PRESENT:
Life Members: E. A. Barnett, J. Freeman, F. W. Perrens, F. Sharpe, E. C. Shepherd, Canon A. G. G. Thurlow, T. W. White.
Honorary Members: B. Austin, Mrs. E. A. Barnett, F. E. Collins, C. W. Denyer, G. R. Drew, Mrs. G. R. Drew, J. L. Garner-Hayward, F. N. Golden, F. E. Haynes, S. J. Ivin, C. K. Lewis, J. R. Mayne, H. N. Pitstow, R. B. Smith, R. F. B. Speed, P. L. Taylor.
Ancient Society of College Youths: W. T. Cook, J. S. Mason, R. B. Meadows, W. Williams.
Australia and New Zealand Assn.: P. M. J. Gray.
Bath and Wells Dio. Assn.: J. H. Gilbert, E. Naylor, A. H. Reed, H. J. Sanger.
Bedfordshire Assn.: K. H. Fleming, A. E. Rushton.
Beverley and D. Society: R. Ducker.
Cambridge U. Guild: B. D. Threlfall.
Chester Dio. Guild: B. Jones, A. J. Martin, D. Mottershead.
Coventry Dio. Guild: Mrs. D. E. Beamish, H. M. Windsor.
Cumberland and N. Westmorland Assn.: R. W. D. Wetenhall.
Derby Dio. Assn.: D. R. Carlisle, G. A. Halls, Rev. R. D. St. John Smith.
Devon Assn.: B. E. Bartlett.
Durham and Newcastle Assn.: K. Arthur, D. A. Bayles.
E. Derbyshire and W. Notts Assn.: E. J. Sollis.
E. Grinstead and District Guild: K. Game.
Ely Dio. Assn.: J. G. Gipson, E. H. Mastin, A. M. Barber, H. S. Peacock.
Essex Assn.: J. Armstrong, F. B. Lufkin, Miss H. G. Snowden.
Gloucester and Bristol Dio. Assn.: A. L. Barry, A. R. Peake, J. R. Taylor, C. A. Wratten.
Guildford Dio. Guild: T. Page, P. G. Smart, W. H. Viggers.
Guild of Devonshire Ringers: Fr. P. Angold, D. R. Bould, N. Mallett, Rev. J. G. M. Scott.
Hereford Dio. Guild: P. Hughes, A. T. Wingate.
Hertford Co. Assn.: W. Ayre, B. M. Barker, R. G. Bell, G. Dodds.
Irish Assn.: P. W. Brown, F. E. Dukes.
Kent Co. Assn.: P. A. Corby, S. Jenner, I. H. Oram.
Ladies’ Guild: Mrs. N. Summerhayes, Miss D. E. Colgate, Mrs. P. J. Staniforth.
Lancashire Assn.: N. Bennett, C. Crossthwaite, J. P. Partington, F. Reynolds.
Leicester Dio. Guild: S. Burton, J. M. Jelley, P. J. Staniforth, B. G. Warwick.
Lincoln Dio. Guild: J. Bray, G. E. Feirn, J. L. Millhouse, P. Reynolds.
Llandaff and Monmouth Dio. Assn.: Mrs. D. J. King, T. M. Roderick.
London Co. Assn.: H. W. Rogers, Mrs. H. W. Rogers, G. W. Shanks, W. G. Wilson.
Middlesex Co. Assn.: F. T. Blagrove, G. W. Critchley, T. J. Lock, C. H. Rogers.
Midland Co. Guild: J. W. Cotton.
National Police Guild: N. S. Bagworth.
N. Staffordshire Assn.: R. S. Anderson, C. S. Ryles.
N. Wales Assn.: Dr. E. V. Woodcock.
Norwich Dio. Assn.: P. M. Adcock, H. W. Barrett, M. Cubitt, N. V. Harding.
Oxford Dio. Guild: W. Butler, N. J. Diserens, P. Walker.
Oxford Society: F. A. H. Wilkins.
Oxford U. Society: J. E. Camp, D. J. Roaf.
Peterborough Dio. Guild: E. Billings, B. Hendry, J. Linnell.
Railwaymen’s Guild: E. J. Franklin.
St. Martin’s Guild: G. E. Fearn, R. W. Pipe.
Salisbury Dio. Guild: E. J. Hitchins, Rev. R. Keeley, G. S. Morris.
Sheffield and D. Society: J. Seager.
Society of Royal Cumberland Youths: J. S. Barnes, D. Beresford, W. H. Dobbie, D. E. Sibson.
