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THE CENTRAL COUNCIL OF CHURCH BELL RINGERS

MINUTES OF THE CHELMSFORD MEETING, 1957

MINUTES of the first session of the twenty-third Council (60th Annual Meeting), held in the Shirehall, Chelmsford, on Whitsun Tuesday, June 11th, 1957.

A welcome was extended to the Council by the Mayor, the Bishop of Chelmsford and the Master of the Essex Association. The thanks of the Council were expressed by the President (Mr. E. H. Lewis).

PRESENT:-

Life Members.- E. H. Lewis, E. A. Barnett, F. Sharpe, G. W. Fletcher, Mrs. G. W. Fletcher.
Honorary Members.- Mrs. E. A. Barnett, F. I. Hairs, A. A. Hughes, D. Hughes, C. K. Lewis, Mrs. C. C. Marshall, W. A. Osborn, C. W. Roberts, E. C. Shepherd, P. L. Taylor.
Ancient Society of College Youths.- S/Ldr. J. S. Mason, A. B. Peck, J. F. Smallwood, W. Williams.
Bath and Wells Diocesan Association.- S. G. Coles, H. J. Sanger, Miss N. G. Williams.
Bedfordshire Association.- S. Foskett, B. F. Sims.
Cambridge University Guild.- B. D. Threlfall.
Chester Diocesan Guild.- W. Allman, A. J. Martin.
Coventry Diocesan Guild.- Mrs. D. E. Beamish.
Derbyshire Association.- Mr. W. L. Robinson.
Devon Guild.- Rev. J. G. M. Scott.
Dudley and District Guild.- H. J. Shuck.
Ely Diocesan Association.- J. G. Gipson, F. W. Lack, H. S. Peacock.
Essex Association.- J. H. Crampion, F. B. Lufkin, Miss H. G. Snowden.
Gloucester and Bristol Diocesan Association.- A. L. Barry, T. Boreham, W. B. Kynaston, F. Skidmore.
Guildford Diocesan Guild.- A. C. Hazelden, G. S. Joyce, H. N. Pitstow, W. H. Viggers.
Hereford Diocesan Guild.- G. J. Lewis, W. F. Moreton.
Hertford County Association.- W. Ayre, R. G. Bell, G. W. Critchley, E. Edmondson.
Irish Association.- F. E. Dukes, J. T. Dunwoody, Miss J. Stewart.
Kent County Association.- J. R. Cooper, T. Cullingworth, Dr. E. S. J. Hatcher, T. E. Sone.
Ladies’ Guild.- Miss D. E. Colgate, Mrs. A. Richardson, Mrs. P. J. Staniforth.
Lancashire Association.- J. Ridyard, Rev. R. D. St. J. Smith.
Leicester Diocesan Guild.- S. Burton, P. A. Corby, A. E. Rowley, P. J. Staniforth.
Lincoln Diocesan Guild.- J. Bray, G. E. Feirn, J. Freeman, J. A. Freeman.
Llandaff and Monmouth Diocesan Association.- Mrs. D. J. King, T. M. Roderick.
London County Association.- H. W. Rogers, Mrs. H. W. Rogers, T. H. Taffender, W. G. Wilson.
Middlesex County Association.- F. T. Blagrove, F. W. Goodfellow, T. J. Lock, J. R. Mayne.
Midland Counties Guild.- J. W. Cotton.
National Police Guild.- E. C. Birkett.
New South Wales Association.- P. M. J. Gray.
North Staffordshire Association.- R. S. Anderson.
Norwich Diocesan Association.- H. W. Barrett, N. V. Harding, Rev. A. G. G. Thurlow.
Oxford Diocesan Guild.- A. D. Barker, Mrs. A. D. Barker, W. Butler, A. E. Lock.
Oxford Society.- F. A. H. Wilkins.
Oxford University Society.- Dr. D. H. Niblett.
Peterborough Diocesan Guild.- P. I. Chapman, G. W. Jeffs, E. Nobles, E. G. Orland.
St. Martin’s Guild, Birmingham.- G. E. Fearn, F. E. Haynes.
Salisbury Diocesan Guild.- J. I. P. Davis, G. H. Harding, G. S. Morris, W. C. West.
Sheffield and District Society.- N. Chaddock.
Shropshire Association.- F. H. Bennett.
Society of Royal Cumberland Youths.- P. N. Bond, J. L. Morris, F. E. Hawthorne.
Southwell Diocesan Guild.- B. M. Buswell, J. D. Clarke, J. Segar.
Stafford Archdeaconry Society.- B. G. Key, G. Hughes.
Suffolk Guild.- L. G. Brett, K. G. Brown, C. W. Pipe.
Surrey Association.- A. P. Cannon, F. E. Collins, W. F. Oatway.
Sussex County Association.- R. G. Blackman, F. H. Dallaway, R. Overy, H. Stalham.
Truro Diocesan Guild.- D. Burnett, W. C. Boucher, Rev. A. S. Roberts, H. Miles.
Universities Association.- Miss M. R. Cross.
University of London Society.- D. N. Layton.
Winchester and Portsmouth Diocesan Guild.- Rev. K. W. H. Felstead, C. H. Kippin, G. Pullinger.
Worcestershire and Districts Association.- B. C. Ashford, D. Beacham, W. B. Cartwright.
Yorkshire Association.- W. E. Critchley, L. W. G. Morris.

