Minutes of the third session of the sixteenth Council (46th annual meeting), held in the Civil Court of the Leeds Town Hall on Whitsun Tuesday, June 7th, 1938.
The Council was welcomed to Leeds by the Deputy Mayor (Councillor Mrs. L. Hammond) on behalf of her father, the Lord Mayor. Canon C. C. Marshall conveyed a very warm welcome on behalf of the Vicar of Leeds, together with an apology for his absence.
The President responded with the Council’s thanks for the welcome extended.
The President took the chair and the meeting opened with prayer.
Present:-
Ancient Society of College Youths- Mr. A. B. Peck.
Barnsley and District Guild- Mr. C. D. Potter.
Bath and Wells Diocesan Association- Mr. J. T. Dyke, Mr. J. Hunt.
Bedfordshire Association- Mr. A. King, Mr. A. E. Sharman.
Chester Diocesan Guild- Mr. A. Crawley, Mr. J. W. Milner, Mr. H. Parker.
Cleveland and North Yorkshire Association- Mr. J. C. Pollard.
Devon Guild- Mr. T. Laver.
Dudley and District Guild- Mr. F. Colclough.
Durham and Newcastle Diocesan Association- Mr. W. H. Barber, Mr. W. J. Davidson.
East Derbyshire and Notts Association- Mr. T. Clarke.
Ely Diocesan Association- Mr. C. W. Cook, Mr. F. Warrington, Miss K. Willers.
Essex Association- Mr. G. R. Pye.
Gloucester and Bristol Diocesan Association- Mr. J. Austin, Mr. E. Guise, Mr. W. B. Kynaston.
Guildford Diocesan Guild- Mr. A. Harman, Mr. A. C. Hazelden, Mr. A. H. Pulling.
Hereford Diocesan Guild- Mr. J. P. Hyett.
Hertford County Association- Mr. W. Ayre.
Irish Association- Mr. G. Lindoff.
Kent County Association- Mr. T. Groombridge, Mr. F. M. Mitchell, Mr. T. E. Sone.
Ladies’ Guild- Mrs. E. K. Fletcher, Mrs. R. Richardson, Miss E. Steel.
Lancashire Association- Mr. G. R. Newton, Mr. W. H. Shuker, Mr. L. J. Williams, Mr. T. B. Worsley.
Lincoln Diocesan Guild- Mr. J. Bray, Mr. R. Richardson.
Llandaff and Monmouth Diocesan Association- Mr. J. W. Jones.
London County Association- Mr. F. E. Dawe.
Middlesex County Association- Mr. C. T. Coles, Mr. G. W. Fletcher, Mr. F. W. Goodfellow, Mr. W. G. Wilson.
Midland Counties Association- Mr. A. J. Harris, Mr. W. H. J. Hooton, Mr. J. H. Swinfield, Mr. E. Denison Taylor.
Norwich Diocesan Association- Mr. A. L. Coleman.
North Staffordshire Association- Mr. A. Thompson.
Oxford Diocesan Guild- Mr. A. D. Barker, the Rev. Canon G. F. Coleridge, Mr. A. E. Lock, Mr. R. A. Post.
Oxford Society- Mr. W. G. Collett.
Oxford University Society- The Rev. C. E. Wigg.
Peterborough Diocesan Guild- The Rev. E. S. Powell.
Romney Marsh and District Guild- Mr. P. Page.
St. Martin’s Guild- Mr. A. Paddon Smith.
Salisbury Diocesan Guild- The Rev. F. Ll. Edwards, Mr. S. H. Hillier, Mr. C. H. Jennings, Mr. F. W. Romaine.
Society of Royal Cumberland Youths- Mr. J. Parker.
Stafford Archdeaconry Society- Mr. B. Horton, Mr. H. Knight.
Suffolk Guild.- The Rev. H. Drake, Mr. C. Mee.
Surrey Association- Mr. W. Claydon, Mr. D. Cooper, Mr. C. H. Kippin.
Sussex County Association- Mr. F. H. Dallaway.
Warwickshire Guild- Mr. D. H. Argyle, Mr. F. W. Perrens.
Winchester and Portsmouth Diocesan Guild- Mr. G. Pullinger, Mr. F. W. Rogers, Mr. G. Williams.
Yorkshire Association- Mr. J. Hardcastle, Mr. P. J. Johnson, the Rev. Canon C. C. Marshall, Mr. S. F. Palmer.
Honorary members- Mr. W. A. Cave, Mr. C. Dean, Mr. J. S. Goldsmith, Mr. C. F. Johnston, Mr. E. H. Lewis, Mr. J. A. Trollope, Mr. E. C. S. Turner, Mr. S. H. Wood, Mr. E. Alex. Young.
