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The Central Council of Church Bell Ringers

Minutes of the First Session of the 36th Council (99th Annual Meeting), held at the Radbrook Hall Hotel, Shrewsbury, on Monday 27th May 1996

Present

Life Members: Revd J C Baldwin, E A Barnett, F E Dukes, H W Egglestone, C K Lewis, F B Lufkin, W F Moreton, C A Wratten.
Ex Officio Member: R J Johnston.
Honorary Members: A E Bagworth, D W Beard, Mrs S Bianco, M J Church, S J Coleman, R J Cooles, R H Dove, J C Eisel, Mrs K Flavell, A J Frost, E G H Godfrey, M H D O’Callaghan, D J Roberts, Miss E St John-Smith, Miss J Sanderson, Preb J G M Scott, R B Smith, J R Taylor, D G Thorne, Mrs M J Wilkinson.
Ancient Society of College Youths: A R Kench, A J Phillips, A N Stubbs, A W R Wilby.
Australia & New Zealand Assn: J A Smith*, P M J Gray (alt. member), R Shepherd (alt. member).
Bath & Wells Dio. Assn: D J Buckley, Mrs C A Hardwick, D J Kelly, G W Massey.
Bedfordshire Assn: P J S Albon, K Lewin.
Beverley & Dist. Society: M J de C Henshaw, D Watson*.
Cambridge Univ. Guild: C E J Kilgour*, S C Walters.
Carlisle Dio. Guild: Miss R M Rodway.
Chester Dio. Guild: P Dyson, C Mitchell, N Thomson.
Coventry Dio. Guild: P Border, M J Dew*, H M Windsor, Mrs B A Winter.
Derby Dio. Assn: Miss J E Boden, G A Halls, Mrs P A M Halls*.
Devon Assn: M C Way.
Devonshire Guild: C Ledgerwood-Barr*, F D Mack, M E C Mears.
Dorset County Assn: D R Bugler, Mrs M E Frost, A G Smith.
Durham & Newcastle Dio. Assn: N A Johnson, R R Warford, Mrs B M Wheeler.
Durham Univ. Society: Revd P Newing.
E. Derbys & W. Notts Assn: A Dempster.
E. Grinstead & Dist. Guild: R A Grant*.
Ely Dio. Assn: G E Bonham, M B Davies, B B Hullah, P S Seaman.
Essex Assn: J Armstrong, F J P Bone, A G Semken*, D L Sparling*.
Gloucester & Bristol Dio. Assn: G Groves*, I P Hill*, M J Mulvey*, J M Pearse, D A Strong.
Guildford Dio. Guild: W J Couperthwaite, J Morgan*, C H Rogers, R J Walker.
Hereford Dio. Guild: D R Carter*, J J P Ellams, B D Threlfall*, J F I Turney.
Hertford County Assn: A F Alldrick, J R Mayne, Miss D M Robotham, B C Watson.
Irish Assn: Ms J Thompson.
Kent County Assn: N J Davies*, F W Lewis, D C Manger, Mrs D R Wraight.
Ladies Guild: Miss F Cannon, Miss T Crowder, Miss A R Willgress*.
Lancashire Assn: J Kershaw, S S Meyer*, Mrs A E Pettifor, D R Pettifor, P A Thompson.
Leeds Univ. Society: M Pidd.
Leicester Dio. Guild: A Cattell, Mrs C N J Franklin, J R Thompson*, B G Warwick.
Lichfield Archd. Society: J F Mulvey, S G Pick, Mrs L Smith*.
Lincoln Dio. Guild: Miss J M Corby*, A R Heppenstall, G R Parker, L G Townsend.
Liverpool Univ. Society: S J Flockton.
Llandaff & Monmouth Dio. Assn: P S Bennett, Revd J M Hughes, J C Parker*.
London County Assn: R G Booth, Mrs J E Higgins*, E G Mould, H W Rogers.
Manchester Univ. Guild: Miss L MacMahon*.
Middlesex County Assn. & London Dio. Guild: R Bailey, F T Blagrove, G E J A Doughty, A Udal*.
Midland Counties Guild: M Quimby.
National Police Guild: B F Peachey.
North American Guild: D F Morrison, P A Trotman*.
North Staffordshire Assn: Mrs W Daw, P W Gay.
North Wales Assn: K W Price*, E M Jones.
Norwich Dio. Assn: Mrs G M Hodgkinson, J B Morley, R J Parker, D F Riley*.
Oxford Dio. Guild: W Butler, K R Davenport*, J A Harrison, J R Martin, Mrs P M Newton*, T G Pett.
Oxford Society: B J Stone.
Oxford Univ. Society: P D Niblett.
Peterborough Dio. Guild: C J Groome, B J R Gross, D J Jones.
St. David’s Dio. Guild: R C Warburton*.
St. Martin’s Guild: J A Anderson, P Needham*.
Salisbury Dio. Guild: A J Howes, A C D Lovell-Wood, A P Nicholson, Mrs J Webb*, R J Wellen*.
Scottish Assn: N E Booth, P J Shipton.
Shropshire Assn: F M Mitchell.
Society of Royal Cumberland Youths: J S Barnes, I H Oram, Miss S J Pattenden, D E Sibson.
Society of Sherwood Youths: R E H Woolley.
South African Guild: Mrs J M Webster.
Southwell Dio. Guild: B J Bull, G A Dawson, A B Mills, B A Richards.
Suffolk Guild: S D Pettman, Revd L R Pizzey, D G Salter, A R Smith.
Surrey Assn: J D Cheesman, C Ridley, D N Wallis*, R J Wallis*.
Sussex County Assn: A R Baldock, R T Clay*, J E Hawes, H F Pettifer.
Swansea & Brecon Dio. Guild: Mrs H J Rose.
Transvaal Society: J Hill*.
Truro Dio. Guild: Miss D J Couch*, N R Mattingley*, Mrs H L Perry*, R J Perry, I P Self*.
Univ. Bristol Society: D I Bassford*, Miss C O’Callaghan*.
Univ. London Society: G Barr.
Veronese Assn: P Avesani, J D Gallimore, F Giona, R G T Morris, G Tommasi*.
Winchester & Portsmouth Dio. Guild: Mrs G Cater*, A G Craddock, Revd B J Fry*, D C Jackson, A P Smith.
Worcestershire & Districts Assn: C M Povey, A Roberts, R F B Speed, S J T Wilmshurst.
Yorkshire Assn: N Donovan, Revd G C Galley, R N Moreton, Mrs D M Rhymer*.
Zimbabwe Guild: Mrs V Grossmith (alt. member).