SUMMARY:-

REPORT AS TO MEMBERSHIP

The Hon. Secretary reported that 56 Associations were affiliated entitled to 154 members. The Rules provided for 24 Honorary Members and there were 6 Life Members, making a total membership of 184. There were vacancies for two Representative and seven Honorary Members. All affiliation fees had been paid with the exception of those of the North Wales Association.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received from Messrs. F. Ainsley, C. A. Bassett, G. Benfield, P. Border, P. A. F. Chalk, J. W. Clarke, P. Crook, G. H. Cross, F. Dunkerley, J. T. Dyke, J. P. Fidler, N. Golden, C. H. Hawkins, J. E. Hobbs, P. J. Johnson, G. I. Lewis, J. E. Lilley, R. B. Meadows, D. H. B. Millward, A. Mould, T. G. Myers, G. E. Oliver, W. N. Park, F. W. Perrens, A. J. Pitman, F. W. Rogers, Miss M. E. Snowdon, Mrs. P. J. Steeples, Messrs. A. Walker, J. J. Webb and R. St. C. Wilson.

PRESENTATION OF NEW MEMBERS TO THE PRESIDENT

The following were presented: Messrs. W. Allman (Chester), D. Beacham (Worcestershire and Districts), F. H. Bennett (Shropshire), E. C. Birkett (Police), F. T. Blagrove (Middlesex), W. Boucher (Truro), L. G. Brett and K. G. Brown (Suffolk), W. Butler (Oxford Diocesan), A. P. Cannon (Surrey), G. W. Critchley (Herts), J. P. Davis (Salisbury), J. G. Gipson (Ely), P. M. J. Gray (New South Wales), G. W. Hughes (Stafford Archdeaconry), Mr. G. S. Joyce (Guildford), A. J. Martin (Chester), J. S. Mason (College Youths), J. R. Mayne (Middlesex), G. S. Morris (Salisbury), J. L. Morris (Cumberlands), D. H. Niblett (Oxford University), E. G. Orland (Peterborough), R. Overy (Sussex), Rev. A. S. Roberts (Truro) and W. Williams (College Youths).

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

PRESIDENT: Mr. Frederick Sharpe was elected on the proposition of Mr. A. A. Hughes, seconded by Mr. T. J. Lock.

Mr. Sharpe thanked the members for electing him as President and expressed the Council’s deep gratitude to the retiring President, Mr. E. H. Lewis, for his great services to the Council both as President since 1930 and as a member since 1908. A presentation was made to Mr. Lewis on behalf of the members by Mr. A. A. Hughes.

VICE-PRESIDENT: As the appropriate rule had not been amended, this was not proceeded with.

HON. SECRETARY AND TREASURER: Mr. E. A. Barnett was re-elected on the proposition of Mr. E. H. Lewis, seconded by Mr. A. A. Hughes.

HON. LIBRARIAN: No nomination had been received. Mr. F. Sharpe kindly agreed to act as Librarian for a further twelve months.

