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THE CENTRAL COUNCIL OF CHURCH BELL RINGERS

MINUTES OF THE DUBLIN MEETING, 1958

MINUTES of the second session of the twenty-third Council (61st Annual Meeting), held in the Synod Hall, Dublin, on Whitsun Tuesday, May 27th, 1958.

A welcome was extended to the Council by the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr. G. O. Simms, the Deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cclr. M. E. Dockrell, and the President of the Irish Association, Mr. William Pratt. On behalf of the ringers of Ireland, Mr. Pratt presented the Council with a shillelagh to commemorate their first meeting in Ireland. The thanks of the Council were expressed by the President.

PRESENT:-

Ancient Society of College Youths.- Mr. W. Williams.
Bath and Wells Diocesan Association.- Mr. S. G. Coles, Mr. H. J. Sanger, Miss Williams.
Cambridge University Guild.- Mr. B. D. Threlfall.
Chester Diocesan Guild.- Mr. W. Allman.
Coventry Diocesan Guild.- Mrs. D. E. Beamish, Mr. F. W. Perrens.
Derbyshire Association.- Mr. W. L. Robinson.
Devon Guild.- Mr. T. G. Myers, Rev. J. G. M. Scott.
Dudley and District Guild.- Mr. H. J. Shuck.
East Grinstead and District Guild.- Mr. C. A. Bassett.
Ely Diocesan Association.- Mr. J. G. Gipson, Mr. H. S. Peacock.
Essex Association.- Mr. J. H. Crampion, Mr. F. B. Lufkin, Miss H. G. Snowden.
Gloucester and Bristol Diocesan Association.- Mr. W. B. Kynaston, Mr. F. Skidmore.
Guildford Diocesan Guild.- Mr. H. N. Pitstow.
Hertford County Association.- Mr. R. G. Bell.
Irish Association.- Mr. F. E. Dukes, Mr. J. T. Dunwoody, Miss J. Stewart.
Kent County Association.- Mr. J. R. Cooper, Mr. T. Cullingworth, Mr. T. E. Sone.
Lancashire Association.- Mr. P. Crook, Mr. Dunkerley, Mr. J. Ridyard.
Leicester Diocesan Guild.- Mr. S. Burton, Mr. A. E. Rowley.
Lincoln Diocesan Guild.- Mr. G. E. Feirn.
Llandaff and Monmouth Diocesan Association.- Mr. T. M. Roderick.
London County Association.- Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Rogers, Mr. W. G. Wilson.
Middlesex County Association.- Mr. F. T. Blagrove, Mr. F. W. Goodfellow, Mr. T. J. Lock.
Midland Counties Guild.- Mr. J. W. Cotton.
Norwich Diocesan Association.- Mr. H. W. Barrett, Mr. F. N. Golden, Mr. N. V. Harding, Rev. A. G. G. Thurlow.
Oxford Diocesan Guild.- Mr. and Mrs. A. D. Barker, Mr. A. E. Lock.
Oxford University Society.- Mr. R. B. Meadows.
Peterborough Diocesan Guild.- Mr. P. I. Chapman, Mr. E. G. Orland.
St. Martin's Guild.- Mr. G. E. Fearn, Mr. F. E. Haynes.
Sheffield and District Society.- Mr. N. Chaddock.
Stafford Archdeaconry Society.- Mr. B. G. Key, Mr. G. W. Hughes.
Suffolk Guild.- Mr. C. W. Pipe.
Surrey Association.- Mr. A. P. Cannon, Mr. F. E. Collins, Mr. W. F. Oatway.
Sussex County Association.- Mr. R. G. Blackman.
Truro Diocesan Guild.- Mr. W. C. Boucher, Mr. D. Burnett.
Winchester and Portsmouth Diocesan Guild.- Rev. K. W. H. Felstead, Mr. C. H. Kippin, Mr. G. Pullinger.
Worcester and Districts Association.- Mr. B. C. Ashford, Mr. W. B. Cartwright.
Yorkshire Association.- Mr. G. Benfield, Mr. W. E. Critchley, Mr. L. W. G. Morris.
Life members.- Mr. F. Sharpe, Mr. E. A. Barnett, Mr. E. H. Lewis, Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Fletcher.
Honorary members.- Mrs. E. A. Barnett, Mr. A. A. Hughes, Mr. D. Hughes, Mr. C. K. Lewis, Mrs. C. C. Marshall, Mr. W. A. Osborn, Mr. R. F. B. Speed, Mr. L. Stilwell, Mr. P. L. Taylor, Mr. T. W. White.

