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Central Council of Church Bell Ringers

Minutes of the Third Session of the 33rd Council (92nd Annual Meeting), held in the Grand Hotel, Birmingham, on Tuesday 30 May 1989

Present

Life Members: E A Barnett, W B Cartwright, Miss D E Colgate, P A Corby, J Freeman, W F Moreton, Very Revd A G G Thurlow and C A Wratten.
Honorary Members: A E M Bagworth, D W Beard, A P S Berry, M J Church, R J Cooles, W H Dobbie, A J Frost, C K Lewis, J R Mayne, Dr A Newing, M H D O’Callaghan, Miss J Sanderson, Preb J G M Scott, M C W Sherwood, R B Smith, D G Thorne, B D Threlfall, J M Tyler, Mrs M J Wilkinson and Mrs M A Wratten.
Ancient Society of College Youths: R C Kippin, A N Stubbs, A W R Wilby.
Australia & New Zealand Assn: R F Eccles, P M J Gray, L R Reynolds (Alt. Member).
Bath & Wells Dio. Assn: Mrs C A Bedding, D J Buckley, D J Kelly, G W Massey.
Bedfordshire Assn: P J S Albon, K Lewin, A H Smith.
Beverley & Dist. Society: P Church.
Cambridge Univ. Guild: P L H Brooke, S C Walters.
Carlisle Dio. Guild: D T Sim.
Chester Dio. Guild: P Dyson, D W Friend, C C Roberts, M Thomson.
Coventry Dio. Guild: P Border, H M Windsor, Mrs B A Winter.
Derby Dio. Assn: G A Halls, Mrs J E Orchard, F C Pearson.
Devonshire Guild: F D Mack, M E C Mears, D J Roberts, Revd L J Yeo.
Durham & Newcastle Dio. Assn: N A Johnson, C M Richardson, Mrs B M Wheeler.
Durham Univ. Society: Revd P Newing.
E. Derbyshire & W. Notts Assn: A Dempster.
Ely Dio. Assn: G E Bonham, Miss L H M Boyle, Dr M B Davies, S S Meyer.
Essex Assn: J Armstrong, F B Lufkin, D Sloman, O C R Webster.
Gloucester & Bristol Dio. Assn: P H Allen, B Bladon, J M Pearse, J R Taylor.
Guildford Dio. Guild: W J Couperthwaite, D E Parsons, J R Pratt, C H Rogers.
Hereford Dio. Guild: J E Harrold, N R Mattingley, M V Powell, R G Powell.
Hertford County Assn: A F Alldrick, R Baldwin, G Dodds, B C Watson.
Irish Assn: A F Bogan, F E Dukes, *A S Hudson.
Kent County Assn: D C Manger, Mrs A L Martin, D H Niblett.
Ladies’ Guild: Miss F Cannon, Mrs C Higby, Mrs P Watson.
Lancashire Assn: D R Jones, J Kershaw, F Reynolds.
Leeds Univ. Society: C Forster.
Leicester Dio. Guild: A Cattell, Mrs C N J Franklin, J M Jelley, B G Warwick.
Lichfield Archd. Society: J F Mulvey, S G Pick, C M Smith.
Lincoln Dio. Guild: D A Frith, A R Heppenstall, L G Townsend.
Llandaff & Monmouth Dio. Assn: Revd Dr J C Baldwin, P S Bennett, D C Brookes.
London County Assn: A S Baker, R Booth, H W Rogers, Dr M T Sprackling.
Manchester Univ. Guild: D R Pettifor.
Middlesex County Assn. & London Dio. Guild: F T Blagrove, T J Lock, R K Russ, *R D Bailey.
Midland Counties Guild: M Quimby.
National Police Guild: B F Peachey.
N. American Guild: D Trumpler (Alt. member), Mrs M B Winter.
N. Staffordshire Assn: P W Gay, N G Sharp.
N. Wales Assn: J W Hughes, Dr D R Marshall.
Norwich Dio. Assn: F C J Arnold, H J Charles, D R McLean.
Oxford Dio. Guild: W Butler, H W Egglestone, *J A Harrison, Dr T G Pett.
Oxford Society: B J Stone.
Oxford Univ. Society: P Q Armitage, P D Niblett.
Peterborough Dio. Guild: E Billings, C J Groome, D J Jones.
Railwaymen’s Guild: T Skilton.
Soc. of Royal Cumberland Youths: J S Barnes, I H Oram, Miss S J Pattenden, D E Sibson.
St. David’s Dio. Guild: P Warren.
St. Martin’s Guild: J A Anderson, J McDonald.
Salisbury Dio. Guild: G J N Colborne, E J Hitchins, R G W Robertson.
Scottish Assn: N E Booth.
Soc. Sherwood Youths: P L R Hayward.
Shropshire Assn: F M Mitchell.
South African Guild: *P P Belgeonne.
Southwell Dio. Guild: G A Dawson, R G Fanthorpe, R B Mills, B A Richards.
Suffolk Guild: T N J Bailey, S D Pettman, Revd L R Pizzey, A R Smith.
Surrey Assn: J D Cheesman, *D. Gilmore, E G H Godfrey, R A Grant.
Sussex County Assn: A R Baldock, R M Cox.
Swansea & Brecon Dio. Guild: A R Lewis.
Transvaal Society: *Mrs A Davies.
Truro Dio. Guild: W C Boucher, A F Burley, R J Perry, P J Tremain.
Universities Assn: Revd M C C Melville.
Univ. of Bristol Society: A J Cox.
Univ. of London Society: P J Sanderson.
Verona Assn: P Avesani, *A Consolaro, R G Morris, G Tommasi.
Winchester & Portsmouth Dio. Guild: R Cater, A T Collins, D C Jackson, A P Smith.
Worcestershire & Dists. Assn: A D Evans, A Roberts, R K Williams.
Yorkshire Assn: N Donovan, *Revd G C Galley, R J Johnston, D E Potter.
Zimbabwe Guild: *Mrs V Grossmith.

