Life Members: The Revd J C Baldwin, H W Egglestone, H W Rogers, A N Stubbs, D G Thorne.
Honorary Members: A P S Berry#, R Booth, Mrs G Cater, R J Cooles, Mrs J A Edwards, J C Eisel, A Ellis#, A J Frost, E G H Godfrey, W A Hibbert, T Jackson, D J Kelly, R A Lewis, A Regin*, Miss J Roberts, R Shipp#,
P A Trotman#, B Ward, Mrs P M Wilkinson.
Ancient Society of College Youths: R I Allton, S Linford, P A B Saddleton, A W R Wilby.
Australian & New Zealand Assn: C D O’Mahony, L R Reynolds.
Bath & Wells Dio. Assn: R C Backhurst, Miss J Bunyan, M R T Higby, J R Taylor.
Bedfordshire Assn: P J S Albon, K Lewin, Mrs W Piercy.
Beverley & District Society: A J Atkinson, J Blackburn.
Birmingham University Society: P Chandler.
Cambridge Univ. Guild: R Hall, L D G Simpson.
Carlisle Dio. Guild: Ms W Graham, J J Proudfoot.
Chester Dio. Guild: P Dyson, C M Orme, Mrs P Thomson, P Wilkinson.
Coventry Dio. Guild: M Chester, M J Dew, W K Jones, C F Mew.
Derby Dio. Assn: M Banks, J A Cater, Mrs P A M Halls, Mrs G Hughes.
Devon Association: M C Way.
Devonshire Guild: L E Boyce, J M Clarke, M G Mansley, D J Roberts.
Durham & Newcastle Dio. Assn: Mrs Y Cairns, H Smith, R R Warford, Mrs B M Wheeler.
Durham Univ. Society: M Williams.
East Derby & West Notts Assn: The Revd A Dempster.
East Grinstead & District Guild: R A Grant.
Ely Dio. Assn: G E Bonham, M B Davies, B Hullah#, S Martin.
Essex Assn: J Armstrong, F J P Bone, B Meads, A G Semken, D L Sparling.
Gloucester & Bristol Dio. Assn: D Harbottle, W Nash, Prof A Newing, J Nicholls.
Guildford Dio. Guild: W J Couperthwaite, Mrs B R Norris, C H Rogers, M J Turner.
Hereford Dio. Guild: J H Croxton, Mrs J Lawrence, Mrs J Mason.
Hertford County Assn: R Chandler*, G A Duke, G T Horritt, B C Watson.
Irish Assn: C Holliday, Ms J Kelly, Mrs J Lysaght.
Kent County Assn: P R J Barnes, P T Dale, R H Edwards, P H Larter, Mrs C M Lewis.
Ladies Guild: Mrs J Stevenson, Ms J K Wyatt.
Lancashire Assn: G Blundell, D Burgess, Mrs A E Pettifor, E Runciman, S D Woof.
Leeds University Society: R Green#.
Leicester Dio. Guild: Mrs C N J Franklin, Mrs A S Preston, J R Thompson, Mrs W M Warwick.
Lichfield & Walsall Archd. Society: S Hutchieson, J F Mulvey, C M Smith.
Lincoln Dio. Guild: Mrs S Faull, A R Heppenstall, Mrs J M Rogers, L G Townsend.
Liverpool Univ. Society: Mrs V Wilby.
Llandaff & Monmouth Dio. Assn: P S Bennett, Mrs P Penney.
Middlesex County Assn. & London Dio. Guild: R Bailey, F T Blagrove, T Joiner.
National Police Guild: The Rt Revd B F Peachey.
North American Guild: B N Butler, Ms B Faber, J I Mabe, Ms K Tucker.
North Staffordshire Assn: F Beech, Mrs J Beech.
North Wales Assn: G P Morris, D Stanworth.
Norwich Dio. Assn: P Adcock, Miss T Crowder, D McLean.
Oxford Dio. Guild: W Butler, K R Davenport, J A Harrison, Mrs B May, T G Pett, M K Till.
Oxford Society: Ms C L Bell, B J Stone.
Oxford Univ. Society: M Bell.
