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THE CENTRAL COUNCIL OF CHURCH BELL RINGERS

MINUTES OF THE FOLKESTONE MEETING, 1960

MINUTES of the first session of the twenty-fourth Council (63rd Annual Meeting), held in the Town Hall, Folkestone, on Whitsun Tuesday, June 7th, 1960.

A welcome was extended to the Council by the Mayor of Folkestone, Alderman F. W. Archer, the Bishop of Tonbridge, Dr. G. Russell White, the Vicar of Folkestone, Canon J. F. Hough and Mr. John Willis, vice-president of the Kent County Association. The President replied on behalf of the Council.

PRESENT:-

Ancient Society of College Youths: Messrs. J. E. Chilcott, J. F. Smallwood, C. G. J. Watts and W. Williams.
Bath and Wells Diocesan Association: Messrs. A. H. Reed, G. Salmon and H. J. Sanger.
Bedfordshire Association: Mr. S. Foskett and Mr. A. E. Rushton.
Cambridge University Guild: Dr. C. M. P. Johnson and Mr. B. D. Threlfall.
Chester Diocesan Guild: Mr. A. R. Elkins and Mr. J. Worth.
Coventry Diocesan Guild: Mrs. D. E. Beamish and Mr. J. L. Garner-Hayward.
Cumberland and North Westmorland Association: Mr. G. McKay.
Derbyshire Association: Mr. G. A. Halls and Mr. A. Mould.
Devon Guild: Miss B. M. Boyle, Mr. J. L. S. Glanvill and the Rev. J. G. M. Scott.
Durham and Newcastle Association: Mr. K. Arthur and Mr. D. A. Bayles.
East Grinstead and District Guild: Mr. E. J. Ladd.
Ely Diocesan Guild: Messrs. D. E. R. Knights, E. H. Mastin and H. S. Peacock.
Essex Association: Messrs. J. H. Crampion, P. J. Eves and F. B. Lufkin.
Gloucester and Bristol Diocesan Association: Messrs. A. L. Barry, R. G. Hooper, W. B. Kynaston and C. A. Wratten.
Guildford Diocesan Guild: Messrs. C. W. Denyer, H. N. Pitstow and W. H. Viggers.
Hertford County Association: Messrs. W. Ayre, R. G. Bell, G. W. Critchley and G. Dodds.
Irish Association: Mr. F. E. Dukes and Mr. J. T. Dunwoody.
Kent County Association: Messrs. J. R. Cooper, P. A. Corby, T. Cullingworth and I. H. Oram.
Ladies’ Guild: Miss D. E. Colgate, Mrs. A. Richardson, Mrs. P. J. Staniforth.
Lancashire Association: Mr. P. Crook, Mr. F. Dunkerley and the Rev. R. D. St. J. Smith.
Leicester Diocesan Guild: Messrs. S. Burton, E. Morris, P. J. Staniforth and B. G. Warwick.
Lincoln Diocesan Guild: Messrs. J. Bray, G. E. Feirn, J. Freeman and J. L. Millhouse.
Llandaff & Monmouth Diocesan Association: Mrs. D. J. King and Mr. T. M. Roderick.
London County Association: Mr. H. W. Rogers, Mrs. H. W. Rogers and Mr. W. G. Wilson.
Middlesex County Association: Messrs. F. T. Blagrove, T. J. Lock and J. R. Mayne.
Midland Counties Guild: Mr. J. W. Cotton.
New South Wales Association: Mr. P. M. J. Gray.
North Staffordshire Association: Mr. R. S. Anderson.
Norwich Diocesan Association: Messrs. H. W. Barrett, N. V. Harding and the Rev. A. G. G. Thurlow.
Oxford Diocesan Guild: Messrs. A. D. Barker, D. J. Smith and P. Walker.
Oxford Society: Mr. F. A. H. Wilkins.
Oxford University Society: Dr. J. E. Spice.
Peterborough Diocesan Guild: Messrs. B. Austin, P. I. Chapman, G. W. Jeffs and E. G. Orland.
St. Martin’s Guild, Diocese of Birmingham: Mr. F. E. Haynes.
Salisbury Diocesan Guild: Messrs. J. T. Barrett, G. H. Harding, G. S. Morris and W. C. West.
Sheffield and District Society: Mr. N. Chaddock.
Shropshire Association: Mr. H. Poyner.
Society of Royal Cumberland Youths: Messrs. D. Beresford, P. N. Bond, F. J. Cullum and F. E. Hawthorne.
Southwell Diocesan Guild: Mr. B. M. Buswell and Mr. J. D. Clarke.
Stafford Archdeaconry Society: Mr. G. W. Hughes and Mr. B. G. Key.
Suffolk Guild: Mr. J. W. Blythe, Mr. C. W. Pipe and Miss R. J. Seabrook.
Surrey Association: Messrs. A. P. Cannon, F. E. Collins and W. F. Oatway.
Sussex County Association: Messrs. R. Overy, R. W. R. Percy and H. Stalham.
Truro Diocesan Guild: Messrs. W. C. Boucher, D. Burnett and H. Miles.
Universities Association: Miss M. R. Cross.
University of Bristol Society: Dr. T. P. Edwards.
University of London Society: Dr. D. N. Layton.
Winchester and Portsmouth Diocesan Guild: Mr. A. V. Davis, the Rev. K. W. H. Felstead and Mr. F. W. Rogers.
Worcestershire and Districts Association: Messrs. B. C. Ashford, D. Beacham and W. B. Cartwright.
Yorkshire Association: Messrs. G. Benfield, V. Bottomley, W. E. Critchley and L. W. G. Morris.
Honorary members: Mrs. E. A. Barnett, Messrs. J. P. Fidler, F. I. Hairs, A. A. Hughes, D. Hughes, C. K. Lewis, W. A. Osborn, H. L. Roper, E. C. Shepherd, R. F. B. Speed, L. Stilwell, P. L. Taylor, T. W. White and J. Willis.
Life members: Messrs. F. Sharpe, E. A. Barnett, F. W. Perrens, E. H. Lewis, G. W. Fletcher, Mrs. G. W. Fletcher.