ELECTION OF HONORARY MEMBERS

The Standing Committee recommended the re-election of the following retiring members: The Earl of Shaftesbury, Messrs. J. T. Dyke, J. P. Fidler, A. A. Hughes, D. Hughes, Mrs. C. C. Marshall, Messrs. C. W. Roberts, E. C. Shepherd, P. L. Taylor and A. Walker.

The Committee also recommended the election of Messrs. R. F. B. Speed, L. Stilwell and J. Willis.

The recommendations were adopted on the proposition of Mr. R. S. Anderson seconded by Mr. T. J. Lock.

Messrs. A. H. Pulling, proposed by Mr. G. Pullinger, seconded by Mr. W. Ayre, and T. W. White, proposed by Mr. W. H. Viggers, seconded by Mr. A. D. Barker, were also elected.

Messrs. A. York-Bramble, proposed by Mr. H. Miles, seconded by Dr. E. S. J. Hatcher, and R. M. Clouston, proposed by Dr. E. S. J. Hatcher, seconded by Mr. J. T. Dunwoody, were not elected.

ELECTION OF HONORARY AUDITORS

Messrs. A. A. Hughes and F. W. Perrens were re-elected on the proposition of Mr. E. A. Barnett, seconded by Mr. F. I. Hairs.

LOSS OF MEMBERS THROUGH DEATH

The President reported the death of the following members and past members of the Council, the assembly standing in silence: Mr. T. G. Bartlett (Devon), Rev. L. S. Clark and Mr. R. Narborough (Peterborough Diocesan), Rev. F. Ll. Edwards and Mr. J. S. Rumming (Salisbury Diocesan), Mr. W. Gordon (Chester Diocesan), Rev. C. W. H. Griffith (Bath and Wells Diocesan), Mr. C. H. Harding (Bedfordshire), Rev. N. E. Hope and Mr. F. G. May (Gloucester and Bristol Diocesan), Messrs. H. J. Mansfield (Essex), F. O. Moule (Norwich Diocesan), N. E. Snow (North Lincolnshire), E. C. S. Turner (Honorary and Middlesex County). R. Whittington (Guildford Diocesan) and E. A. Young (London County, Honorary and Life).

Tributes were paid to the memory of Mr. E. C. S. Turner, the Rev. F. Ll. Edwards and Mr. E. A. Young.

MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

The Minutes as published in ‘The Ringing World’ of April 19th, 1957, and circulated to members, were adopted on the proposition of Mr. E. A. Barnett, seconded by Mr. C. K. Lewis.

REPORTS

These have been published in ‘The Ringing World’ as shown:-

HON. SECRETARY AND TREASURER
(June 21st, 1957, page 399)

Adopted on the proposition of Mr. E. A. Barnett, seconded by Mr. F. E. Dukes.

HON. LIBRARIAN
(June 21st, 1957, page 399)

Adopted on the proposition of Mr. F. Sharpe, seconded by Mr. A. B. Peck.

GENERAL ACCOUNTS
(June 21st, 1957, page 399)

Adopted on the proposition of Mr. E. A. Barnett, seconded by Mr. A. A. Hughes.

TRUSTEES OF THE CARTER RINGING MACHINE
(June 21st, 1957, pages 399 and 400)

Adopted on the proposition of Mr. G. W. Fletcher, seconded by Mr. F. I. Hairs. It was agreed to take advantage of an offer by Mr. Douglas Hughes to publish a descriptive booklet of the machine, with photographs.

STANDING COMMITTEE

The Hon. Secretary reported that a sub-committee consisting of the Rev. K. W. H. Felstead, Mr. C. K. Lewis and Mr. E. C. Shepherd had been appointed to consider the practicability of compiling a history of change-ringing. The Committee had also accepted an offer by Mrs. W. D. Turner to hand over for completion and publication the papers relating to a revision which was being undertaken by the late Mr. Ernest Turner of Mr. J. A. Trollope’s book ‘Stedman.’

The report was adopted on the proposition of Mr. E. A. Barnett, seconded by Mr. J. F. Smallwood.

(a) HANDBOOK SUB-COMMITTEE
(June 21st, 1957, page 400)

Adopted on the proposition of Mr. E. A. Barnett, seconded by Mr. C. K. Lewis.