The Devon Association, East Grinstead Guild and Liverpool University Society were not represented.

Report as to membership:

The Hon. Secretary (Mr C A Wratten) reported that 69 societies were affiliated to the Council at the start of the meeting, with 184 representative members, an increase of six since 1988. There were nine Life and 22 Honorary Members.

All subscriptions had been paid.

Apologies for absence:

Apologies for absence had been received from F E Collins (Life), Mrs O D Barnett (Honorary) and D J Bleby, A N Brock, W T Cook, S J Flockton, Canon M S Hart, D Hird, A Howes, P T Hurcombe, W H Jackson, M J Lodwick, J L Millhouse, Canon E G Orland, D F Riley and D D Smith (representative members).

In the absence of Messrs Bleby and Jackson, ANZAB and the North American Guild had each sent an alternate member.

Applications to affiliate:

Applications from the Guild of Medical Ringers and the South African Guild to affiliate to the Council were individually proposed, seconded, discussed and voted upon. The former failed to achieve the necessary agreement of two-thirds of those present; the latter was approved.

Welcome to new members:

The President (the Revd Dr J C Baldwin) welcomed the new members present (indicated by a * in the list of those attending).

Loss of members through death:

Members stood in silence as the Secretary read the names of those who had died since the previous meeting: Revd D Burnett (Truro, 1954-68), J A Hoare (Swansea & Brecon, 1946-47 and 1973-81; St. David’s 1947-49 and 1951-57), H Chant (Barnsley & District, 1946-51; Honorary since 1975), A V Davis (Winchester & Portsmouth, 1960-75), F Ainsley (Durham & Newcastle, 1948-60), Mrs Rita Dukes (Irish, 1962-66) and J W Bramley (Salisbury, since 1987).

Election of Life Member:

F E Dukes was elected a Life Member on the proposition of E A Barnett, seconded by A F Bogan.

Election of Honorary Members:

Mrs S Bianco, S J Coleman, R J Cooles, C K Lewis, M H D O’Callaghan and Preb J G M Scott were individually elected Honorary Members.

Minutes of the previous meeting:

The Minutes of the 1988 meeting, as published in The Ringing World of 17 March 1989, were adopted on the proposition of the Hon. Secretary, seconded by C J Groome.

Report of the Hon. Secretary and Treasurer:
(All reports were published in The Ringing World of 7 July 1989).

Adopted on the proposition of the Hon. Secretary, seconded by C J Groome.

Balance Sheet and Accounts:

Adopted on the proposition of C A Wratten, seconded by C J Groome.