Society of Sherwood Youths: G. A. Dawson.
S. Derbyshire and N. Leicestershire Assn.: J. E. Collins.
Southwell Dio. Guild: W. L. Exton, R. B. Mills.
Staffordshire Archdeaconry Society: C. F. W. Eyre, M. W. Fairey, C. M. Smith.
Suffolk Guild: T. N. J. Bailey, H. W. Egglestone, C. W. Pipe, Rev. L. R. Pizzey.
Surrey Assn.: A. P. Cannon, C. F. Mew.
Sussex Co. Assn.: G. Francis, J. R. Norris, R. W. R. Percy, W. L. Weller.
Swansea and Brecon Dio. Guild: G. I. Lewis.
Truro Dio. Guild: W. C. Boucher, F. M. Bowers, A. J. Davidson, A. Locke.
Universities Assn.: Rev. M. Melville.
University of Bristol Society: T. P. Edwards.
University of London Society: A. J. Frost.
Winchester and Portsmouth Dio. Guild: A. V. Davis, Canon K. W. H. Felstead, J. Hartless, R. R. Savory.
Worcestershire Association: B. C. Ashford, D. Beacham, A. J. Brazier, W. B. Cartwright.
Yorkshire Assn.: W. E. Critchley, D. S. Johnson, W. F. Moreton.
Apologies were received from Mr. and Mrs. V. Bottomley and from Messrs. J. T. Barrett, J. H. Bluff, N. Chaddock, J. D. Clarke, J. T. Dunwoody, J. Edwards, J. Hine, D. Hughes, Dr. C. M. P. Johnson, Messrs. D. A. R. May, H. Pidler, G. W. Pipe, H. L. Roper, M. C. W. Sherwood, J. F. Smallwood, A. Tapper, C. A. Tester, E. F. Willcox and P. J. H. Wycherley.
In the unavoidable absence of Mr. V. Bottomley, who was recovering from an operation, the Council agreed that Mr. E. A. Barnett should act as secretary to the meeting.
The secretary reported that 63 societies were affiliated, with 169 members. The rules provided for 24 honorary members and there were 10 life members, making a total possible membership of 203. There were no vacancies. All subscriptions had been paid.
The president welcomed Father Paulinus Angold (Guild of Devonshire Ringers) and Mr. A. M. Barber (Ely Diocesan Association).
Three nominations had been received:
Mr. D. E. Sibson, proposed on behalf of the standing committee by Mrs. E. A. Barnett, seconded by Mr. J. Freeman.
Mr. B. D. Threlfall, proposed by Mr. P. A. Corby, seconded by Mr. R. F. B. Speed.
Mr. C. A. Wratten, proposed on behalf of the standing committee by Mr. V. Bottomley, seconded by Mr. E. A. Barnett.
On a ballot, Mr. Wratten received 72 votes, Mr. Sibson 51 and Mr. Threlfall 44. As Mr. Wratten had not received an overall majority a second ballot was held, resulting in the election of Mr. Wratten by 91 votes to 74. Mr. Wratten expressed his thanks to the Council.
The president expressed his appreciation, on behalf of the members, of the work of Mr. Bottomley as secretary of the Council during the preceding five years, and of the assistance rendered by Mrs. Bottomley; and his regret that owing to Mr. Bottomley’s illness they could not be present.
The president announced that Mrs. V. Bottomley had resigned and that Mr. H. L. Roper did not seek re-election. The other retiring members - Mrs. E. A. Barnett, Sir J. Betjeman and Messrs. B. Austin, F. E. Collins, C. K. Lewis, J. R. Mayne and W. A. Osborn - were re-elected. The two vacancies were left unfilled.
The thanks of the Council were accorded to Mr. H. L. Roper for his work for many years as a member of the Peals Analysis Committee and in preparing the index for The Ringing World.
The president reported the death of the following members and past members of the Council, the assembly standing in silence:-
Messrs. J. E. Lewis Cockey (Middlesex County Association, 1939-1948), G. W. Fletcher (Middlesex County Association, 1930-1947, honorary member 1948 - 1950, life member 1951-1971) and S. T. Price (Gloucester and Bristol Dio. Assn. 1948-1950).
The president paid tribute to Mr. Fletcher, who was secretary of the Council from 1931 to 1952.
The minutes, as published in The Ringing World of February 5, 1971, and circulated to members, were adopted on the proposition of Mr. E. A. Barnett, seconded by Mr. N. S. Bagworth.