Peterborough Dio. Guild: Mrs H Aslett, D J Jones, Mrs E J Sibson.
St Martin’s Guild: Mrs S J Warboys, M P A Wilby.
Salisbury Dio. Guild: A J Howes, A C D Lovell-Wood, J Newman, A P Nicholson, R J Purnell.
Scottish Assn: S Elwell-Sutton, M A Neale.
Shropshire Assn: A M Glover#, N J Green.
Society of Royal Cumberland Youths: J S Barnes, I H Oram, A J Preston, D E Sibson.
Society of Sherwood Youths: P Hawcock.
South African Guild: Mrs J M Webster.
Southwell and Nottingham Dio. Guild: G A Dawson, A B Mills, Ms M J Stephens, R E H Woolley.
Suffolk Guild: R J Munnings, The Revd Canon L R Pizzey, D G Salter.
Surrey Assn: J D Cheesman, Mrs K Flavell, P Flavell, R J Wallis.
Sussex County Assn: A R Baldock, Mrs C M Baldock, I P Hastilow, D Kirkcaldy, Mrs M E Oram.
Swansea & Brecon Dio. Guild: Mrs J Francis*, P C Johnson.
Truro Dio. Guild: Ms M Jones, N R Mattingley, R J Perry, I P Self.
Univ. Bristol Society: C Darvill, R M Wood.
Veronese Assn: P Avesani, Dr A M Hodge.
Winchester & Portsmouth Dio. Guild: M J Church, P D Niblett, A P Smith, D Strong, M J Winterbourne.
Worcestershire & Districts Assn: S W Holbeche, C M Povey, A Roberts, R J Walker.
Yorkshire Assn: A R Aspland, N Donovan, C B Dove, Mrs D M Rhymer, B Sanders.
Zimbabwe Guild: Prof J R Milford (alt. member).
The Dorset County Association, the St David’s Diocesan Guild and the University of London Society were not represented.
The Chair was taken by the President, Tony Smith.
The Revd Anne Smith, the Minister of St Andrew’s Church, led the Council in prayer.
The Hon Secretary, Ian Oram, reported that 65 societies were affiliated to the Council with 198 representatives; there were two vacancies. There were 6 Life Members and 23 Honorary Members. All subscriptions had been paid.
The President gave a warm welcome to new and returning members (indicated by * and # respectively in the list of those present).
Apologies had been received from Doris Colgate (Life Member), Alan Bentley, Stella Bianco, Heather Peachey and Jean Sanderson (Honorary Members), Roger Lubbock and Ian McCulloch (Australian and New Zealand Assn), Carol Hardwick (Bath & Wells DA), Chris White (Dorset CA), Ashley Fortey (Hereford DG), Alison Caton (Ladies Guild), Betty Baines (Norwich DA), Alan Chantler (Peterborough DG), John Prytherch (St David’s DG), Michael Trimm (University of London Soc) and Anne Phillips (Zimbabwe Guild). Further apologies were presented from Paul Pascoe (Devon Assn) and Stephen Pettman (Suffolk Guild).
Members stood in silence as the Hon Secretary read the names of former members of the Council who had died in earlier years but whose deaths had not been previously reported to the Council: Frederick Teague (Truro DG 1948-1950) and Edric Franklin (Railwaymen’s Guild 1967-1977); and the following member and former members who had died since the last meeting: William Gibbons (Chester DG 1983-1984); Donald Knights (Ely DA 1960); Frederick Mitchell (Shropshire Assn from 1978); Jean Darmon (Southwell DG 1949-1950); Gordon Briggs (Derby DA 1948-1950); Ernest Willcox (Shropshire Assn 1966-1971); Alexander Martin (Chester DG 1957-1959, 1966-1978, 1980, 1991-1995); Reginald Curtis (Truro DG 1975-1976); and William Jackson (North American Guild 1978-1995). The Revd Adrian Dempster led members in prayer.
The Minutes of the meeting held on 26th May 2008 had been published in The Ringing World of 19th September 2008. The Hon Secretary reported the following errors: on page 987, item 16(e), line 2, replace "third" with "second" and in line 8 replace "15" with "8"; and on page 995 in the Summary of Attendance, absent members, replace "18" with "19" and "3" with "2".
