HomeArchive

Central Council of Church Bell Ringers

Minutes of the First Session of the 31st Council (84th Annual Meeting), held at the King’s School, Rochester, on Tuesday, 26 May, 1981.

Present:

Life Members: E. A. Barnett, F. E. Collins, C. W. Denyer, J. Freeman, the Very Revd. A. G. G. Thurlow.
Honorary Members: Mrs. O. D. Barnett, D. A. Bayles, H. Chant, *R. J. Cooles, W. H. Dobbie, G. R. Drew, Mrs. S. M. Drew, H. W. Egglestone, Canon K. W. H. Felstead, D. Hughes, C. K. Lewis, *M. H. D. O’Callaghan, R. B. Smith, W. H. Viggers, Mrs. M. J. Wilkinson, Mrs. M. A. Wratten.
Ancient Society of College Youths: W. T. Cook, *R. C. Kippin, A. N. Stubbs, A. W. R. Wilby.
Australia & New Zealand Assn.: R. F. Eccles, P. M. J. Gray.
Bath & Wells Dio. Assn.: *D. J. Buckley, G. W. Massey, E. Naylor, J. S. Walton.
Bedfordshire Assn.: J. H. Edwards, K. Lewin, *A. H. Smith.
Beverley & Dist. Society: I. G. Campbell.
Cambridge Univ. Guild: B. D. Threlfall, S. C. Walters.
Carlisle Dio. Guild: S. Richardson.
Chester Dio. Guild: P. Dyson, I. R. Nichols, *C. Roberts, *M. Thomson.
Coventry Dio. Guild: P. Border, H. M. Windsor.
Derby Dio. Assn.: G. A. Halls, D. Hird, *S. Humphrey.
Devonshire Guild: F. D. Mack, D. J. Roberts, Revd. J. G. M. Scott, *J. P. Sims.
Durham & Newcastle Dio. Assn.: A. G. Craddock, D. Martin.
Durham Univ. Society: C. C. Monson.
E. Derbyshire & W. Notts. Assn.: A. Dempster.
E. Grinstead & Dist. Guild: A. N. Brock.
Ely Dio. Assn.: *B. C. Bass, G. E. Bonham, J. G. Gipson.
Essex Assn.: J. Armstrong, F. B. Lufkin, O. C. R. Webster.
Gloucester & Bristol Dio. Assn.: B. Bladon, L. C. Edwards, J. R. Taylor, C. A. Wratten.
Guildford Dio. Guild: M. J. Church, D. E. Parsons, *C. H. Rogers, *A. J. Smith.
Hereford Dio. Guild: *N. R. Mattingley, *M. V. Powell, R. G. Powell, A. T. Wingate.
Hertford County Assn.: *R. Baldwin, G. Dodds, R. E. Hardy, *B. C. Watson.
Irish Assn.: F. E. Dukes, W. A. Patterson.
Kent County Assn.: P. A. Corby, D. M. Joyce, *F. J. Matthews, D. H. Niblett.
Ladies Guild: Miss D. E. Colgate, *Mrs. C. Higby, *Mrs. A. B. Speed.
Lancashire Assn.: D. R. Jones, J. Kershaw, F. Reynolds.
Leeds Univ. Society: C. J. Frye.
Leicester Dio. Guild: B. L. Burrows, *S. J. Franklin, J. M. Jelley, *A. J. Poynor.
Lincoln Dio. Guild: G. E. Feirn, D. A. Frith, J. L. Millhouse, M. A. Rose.
Liverpool University Soc.: *J. K. Foot.
Llandaff & Monmouth Dio. Assn.: J. C. Baldwin, *P. S. Bennett, *N. R. D. Orchard.
London County Assn.: *R. Booth, H. W. Rogers, Mrs. O. L. Rogers.
Manchester Univ. Guild: M. C. W. Sherwood.
Middlesex County Assn. & London Dio. Guild: F. T. Blagrove, T. J. Lock, D. W. Struckett, *B. H. Taylor.
Midland Counties Guild: M. Quimby.
National Police Guild: *B. Peachey.
N. American Guild: W. H. Jackson, *Mrs. A. G. Martin.
N. Wales Assn.: *D. R. Maxwell, G. Parting.
Norwich Dio. Assn.: F. C. J. Arnold, *H. J. Charles, J. B. Pickup, J. R. Smith.
Oxford Dio. Guild: W. Butler, H. Lawrenson, *R. H. Newton, T. G. Pett.
Oxford Society: F. A. H. Wilkins.
Oxford Univ. Society: *D. C. Brown, P. N. Mounsey.
Peterborough Dio. Guild: E. Billings, C. J. Groome, *Canon E. G. Orland, J. M. Tyler.
Railwaymen’s Guild: T. Skilton.
St. Martin’s Guild: T. R. Hampton, R. W. Pipe.
Salisbury Dio. Guild: *B. Castle, E. J. Hitchins, P. L. J. Matthews, R. G. W. Robertson.
Scottish Assn.: N. E. Booth.
Shropshire Assn.: F. M. Mitchell.
Society of Royal Cumberland Youths: J. S. Barnes, I. H. Oram, D. E. Sibson, P. M. Wilkinson.
Society of Sherwood Youths: *P. L. R. Hayward.
Southwell Dio. Guild: *G. A. Dawson, R. B. Mills.
Stafford Archd. Society: *J. F. Mulvey, S. G. Pick, C. M. Smith.
Suffolk Guild: T. N. J. Bailey, J. L. Girt, Revd. L. R. Pizzey, R. C. Whiting.
Surrey Assn.: *J. D. Cheesman, E. G. H. Godfrey, C. F. Mew, *R. A. Grant.
Sussex County Assn.: P. T. Hurcombe, I. V. J. Smith, *P. M. Wills.
Truro Dio. Guild: W. C. Boucher, *P. J. Tremain.
Universities Assn.: Revd. M. C. C. Melville.
Univ. of Bristol Society: Mrs. A. Newing.
Univ. of London Society: *G. Davies.
Winchester & Portsmouth Dio. Guild: R. Cater, *Mrs. G. W. Davis, D. C. Jackson, *A. P. Smith.
Worcestershire & Dists. Assn.: A. C. Berry, W. B. Cartwright, M. D. Fellows, R. G. Morris.
Yorkshire Assn.: *D. W. Beard, W. F. Moreton, D. E. Potter, D. Town.