SUMMARY:-

REPORT AS TO MEMBERSHIP

The Hon. Secretary reported that 55 Associations were affiliated entitled to 153 members. The Rules provided for 24 Honorary Members and there were 6 Life Members, making a total membership of 183. There were two vacancies among Representative members and 3 among Honorary Members. Since the last meeting the North Wales Association had ceased to be affiliated. All subscriptions had been paid.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received from Messrs. F. Ainsley, R. S. Anderson, W. Ayre, D. Beacham, A. L. Bennett, F. H. Bennett, E. C. Birkett, J. W. Blythe, P. N. Bond, J. Bray, W. Butler, J. W. Clarke, Miss D. E. Colgate, P. A. Corby, G. H. Cross, Miss M. R. Cross, J. I. P. Davis, J. T. Dyke, E. Edmondson, J. P. Fidler, S. Foskett, J. Freeman, J. A. Freeman, P. M. J. Gray, F. I. Hairs, G. H. Harding, Dr. E. S. J. Hatcher, C. H. Hawkins, F. E. Hawthorne, A. C. Hazelden, G. W. Jeffs, G. S. Joyce, Mrs. D. J. King, Rev. J. Kingdon, F. W. Lack, Dr. D. N. Layton, G. I. Lewis, G. J. Lewis, J. R. Mayne, H. Miles, W. F. Moreton, J. L. Morris, G. S. Morris, A. Mould, Dr. D. H. Niblett, E. Nobles, R. Overy, W. N. Park, A. J. Pitman, A. H. Pulling, Mrs. A. Richardson, Rev. A. S. Roberts, C. W. Roberts, F. W. Rogers, J. Segar, E. C. Shepherd, J. F. Smallwood, Miss M. E. Snowdon, P. J. Staniforth, Mrs. P. J. Staniforth, Mrs. J. G. Steeples, T. H. Taffender, W. H. Viggers, A. Walker, W. C. West, J. Willis and J. J. Webb.

PRESENTATION OF NEW MEMBERS TO THE PRESIDENT

Messrs. P. Crook (Lancashire Association), R. F. B. Speed, L. Stilwell and T. W. White (Honorary Members) were presented.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

The Rev. A. G. G. Thurlow was elected Vice-President for 1958-60 on the proposition of Mr. F. W. Perrens, seconded by Mr. T. J. Lock.

Mr. F. W. Perrens was elected Librarian for 1958-60 on the proposition of Mr. E. H. Lewis, seconded by Mr. E. A. Barnett.

Both newly-elected officers returned their thanks.

ELECTION OF HONORARY MEMBERS

The Standing Committee recommended that Mrs. J. G. Steeples be re-elected and that three vacancies be retained. This was agreed on the proposition of Mr. L. W. G. Morris, seconded by Mr. F. Dunkerley.

LOSS OF MEMBERS THROUGH DEATH

The President reported the death of the following members and former members of the Council, the assembly standing in silence: Messrs. F. Bennett (Sussex and Royal Cumberland Youths), H. W. Brown (Bath and Wells), H. Chambers (Peterborough), J. Cooke (Chester), F. Dench (College Youths), J. Hardcastle (Yorkshire), J. Holden (United Counties), J. E. Lilley (Devon), F. Precey (Salisbury) and Rev. C. J. Sturton (Midland Counties).

Tributes were paid to the memory of Messrs. Bennett, Brown, Chambers, Dench and Lilley.

MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

The Minutes as published in "The Ringing World" of April 4th, 1958, and circulated to members, were adopted, with the addition of Mr. G. S. Joyce to the list of new members presented to the President, on the proposition of Mr. E. A. Barnett, seconded by Mr. T. J. Lock.

