Mr. J. Freeman, President of the Council, presided.
PRESENT:
Life Members: W. Ayre, E. A. Barnett, J. Freeman, F. Sharpe, E. C. Shepherd, the Very Rev. A. G. G. Thurlow, W. G. Wilson.
Honorary Members: Mrs. O. D. Barnett, F. E. Collins, C. W. Denyer, R. H. Dove, G. R. Drew, Miss J. Foster, D. Hughes, S. J. Ivin, C. K. Lewis, H. N. Pitstow, R. B. Smith, R. F. B. Speed, P. L. Taylor, Mrs. M. A. Wratten.
Ancient Society of College Youths: W. T. Cook, J. S. Mason, R. B. Meadows, W. Williams.
Australia & New Zealand Assn.: P. M. J. Gray.
Bath & Wells Dio. Assn.: G. W. Massey, E. Naylor, A. H. Reed, J. S. Walton.
Bedfordshire Assn.: J. H. Edwards, K. H. Fleming.
Beverley & District Society: I. G. Campbell.
Cambridge U. Guild: B. D. Threlfall.
Coventry Dio. Guild: P. Border, G. W. Randall, H. M. Windsor.
Cumberland & N. Westmorland Assn.: R. W. D. Wetenhall.
Derby Dio. Assn.: G. A. Halls, M. Phipps.
Devon Assn.: H. Pidler.
Durham & Newcastle Dio. Assn.: K. Arthur, D. A. Bayles.
Durham U. Society: C. C. Monson.
E. Grinstead & District Guild: K. G. Game.
Ely Dio. Assn.: A. M. Barber, G. E. Bonham, J. G. Gipson.
Essex Assn.: J. Armstrong, F. B. Lufkin, P. J. Rothera, D. Sloman.
Gloucester & Bristol Dio. Assn.: L. C. Edwards, A. R. Peake, J. R. Taylor, C. A. Wratten.
Guildford Dio. Guild: M. J. Church, T. Page, D. E. Parsons, P. G. Smart.
Guild of Devonshire Ringers: Fr. P. Angold, J. M. Clarke, D. J. Roberts, Rev. J. G. M. Scott.
Hereford Dio. Guild: T. Cooper, P. Hughes, R. G. Powell.
Hertford County Assn.: A. R. Agg, G. Dodds, G. Penney.
Irish Assn.: F. E. Dukes, D. McEndoo.
Kent County Assn.: P. A. Corby, S. Jenner, I. H. Oram, D. P. Smith.
Ladies’ Guild: Miss D. E. Colgate, Mrs. J. Summerhayes.
Lancashire Assn.: C. Crossthwaite, D. R. Jones, J. P. Partington, F. Reynolds.
Leeds U. Society: A. M. Glover.
Leicester Dio. Guild: J. M. Jelley, B. G. Warwick.
Lincoln Dio. Guild: G. E. Feirn, D. A. Frith, J. L. Millhouse, P. Reynolds.
Llandaff & Monmouth Dio. Assn.: Mrs. D. J. King, M. J. Pryor, T. M. Roderick.
London County Assn.: H. W. Rogers, Mrs. O. L. Rogers, J. M. Weddell, D. Woodward.
Manchester U. Guild: M. C. W. Sherwood.
Middlesex County Assn. & London Dio. Guild: F. T. Blagrove, T. J. Lock, C. H. Rogers, B. C. Watson.
National Police Guild: N. S. Bagworth.
N. Staffordshire Assn.: R. S. Anderson.
Norwich Dio. Assn.: H. W. Barrett, M. Cubitt, F. N. Golden, N. V. Harding.
Oxford Dio. Guild: J. C. Baldwin, W. Butler, N. J. Diserens, P. Walker.
Oxford Society: F. A. H. Wilkins.
Oxford U. Society: J. E. Camp.
Peterborough Dio. Guild: C. J. Groome, J. M. Tyler.
Railwaymen’s Guild: E. J. Franklin.
St. David’s Dio. Guild: J. Prytherch.
St. Martin’s Guild: R. W. Pipe.
Salisbury Dio. Guild: M. J. Hiller, E. J. Hitchins, G. S. Morris, B. J. Woodruffe.
Scottish Assn.: Miss K. M. H. Branson.
Shropshire Assn.: Mrs. E. Stevens.
Soc. of Royal Cumberland Youths: J. S. Barnes, D. Beresford, W. H. Dobbie, D. E. Sibson.
Soc. of Sherwood Youths: G. A. Dawson.
S. Derbyshire & N. Leics. Assn.: J. E. Collins.
Southwell Dio. Guild: W. L. Exton, S. Humphrey, R. B. Mills, Mrs. B. N. Reed.
Stafford Archd. Soc.: C. F. W. Eyre, C. M. Smith.
Suffolk Guild: H. W. Egglestone, C. W. Pipe, Rev. L. R. Pizzey.
Surrey Assn.: A. P. Cannon, S. F. W. Kimber, C. F. Mew.
Sussex County Assn.: C. J. Champion, G. Francis, Miss J. M. Percy.