The Devon Association, N. Staffordshire Association, St. David’s Diocesan Guild and Swansea & Brecon Diocesan Guild were not represented.

Report as to membership:

The Hon. Secretary (Mr. C. A. Wratten) reported that 64 societies were affiliated, with 173 representatives. There were eight Life members, and the Rules provided for 24 Honorary members, making a possible membership of 205. There were three vacancies. All subscriptions had been paid.

Apologies for absence:

Apologies for absence had been received from F. W. Perrens, E. C. Shepherd and W. G. Wilson (Life members), R. H. Dove and P. L. Taylor (Honorary), and A. R. Baldock, Mrs. M. Byrne, R. Byrne, K. Chambers, C. Crossthwaite, G. S. Deas, J. T. Dunwoody, W. L. Exton, G. Knight, E. Martin, E. Nixon and D. Sloman (representative members).

Application to affiliate:

An application from the Liverpool University Society to affiliate to the Council was received and approved.

Welcome to new members:

The President (Mr. E. A. Barnett) welcomed new members who were present (indicated by a * in the list of those attending).

Election of officers:

President: The Revd. J. G. M. Scott was elected on the proposition of D. J. Roberts, seconded by B. D. Threlfall.

Vice-President: P. A. Corby was elected on the proposition of A. W. R. Wilby, seconded by S. C. Walters.

Hon. Secretary & Treasurer: C. A. Wratten was re-elected on the proposition of F. E. Dukes, seconded by F. B. Lufkin.

Hon. Librarian: W. T. Cook was re-elected on the proposition of S. C. Walters, seconded by A. W. R. Wilby.

Election of Life member:

P. A. Corby was elected a Life member of the Council on the proposition of J. Freeman, seconded by R. B. Smith.

Election of Honorary members:

K. S. B. Croft, H. W. Egglestone, Canon K. W. H. Felstead, A. J. Frost, J. Hartless, D. Hughes, Miss J. Sanderson, R. B. Smith, R. F. B. Speed, W. H. Viggers and Mrs. M. A. Wratten were individually elected Honorary members.