After the corrections were made, the Minutes were approved and signed by the President.
The President drew attention to the Appendix to the Report of the Administrative Committee and reminded members to declare any interest in the bell-related trade to the Hon Secretary and before speaking at that meeting.
Referring to page 988 of the Minutes, item 16 (f), the Hon Secretary confirmed that the agenda for this year’s Meeting had been published on the website. No member wished to raise any other matter.
8. Annual Report of the Council
(RW 24th April 2009, pp430-431)
The Hon Secretary noted that since the preparation of the report, there had been one other change: in paragraph 4 on page 430, lines 8 and 9, delete "their vacancies have not" and insert "one of these vacancies has", so that the number of Representative Members in the penultimate line became 198.
Adoption of the report was then proposed by the Hon Secretary, seconded by the Vice-President, Kate Flavell, and agreed.
9. Accounts for 2008
(RW 24th April 2009, pp431-433)
In presenting the Accounts, the Hon Treasurer, Derek Harbottle, noted that the Independent Examiners had been able to give an unqualified report. He drew attention to the key areas of the Statement of Financial Activities, particularly the income and expenditure figures for the Roadshow which resulted in a net cost to the General Fund of £3,793. Looking ahead to 2009 the substantial fall in interest rates would impact on the General Fund; the Officers would keep the situation under review. The Officers had agreed to commit £10,000 to support of The Ringing Foundation.
The Hon Treasurer proposed the adoption of the Accounts, the Vice-President seconded and they were agreed.
Four Honorary Members would complete their three-year term at the end of the meeting: of these Gail Cater was not seeking re-election. Heather Peachey was also standing down. The retiring three were re-elected as follows: Robert Lewis, the Editor of The Ringing World; Jackie Roberts, who continued to make useful contributions to the work of the Bell Restoration Committee and her more important role as Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Ringing World Limited; and Jane Wilkinson, who was willing to continue her work on the Committee for Redundant Bells. Three vacancies remained unfilled.
Before moving to the next item on the agenda, the President paid tribute to Ian Oram for his work as Hon Secretary over the past 8 years and presented him with an inscribed table bell. This presentation was greeted with acclaim and a standing ovation from members. Ian returned thanks and wished his successor well.
There had been two nominations for this position: Mary Bone was proposed by Robert Cooles and seconded by Derek Sibson; and Barrie Dove was proposed by Neil Donovan and seconded by Mike Chester.
Voting was by ballot which resulted in Mary Bone being declared elected.
In accordance with Rule 11 the retiring Hon Secretary continued in office until the business of the meeting was concluded.
David Sparling proposed on behalf of the Administrative Committee:
That Rule 14(iv) be amended as follows:
Delete the last sentence and substitute:
"Each of these committees shall have power to co-opt any number of members of the Council. Co-opted members shall retire at the next annual meeting and shall not be taken into account in determining the members who are to retire by rotation".
David explained that this aspect of committee membership had not been covered by the Rule Change last year. Roger Bailey seconded.
The Motion was carried nem con.
Paul Flavell proposed on behalf of the Peal Compositions Committee:
That Rule 14(ii)(e) be amended as follows:
Delete "Peal Compositions" and substitute "Compositions".
That Rule 15(vii) be amended as follows:
Delete:
"The Peal Compositions Committee. To promote the art of composition; to maintain a representative collection of peal compositions and prepare for publication such collections as the Council shall direct; to select, check, and prepare compositions for publication in The Ringing World; and to encourage the use of aids in composition".
Substitute:
"The Compositions Committee. To promote the art of composition; to maintain a representative collection of peal compositions and compositions of other lengths and to prepare for publication such collections as the Council shall direct; to select, check, and prepare compositions for publication in The Ringing World; and to encourage the use of aids in composition".
Robin Hall seconded.
Frank Beech asked about the truth of quarter-peals; Paul responded that there were no rules for quarter-peals.
The Motion was then put to the vote and carried by the necessary two-thirds majority.
John Cater proposed:
That Rule 15(ii) be amended as follows:
Delete:
"The Biographies Committee. To maintain an account of the work and general ringing activities of past and present members of the Council".