Swansea & Brecon Dio. Guild: J. A. Hoare.
Truro Dio. Guild: W. C. Boucher, F. M. Bowers, A. J. Davidson, A. Locke.
Universities Assn.: Rev. M. C. C. Melville.
University of Bristol Society: T. P. Edwards.
University of London Society: A. J. Frost.
Winchester & Portsmouth Dio. Guild: A. V. Davis, G. K. Dodd, J. Hartless, R. R. Savory.
Worcestershire & Dist. Assn.: D. Beacham, A. C. Berry, W. B. Cartwright, M. D. Fellows.
Yorkshire Assn.: R. Brown, W. E. Critchley, W. F. Moreton.
The Chester Diocesan Guild, the E. Derbyshire and W. Notts. Association, the Midland Counties Guild, the North American Guild, and the North Wales Association were not represented; Mr. J. M. Simpson, Secretary of the North American Guild, was, however, present.
The Council was welcomed to Exeter by the Deputy Mayor, Councillor R. H. Palmer.
The Secretary (Mr. C. A. Wratten) reported that 65 societies were affiliated, with 169 representatives. The Rules provided for 24 Honorary members, and there were 10 Life members, making a total membership of 203. There were two vacancies. All subscriptions had been paid.
Apologies were received from Messrs. B. Austin, B. E. Bartlett, E. Billings, N. Chaddock, R. H. Cook, J. W. Cotton, Mrs. S. M. Drew, Mr. J. Dunwoody, Canon K. W. H. Felstead, Dr. C. M. P. Johnson, Messrs. B. Jones, A. J. Martin, J. R. Mayne, D. Mottershead, J. R. Norris, F. W. Perrens, G. W. Pipe, A. E. Rushton, Rev. R. D. St. J. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. P. J. Staniforth, Messrs. W. Theobald, W. H. Viggers, F. A. White, T. W. White, A. T. Wingate and Dr. E. V. Woodcock.
The following were welcomed by the President: Messrs. G. E. Bonham (Ely), D. McEndoo (Irish), G. Penney (Hertford), D. P. Smith (Kent), D. R. Jones (Lancashire), A. M. Glover (Leeds University), Dr. J. M. Weddell (London County), Miss J. Foster and R. H. Dove (Honorary).
Mrs. O. D. Barnett, Sir John Betjeman, and Messrs. B. Austin, F. E. Collins, C. K. Lewis and J. R. Mayne were re-elected, and Mr. H. Chant elected to fill the vacancy left by the retirement of Mr. W. A. Osborn. The Secretary was asked to write to Mr. Osborn to express the Council’s gratitude and appreciation for his past services.
The President reported the death of the following past members of the Council since the last meeting, members standing in silence:
Mrs. A. E. Richardson (Ladies, 1932-62), Miss E. M. Steel (Ladies, 1938-51), and Messrs. J. E. Bibby (Chester, 1948-50), G. E. Fearn (St. Martin’s, 1954-73), A. Harman (Guildford, 1936-57), E. H. Mastin (Ely, 1948-53 and 1960-73), and W. N. Park (Durham and Newcastle, 1948-60).
The Minutes as circulated to members and published in The Ringing World of 22 March 1974 were accepted on the proposition of Mr. C. A. Wratten, seconded by Mr. E. A. Barnett.
Report of the Honorary Secretary:
(R.W. 5 July 1974)
Adopted on the proposition of Mr. C. A. Wratten, seconded by Mr. E. A. Barnett, subject to the inclusion of Ireland among the list of countries from which representatives came.
Report of the Honorary Librarian:
(R.W. 5 July 1974)
Adopted on the proposition of Mr. F. Sharpe, seconded by Mr. W. H. Dobbie.
It was agreed a list of certain outstanding books, with the names of borrowers, should be published in the Ringing World.
It was agreed, on the proposition of Mr. R. S. Anderson, seconded by the Rev. J. G. M. Scott, that an annual grant should be made to the Librarian for the purchase of files and equipment for the Library, that this year the sum should be £25, and that, in view of inflation, the sum should be reviewed annually.
On the proposition of Mr. J. S. Barnes, seconded by Mr. R. Brown, it was agreed that a committee should be formed to make recommendations to the Council on the future of the Library; the recommendations should cover such items as storage, insurance, loans policy, the purchase of books, and the advisability of setting up a permanent Library Committee. Mrs. E. Stevens and Messrs. J. S. Barnes, W. T. Cook and F. Sharpe were elected to form the committee.
The President agreed with Mr. J. M. Tyler that affiliated societies should send copies of their annual reports to the Library.
Report of the Trustees of the Carter Ringing Machine:
(R.W. 5 July 1974)
Adopted on the proposition of Mr. D. Hughes, seconded by Mr. W. H. Dobbie.
Balance Sheet and Accounts:
(R.W. 5/12 July 1974)
Adopted on the proposition of Mr. C. A. Wratten, seconded by Mr. F. E. Dukes.
