Mr. G. R. Newton, Mr. F. Sharpe, Mr. E. C. Shepherd, Mr. P. L. Taylor, Mr. W. H. Viggers.

SUMMARY.

REPORT AS TO MEMBERSHIP

The Hon. Secretary reported that 54 Associations were affiliated, entitled to elect 149 representatives. The Rules provided for 24 Honorary Members and there were 4 Life Members - a total of 177. There were two vacancies in Representative Members and four in the Honorary Members.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received from: Rev. and Mrs. A. S. Roberts, Rev. W. H. R. Trewhella, Alderman A. Paddon Smith, Messrs. P. Baker, K. Beardsall, G. W. Cecil, P. A. Corby, F. H. Dallaway, G. E. Debenham, E. G. Fenn, F. W. Goodfellow, G. L. Hewitt, A. J. Hughes, D. Hughes, J. W. Jones, F. B. Lufkin, T. G. Myers, W. Osborn, A. B. Peck, F. Precey, B. D. Price, H. J. Sanger, G. H. Spice, T. H. Taffender, A. Walker, J. J. Webb, C. W. Woolley.

PRESENTATION OF NEW MEMBERS TO THE PRESIDENT

The following were presented: Mr. J. E. Lilley (Devon), Mr. W. G. Wilson (London County), Mr. J. Raithby (Southwell), and Honorary Members - Dr. E. S. J. Hatcher and Messrs. J. P. Fidler, E. Shepherd and P. L. Taylor.

LOYAL ADDRESS

On the motion of the President it was decided to send the following telegram:-

"The Central Council of Church Bell Ringers at annual meeting at the Chapter House at Lincoln assembled, desire to convey to your Majesty their expression of their loyal devotion and pray that your Majesty may be preserved for many years to preside over this Realm and Empire,"

to which the following gracious acknowledgment was received:-

"The Queen sincerely thanks the members of the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers assembled at their annual meeting for their kind and loyal message which Her Majesty much appreciates."

ELECTION OF HON. SECRETARY AND TREASURER

Nominations were the Rev. K. W. H. Felstead, proposed on behalf of the Selection Committee by the President, supported by 24 members of the Standing Committee, and Mr. E. A. Barnett, proposed by Mr. J. F. Smallwood, seconded by Mr. F. E. Haynes. The voting by ballot resulted in Mr. E. A. Barnett's election by 76 votes to 52. Mr. E. A. Barnett expressed his thanks.

The President expressed the thanks of the Council to the retiring Honorary Secretary and to Mrs. Fletcher.

ELECTION OF HONORARY MEMBERS

The retiring member, Mr. W. Rowe, was re-elected on the proposal of Mr. F. I. Hairs, seconded by Mr. F. W. Perrens, and it was also decided to retain the four vacancies.

ELECTION OF LIFE MEMBERS

On the proposal of the President, seconded by Mr. A. A. Hughes on behalf of the Standing Committee, Mrs. E. K. Fletcher was unanimously elected, and on the proposal of Mr. W. G. Wilson, seconded by Mr. E. A. Barnett, Miss M. E. Snowdon was also elected.

LOSS OF MEMBERS THROUGH DEATH

The death of the following members was reported by the President with members standing in silence: T. Groombridge, S. J. Hector, T. Laver, J. C. E. Simpson, J. Swindley, T. W. Taffender. The President also reported the death of Miss Nora Johnston, sister of the late Mr. Cyril Johnston.

MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

On the proposal of Mr. F. I. Hairs, seconded by Mr. F. W. Perrens, the Minutes as published and circulated were approved and adopted.

REPORTS

The various reports have been published as indicated:-

REPORT OF HON. LIBRARIAN
("Ringing World," No. 2,150, June 13th, 1952, page 378.)

Adopted on the proposal of Mr. W. H. J. Hooton, seconded by Mr. F. I. Hairs. The Hon. Librarian appealed for the return of publications still held by associations on sale or return.

GENERAL ACCOUNTS
("Ringing World," No. 2,150, June 13th, 1952, pages 378 and 379.)

Adopted on the proposal of Mr. G. W. Fletcher, seconded by Mr. A. A. Hughes, "The Ringing World" accounts being subject to audit.

Notice of Motion was given to increase the affiliation fees.

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE CARTER RINGING MACHINE
(" Ringing World," No. 2,150, June 13th, 1952, page 379.)

Adopted on the proposal of Mr. A. A. Hughes, seconded by Mr. H. J. Poole.

REPORT OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE
(" Ringing World," No. 2,150 June 13th, 1952, page 379.)

Adopted on the proposal of Mr. G. W. Fletcher, seconded by Mr. R. S. Anderson.

HANDBOOK

On the President's motion, it was agreed to leave the completion of the book in the hands of Dr. E. S. J. Hatcher.

ROLL OF HONOUR
(" Ringing World," No. 2,150, June 13th, 1952, page 379.)

Adopted on the proposal of Mr. H. Miles, seconded by Mr. R. S. Anderson, and on the proposal of the Hon. Secretary, seconded by Mr. F. I. Hairs, a vote of grateful thanks was passed to Mr. F. Cullen for generously undertaking the writing and to Mr. Miles for the successful completion of this work.

It was agreed that further consideration be given as to where the book should be deposited.