Substitute:
"The Biographies Committee. To maintain an account of the work and general ringing activities of past and present ringers".
John stressed that the Motion did not imply any criticism of the Biographies Committee, which worked within the limitations of the existing Terms of Reference. The intention was to make that work more outward-looking. Deliberately the revised wording did not attempt to define who these ringers were; perhaps Society Secretaries could be asked to nominate suitable people. John acknowledged that the Committee had difficulty in persuading Council members to complete a biography form. Andrew Wilby seconded.
Pat Halls, chairman of the Biographies Committee, pointed out the practical problems in widening the remit of the Committee: how would prominent ringers be defined? The Committee’s report already noted the difficulty in obtaining information.
John Harrison suggested that the Terms of Reference could be widened further in such a way that practical solutions could be found; in any case more resources would be needed.
Jane Mason proposed an amendment to retain the existing wording, but adding "and those ringers nominated and approved by the Council at its Annual Meeting". Paul Flavell seconded. After Phillip Barnes had pointed out that the Council was not competent to make such decisions, the amendment was defeated, with only two votes in favour.
On being put to the vote, the original Motion was carried by the necessary two-thirds majority.
Laith Reynolds proposed:
That Rule 6 (Honorary Members) be amended as follows:
Delete the whole of the Existing Rule, viz:
"Honorary Members shall be elected for three years and, on retiring, shall be eligible for re-election (retirement and election taking effect as from the end of the annual meeting), provided that any Honorary Member who during his term of office may be elected a Representative or Life Member shall, ipso facto, vacate his honorary membership. Election shall be by ballot and require the vote of a majority of those present. The Council may fill a vacancy among the Honorary Members at any annual meeting of the Council. Notwithstanding the note above concerning when the election takes effect, a new Honorary Member shall be eligible for election to a committee at that meeting".
Substitute:
"Persons who are not members of the Council shall be eligible for election to committees of the Council. Upon election they shall become Honorary Members of the Council for three years and shall retire in rotation with other Committee members. Honorary Members who during this term of office may be elected a Representative or Life Member shall, ipso facto, vacate this honorary membership. Honorary Members shall not be eligible to chair a committee or to become an Officer of the Council".
Laith explained that the purpose of the Motion was to produce a more democratic structure, being less internally motivated. Control of the Council should only be in the hands of members elected by affiliated Societies. Laith felt that the broad community of ringers was critical of Honorary Members. It was not intended that either Stewards or the Chairman of the Board of The Ringing World Limited should be covered by the Motion. Andrew Wilby seconded and obtained the President’s permission to amend the Motion by adding the words "and appointment as Stewards" after "committees" in line 1.
The Vice-President recalled that she had originally been elected an Honorary Member, as she was able to assist on various aspects of Insurance affecting ringers: such a route would not be possible under the proposal. The existing Rule was democratic as elections required the vote of a majority of those present; there was no such requirement in the proposal. The proposal conflicted with Rule 11 (ii) which stated that Officers were ex-officio members of the Council if not otherwise members; it would remove the limit on the number of Honorary Members, currently 24; and it would prevent a committee from electing its own choice of chairman. Also, the suggestion that Honorary Members should not be chairmen of committees, because chairmanship of a committee carried with it ex officio membership of the Administrative Committee, was inconsistent with the proposal; under the proposed Rule non-members of Council could be elected directly to the Administrative Committee as Honorary Members. In summary the Motion could not achieve what it intended.
Michael Wilby proposed an amendment to add the words "or vote at Council meetings" to the end of the Motion; this was seconded by Phillip Barnes and carried by a large majority.
Phillip Barnes took note of the inconsistencies identified earlier but felt that the proposed change should not be delayed because of these: the change would broaden the appeal of the Council to a much wider range of ringers. Roger Bailey disagreed: while the basic intention was good, the conflictions with existing rules needed to be addressed first.
Jane Wilkinson said that Honorary Members did much valuable work for the Council; Committees should not be restricted in who they elected as their chairmen; the proposal would create second-class members.
Responding to comments made, Laith Reynolds acknowledged that the advice of consultants was valued; while there might be something to be gained from delaying the change for a year, such a delay would not help the ongoing work of the Council.