Report of the Honorary Secretary and Treasurer (R.W., April 2, 1971, page 304)
Adopted on the proposition of Mr. E. A. Barnett, seconded by Mr. F. E. Dukes.
Report of the Honorary Librarian (R.W., April 23, 1971, page 361)
Adopted on the proposition of Mr. F. Sharpe, seconded by Mr. E. C. Shepherd.
The accounts, as at Annex A, were adopted on the proposition of Mr. E. A. Barnett, seconded by Mr. F. E. Dukes. It was agreed, at the suggestion of Mr. R. S. Anderson, that the reason for the difference in insurance costs during the period 1968-70 should be investigated.
Report of the Trustees of the Carter Ringing Machine (R.W., April 30, 1971, page 386)
Adopted on the proposition of Mr. F. E. Haynes, seconded by Mr. W. H. Dobbie.
Report of the Standing Committee on Constitution and Procedure (R.W., April 30, 1971, pp. 385-6)
The following amendments were agreed:
Para. 9 (h) (Public Relations Committee). Proposed by Mr. E. C. Shepherd, seconded by Mr. P. A. Corby, that the terms of reference be “To maintain contact with the Press and broadcasting organisations with a view to presenting to the public a correct image of bellringers and their work”.
Para. 10 (Membership of Committees). Proposed by Mr. N. J. Diserens, seconded by Mr. N. V. Harding, that sub-para, (c) be amended to read “A committee shall have power to co-opt not more than two members of the Council.”
The report, as amended, was adopted on the proposition of Mr. E. A. Barnett, seconded by Mr. R. S. Anderson.
In accordance with para. 17 of the report, it was agreed that an ad hoc committee, consisting of the officers of the Council and Mr. C. M. Smith, be formed to investigate possible alternative arrangements for the Library.
New Rules (R.W., April 2, 1971, pp. 287-9)
It was agreed on the proposition of Mr. D. R. Carlisle, seconded by Mr. W. F. Moreton, that drafting amendments which did not change substantially the meaning of a proposed new rule could be accepted. The following amendments were accordingly agreed:-
Rule 10 (i) (Election of Officers). Proposed by Mr. J. E. Camp, seconded by Rev. J. G. M. Scott, to insert the words “elect a member to” between “shall” and “fill” in line 10.
Rule 12 (v) (Committee Reports). Proposed by Mr. C. H. Rogers, seconded by Mr. P. A. Corby, that the words “three months” be substituted for “28 February” in line 6.
Rule 13 (viii) (Public Relations Committee). Proposed by Mr. J. Freeman, seconded by Mr. C. K. Lewis, that, in accordance with the amendment agreed to para. 9 (h) of the report of the Standing Committee, the following be substituted for the proposed wording:
“To maintain contact with the Press and broadcasting organisations with a view to presenting to the public a correct image of bellringers and their work.”
The following printing errors were noted:
Rule 2 (i), line 1. For “grant” read “guard”.
Rule 20, line 5. For “Rule 17” read “Rule 15”.
It was agreed that, where it occurred, references to Ringing World should be amended to The Ringing World.
Mr. J. Freeman proposed and Mr. E. A. Barnett seconded that the new rules, as amended, be adopted in substitution for those published in the 1956 Handbook (as subsequently amended).
An amendment proposed by Mr. D. E. Sibson, seconded by Mr. N. J. Diserens, to add the words “such rules to come into effect at the commencement of the next triennial session”, was carried.
The motion, as amended, was carried.
Notice was given that an amendment to the new Rule 12 (iv), to provide that a committee should have power to co-opt not more than two members of the Council, would be put forward at the next meeting.
On the proposition of Mr. W. F. Moreton, seconded by Mr. W. G. Wilson, it was agreed to appoint a Publications Committee. The following were elected to the committee:-
Messrs. G. R. Drew, W. F. Moreton, F. Sharpe, E. C. Shepherd and W. G. Wilson.
These have been published in The Ringing World as shown:-
Biographies Committee
(April 23, 1971, page 361)
Adopted on the proposition of Mr. T. J. Lock, seconded by Mr. W. H. Viggers.
Education Committee
(April 23, 1971, page 361)
Adopted on the proposition of Mr. W. F. Moreton, seconded by Mr. W. Butler. The Rev. R. D. St. J. Smith was added to the committee.
A verbal report by Mr. C. K. Lewis that work had gone on during the year was adopted on the proposition of Mr. Lewis, seconded by Mr. F. T. Blagrove.
Overseas Committee
(June 18, 1971, page 533)
Adopted on the proposition of Mr. P. M. J. Gray, seconded by Mr. J. Seager.