REPORT AS TO MEMBERSHIP.
The hon. secretary reported that the Council was constituted as follows:-
| Associations affiliated | 51 |
| Total members to which entitled | 140 |
| Total members elected | 134 |
| Honorary members | 15 |
the alterations from the previous year being:-
(a) The East Grinstead and District Guild had become affiliated.
(b) The Ladies’ Guild had increased their representation by one member.
(c) Three societies had lost representatives by death and one by resignation, but only three of these had filled the vacancies. Subscriptions reported unpaid were North Wales Association and Truro Diocesan Guild.
PRESENTATION OF NEW MEMBERS TO THE PRESIDENT.
In accordance with Rule 11, the following were presented: Mr. C. D. Potter (Barnsley and District), Mr. J. C. Pollard (Cleveland and North Yorkshire), Mr. J. P. Hyett (Hereford), Miss E. Steel (Ladies), Mr. F. W. Goodfellow (Middlesex), Mr. F. H. Dallaway (Sussex).
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
Apologies for absence were reported from the following: Mr. E. M. Atkins (Cambridge University), the Rev. E. V. Cox (Devon Guild), Mr. J. W. Parker (Durham and Newcastle), Messrs. E. J. Butler, E. P. Duffield and L. W. Wiffen (Essex Association), Mr. G. L. Grover (Guildford Diocesan Guild), Messrs. A. Lawrence and C. W. Woolley (Hertford County), Mr. J. H. Cheesman (Kent County), the Ven. Archdeacon Parry and Mr. G. Chester (Lincoln Diocesan Guild), Mr. C. H. Perry (Llandaff and Monmouth), Mr. T. H. Taffender (London County), Messrs. C. E. Borrett and F. Nolan Golden (Norwich Diocesan), Mr. K. Thacker (North Staffs), Messrs. R. G. Black and T. Tebbutt (Peterborough Diocesan), Mr. W. Saunders (Shropshire Association), Messrs. G. H. Cross, G. Gilbert and G. W. Steere (Society of Royal Cumberland Youths), Messrs. C. J. Sedgley and S. H. Symonds (Suffolk Guild), Messrs. S. E. Armstrong and H. R. Butcher (Sussex County), Mr. G. I. Lewis (Swansea and Brecon), Mr. H. Barton (Winchester and Portsmouth Guild), Mr. J. D. Johnson (Worcester and Districts), Major J. H. B. Hesse, Mr. A. A. Hughes, Alderman J. S. Pritchett, Mr. C. W. Roberts and Mr. A. Walker (honorary members).
ELECTION OF HONORARY MEMBERS.
It was proposed by Mr. A. Paddon Smith, seconded by Mr. J. Hunt and carried, that Mr. W. A. Cave and Mr. A. Walker, the retiring members, be re-elected, and on the motion of Mr. P. J. Johnson, seconded by Mr. T. Groombridge, Mr. Gilbert E. Debenham was elected.
Alderman J. S. Pritchett’s resignation was not accepted.
LOSS OF MEMBERS THROUGH DEATH.
The deaths of the following members were reported:-
The Rev. H. S. T. Richardson (1908-1937), Mr. W. H. Hollier (1924-1937), Mr. F. Smith (1915-1935), Mr. W. T. Cockerill (1893-1937), Mr. F. W. Thornton (1891-93, 1897-1902).
Mention was made of the deaths of Mrs. J. S. Goldsmith and Mr. J. J. Parker.
A silent tribute was paid by all members standing.
MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING.
It was proposed by Mr. T. Clarke, seconded by Mr. P. J. Johnson and carried, that the minutes as published in ‘The Ringing World’ on April 15th and 22nd, 1938, pages 242, 243 and 258, and also circulated to all members, be taken as read and approved.
On the motion of Mr. G. W. Fletcher, seconded by Mr. W. Ayre, it was resolved to delete from the Council’s records a peal of Minor referred to in the 1937 report of the Peal Analysis and Records Committee, rung for the Yorkshire Association at Felkirk on July 25th, 1936, as it did not conform to the decisions of the Council.
The hon. secretary reported that Mr. C. W. Woolley had commenced the preparation of a book on double-handed handbell ringing.
The following reports, etc., were circulated to all members and associations, and have been published in full, or in abbreviated form in ‘The Ringing World.’ They are preserved in the Council’s records and are available for inspection.
REPORT OF THE HON. LIBRARIAN.