On being put to the vote, although there was a majority in favour, it was significantly less than the two-thirds required for a Rule Change: the Motion was therefore lost.
13. Committee Reports
(The reports were published in The Ringing World Supplement of 24th April 2009. The relevant page numbers are shown against each report).
(a) Administrative (pp434-435)
Adoption of the report was proposed by the Hon Secretary, who noted that following a change of printer of The Ringing World there was an even tighter schedule for printing the Supplement this year; nevertheless Robert Lewis and The Ringing World staff still managed to produce an excellent Supplement on time. The Vice-President seconded the adoption.
Peter Dyson referred to the proposed meeting for DAC Bell Advisers and asked if such meetings could be held out of London and not on a weekday. Alan Frost responded that this point had been raised with the Church Buildings Council but their administrative arrangements did not allow these possibilities.
Adoption of the report was then agreed.
John Baldwin, Alan Frost, Robert Lewis and Judith Rogers retired. Five candidates were proposed and seconded to fill the 4 vacancies on the Committee. After a ballot the retiring members were declared elected. The unsuccessful candidate was Ernie Runciman.
Chris Mew introduced the papers that had been circulated to all members on the requirements of the 2006 Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act, adding that all Society Secretaries had also been sent copies. He stressed that the Guidelines issued by the Council in 2004 were still valid and contained good practice that every tower should follow: the effect of the new Act on ringing would be minimal.
Chris outlined the basic provisions of the Act, which defined activities which would be regulated: the activity was the key, not the presence of children. The Act extended the legal requirements for Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) checking to include Care Homes and faith activities. Although the Act covered Vulnerable Adults, it was unlikely to apply to ringers as it applies only to those who are providing care services. The Act placed a duty not to knowingly use "barred" persons on regulated activities, which, in the context of ringing, meant face to face teaching: it did not include helpers and those standing behind, etc.
Ringers already CRB checked would initially need to do nothing. Societies arranging training days, etc, would need to check their face to face teachers. Societies were recommended to appoint a Child Protection Officer, who would need to be CRB checked.
The requirements of the Act would be implemented in phases. From October 2009 all new face to face ringing teachers would have to be CRB checked. There was a new body, the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA), with which all persons undertaking regulated work, must, in addition, eventually be registered. From July 2010 combined applications for CRB and ISA registration would become available. From November 2010 all new workers in regulated activities must be ISA registered. From then until 2015 existing persons with CRB checks would be assimilated into the ISA registration, which would be fully portable.
It was and would remain illegal to insist that a person was CRB checked for an activity that was not classed as registered.
Robin Woolley commented on the checklist and thought that it would be more useful to start with activities where registration was not required.
Judith Rogers was concerned that the provisions for Vulnerable Adults were not ignored; Chris responded that the Act was specific that such persons were defined as those receiving Care Services. Jane Wilkinson asked about the situation if such a person was already ringing: Chris explained that the ringing fraternity was not providing care.
Frank Beech voiced the thanks of the whole meeting to Chris for all his work on this important subject.
In proposing the report for adoption, Ernie Runciman corrected the error in line 5, substituting "Vulnerable" for "Venerable", and noted that he would be standing down as Chairman of the Committee, to be succeeded by Christopher O’Mahony. Chris Mew seconded and adoption of the report was agreed.
Ernie Runciman and Robert Wood retired. These retiring members were proposed, seconded and elected to fill the 2 vacancies on the Committee.
The meeting adjourned for lunch at 12.45 p.m. and resumed, after the Annual Meeting of The Ringing World Limited, at 3.00 p.m.
Adoption of the report was proposed by Pat Halls, who corrected the spelling of Brian Jeffrey and noted that the biography form was now downloadable from the website. Jenny Lawrence seconded.
Roger Bailey referred to the use of the words "writing up … records" in the report and encouraged the Committee to use more modern methods of recording, such as publishing online. Pat agreed to consider this.
Adoption of the report was then agreed.
Arising from the acceptance of the Motion earlier that day, Pat proposed that the size of the Committee be increased to nine; this was seconded by John Harrison and agreed.