Motions

(a) P F Warren proposed, and Dr D R Marshall seconded,

That Rule 5(i)(a) be altered to start:

"A territorial Society, the number of whose members is 50 or over, but does not exceed 150, one Representative Member; …"

An amendment "that the motion be remitted to the Administrative Committee for consideration, and to report back at next year’s meeting on the matter of the minimum qualification for representation at meetings of the Council" was proposed by P J Sanderson and seconded by M H D O’Callaghan, was agreed by the Council.

(b) On behalf of the Methods Committee A P Smith proposed, and P L H Brooke seconded,

"That Decision (D) E.4 be amended to read:

(a) Methods at different stages in the same class shall only have the same name if they are related as in the Decision on Method Extension.

(b) Methods at different stages in the same class which are uniquely related as in the Decision on Method Extension shall have the same name, and where not uniquely related one relationship shall have the same name; any relationship covering most stages shall have preference over any others.

That Decision (G) METHOD EXTENSION be as follows:

1. Extension by an even number of stages.

   1. General.

      (a) This part covers all plain and treble dodging methods and Alliance methods with the treble’s path formed from these two, which are symmetrical about the treble’s whole-pull behind at the half-lead. It also applies to some other forms of Alliance and Treble Place methods.

      (b) The extension of a Little method has identical internal places at all stages of extension.

      (c) All other extensions must satisfy the requirements of the formula laid out in 2 below.

      (d) The extension of a Double method must itself be Double at all stages of extension.

      (e) The extension of a method with Plain Bob type lead-heads must also have Plain Bob type lead-heads. The extension of a method with non-Plain-Bob type lead-heads must also have non-Plain Bob type lead-heads.

      (f) The extension of a method must have the same hunt bells as the parent.

   2. Formula

      (a) Notation

      1. Capital letters are used to describe the places made when the treble is in the following positions in the parent.

         • A - treble at lead
         • B - treble in 12
         • C - treble in 23
         • D - treble in 34
         • E - treble in 45 or lying behind in Minimus
         • F - treble in 56 or lying behind in Doubles
         • G - treble in 67 or lying behind in Minor
         • H - treble in 78 or lying behind in Triples
         • I - treble in 89 or lying behind in Major etc.

      2. An, Bn, Cn, etc. are derived from A, B, C, etc. by expanding all internal places n positions from the lead.

      3. External places remain external.

      4. The permitted extensions are those whose notation above the treble is described in (b) and whose notation below the treble is described in either (c) or (d) below, taking Major as an example.

      (b) Extension above the treble.

      Parent

      A

      B

      C

      D

      E

      F

      G

      H

      I

      Extension BC

      Royal

      A

      B

      C

      B2

      C2

      D2

      E2

      F2

      G2

      H2

      I2

      Maximus

      A

      B

      C

      B2

      C2

      B4

      C4

      D4

      E4

      F4

      G4

      H4

      I4

      Extension CD

      Royal

      A

      B

      C

      D

      C2

      D2

      E2

      F2

      G2

      H2

      I2

      Maximus

      A

      B

      C

      D

      C2

      D2

      C4

      D4

      E4

      F4

      G4

      H4

      I4

      Extension DE

      Royal

      A

      B

      C

      D

      E

      D2

      E2

      F2

      G2

      H2

      I2

      Maximus

      A

      B

      C

      D

      E

      D2

      E2

      D4

      E4

      F4

      G4

      H4

      I4

      Extension EF

      Royal

      A

      B

      C

      D

      E

      F

      E2

      F2

      G2

      H2

      I2

      Maximus

      A

      B

      C

      D

      E

      F

      E2

      F2

      E4

      F4

      G4

      H4

      I4

      Extension FG

      Royal

      A

      B

      C

      D

      E

      F

      G

      F2

      G2

      H2

      I2

      Maximus

      A

      B

      C

      D

      E

      F

      G

      F2

      G2

      F4

      G4

      H4

      I4

      1. Wherever the parent has a penultimate place made, this characteristic must be retained in all extensions.

      2. At the treble’s lead, a penultimate place and any further places adjacent to it may expand and remain adjacent to the ultimate place.

      (c) Static Extension below the treble.