Election of Auditors:

M. J. Church and E. G. H. Godfrey were elected Hon. Auditors.

Loss of members through death:

The President (Revd. J. G. M. Scott) reported the deaths of the following past members of the Council, members standing in silence: T. W. White (Honorary 1958-68, Life Member since 1968), J. T. Barrett (Salisbury, 1960-72), C. W. Pipe (Suffolk, 1946-78), W. B. Kynaston (Glos. & Bristol, 1936-69), Revd. P. N. Bond (Cumberland Youths, 1950-63), J. A. Acres (Leicester, 1962) and T. Cooper (Hereford, 1972-80).

Minutes of the previous meeting:

The Minutes of the 1980 meeting, published in The Ringing World of 6 February 1981, were adopted on the proposition of C. A. Wratten, seconded by Mrs. O. D. Barnett.

Report of the Hon. Secretary:
(RW 26 June 1981)

Adopted on the proposition of C. A. Wratten, seconded by F. E. Dukes. Mr. Dukes expressed the Council’s gratitude to Mr. and Mrs. Wratten for their work for the Council.

Balance Sheet and Accounts:
(RW 26 June 1981)

Adopted on the proposition of C. A. Wratten, seconded by F. E. Dukes.

It was agreed, on the proposition of C. A. Wratten, seconded by B. D. Threlfall, that the annual affiliation fee payable by societies should be £5.00 per representative from 1 January 1982.

Report of the Trustees of the Carter Ringing Machine:
(RW 26 June 1981)

Adopted on the proposition of D. Hughes, seconded by W. H. Dobbie. Messrs. Hughes and Dobbie were re-elected Trustees.

Report of the Trustee of the Rolls of Honour:
(RW 26 June 1981)

Adopted on the proposition of W. T. Cook, seconded by W. H. Dobbie. Mr. Cook was re-elected Trustee of the Rolls.

Committee Reports:

“The Ringing World”
(RW 26 June 1981)

Adopted on the proposition of R. F. B. Speed, seconded by A. W. R. Wilby A. N. Stubbs.

After the council had agreed that the Committee should number six, M. J. Church, H. W. Egglestone, C. J. Groome, R. F. B. Speed, A. N. Stubbs and A. W. R. Wilby were elected to the Committee.

Peals Analysis
(RW 3 July 1981)

Adopted on the proposition of F. B. Lufkin, seconded by Mr. C. H. Rogers, subject to the inclusion of a peal of Grandsire Caters on 9 bells at Broughton-in-Furness on 12 Sept. 1980 (as proposed by D. E. Sibson and seconded by I. G. Campbell), since at the time only 9 bells had been installed in the tower. Proposals to recognise a peal of Qualis at All Saints, Basingstoke, on 27 Aug. 1980 (proposed by B. D. Threlfall, seconded by S. C. Walters) and a one-part peal of Cambridge S. Minor at Leicester on 11 Dec. 1980 (proposed by C. K. Lewis, seconded by H. Chant) were both defeated.

Canon K. W. H. Felstead, F. B. Lufkin, T. G. Pett, C. H. Rogers and O. C. R. Webster were elected to form the Committee.

It was agreed, on the proposition of A. P. Smith, seconded by Mrs. A. G. Martin, that the joint Methods and Records Committee should examine the Decisions relating to peals of Minor and recommend any changes they considered necessary to the Council.

Records
(RW 3 July 1981)

Adopted on the proposition of D. E. Sibson, seconded by G. Dodds, after a motion to refer back to the Committee the reference to Carter’s Triples (proposed by Mrs. A. G. Martin, seconded by A. P. Smith) had been defeated.

F. T. Blagrove, G. Dodds, J. R. Mayne, D. E. Sibson and C. A. Wratten were elected to form the Committee.

Methods
(RW 3 July 1981)

Adopted on the proposition of M. C. W. Sherwood, seconded by F. T. Blagrove. The Council however accepted a proposition by D. M. Joyce, seconded by B. Peachey, that Part 2 of the Doubles Collection should not be published until the questions that had been raised about Part 1 of the Collection had been resolved.