Pat Halls and Jane Mason retired. The following five members were proposed, seconded and elected to fill the 5 vacancies on the Committee: Pat Halls, John Harrison, Jane Mason, Bobbie May and Kathryn Tucker.
In proposing adoption of the report, Catherine Lewis thanked Barrie Dove and Heather Peachey, who were not seeking re-election, for all their work on the Committee. Geoff Horritt seconded and adoption of the report was agreed.
Barrie Dove, Geoff Horritt, Catherine Lewis, Heather Peachey and David Strong retired. Barrie Dove, Heather Peachey and David Strong were not seeking re-election. There were 4 vacancies on the Committee: the following members were proposed, seconded and elected: Geoff Horritt, Catherine Lewis and John Mabe. One vacancy was unfilled.
(e) Information and Communications Technology (p436)
Adoption of the report was proposed by Mike Chester, who noted that the Felstead database was being brought onto the Council’s server. The work on method names was being taken over by Alan Baldock from Tim Pett and he therefore becomes the link person with this Committee. Mike stressed the request in the report for more website technical expertise. Mike Till seconded and adoption of the report was agreed.
Geoff Emerson and Mike Till retired; neither was seeking re-election. There were 3 vacancies on the Committee: the following member was proposed, seconded and elected: Michael Wilby. Two vacancies were unfilled.
In proposing adoption of the report, John Eisel thanked Mike Davies for his work on the Committee, especially as Chairman. It was hoped that a new location for the Library might have been identified. The Committee continued to be grateful for the bound copy of The Ringing World received each year; a duplicate complete set of the paper was available for loan to Societies. Annual reports from Societies were also appreciated, as they were a valuable source of information about ringers. Ian Self seconded and adoption of the report was agreed.
Mike Davies and Jean Sanderson retired. Mike Davies was not seeking re-election. The following two members were proposed, seconded and elected to fill the 2 vacancies on the Committee: Alan Glover and Jean Sanderson.
Adoption of the report was proposed by Peter Niblett, who thanked Roger Bailey for his work on the Committee for the past 19 years. Roger seconded the proposal.
Responding to a question from Jane Mason, Peter said that it was hoped to have the new Collection of Doubles Methods available by the end of the year.
Adoption of the report was then agreed.
Roger Bailey and Philip Saddleton retired. Roger Bailey was not seeking re-election. There were 3 vacancies on the Committee: the following two members were proposed, seconded and elected: Richard Edwards and Philip Saddleton. One vacancy was unfilled.
In proposing adoption of the report, Paul Flavell thanked Roger Bailey for his work on the Committee. Richard Allton seconded and adoption of the report was agreed.
Richard Allton, Roger Bailey and Stuart Hutchieson retired. Roger Bailey was not seeking re-election. The following three members were proposed, seconded and elected to fill the 3 vacancies on the Committee: Richard Allton, Stuart Hutchieson and Simon Woof.
Adoption of the report was proposed by Phillip Barnes, who noted that several peals rung during 2008 were published late; the revised total was 4905, increasing the tower bell total to 4217. Richard Allton seconded.
Barry Peachey asked whether the role of the Committee was advisory or mandatory. The question arose for two reasons: firstly, the proliferation of "mini-rings", some of which were very small, raised the doubt of their audibility outside the building, as required by the Rules; secondly a "peal" of 12000 Minimus had been published, which was not in compliance with the Decisions on Record Peals.
Phillip responded that the remit of the Committee was to compile an analysis of peals, not to act as a judge on compliance with Council’s Rules; and the "peal" of Minimus was published as a "Miscellaneous Performance", following consultation between himself and the Editor of The Ringing World.
Adoption of the report was then agreed.
Richard Allton, Phillip Barnes and Martin Turner retired. Martin Turner was not seeking re-election. The following three members were proposed, seconded and elected to fill the 3 vacancies on the Committee: Richard Allton, Phillip Barnes and Philip Larter.
(j) Public Relations (pp441-442)
In proposing adoption of the report, Neil Donovan said that the Committee was currently considering a recommendation for a future Roadshow to put to the Administrative Committee. It had been hoped to have an update from the 2012 Olympics group, but this had not yet been received.