REPORTS

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

HON. SECRETARY AND TREASURER
(June 6th, 1958, page 366)

Adopted on the proposition of Mr. E. A. Barnett, seconded by Mr. W. F. Oatway. The President thanked Mr. and Mrs. Barnett for their work during the year.

HON. LIBRARIAN
(June 6th, 1958, page 366)

The President appealed to those having books on loan to return them at an early date in readiness for the hand-over to Mr. Perrens. The report was adopted on the proposition of Mr. F. Sharpe, seconded by Mr. P. Crook. It was agreed that a letter of sympathy be sent to Mrs. E. S. Tarrant, widow of the Rector of Launton. The Rev. J. G. M. Scott paid a tribute to the President for his work as Librarian since 1953.

BALANCE SHEET AND ACCOUNTS
(June 6th, 1958, pages 366-7)

Adopted on the proposition of Mr. E. A. Barnett, seconded by Mr. A. A. Hughes.

TRUSTEES OF THE CARTER RINGING MACHINE
(June 6th, 1958, page 367)

Adopted on the proposition of Mr. A. A. Hughes, seconded by Mr. L. W. G. Morris. The President expressed thanks to Mr. Douglas Hughes for demonstrating the machine on various occasions.

STANDING COMMITTEE
(June 6th, 1958, page 367)

Adopted on the proposition of Mr. E. A. Barnett, seconded by Mr. F. E. Dukes.

"HISTORY OF CHANGE-RINGING" SUB-COMMITTEE
(June 6th, 1958, page 368)

Adopted on the proposition of Mr. C. K. Lewis, seconded by Rev. K. W. H. Felstead.

"THE RINGING WORLD" COMMITTEE
(June 6th, 1958, page 368)

Adopted on the proposition of Mr. E. A. Barnett, seconded by Mr. F. W. Perrens. Mr. W. N. Park was added to the Committee, in the place of Mr. J. T. Dyke, to whom the thanks of the Council and best wishes for a speedy restoration to health were expressed.

Arising from a question by Mr. W. G. Wilson, Mr. W. B. Cartwright expressed the view that under the rules, power to co-opt given to the Committee in 1951 was ultra vires. After discussion, it was agreed that the position regarding co-option should be examined by Messrs. Barnett and Cartwright.

LITERATURE AND PRESS COMMITTEE
(June 13th, 1958, pages 383-4)

Adopted on the proposition of Mr. F. E. Dukes, seconded by Miss J. Stewart.

BIOGRAPHIES COMMITTEE
(June 13th, 1958, page 384)

Adopted on the proposition of Mr. L. Stilwell, seconded by Mr. R. G. Blackman.

"BEGINNERS' HANDBOOK" COMMITTEE
(June 13th, 1958, page 385)

Adopted on the proposition of Mr. W. G. Wilson, seconded by Mr. R. F. B. Speed. It was agreed that 5,000 copies should be printed.

BROADCASTING AND TELEVISION COMMITTEE
(June 13th, 1958, page 385)

Adopted on the proposition of Mr. H. J. Sanger, seconded by Mr. J. T. Dunwoody, Mr. Norman Chaddock was added to the Committee.

METHODS COMMITTEE
(June 13th, 1958, page 386)

Adopted on the proposition of the Rev. K. W. H. Felstead, seconded by Mr. C. K. Lewis. Mr. Felstead said it was hoped that the Minor book would be published in a few months and the Triples book before the next meeting.

PEAL ANALYSIS COMMITTEE
(June 13th and 20th, 1958, pages 384 and 402)

Adopted as slightly amended, on the proposition of the Rev. K. W. H. Felstead, seconded by Mr. E. A. Barnett. An amendment to include a peal of Saturn Treble Bob Doubles was lost. Later it was proposed by Mr. C. K. Lewis and seconded by Mr. E. A. Barnett that a peal of Erin Doubles should be deleted from the Analysis. The motion was lost.

PEAL BOARDS COMMITTEE
(June 13th, 1958, page 385)

Adopted on the proposition of Mr. E. A. Barnett, seconded by Mr. F. E. Dukes.