REPORT AS TO MEMBERSHIP

The Hon. Secretary reported that 57 Associations were affiliated to the Council with 156 members. The rules provided for 24 honorary members and there were seven life members, making a total membership of 187. There were two vacancies among representative members and three among honorary members. All subscriptions had been paid.

APPLICATION TO AFFILIATE

An application from the University of Bristol Society was agreed on the proposition of Mr. P. M. J. Gray, seconded by Mr. W. Williams.

SUMMARY:-

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received from Mr. H. O. Baker, Miss M. E. Beamish, Rev. E. G. Benson, Messrs. R. G. Blackman, L. G. Brett, J. W. Clarke, G. E. Fearn, J. G. Gipson, N. Golden, F. W. Goodfellow, C. H. Hawkins, A. C. Hazelden, G. I. Lewis, A. E. Lock, Mrs. C. C. Marshall, Messrs. D. H. B. Millward, T. G. Myers, A. J. Pitman, Rev. A. S. Roberts, Messrs. C. W. Roberts, D. H. Rooke, H. J. Shuck, Miss H. G. Snowden, Miss M. E. Snowdon, Messrs. B. A. Sollis, T. H. Taffender, A. Walker, Miss N. G. Williams, Mr. R. St. C. Wilson.

PRESENTATION OF NEW MEMBERS TO THE PRESIDENT

The following were presented: Messrs. J. E. Chilcott, C. G. J. Watts (Ancient Society of College Youths); A. H. Reed, G. Salmon (Bath and Wells); A. E. Rushton (Bedfordshire); Dr. C. M. P. Johnson (Cambridge University); A. R. Elkins, J. Worth (Chester); J. L. Garner-Hayward (Coventry); G. A. Halls (Derbyshire); Miss B. M. Boyle (Devon); K. Arthur, D. A. Bayles (Durham and Newcastle); E. J. Ladd (East Grinstead); D. E. R. Knights, E. H. Mastin (Ely); P. J. Eves (Essex); R. G. Hooper, C. A. Wratten (Gloucester and Bristol); C. W. Denyer (Guildford); G. Dodds (Hertford); P. A. Corby, I. H. Oram (Kent); E. Morris, B. G. Warwick (Leicester); J. L. Millhouse (Lincoln); D. Smith, P. Walker (Oxford Guild); Dr. J. E. Spice (Oxford University); B. Austin (Peterborough); J. T. Barrett (Salisbury); H. Poyner (Shropshire); D. Beresford, F. J. Cullum (Royal Cumberland Youths); Miss R. G. Seabrook (Suffolk); R. W. R. Percy, (Sussex); A. V. Davis (Winchester and Portsmouth); V. Bottomley (Yorkshire); Dr. T. P. Edwards (University of Bristol); H. L. Roper (Honorary).