FESTIVAL OF BRITAIN
("Ringing World," No. 2,150, June 13th, 1952, page 379.)

Adopted on the proposal of Dr. E. S. J. Hatcher, seconded by Mr. F. I. Hairs, the Council agreeing that the committee be dissolved.

REPORT OF THE PEAL COLLECTION COMMITTEE
("Ringing World," No. 2,150, June 13th, 1952, page 379.)

Adopted on the proposal of Mr. E. A. Barnett, seconded by Mr. W. Ayre. The recommendation by the committee that it be disbanded was rejected.

REPORT OF THE METHODS COMMITTEE
("Ringing World," No. 2,151, June 20th, 1952, page 393.)

The committee's recommendation to add to the Rules relating to Doubles Methods was adopted on the proposal of the Rev. K. W. H. Felstead, seconded by Mr. F. W. Rogers. The rules are:-

(1) The working bells need NOT be in the same coursing order at each lead head and end in the Plain Course.

(2) No bell shall strike more than four consecutive blows in any one place, such four consecutive blows only to occur when the treble is at the front or at the back.

(3) As far as possible there shall be as many leads in the Plain Course as there are working bells, but this requirement to be relaxed to include single hunt methods which have three leads in a plain course.

On the proposal of Mr. P. J. Johnson, seconded by Mr. C. Wallater, it was agreed to defer further consideration until next year of that section of the report devoted to Extension of Methods. On the proposal of Mr. H. J. Poole, seconded by Mr. F. I. Hairs, the question of the use of 3 lead course Royal Methods was referred back.

It was also agreed to add Mr. C. H. Kippin to the committee, and the committee was given power to co-opt others.

REPORT OF THE PEALS ANALYSIS COMMITTEE
("Ringing World," No. 2,150, June 13th, 1952, pages 379-380.)

The committee was instructed to delete from the Analysis for the year all those peals which did not comply with the Decisions of the Council. With this deletion the report was adopted on the proposal of Mr. W. Ayre, seconded by Mr. H. Miles.

REPORT OF THE RECORDS COMMITTEE
("Ringing World," No. 2,152, June 27th, 1952, page 409.)

Adopted on the proposal of Mrs. E. K. Fletcher, seconded by Mrs. C. C. Marshall.

REPORT OF THE TOWERS AND BELFRIES COMMITTEE

Mr. F. Sharpe reported on behalf of the committee (see "Ringing World," No. 2,152, June 27th, page 409). The report was seconded by Mr. E. H. Lewis and adopted. It was agreed to add Mr. J. W. Clarke and Mr. F. Collins to the committee.

REPORT OF THE LITERATURE, PRESS & BROADCASTING COMMITTEE
("Ringing World," No. 2,149, June 6th, 1952, page 361.)

Adopted on the proposal of the Rev. F. Ll. Edwards, seconded by the Rev. K. W. H. Felstead.

The President congratulated Mr. Edwards on the 50th anniversary of his ordination.

REPORT OF THE PEAL BOARDS COMMITTEE

Mr. J. W. Clarke reported verbally that it was proposed to make a final appeal so that the work could be finally wound up.

The report was seconded by Mr. W. Ayre and adopted.

REPORT OF THE BIOGRAPHIES COMMITTEE
("Ringing World," No. 2,149, June 6th, 1952, page 361.)

Adopted on the proposal of Mr. A. C. Hazelden, seconded by Mr. W. H. Viggers. It was also decided to add Mr. L. Stilwell to the committee.

REPORT OF "THE RINGING WORLD" COMMITTEE
("Ringing World," No. 2,152, June 27th, 1952, pages 409-410.)

The committee recommended (1) that the price be maintained at 4d. for the present and (2) that Mr. A. A. Hughes be appointed "Ringing World" treasurer.

The report and recommendations were adopted on the proposal of Mr. J. F. Smallwood, seconded by Mr. F. I. Hairs.

MOTION

Proposed by Mr. A. E. Lock, seconded by Mr. A. D. Barker and carried:-

"The Oxford Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers, as represented by its General Committee, views with apprehension the possibility of the Central Council rule requiring all methods rung in peals to have Plain Bob lead ends, and requests the Council to preserve the status quo and to re-examine the whole question of irregular methods in the light of present-day knowledge and practice."

PLACE OF NEXT MEETING

On the proposal of Mr. F. W. Perrens, seconded by Mr. R. G. Blackman, it was decided to visit Bournemouth, and the Council also agreed that the meeting commence at 10 o'clock instead of 11 as hitherto.

VOTES OF THANKS

On the President's motion, thanks were expressed to the Bishop of Lincoln, the Dean and Chapter, the Archdeacon of Lindsey, the Lincoln Diocesan Guild, particularly the Dean (President), Mr. J. A. Freeman (Master) and Mr. J. Bray (Secretary) for arrangements, all incumbents of churches for the use of bells and to all towerkeepers.

A vote of thanks to the President was proposed by Mr. R. S. Anderson.

Members of the Council and their friends were the guests of the Mayor and Corporation at tea, presided over by the Mayor, Councillor J. W. Giles, supported by the Bishop, the Dean and the Archdeacon of Lindsey. The thanks of the Council were expressed by the President.

The Ringing World, May 1, 1953, pages 284 to 285