(b) CLEMENT GLENN BEQUEST COMMITTEE
(June 21st, 1957, page 400)

The Hon. Secretary stated that the Standing Committee had considered the report but recommended instead that the money should be invested as a whole under the name ‘Clement Glenn Bequest’ and that the income and capital should be applied as necessary to such uses as may be decided.

The Standing Committee’s recommendation was adopted on the proposition of Mr. E. A. Barnett, seconded by the Rev. K. W. H. Felstead.

‘THE RINGING WORLD’ ACCOUNTS
(June 21st, 1957, page 400)

Adopted, subject to audit, on the proposition of Mr. E. A. Barnett, seconded by Mr. F. I. Hairs.

‘THE RINGING WORLD’ COMMITTEE
(June 21st, 1957, page 400)

Adopted on the proposition of Mr. J. F. Smallwood, seconded by Mrs. P. J. Staniforth. The Committee (Messrs. J. F. Smallwood, F. I. Hairs, J. T. Dyke and R. S. Anderson) were reappointed.

LITERATURE AND PRESS COMMITTEE
(June 28th, 1957, page 416)

Adopted on the proposition of Mr. E. C. Shepherd, seconded by Mr. F. E. Dukes. The Committee (Messrs. E. C. Shepherd and F. E. Dukes) were reappointed.

BROADCASTING AND TELEVISION COMMITTEE
(June 28th, 1957, page 415)

Adopted on the proposition of Mr. H. J. Sanger, seconded by Mr. J. T. Dunwoody. The Committee (Messrs. H. J. Sanger, J. T. Dunwoody, G. E. Fearn, A. A. Hughes and the Rev. A. G. G. Thurlow) were reappointed.

BIOGRAPHIES COMMITTEE
(June 28th, 1957, page 418)

Adopted on the proposition of Mr. A. C. Hazelden, seconded by Mr. W. H. Viggers. The Committee (Messrs. A. C. Hazelden, W. H. Viggers, L. Stilwell and J. Willis) were re-appointed.

PEAL BOARDS COMMITTEE
(June 28th, 1957, page 416)

Adopted on the proposition of Mr. W. Ayre, seconded by Mr. F. I. Hairs. The Committee (Messrs. J. W. Clarke, W. Ayre and J. P. Fidler) were reappointed.

‘BEGINNERS HANDBOOK’ COMMITTEE
(June 28th, 1957, page 418)

Adopted on the proposition of Miss M. R. Cross, seconded by Mr. W. G. Wilson. The Committee were empowered to include in the book such photographs and sketches as they considered necessary. It was agreed to circulate copies of the draft to the Standing Committee for comment. The Committee (Miss M. R. Cross, Messrs. J. T. Dyke, R. F. B. Speed and W. G. Wilson) were reappointed.

METHODS COMMITTEE
(June 28th, 1957, page 416)

Adopted on the proposition of the Rev. K. W. H. Felstead, seconded by Mr. C. K. Lewis. The Committee (Rev. K. W. H. Felstead, Messrs. F. N. Golden, C. H. Kippin and C. K. Lewis) were reappointed.

PEAL ANALYSIS COMMITTEE
(June 28th, 1957, page 415)

Adopted on the proposition of Mr. W. Ayre, seconded by Mr. H. Miles. The Committee (Messrs. W. Ayre, H. Miles and the Rev. K. W. H. Felstead) were reappointed.

PEALS COLLECTION COMMITTEE
(June 28th, 1957, page 411)

Adopted on the proposition of Mr. C. W. Roberts, seconded by Mr. W. E. Critchley. Messrs. C. W. Roberts, A. J. Pitman and W. E. Critchley were reappointed with Mr. Critchley as convener. Mr. G. E. Feirn was added to the Committee on the proposition of Mr. J. Freeman, seconded by Mr. W. Ayre.

RECORDS COMMITTEE
(June 28th, 1957, page 417)

Adopted on the proposition of Mrs. G. W. Fletcher, seconded by Mrs. C. C. Marshall. The President emphasised the need for the figures of new methods, and the composition, to be sent to the Committee. Mrs. Fletcher and Mrs. Marshall were reappointed.