(‘The Ringing World,’ June 17th, 1938, page 395.)
The report was presented by the hon. librarian showing sales of 503 publications and a surplus of £3 4s.
The Standing Committee recommended that under the powers already given the prices of the Peal Collection Nos. 1, 2 and 3 be reduced to 9d. each.
On the motion of Mr. W. H. J. Hooton, seconded by Mr. W. A. Cave, the report and recommendation were adopted.
It was agreed, on the proposal of Mr. A. Paddon Smith, seconded by the Rev. F. Ll. Edwards, to revise the booklet ‘Model Rules for a Local Company,’ and the following committee were appointed to undertake the revision: The Rev. F. Ll. Edwards, Messrs. W. H. J. Hooton and S. H. Wood, and on the motion of Mr. R. Richardson, seconded by Mr. W. A. Cave, the Towers and Belfries Committee were asked to revise ‘Preservation of Bells.’
STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS.
(‘The Ringing World,’ June 17th, 1938, page 395.)
The hon. secretary presented the accounts showing cash balance of £130 16s. 7d., and investments of a market value of £142 1s.
It was agreed to accept the signature of one of the auditors, Mr. C. T. Coles, owing to the unavoidable absence of Mr. A. A. Hughes, and on the proposal of Mr. C. T. Coles, seconded by Mr. E. A. Young, the accounts were adopted.
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE CARTER RINGING MACHINE.
(‘ The Ringing World,’ June 17th, 1938, page 395.)
Mr. E. A. Young presented the trustees’ report. On the motion of Mr. E. A. Young, seconded by Mr. F. W. Rogers, the report was adopted, and it was agreed that the demonstration fees of £1 1s. and petty expenses of 1s. be paid, and that Mr. Sharman be given permission to remove part of the machine from the Museum for repairs.
REPORT OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE.
(‘The Ringing World,’ June 17th, 1938, page 395.)
On the president’s motion, the formal report presented by the hon. secretary was adopted.
REPORT OF THE PEALS COLLECTION COMMITTEE.
(‘The Ringing World,’ June 24th, 1938, page 410.)
On the proposal of Mr. G. Lindoff, seconded by Mr. G. R. Newton, the committee’s report was adopted.
REPORT OF THE METHODS COMMITTEE.
(‘The Ringing World,’ June 24th, 1938, pages 410 and 411.)
On the motion of Mr. J. A. Trollope, seconded by Mr. S. H. Wood, the report was adopted.
It was proposed by Mr. J. S. Goldsmith, seconded by Mr. G. R. Newton, and carried, ‘that with a view to publishing the book on Surprise Major methods at an early date, this Council recommends affiliated societies be invited to take up one half of the issue.’
Considerable discussion took place as to whether names should be given to those methods which had not been rung, as to substituting diagrams for letter press, and as to separating letter press from the methods, but no decisions were taken, as it was agreed that the book could not be printed before the next meeting.
REPORT OF THE PEAL ANALYSIS AND RECORDS COMMITTEE.
(‘The Ringing World,’ May 6th, 1938, pages 297-299.)
Attention was drawn to a slight error in the committee’s report, which showed that the Lancashire Association had rung 101 peals; this should read Lincoln Diocesan Guild. Subject to this alteration, the report was adopted on the proposal of Mrs. E. K. Fletcher, seconded by Mr. G. R. Pye.
On the motion of Mr. A. Paddon Smith, seconded by Mr. S. F. Palmer, it was decided to prepare a record of the peals rung for the Coronation, and endeavour to obtain H.M. the King’s acceptance of this record.
REPORT OF THE TOWER AND BELFRIES COMMITTEE.
(‘The Ringing World,’ July 1st, 1938, page 426.)
The committee’s report was presented by the president, who referred in detail to certain towers dealt with by the committee during the year. The president asked for further information regarding representation on Diocesan Advisory Committees.
The adoption of the report was moved by Mr. Young, who also proposed that the Council should recommend the fixing of a hand rope or handrail on belfry stairs. The report and recommendation were seconded by Mr. F. E. Dawe and adopted, it being agreed that the recommendation be included in the revised handbook on the preservation of bells.
REPORT OF THE LITERATURE, PRESS AND BROADCASTING COMMITTEE.
(‘The Ringing World,’ July 1st, 1938, pages 426, 427, 444.)
The report was adopted on the motion of the Rev. F. Ll. Edwards, seconded by Mr. A. Paddon Smith.
Arising out of the report, it was agreed to make a collection for the benefit of Mr. Charles Slingsby, and to forward this together with a letter of congratulation on the occasion of his 101st birthday. The sum of £2 was raised.