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

President: Mr. Frederick Sharpe was re-elected on the proposition of Mr. E. H. Lewis, seconded by Mr. A. A. Hughes.

Vice-President: The Rev. A. G. G. Thurlow was re-elected on the proposition of Mr. R. S. Anderson, seconded by Mr. F. I. Hairs.

Hon. Secretary and Treasurer: Mr. E. A. Barnett was re-elected on the proposition of Mr. J. F. Smallwood, seconded by Mr. A. A. Hughes.

Hon. Librarian: Mr. F. W. Perrens was re-elected on the proposition of Mr. F. I. Hairs, seconded by Mr. J. F. Smallwood.

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. E. C. Shepherd, R. F. B. Speed, L. Stilwell, P. L. Taylor, A. Walker, T. W. White and J. Willis.

The Committee also recommended the election of Mr. W. F. Moreton.

The recommendations were adopted on the proposition of Mr. J. F. Smallwood, seconded by Mr. N. Chaddock.

The Honorary Secretary gave notice under Rule 6 (ii) on behalf of the Standing Committee that the election as life members under Rule 6 (i) (b) of Messrs. J. T. Dyke and A. Walker would be proposed in 1961.

ELECTION OF HONORARY AUDITORS

Messrs. A. A. Hughes and H. N. Pitstow were re-elected on the proposition of Mr. R. S. Anderson, seconded by Mr. F. E. Dukes.

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: Messrs. R. B. Blanchard (Surrey), H. C. Chandler (Middlesex), R. E. Chichester (Devon), J. Clark (Hereford), A. H. Cocks (Oxford), A. N. Hardy and C. J. Matthews (Royal Cumberland Youths), R. S. F. Murphy (Irish), A. H. Pulling (Honorary), and A. W. Searle (Devon). Tributes were paid to the memory of Messrs. Cocks, Murphy, Pulling and Searle.

MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

The Minutes as published in ‘The Ringing World’ of March 18th, 1960, and circulated to members were adopted on the proposition of Mr. E. A. Barnett, seconded by Mrs. P. J. Staniforth, subject to the following amendments:-

Reports.- Insert after ‘Methods Committee’:- ‘Literature and Press Committee (‘Ringing World,’ June 5th, 1959, p. 369), Adopted on the proposition of Mr. E. C. Shepherd, seconded by Mr. F. E. Dukes.’

Alteration of Rules.- For ‘A. D. Baker’ read ‘A. D. Barker.’

Motion (c).- The sentence ‘The motion, as amended was carried’ to appear at the end.

REPORTS

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

HON. SECRETARY AND TREASURER
(June 17th, 1960, pages 418-9)

Adopted on the proposition of Mr. E. A. Barnett, seconded by Mr. F. E. Dukes. It was agreed that the Secretary should inform the Devon Association of Ringers that the Council would be pleased to consider an application from the Association for affiliation to the Council.

HON. LIBRARIAN
(June 17th, 1960, page 419)

Adopted on the proposition of Mr. F. W. Perrens, seconded by Mr. J. T. Dunwoody.

BALANCE SHEET AND ACCOUNTS
(June 17th, 1960, page 419)

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

TRUSTEES OF THE CARTER RINGING MACHINE
(June 17th, 1960, page 419)

Adopted on the proposition of Mr. A. A. Hughes, seconded by Mr. R. S. Anderson. Thanks were expressed to Mr. D. Hughes for demonstrating the machine during the year.