      Parent

      A

      B

      C

      D

      E

      F

      G

      H

      I

      Extension SDE

      Royal

      A

      B

      C

      D

      E

      D

      E

      F

      G

      H

      I

      Maximus

      A

      B

      C

      D

      E

      D

      E

      D

      E

      F

      G

      H

      I

      Extension SEF

      Royal

      A

      B

      C

      D

      E

      F

      E

      F

      G

      H

      I

      Maximus

      A

      B

      C

      D

      E

      F

      E

      F

      E

      F

      G

      H

      I

      Extension SFG

      Royal

      A

      B

      C

      D

      E

      F

      G

      F

      G

      H

      I

      Maximus

      A

      B

      C

      D

      E

      F

      G

      F

      G

      F

      G

      H

      I

      Extension SGH

      Royal

      A

      B

      C

      D

      E

      F

      G

      H

      G

      H

      I

      Maximus

      A

      B

      C

      D

      E

      F

      G

      H

      G

      H

      G

      H

      I

      Extension SHI

      Royal

      A

      B

      C

      D

      E

      F

      G

      H

      I

      H

      I

      Maximus

      A

      B

      C

      D

      E

      F

      G

      H

      I

      H

      I

      H

      I

      1. Wherever the parent has a place made immediately below the path of the treble, this characteristic must be retained in all extensions.

      2. At the half-lead, a penultimate place and any further places adjacent to it may expand and remain adjacent to the treble’s whole pull.

      (d) Expanding Extension below the treble.

      Parent

      A

      B

      C

      D

      E

      F

      G

      H

      I

      Extension EDE

      Royal

      A

      B

      C

      D

      E

      D2

      E2

      F2

      G2

      H2

      I2

      Maximus

      A

      B

      C

      D

      E

      D2

      E2

      D4

      E4

      F4

      G4

      H4

      I4

      Extension EEF

      Royal

      A

      B

      C

      D

      E

      F

      E2

      F2

      G2

      H2

      I2

      Maximus

      A

      B

      C

      D

      E

      F

      E2

      F2

      E4

      F4

      G4

      H4

      I4

      Extension EFG

      Royal

      A

      B

      C

      D

      E

      F

      G

      F2

      G2

      H2

      I2

      Maximus

      A

      B

      C

      D

      E

      F

      G

      F2

      G2

      F4

      G4

      H4

      I4

      Extension EGH

      Royal

      A

      B

      C

      D

      E

      F

      G

      H

      G2

      H2

      I2

      Maximus

      A

      B

      C

      D

      E

      F

      G

      H

      G2

      H2

      G4

      H4

      I4

      Extension EHI

      Royal

      A

      B

      C

      D

      E

      F

      G

      H

      I

      H2

      I2

      Maximus

      A

      B

      C

      D

      E

      F

      G

      H

      I

      H2

      I2

      H4

      I4

      1. Wherever the parent has seconds place made, this characteristic must be retained in all extensions.

      2. At the half-lead, seconds place and any further places adjacent to it remain static.

2. Extension of a single-hunt plain method to a twin-hunt plain method at the next higher stage.

   1. General

      (a) There shall be two coursing hunt bells in the extension hunting one position further from the lead than the hunt bell does in the parent.

      (b) The places above the hunt bells in the extension are the same as those above the hunt bell in the parent but all moved one position from the lead.

      (c)The places below the hunt bells in the extension are the same as those below the hunt bell in the parent.

   2. Additional requirements for Little methods.

      (a) There must be no places made above the hunt bell at the half-lead of the parent.

      (b) No places are made above the hunt bells at, or either side of, the half-lead in the extension.

   3. Notes.

      (a) Grandsire, Double Grandsire, Reverse Grandsire and Little Grandsire are the twin-hunt extensions of Plain Bob, Double Bob, Reverse Bob and Little Bob respectively to the next higher stage, although strictly Plain Bob at odd stages (Grandsire at even stages) is a different method from Plain Bob at even stages (Grandsire at odd stages)."

An amendment proposed by R D Bailey and seconded by R Baldwin, that section A.1.(e) of the motion be deleted, was defeated; but the Council accepted a further amendment, proposed by A J Cox and seconded by M C W Sherwood, that section B.1.(a) be amended to read:

"There shall be two coursing hunt bells in the extension which hunt to one position further from the lead than the hunt bell does in the parent."

In this amended version the motion was passed by a large majority.

(c) On behalf of the Methods Committee A P Smith proposed, and P L H Brooke seconded,

"That Decision (D) C.3 be amended to read:

A Doubles variation may only be included in an extent or round block by itself and not with other variations or methods."