Considerable discussion took place on a proposal brought forward by the Rev. H. Drake, seconded by Mr. C. Mee, deprecating the use of certain mechanical devices representing ringing, a practice which has been adopted in several places during the year.
On the proposal of Canon C. C. Marshall, seconded by Mr. J. Hunt, it was agreed to refer the matter to the Standing Committee with power to act.
REPORT OF THE PEAL BOARDS COMMITTEE.
(‘The Ringing World,’ July 8th, pages 444-5.)
The report was adopted on the proposal of Mr. W. G. Wilson, seconded by the Rev. C. E. Wigg. Members were invited to assist with the work and the need for accurate particulars was stressed. Members were also reminded, when sending particulars, to include a report on the condition of the actual peal board.
REPORT OF THE BIOGRAPHIES COMMITTEE.
(‘The Ringing World,’ July 8th, page 445.)
On the motion of Mr. J. S. Goldsmith, seconded by Mr. W. A. Cave, the report was adopted. Members were reminded that the committee were still awaiting the return of the forms that had been circulated both as regards present and past members.
REPORT AS TO CIRCULATION OF ‘THE RINGING WORLD.’
(‘The Ringing World,’ July 8th, 1938, pages 445 and 446.)
The report was adopted on the proposal of Mr. E. H. Lewis, seconded by Mr. P. J. Johnson, and on the motion of Mr. S. H. Wood, seconded by Mr. P. J. Johnson, it was agreed that a suitable letter be addressed to each Archdeacon throughout the country with the object of enlisting the influence of the clergy with their ringers.
REPORT AS TO THE MUFFLING OF BELLS.
(‘The Ringing World,’ July 15th, page 462.)
The report was adopted on the proposal of the president, seconded by Canon C. C. Marshall, and it was agreed that after further consideration by the officers, the final report should be submitted to the Standing Committee for their approval, and then submitted to the Church authorities.
THANKS TO ALL COMMITTEES.
On the President’s motion, thanks were accorded to all members of committees for their valued services.
PEALS OF DOUBLES.
It was proposed by Mr. J. S. Goldsmith, seconded by Mr. W. G. Wilson, and carried that
‘This Council, desiring that peals of Doubles and Minor shall be put upon a similar basis, resolves that peals of Doubles as already defined may be lengthened at the end by one true touch of less than 120 changes.’
PLACE OF NEXT MEETING.
A formal announcement was made that the next meeting would be held in London and attention was called to the Council’s rules governing representation and nomination of officers and auditors.
GRANT TO THE CANON ELSEE MEMORIAL.
It was reported that the scheme for the alteration of the tower of St. George’s, Bolton, had been abandoned and that it was now proposed to erect a stained glass window. On the motion of Mr. T. Groombridge, seconded by Mr. T. Clarke, it was agreed that the sum of £3 3s voted last year be paid towards the new scheme.
AS TO A BOOK ON CONDUCTING.
The President agreed that a book on the subject would be considered on the suggestion of Mr. J. Hunt.
AS TO THE LATE MR. J. J. PARKER’S PAPERS.
On Mr. A. D. Barker’s inquiry, the Council intimated that they would be very pleased to accept any books and papers, as they would form a very valuable addition to the library.
AS TO THE RESOLUTION PASSED TO THE COUNCIL BY THE MIDLAND COUNTIES ASSOCIATION.
The hon. secretary reported the receipt of a resolution from this association suggesting that the Council’s agenda be published and delivered one month at least before the meeting.
It was decided to take no action, as for the last six years the agenda had been published six or seven weeks before the meeting.
VOTES OF THANKS.
On the President’s motion, the thanks of the Council were accorded to the Mayor and Corporation of Leeds for the use of the Civil Court, the Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Mrs. L. Hammond and the Vicar of Leeds, Canon W. T. Elliott, for welcome, the Yorkshire Association for their wonderful hospitality, Canon C. C. Marshall, Mr. P. J. Johnson, Mr. Sherwood and committee for excellent arrangements, Dr. Moody (organist of Ripon Cathedral) for conducting members round Fountains Abbey, Mr. G. F. Woodhouse for demonstrating his ringing machine, and to all church authorities and towerkeepers for the use of bells.
The meeting terminated at about 5.15 with a vote of thanks to the president, hon. librarian, hon. secretary and Mrs. E. K. Fletcher, proposed by Canon G. F. Coleridge.
After the meeting the Council were the guests of the Yorkshire Association at tea, with Canon C. C. Marshall in the chair.
The Ringing World, May 19th, 1939, pages 322 to 323