STANDING COMMITTEE
(June 17th, 1960, page 419)

Adopted on the proposition of Mr. E. A. Barnett, seconded by Mr. R. S. Anderson.

‘THE RINGING WORLD’ COMMITTEE
(June 17th, 1960, page 420)

Adopted on the proposition of Mr. J. F. Smallwood, seconded by Mr. R. S. Anderson. Messrs. J. F. Smallwood, R. S. Anderson and F. I. Hairs were reappointed. Mr. W. G. Wilson was added to the Committee.

‘THE RINGING WORLD’ ACCOUNTS
(June 17th, 1960, pages 420-1)

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

LITERATURE AND PRESS COMMITTEE
(June 17th, 1960, page 421)

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.

BIOGRAPHIES COMMITTEE
(June 24th, 1960, page 434)

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

PEAL BOARDS COMMITTEE
(June 17th, 1960, page 421)

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

BROADCASTING AND TELEVISION COMMITTEE
(June 24th, 1960, page 434)

Adopted on the proposition of Mr. H. J. Sanger, seconded by Mr. J. T. Dunwoody. Messrs. H. J. Sanger, N. Chaddock, G. E. Fearn, J. T. Dunwoody and the Rev. A. G. G. Thurlow were reappointed and Mr. H. N. Pitstow was added to the Committee. The Council’s thanks were expressed to Mr. A. A. Hughes for his past services to the Committee.

RECORDS COMMITTEE
(June 24th, 1960, pages 435-6)

Adopted as amended on the proposition of Mrs. G. W. Fletcher, seconded by Mr. F. I. Hairs, Mrs. G. W. Fletcher and Mrs. C. C. Marshall were reappointed and Messrs. F. T. Blagrove and J. R. Mayne were added to the Committee.

PEAL ANALYSIS COMMITTEE
(June 24th, 1960, page 435)

Adopted on the proposition of Mr. W. Ayre, seconded by Mr. H. Miles, with the inclusion of a peal of Minimus but the omission of a peal of Minor in which two ringers exchanged bells. Arising from the latter, it was agreed that Mr. W. B. Cartwright be asked to consider redrafting the appropriate item of ‘Conditions Required for Peals’ (page 19 of the Council’s Handbook) to remove any possible ambiguity. The Committee (Messrs. W. Ayre, H. Miles, H. L. Roper and the Rev. K. W. H. Felstead) were reappointed.

PEALS COLLECTION COMMITTEE
(June 17th, 1960, page 420)

Adopted on the proposition of Mr. W. E. Critchley, seconded by Mr. G. E. Feirn. Messrs. W. E. Critchley, G. E. Feirn and A. J. Pitman were reappointed and Mr. R. F. B. Speed was added to the Committee.

SUNDAY SERVICE SURVEY COMMITTEE
(June 24th, 1960, page 436)

Adopted on the proposition of Mr. N. Chaddock, seconded by Mr. P. M. J. Gray. Mr. N. Chaddock, Dr. D. N. Layton, Messrs. F. B. Lufkin, W. F. Moreton and the Rev. A. G. G. Thurlow were reappointed to the Committee.

TOWERS AND BELFRIES COMMITTEE
(July 1st, 1960, pages 450-1)

Adopted as amended on the proposition of Mr. E. H. Lewis, seconded by Mr. J. Freeman. It was agreed to submit to the Central Council for the Care of Churches, for their comments, the proposed amendment to paragraph (a) of the draft joint statement. The Committee (Messrs. F. Sharpe, J. W. Clarke, F. E. Collins, J. Freeman, E. H. Lewis, W. Osborn and the Rev. J. G. M. Scott) were reappointed with the addition of Messrs. B. Austin and B. D. Threlfall.

METHODS COMMITTEE
(July 1st, 1960, page 451)

Adopted on the proposition of the Rev. K. W. H. Felstead, seconded by Mr. C. K. Lewis. Mr. B. G. Warwick said on behalf of the Leicester Diocesan Guild that two methods referred to in the report, Lyme and Whitwick Surprise Royal, would be renamed. It was agreed that the Secretary should write to the Secretary of the North Staffordshire Association regarding Gainsborough Surprise Royal.