TOWERS AND BELFRIES COMMITTEE
(June 28th, 1957, page 417)

Adopted on the proposition of Mr. F. Sharpe, seconded by Mr. E. H. Lewis. The Committee (Messrs. F. Sharpe, J. W. Clarke, F. E. Collins, J. Freeman, E. H. Lewis and W. A. Osborn) were reappointed, with the addition of the Rev. J. G. M. Scott.

REAPPOINTMENT OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE

The President announced the names of the ex-officio members: Messrs. F. Sharpe, E. A. Barnett, E. H. Lewis, G. W. Fletcher, A. A. Hughes, F. W. Perrens and all conveners of committees.

As the result of a ballot the following were elected to the Committee: Messrs. R. S. Anderson, W. B. Cartwright, P. A. Corby, F. E. Dukes, J. T. Dyke, J. Freeman, F. I. Hairs, C. K. Lewis, T. J. Lock, A. H. Pulling, the Rev. A. G. G. Thurlow and Mr. A. Walker.

ALTERATION OF RULES

On the proposition of Mr. E. A. Barnett, seconded by Mr. R. S. Anderson, the Rules were amended as follows:-

(a) Rule 9 (Election of Officers), by inserting the words ‘Vice-President’ between the words ‘President’ and ‘Hon. Secretary’ where they occur.

(b) Rule 11 (Committees), Clause (ii) (a), by adding at the end the words ‘and the Vice-President for the time being.’

(c) Rule 14 (Procedure at Meetings), by inserting the words ‘or Vice-President’ after the word ‘President’ where it occurs.

MOTIONS

(a) Proposed by Mr. P. A. Corby, seconded by Mr. J. T. Dunwoody, and carried:-

‘That this Council as the representative assembly of all change-ringing associations deprecates the proposed introduction of academic titles for ringers, particularly by a body which is not recognised by or affiliated to the Council.’

(b) Proposed by Mr. P. N. Bond, seconded by Mr. F. E. Hawthorne:-

‘That this Council, while appreciating the good intentions of the organisers, considers that the so-called College of Campanology is unlikely to prove of any service to the furtherance of the art of change-ringing; and therefore that no form of official recognition whatever be accorded to the organisation. In addition, valuable space in the Council’s official organ, “The Ringing World,” should not be wasted by the publication of any further “College Manuals,” the Exercise being already well supplied with instruction manuals.’

After discussion the Council moved to the next item on the proposition of Mr. E. A. Barnett, seconded by Mr. F. E. Dukes.

(c) Proposed by Mr. A. C. Hazelden, seconded by Mr. F. I. Hairs:-

‘That the attention of the responsible Electrical or Ecclesiastical Authority be drawn to the dangerous practice of permitting bell chamber, ringing room and staircase lights to be controlled from the main switch box by one master switch; that in cases where such a state of affairs exists the authority be asked to fix cautions against switching off without due investigation.’

After discussion, it was agreed that a ‘Warning’ card should be printed for distribution.

(d) Proposed by Mr. A. D. Barker, seconded by Mr. W. Butler, and carried:-

‘That this Council deplores the change of name of a standard method in “The Ringing World” and declares that in its view “Bob” is a general term for a class of methods and should not be substituted for the “Plain Bob” which indicates a particular method in that class.’

PLACE OF NEXT MEETING

Invitations had been received from the Irish Association and jointly from the Oxford Society and the Oxford Diocesan Guild. Ireland was chosen by 59 votes to 51.

VOTES OF THANKS

A vote of thanks to Mr. E. H. Lewis, Mr. F. Sharpe, Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Barnett and Mr. T. W. White was proposed by Mr. F. E. Dukes, seconded by Mr. P. A. Corby, and carried.

On the motion of the President, the thanks of the Council were expressed to the Lord Mayor of Chelmsford, the Lord Bishop of Chelmsford and the Master of the Essex Association (Mr. R. C. Heazel) for their welcome; to the Provost for opening the meeting with prayer and for officiating at Holy Communion that morning; to Messrs. F. V. Gant, A. H. Everett and other members of the Essex Association for local arrangements; to Miss H. G. Snowden for peal and tour arrangements; and to local incumbents and towerkeepers for the use of their bells.

After the meeting, the members were the guests of the Essex Association at tea.

The Ringing World, April 4, 1958, pages 224 to 225, correction March 13, 1959, page 176