Peals Analysis Committee
(July 9, 1971, pp. 588 and 603)
An amendment proposed by Mr. G. A. Dawson, seconded by Mr. C. Crossthwaite, to accept a peal of Grandsire Caters rung at Basingstoke without a covering bell was carried.
An amendment proposed by Mr. G. A. Dawson, seconded by Mr. C. Crossthwaite, to accept a peal of Plain Bob Caters rung at Basingstoke without a covering bell was lost.
On the proposition of Mr. J. Seager, seconded by Mr. P. M. J. Gray, it was agreed not to accept a peal of Plain Bob Triples rung at Basingstoke with two covering bells.
Mr. C. K. Lewis proposed and Mr. J. R. Mayne seconded that a peal of Cambridge Surprise Minor rung at St. Albans on December 5, 1970, containing one 2880, be deleted from the records. After debate, during which it was stated that other similar peals, of which the dates were not known, had been rung, the Council agreed on the proposition of Mr. R. S. Anderson, seconded by Mr. J. M. Jelley, to receive the report as amended above, subject to deletion of the last sentence of the penultimate paragraph of the text preceding association peal totals, and that the committee investigate and report back in 1972 on any peals about whose acceptability there was doubt.
Mr. C. H. Rogers was added to the committee on the proposition of Mr. F. T. Blagrove, seconded by Mr. G. Dodds.
Peals Collection Committee
(May 14, 1971, page 430)
Adopted on the proposition of Mr. W. E. Critchley, seconded by Mr. R. F. B. Speed.
Records Committee
(May 14, 1971, page 430, amended on May 28, 1971, page 466)
Adopted on the proposition of Mr. F. T. Blagrove, seconded by Mr. D. E. Sibson, subject to the addition of a peal of Shoreditch Delight Royal, rung on November 12, 1970, and the exclusion of a peal of Kidderminster Surprise Maximus, rung on January 21, 1970.
The Ringing World Committee
(May 21, 1971, page 454)
Adopted on the proposition of Mr. W. G. Wilson, seconded by Mrs. P. J. Staniforth.
Towers and Belfries Committee
(April 9, 1971, page 324)
Adopted on the proposition of Mr. F. Sharpe, seconded by Rev. J. G. M. Scott.
Literature and Press Committee
(April 30, 1971, pp. 386-7)
Adopted on the proposition of Mr. E. C. Shepherd, seconded by Mr. F. E. Dukes.
Broadcasting and Television Committee
(July 30, 1971, page 660)
Adopted on the proposition of Mr. H. N. Pitstow, seconded by Mr. H. J. Sanger.
Joint Committee
(April 23, 1971, page 361)
Adopted on the proposition of Mr. F. T. Blagrove, seconded by Mr. C. K. Lewis. The Council reaffirmed that in future all peal reports printed in The Ringing World should state the number and names of all methods and variations separately.
It was agreed on the proposition of Air Cdre. J. S. Mason, seconded by Mr. D. E. Sibson, that the next meeting should be held on May 30, 1972, in London.
No invitation having been received, this item was left in abeyance.
On the motion of the president, the thanks of the Council were extended to the Coventry Diocesan Guild, in particular the secretary, Mr. H. M. Windsor, for local arrangements, and for their hospitality; to local incumbents and steeple-keepers for the use of their bells; also to the Lord Bishop of Coventry and the Mayor and Corporation of Leamington Spa.
The president was thanked for his handling of the meeting, and Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Barnett for secretarial assistance.
| Societies | Members | ||
| Present | Absent | ||
| Wholly represented | 43 | 106 | - |
| Partly represented | 16 | 39 | 20 |
| Not represented | 4 | - | 4 |
| 63 | 145 | 24 | |
| Life members | 7 | 2 | |
| Honorary members | 16 | 8 | |
| 168 | 34 | ||
The Ringing World, April 21, 1972, pages 327 to 328, corrections March 2, 1973, page 174
(Archivist’s note: also absent were Sir J. Betjeman, R. Dirksen, W. A. Osborn and F. A. White (Honorary), H. C. Lonyon (Chester Dio. Guild), J. E. G. Roast (Essex Assn.), J. F. I. Turney (Hereford Dio. Guild), P. M. Adcock (Norwich Dio. Assn.) F. C. Price (Oxford Dio. Guild), J. Prytherch (St. David’s Dio. Guild), R. St. C. Wilson (Scottish Assn.), H. Poyner (Southwell Dio. Guild) and S. F. Kimber (Surrey Assn.))