The Rev. K. W. H. Felstead and Mr. C. K. Lewis were reappointed and Messrs. F. T. Blagrove and J. R. Mayne were added to the Committee.

REAPPOINTMENT OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE

The Honorary Secretary announced the names of the ex-officio members:- Mr. F. Sharpe, Rev. A. G. G. Thurlow, Messrs. E. A. Barnett, F. W. Perrens, E. H. Lewis, G. W. Fletcher, A. A. Hughes, H. N. Pitstow and all conveners of committees.

The following were elected to the Committee: Messrs. R. S. Anderson, W. B. Cartwright, P. A. Corby, Miss M. R. Cross, Messrs. F. E. Dukes, J. T. Dyke, J. Freeman, F. I. Hairs, C. K. Lewis, T. J. Lock, P. J. Staniforth and Mrs. P. J. Staniforth.

ALTERATION TO RULES

On behalf of the North Staffordshire Association Mr. R. S. Anderson moved the following amendments of Rules, and in the absence of the seconder the Honorary Secretary formally seconded:-

(1) To add the following new Rule 2, and renumber the existing Rules 2 to 18 as 3 to 19 respectively:-

‘2. The Council shall:-

(i) Use its best endeavours to guard the rights and generally promote the welfare of the Exercise both in its scientific aspect and as a branch of church work.

(ii) Encourage and assist the development of the Art in its scientific, mathematical and historical branches.

(iii) Arbitrate so far as may be deemed advisable in such matters of dispute or perplexity as shall submitted to its judgment.’

An amendment proposed by Mr. V. Bottomley, seconded by Rev. J. G. M. Scott to delete the words ‘guard the rights and’ was lost and the motion was carried.

(2) To amend Rule 14 (Procedure at Meetings) by inserting the words ‘representing Territorial Societies’ between the words ‘Twenty members’ and ‘shall.’

The Rule to read:- ‘At the meetings of the Council and President or Vice-President shall take the chair, and in the event of their absence the members present shall elect a Chairman for that meeting. The Chairman shall have a casting vote. Twenty members representing Territorial Societies shall form a quorum. Every new member, whether Representative, or Honorary or Life, shall, before taking his seat, be introduced by a member to the President or Vice-President, or, in the absence of the President or Vice-President, to the Chairman of the meeting.’

The motion was lost.

MOTION

Proposed by Mr. D. A. Bayles, seconded by Mr. W. Ayre:-

‘This Council reaffirms the principle that a peal may not be credited to more than one affiliated Society. It accordingly instructs the Editor of “The Ringing World” and affiliated Societies to keep their records in line with the Council’s Peal Analysis, adopting the procedure laid down in the Council’s Handbook of 1956.’

After discussion. Mr. P. A. Corby proposed and Mr. J. Freeman seconded that the matter be left on the table. This was credited.

PLACE OF NEXT MEETING

Invitations had been received from the North Staffordshire Association to visit Stoke-on-Trent and from the Norwich Diocesan Association to visit Great Yarmouth. It was agreed to accept the former.

OTHER BUSINESS

The Honorary Secretary drew attention to the item (f) (ii) of ‘Conditions required for peals’ on page 19 of the Council’s Handbook, that in the case of an attempt to surpass a record peal of 6,720 or more changes, notice shall be sent to the secretary of the society under whose title the record peal was rung. It had been brought to notice that this had not been complied with on two recent occasions.

VOTES OF THANKS

On the motion of the President, the thanks of the Council were expressed to the Mayor of Folkestone, the Lord Bishop of Tonbridge and Mr. J. Willis, Vice-President of the Kent County Association, for their welcome; to the Vicar of Folkestone for the use of his church for Holy Communion and to the Lord Bishop for officiating; to Messrs. A. Berry and J. R. Cooper, Dr. E. S. J. Hatcher, Messrs. C. T. Hillis, T. C. Phillimore and J. Willis of the Kent County Association for local arrangements; and to local incumbents and tower-keepers for the use of their bells.

After the meeting the members were guests of the Mayor and Corporation of Folkestone at tea.

The Ringing World, March 3, 1961, pages 148 to 149