F. T. Blagrove, S. Humphrey, C. K. Lewis, M. C. W. Sherwood and A. P. Smith were elected to form the Committee.

Peal Compositions
(RW 3 July 1981)

Adopted on the proposition of R. W. Pipe, seconded by R. E. Hardy.

R. W. Pipe then proposed, and M. C. W. Sherwood seconded, a Motion to amend the terms of reference of the Committee. After amendments proposed by C. C. Monson (seconded by S. Humphrey) and J. C. Baldwin (seconded by G. W. Massey) had been agreed, the Motion was passed as follows:

“That the terms of reference of the Peals Compositions Committee in Rule 13 (vii) be amended to read:

‘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 to composition’.”

After the Council had agreed that the Committee should number six, D. W. Beard, P. Border, R. E. Hardy, R. C. Kippin, R. W. Pipe and M. C. W. Sherwood were elected.

Computer Co-ordination
(RW 3 July 1981)

Adopted on the proposition of J. R. Taylor, seconded by D. E. Sibson.

D. W. Beard, T. G. Pett, D. E. Sibson, J. R. Taylor and C. A. Wratten were elected to the Committee.

Publications
(RW 3 July 1981)

Adopted on the proposition of G. R. Drew, seconded by C. J. Groome.

After the Council had agreed that the Committee should number six, G. R. Drew, Mrs. S. M. Drew, C. J. Groome, R. G. Morris, Miss J. Sanderson and J. R. Taylor were elected.

Education
(RW 3 July 1981)

Adopted on the proposition of W. Butler, seconded by R. Cater. Arising from the discussion on the Appendix of the Committee’s report (RW 10 July 1981), P. M. J. Gray proposed, and D. C. Jackson seconded, that the Committee should continue to develop the ideas therein in the light of comments that had been made, and this was agreed.

The Council agreed that the Committee should have eight members, and W. Butler, R. Cater, W. F. Moreton, R. G. Morris, D. E. Parsons, D. Potter, R. B. Smith and J. M. Tyler were elected.

Public Relations
(RW 10 July 1981)

The report’s adoption was proposed by J. L. Girt and formally seconded by the Hon. Secretary, but B. D. Threlfall proposed, and Mrs. O. D. Barnett seconded, that it be accepted apart from the last sentence of its seventh paragraph; this was agreed. The President undertook to write to the ringers at Crosthwaite to tell them of the Council’s expressed feelings on the television programme from there and to offer encouragement.

P. A. Corby, Mrs. A. Newing, Mrs. A. G. Martin, D. Potter and A. W. R. Wilby were elected to the Committee.

Biographies
(RW 10 July 1981)

Adopted on the proposition of T. J. Lock, seconded by G. A. Dawson.

The Council agreed that the Committee should have six members, and Mrs. O. D. Barnett, G. A. Dawson, T. J. Lock, Revd. M. C. C. Melville, B. D. Threlfall and W. H. Viggers were elected.

Library
(RW 10 July 1981)

Adopted on the proposition of W. T. Cook, seconded by Mr. D. M. Joyce.

D. M. Joyce, Miss J. Sanderson, D. W. Struckett and P. M. Wilkinson were elected to form, with the Hon. Librarian, the new Committee.

Towers & Belfries
(RW 10 July 1981)

Adopted on the proposition of B. D. Threlfall, seconded by G. W. Massey.

After the Council had agreed that the Committee should have 10 members, A. Dempster, W. L. Exton, J. Freeman, A. J. Frost, J. Hartless, G. W. Massey, D. Potter, F. Reynolds, Revd. J. G. M. Scott and B. D. Threlfall were elected.

Bell Restoration Funds
(RW 10 July 1981)

Adopted on the proposition of J. S. Barnes, seconded by M. J. Church.

The Council agreed that the Committee should have seven members, and J. S. Barnes, E. Billings, M. J. Church, K. S. B. Croft, G. A. Halls, J. F. Mulvey and I. H. Oram were elected.

Redundant Bells
(RW 10 July 1981)

Adopted on the proposition of Mrs. M. J. Wilkinson, seconded by J. Freeman.