Administrative Committee:
(R.W. 5 July 1974)
Adopted on the proposition of Mr. C. A. Wratten, seconded by Mr. E. A. Barnett. Mr. F. Sharpe was elected to fill a vacancy on the committee caused by the resignation of Mr. G. W. Pipe; a second vacancy, arising from Mr. D. Beresford having become an ex-officio member, was left unfilled.
Biographies Committee:
(R.W. 19 July 1974)
Adopted on the proposition of Mr. T. J. Lock, seconded by Mr. G. A. Dawson.
Computer Co-ordination Committee:
(R.W. 19 July 1974)
Adopted on the proposition of Mr. J. R. Taylor, seconded by Mr. D. E. Sibson.
Education Committee:
(R.W. 19 July 1974)
Adopted on the proposition of Mr. W. F. Moreton, seconded by Mr. W. Butler.
Methods Committee:
(R.W. 19 July 1974)
Adopted on the proposition of Mr. C. K. Lewis, seconded by Mr. S. J. Ivin.
Peals Analysis Committee:
(R.W. 19 July 1974)
Adopted on the proposition of Mr. F. B. Lufkin, seconded by Mr. C. H. Rogers.
Peal Compositions Committee:
(R.W. 19 July 1974)
Adopted on the proposition of Mr. W. E. Critchley, seconded by Mr. G. E. Feirn.
Publications Committee:
(R.W. 19 July 1974)
Adopted on the proposition of Mr. G. R. Drew, seconded by Mr. W. F. Moreton. In response to a question, Mr. Drew said that his committee would look into the prices it was charging.
Public Relations Committee:
(R.W. 12 July 1974)
Adopted on the proposition of Mr. J. S. Mason, seconded by Dean Thurlow.
Records Committee:
(R.W. 12 July 1974)
Adopted on the proposition of Mr. F. T. Blagrove, seconded by Mr. D. E. Sibson.
Committee for Redundant Bells:
(R.W. 12 July 1974)
Adopted on the proposition of Mr. D. Beresford, seconded by Mr. A. J. Frost.
“The Ringing World” Committee:
(R.W. 5 July 1974)
Adopted on the proposition of Mr. W. G. Wilson, seconded by Mr. R. S. Anderson. It was agreed, on the proposition of Mr. D E Sibson, seconded by Mr. N J Diserens, that in future all peal compositions should be independently sent direct to the chairman of the Peal Compositions Committee to be proved before being published in The Ringing World. It was subsequently agreed that such compositions should be sent direct to the chairman of the Peal Compositions Committee.
Towers and Belfries Committee:
(R.W. 5 July 1974)
Adopted on the proposition of the Rev. J. G. M. Scott, seconded by Mr. B. D. Threlfall.
It was agreed that the 1975 meeting in Lincoln should be held on Tuesday, May 27. No decision was taken on the place or date of the 1977 meeting, it being agreed that the decision should be made at the 1975 meeting.
Invitations to hold the 1980 meeting in the Winchester and Portsmouth Diocesan Guild’s area, the 1982 meeting in the Bedfordshire Association’s area, and the 1985 one in the Sussex County Association’s area - in each case to mark the society’s centenary - were noted.
Mr. C. K. Lewis paid tribute to the late Mr. G. E. Fearn, and it was agreed that the Secretary should write to Mrs. Fearn to express the Council’s sympathy in her loss.
Mr. C. K. Lewis gave notice of motion to amend Rule 12.
Mr. C. F. Mew urged that the new county boundaries and names, introduced on April 1st, should be reflected in all official publications, including The Ringing World. Mr. Denyer said that he would have to rely entirely upon those sending reports for publication.
After Mr. J. S. Barnes had suggested that something should have been brought forward to the Council from the earlier meeting on Bell Restoration Funds, and that the Council should also appoint someone to provide advice to associations setting up such a fund, the President said that this was best left to the new Council next year.
On the motion of the President, the thanks of the Council were extended to the Devon Guild and its organising committee for their arrangements for the weekend and the meeting, and to the Dean and Chapter of Exeter Cathedral and the various incumbents for the use of their bells.
The President was thanked for his conduct of the meeting, and Miss D. E. Colgate, Mrs. M. A. Wratten, and the Honorary Secretary for their work.
| Members | |||
| Societies | Present | Absent | |
| Wholly represented | 46 | 115 | - |
| Partly represented | 14 | 28 | 18 |
| Not represented | 5 | - | 8 |
| 65 | 143 | 26 | |
| Life members | 7 | 3 | |
| Honorary members | 14 | 9 | |
| 164 | 38 | ||
The Ringing World, March 28, 1975, pages 263 to 264, correction February 27, 1976, page 193
(Archivist’s note: also absent were J. F. Smallwood (Life), Sir J. Betjeman and W. A. Osborn (Honorary), H. C. Lonyon (Chester Dio. Guild), J. Hine and A. Tapper (Devon Assn.), B. M. Barker (Hertford County Assn.), D. J. Roaf (Oxford Univ. Society) and B. R. Care (Peterborough Dio. Guild))