Both this and an amendment proposed by D C Jackson and seconded by D A Frith (that it be amended to read "Up to four Doubles variations only may be included in an extent or round block") were defeated.

(d) J. S. Barnes proposed, and J. Freeman seconded,

"That the Council Centenary in 1991 be marked by the initiation of a project intended to further the cause of ringing during the following decades and that to that end an ad hoc committee of up to five people and with powers to co-opt be appointed to (i) consider possibilities and make plans for a suitable project with a view to reporting to Council in 1990, and (ii) if the plans are approved, to liaise with the host society and other committees of the Council so far as may be necessary to draw attention and give due emphasis to the project at the Centenary meeting."

The motion was passed, and a committee consisting of J S Barnes (convenor), C J Groome, J W Hughes, F C Pearson and Mrs S Bianco elected.

Report of the Rescue Fund for Redundant Bells

Adopted on the proposition of R J Cooles, seconded by M H D O’Callaghan.

Report of the Trustees of the Roll of Honour:

Adopted on the proposition of A W R Wilby, seconded by C J Groome.

Report of the Trustees of the Carter Ringing Machine:

Adopted on the proposition of A E Bagworth, seconded by W H Dobbie. Mr Bagworth undertook to investigate the possibility of preparing a handout on the history and working of the machine.

Committee Reports

Administrative

Adopted on the proposition of the Hon. Secretary, seconded by M J Church. Members signified their informal approval of the draft Code of Practice published in The Ringing World of 10 February 1989.

Towers and Belfries

Adopted on the proposition of J R Taylor, seconded by A J Frost. Mr Taylor reported that Mr Frost would be succeeding him as chairman of the committee as from the end of the meeting.

Bell Restoration Funds

Adopted on the proposition of J S Barnes, seconded by E Billings.

Redundant Bells

Adopted on the proposition of Mrs J Wilkinson, seconded by P A Corby.

Peals Analysis
(The final part of this committee’s report appeared in The Ringing World of 28 July 1989).

After the Council had approved a motion, proposed by C H Rogers and seconded by J D Cheesman, "that the ‘peal’ of Little Bob Minor by the Oxford DG at White Waltham on 9 January 1988 be not accepted", Mr Rogers proposed and Mr Cheesman seconded the adoption of the committee’s report, as amended by this motion, "subject to the submission by the Committee to the 1990 meeting of the Council of a report on the acceptability of the following peals of Doubles:

This was agreed.

Records

Adopted on the proposition of D E Sibson, seconded by J R Mayne. The Council approved a motion, proposed by A P Smith and seconded by T G Pett, that the Lincoln DG band that rang a peal of Superlatyve Surprise Royal on 20 April 1988 be asked to find another name for the method.

Methods

Adopted on the proposition of A P Smith, seconded by C K Lewis.

Education

Adopted on the proposition of R Cater, seconded by J M Tyler.

Peal Compositions

Adopted on the proposition of R C Kippin, seconded by A J Cox.

Computer Co-ordination

Adopted on the proposition of P Church, seconded by G Dodds.

Biographies

Adopted on the proposition of T J Lock, seconded by C J Groome.

Library

Adopted on the proposition of Miss J Sanderson, seconded by D J Jones.

Publications

Adopted on the proposition of W J Couperthwaite, seconded by D J Jones.

Public Relations

Adopted on the proposition of A W R Wilby, seconded by Dr A Newing. Mrs S Bianco and S J Coleman were elected to the committee on the proposition of Dr Newing, seconded by Mr Wilby.

Future Meetings

It was agreed to accept the invitation from the Llandaff and Monmouth DA for the Council to meet in its area in 1993; and an invitation from the Irish Association for 1998, when that Association would be celebrating its centenary, was noted.

Votes of thanks

On behalf of the Council the President thanked the staff of the Grand Hotel and of Birmingham Cathedral, the officers and members of the St. Martin’s Guild and its organising committee, and the incumbents and churchwardens of churches where members had been allowed to ring, for their contributions to the success of the meeting. He also thanked whose who had reached the end of their period of membership of the Council for their contributions to its work.

Mr E A Barnett thanked the President and officers for the conduct of the meeting.

The Ringing World, March 2, 1990, pages 235 to 237, correction March 16, 1990, page 267

(Archivist’s note: also absent were J. Hine and R. O. Wright (Devon Assn.) and R. J. Clements (Worcestershire and Districts Assn.))