PEALS COLLECTION COMMITTEE
(June 13th, 1958, page 385)

Adopted on the proposition of Mr. W. E. Critchley, seconded by Mr. G. E. Feirn.

RECORDS COMMITTEE
(June 13th, 1958, page 386)

Adopted on the proposition of Mrs. G. W. Fletcher, seconded by Mrs. C. C. Marshall.

TOWERS AND BELFRIES COMMITTEE
(June 13th, 1958, page 386)

Adopted on the proposition of Mr. E. H. Lewis, seconded by Mr. F. E. Collins. Mr. J. H. Crampion expressed thanks on behalf of a number of incumbents in Essex for work done by the Committee.

It was agreed that the President should enter into discussions with the President of the Central Council for the Care of Churches on matters of policy.

MOTIONS

(a) Proposed by Mr. N. Chaddock, seconded by Rev. J. G. M. Scott, and carried:-

"That a committee be appointed to investigate the state of Sunday service ringing, to find out the factors making for success and to report back their findings and recommendations so that together with the ringing Associations and Church authorities the Central Council may help to increase and improve Sunday service ringing."

Messrs. N. Chaddock, P. M. J. Gray, F. B. Lufkin, Rev. J. G. M. Scott and Rev. A. G. G. Thurlow were appointed as the Committee, with Mr. Chaddock as convener.

(b) Proposed by Mr. F. T. Blagrove and seconded by Mr. F. W. Goodfellow:-

"That the conditions required for peals of Doubles shall be amended to read as follows:

(a) Peals of Doubles shall consist of 5,040 or more changes rung in:-

(i) True and complete six-scores without interval between any two six-scores and without rounds or any other row being struck more than once before the next change is made.

(ii) Round blocks of a multiple of 120, provided that such round blocks contain each of the different 120 changes the same number of times, without interval between such blocks and without rounds or any other row being struck more than once before the next change is made.

(iii) Combinations of (i) and (ii).

(b) Peals of Doubles may be rung with or without a covering bell, and no continuous leading bells are allowed.

That the conditions required for peals of Minor shall be amended to read as follows:

(a) Peals of Minor shall consist of 5,040 or more changes rung in:-

(i) True and complete 720's without interval between any two 720's, and without rounds or any other row being struck more than once before the next change is made.

(ii) Round blocks of a multiple of 720, provided that such round blocks contain each of the different 720 changes the same number of times, without interval between such blocks and without rounds or any other row being struck more than once before the next change is made.

(iii) Combinations of (i) and (ii).

(b) Peals of Minor to be rung on six bells."

The motion was lost.

PLACE OF NEXT MEETING

On the proposition of Mr. F. Dunkerley, seconded by Mr. L. W. G. Morris, an invitation from the Lancashire Association for 1959 was accepted, the place of the meeting being left to the Association to decide.

OTHER BUSINESS

The Hon. Secretary gave notice of motion to amend Rule 11 (i) by deleting all after the words "Hon. Secretary" in line 9 and substituting the words "not later than the 31st March before the meeting."

Mr. C. W. Pipe drew attention to the desirability of making recordings of notable peals of bells.

VOTES OF THANKS

A vote of thanks to Mr. F. Sharpe, Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Barnett and Mr. F. E. Dukes was proposed by Mr. J. T. Dunwoody, seconded by Mr. H. W. Rogers and carried.

On the motion of the President, the thanks of the Council were expressed to the Deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin, the Archbishop of Dublin and the President of the Irish Association (Mr. W. Pratt) for their welcome; to the representative body of the Church of Ireland for the use of the Synod Hall; to the Dean of St. Patrick's for officiating at Holy Communion that morning, and the Dean of Christ Church for opening the meeting with prayer; to Messrs. F. E. Dukes and J. T. Dunwoody, and Miss J. Stewart, for their work in arranging the meeting; to the Irish Association and Irish ringers generally for their kindness and hospitality, and to local incumbents and tower keepers for the use of their bells.

After the meeting the members were the guests of Bord Failte Eireann (Irish Tourist Board) at tea.

The Ringing World, March 13, 1959, pages 176 to 177