Chris Darvill seconded and adoption of the report was agreed.
Peter Burgess, Alan Chantler and Jane Wilkinson retired. Peter Burgess was no longer a member of Council. There were 6 vacancies on the Committee: the following five members were proposed, seconded and elected: Claire Bell, Alan Chantler, Neil Donovan, Michael Orme and Jane Wilkinson. One vacancy was unfilled.
Adoption of the report was proposed by John Couperthwaite, seconded by Derek Jones and agreed.
John Couperthwaite and Barbara Wheeler retired. These two members were proposed, seconded and elected to fill the 2 vacancies on the Committee.
In proposing adoption of the report, Bob Cooles noted that Holy Trinity, Brompton was to take over St Peter, Brighton, but any plans for the bells had not been made known. Of the new cases in 2008, two had bells: St Cross, Oxford and St Peter, Thetford. John Baldwin seconded and adoption of the report was agreed.
Alan Frost and Jane Wilkinson retired. Three candidates were proposed and seconded to fill the 2 vacancies on the Committee. After a ballot the following were declared elected: Alan Frost and Robert Lewis. The unsuccessful candidate was Jane Wilkinson.
Adoption of the report was proposed by Barry Peachey. Roger Booth seconded and adoption of the report was agreed.
Gail Cater, Heather Peachey and Barry Peachey retired. Gail Cater would no longer be a member of Council. Heather Peachey and Barry Peachey were not seeking re-election. Although there were 3 vacancies on the Committee, no candidates were proposed.
(n) Ringing Trends (pp445-447)
In proposing adoption of the report, Beryl Norris added that data had been received from the Oxford Diocesan Guild and the Sussex County Association, which did not require any of the published graphs to be amended. A total of 9538 ringers had now responded to questionnaires; there was a notable consistency in the results. Of these ringers 2387 said that they read (not subscribed to) The Ringing World. Stephen Elwell-Sutton seconded.
Andrew Wilby was shocked by the figure for Ringing World readership, as previous research had suggested around 4000 copies were read by some 9000 ringers. Clearly these latest figures needed verification.
Adoption of the report was then agreed.
Mike Till and Beryl Norris retired. Mike Till was not seeking re-election. There were 4 vacancies on the Committee: the following member was proposed, seconded and elected: Beryl Norris. Three vacancies were unfilled.
The meeting adjourned for tea at 4.12 p.m. and resumed, after the Annual Meeting of The Ringing Foundation Limited, at 5.12 p.m.
(o) Towers and Belfries (p448)
Adoption of the report was proposed by James Clarke, who confirmed that the sound control seminar would be held at Duffield on 26th September. Chris Povey seconded and adoption of the report was agreed.
Peter Bennett, George Dawson, Chris Povey, Bernard Stone and Jim Taylor retired. These five members were proposed, seconded and elected to fill the 5 vacancies on the Committee.
(p) Bell Restoration (pp448-449)
In proposing the report for adoption, Robin Shipp noted that Committee members were preparing articles on Public Benefit statements for Societies registered as charities and their Bell Restoration Funds; and on the limitations on Gift Aid recovery. A grant from the Fred Dukes Fund to Menangle, New South Wales had recently been approved. The Vice-President seconded and adoption of the report was agreed.
John Barnes, Ken Davenport and Laith Reynolds retired. There were 4 vacancies on the Committee: these three members were proposed, seconded and elected. One vacancy was unfilled.
The President thanked all committee members for their work for the Council, especially those not standing for re-election.
14. Report of the Stewards of the Carter Ringing Machine Collection
(RW 24th April 2009, p449)
Adoption of the report was proposed by Alan Berry. Barry Ward seconded and adoption of the report was agreed.
15. Report of the Steward of the Rolls of Honour
(RW 24th April 2009, pp449-450)
In proposing the report for adoption, Alan Regin thought that there must be many more names to be added: for example, for the county of Devon with the highest number of rings of bells in any county, only 18 names were recorded. He thanked Yvonne Cairns and Jan Reynolds for their researches. Alan was seeking the advice of bookbinders as to whether the books could accommodate further names. He reported that access to the display case at St Paul’s Cathedral had been changed, but the books could still be inspected. Laith Reynolds seconded.