It was agreed that the Committee should have 11 members, and E. A. Barnett, R. J. Cooles, K. S. B. Croft, G. A. Dawson, J. Freeman, A. J. Frost, G. W. Massey, M. H. D. O’Callaghan, Revd. J. G. M. Scott, Very Revd. A. G. G. Thurlow and Mrs. M. J. Wilkinson were elected.

Rescue Fund for Redundant Bells
(RW 10 July 1981)

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

Administrative Committee
(RW 26 June 1981)

C. J. Groome proposed, and R. B. Smith seconded, reference back of the Committee’s recommendation that no action be taken at present on the Hon. Auditors’ recommendation that a limited company be considered to own and run ‘The Ringing World’, and this was agreed. Subject to this, the report was adopted on the proposition of C. A. Wratten, seconded by J. C. Baldwin.

J. Armstrong, J. C. Baldwin, Mrs. O. D. Barnett, W. B. Cartwright, R. Cater, M. J. Church, R. J. Cooles, J. Freeman, P. M. J. Gray, C. J. Groome, I. H. Oram and S. C. Walters were elected to the Committee, the other (ex-officio) members being the Council’s Officers - the Revd. J. G. M. Scott, P. A. Corby, C. A. Wratten and W. T. Cook - and the Chairmen of committees - J. S. Barnes (Bell Restoration Funds), D. W. Beard (Computer Co-ordination), W. Butler (Education), G. R. Drew (Publications), T. J. Lock (Biographies), F. B. Lufkin (Peals Analysis), R. W. Pipe (Peal Compositions), M. C. W. Sherwood (Methods), D. E. Sibson (Records), R. F. B. Speed (‘The Ringing World’), B. D. Threlfall (Towers & Belfries) and Mrs. M. J. Wilkinson (Redundant Bells).

Motions

C. J. Groome proposed, and D. E. Sibson seconded,

‘That in Rule 10(i) the third sentence be deleted and the following be substituted:

The retiring President shall not be eligible for re-election at the expiration of a full three-year term of office. The Vice-President, Honorary Secretary, and Honorary Librarian shall be eligible for re-election.’

The motion was lost.

A. N. Stubbs proposed, and A. W. R. Wilby seconded,

‘That as from the 1984 meeting of the Council Honorary Membership of the Central Council be restricted to those elected to serve upon Committees of the Council who are not already members,’

with consequential alterations to Rules 3, 5, 6, 10 and 16. A proposal by P. A. Corby, seconded by D. W. Struckett, to defer debate on this motion in view of the lateness of the hour, was defeated.

The motion was lost.

On behalf of the Administrative Committee B. D. Threlfall proposed, and C. A. Wratten seconded,

‘That Rule 6 be amended by the insertion of the following after its first sentence:

Election shall be by ballot and require the vote of a majority of those present.’

The motion was passed.

D. E. Sibson proposed, and F. T. Blagrove seconded,

‘That Decision (D)B.4 be amended to read:

Peals of Triples shall be rung on eight bells with the tenor as cover and shall consist of at least 5040 changes rung in any combination of the following, each starting from rounds:

(a) True and complete 5,040’s

(b) Round blocks of 10,080 changes in which each of the 5,040 different rows occurs twice, once at handstroke and once at backstroke.’

C. C. Monson proposed, and R. B. Smith seconded, an amendment to delete the last seven words, but the amendment was defeated.

The motion was lost.

Future Meetings:

The Hon. Secretary reported an invitation from the Ancient Society of College Youths for the Council to hold its centenary meeting, in 1991, in London.

Votes of Thanks:

On behalf of the Council the President thanked the Kent County Association for its hospitality, the Mayor and Bishop of Rochester for their welcome, the Dean of Rochester, and the incumbents and ringers of the various churches visited.

SUMMARY OF ATTENDANCE
Members
SocietiesPresentAbsent
Wholly represented51133-
Partly represented102511
Not represented4-5



6515816
Life members53
Honorary members165


17924

The Ringing World, March 12, 1982, pages 213 to 214, corrections May 14, 1982, page 395

(Archivist’s note: also absent were S. J. Ivin, J. R. Mayne and H. N. Pitstow (Honorary), J. Hine and H. Pidler (Devon Assn.), J. T. Shepard (London County Assn.) and M. J. Lodwick (St. David’s Dio. Guild))

Valid HTML 4.01 Transitional