Robert Perry acknowledged that there was tremendous loss of life in World War I, but the Armed Forces continued to make the supreme sacrifice in Iraq and Afghanistan: was it not time to extend the cover of the Rolls beyond World War II? The President pointed out that would involve a change to the Decisions of the Council and therefore required a Motion to Council. However, Andrew Stubbs, Alan Regin’s predecessor, commented that an investigation was carried out about 4 years ago, and it was not then possible to find that a single ringer had died in more recent conflicts.
Andrew Aspland thanked Alan for his inspirational work in continuing to ensure that the Rolls became a complete record. (Applause).
Adoption of the report was then agreed.
16. Report of the Stewards of the Dove Database
(RW 24th April 2009, pp450-451)
Adoption of the report was proposed by the Revd John Baldwin. Tim Jackson seconded and adoption of the report was agreed.
17. Central Council Rescue Fund for Redundant Bells (Registered Charity no. 278816)
Report and Accounts
(RW 24th April 2009, p451)
In proposing adoption of the report, Bob Cooles was able to confirm that the loans to Wickersley and Moseley had now been repaid. At Moseley a quite different scheme was now under consideration. It had still not been possible to find a new home for the Northampton bells. The Revd John Baldwin seconded.
The accounts were presented: their adoption was proposed by the Revd John Baldwin and seconded by Bob Cooles.
Adoption of the report and accounts was agreed.
The President reminded members that invitations had been accepted for future years as follows:
An invitation had been received from the Kent County Association for 2014; the meeting agreed that this should be accepted.
The President noted that the Hon Secretary had contacted those Societies that had not hosted a meeting of the Council for over 25 years: some of these were now actively considering inviting the Council, but this should not deter other Societies from extending an invitation to the Council. In particular an invitation for 2015 would be welcomed.
Pat Halls outlined plans for the visit of the Council to Derby in 2010.
The Hon Secretary reported on attendance at the meeting as set out in the table below.
The Hon Secretary recorded thanks to Renee Armstrong, who had compiled the attendance records for the past 15 years.
The President sought agreement for the ballot papers to be destroyed and this was given.
The President moved a comprehensive vote of thanks to all those involved in the Council’s visit to Worcester: to the organising committee of the Worcestershire and Districts Association: David Andrews, Louise Hamilton-Glover, Liz Holbeche, Stewart Holbeche, Stuart Piper, Madeline Reeder, Alison Regan, Alan Roberts, Gillian Roberts and Robin Walker; and to all the members of the Association who had willingly given assistance on the Help Desk, at that day’s meeting and throughout the weekend, provided stewards for the tours and acted as tellers and microphone operatives that day; to the Bishop of Worcester, the Right Reverend Doctor John Inge for his welcome to the Diocese; to the Reverend Canon Ken Boyce for the Songs of Praise service the previous afternoon in New St Martin’s Church, Worcester; to all those involved in the organisation of the Sunday evening Reception and Dinner and especially the Mayor of Worcester, Councillor Andy Roberts, and the Dean of Worcester, the Very Reverend Peter Atkinson, for their welcome; to the Vicar of Old St Martin’s Church, Worcester, Father Ian Pearson, for the service of Holy Communion that morning; to the Reverend Anne Smith for the use of St Andrew’s Church and Christina Birch for the catering arrangements; and to the incumbents and ringers of the churches who had made their bells available to Council members.
The President declared the meeting closed at 5.54 p.m.
| Members | |||
| Societies | Present | Absent | |
| Fully represented | 52 | 156 | - |
| Partly represented | 10 | 27 | 11 |
| Not represented | 3 | - | 4 |
| 65 | 183 | 15 | |
| Life Members | 5 | 1 | |
| Honorary Members | 19 | 4 | |
| 207 | 20 | ||
The Ringing World, July 3, 2009, pages 678 to 682, correction September 17, 2010, page 937
(Archivist’s note: also absent were Vanora Hereward (Dorset County Assn), Geoff Emerson (Gloucester & Bristol Dio. Assn) and Julian Parker (Llandaff & Monmouth Dio. Assn))