1. Report as to membership and subscriptions

The Hon Secretary (Mr C H Rogers) reported that 68 societies were affiliated to the Council, with 201 representatives. There were nine Life, one ex officio and 23 Honorary members. All subscriptions had been paid.

2. Apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were received from Miss D E Colgate (Life member), A P S Berry, E Billings and W H Dobbie (Honorary members) and P L Bill, D Bleby, J H Gibb, A S Hudson, D H Niblett, Miss A M Phillips, M J Pomeroy, Mrs E S Riley, I V J Smith, M J Stone, J Weaver and P Whitehead.

Alternate members were present in place of Messrs Bleby and Whitehead (Australia & New Zealand Assn.) and Miss Phillips (Zimbabwe Guild).

3. Application for affiliation to the Council

An application from the Four Shires Guild had been withdrawn.

4. Welcome to new members

The President (Prof R J Johnston) welcomed new members present (indicated by * in the list of those present).

5. Presentation

The President made a presentation to three members who were each attending their 50th Council meeting: E A Barnett, F E Dukes and H W Rogers.

6. Losses of members through death

Members stood in silence as the Hon Secretary read the list of former members of the Council who had died since the last meeting: J T Parsons (Lancashire Assn 1992-4), C H Kippin (Surrey Assn 1930-45, Winchester & Portsmouth DG 1949-59), H W Barrett (Norwich DA 1954-77), W B Cartwright (Worcestershire & Districts Assn 1951-84, Life member from 1985 until his death), H L Roper (Honorary member 1960-71), A J Brazier (Worcestershire & Districts Assn 1967-72), A S Baker (London CA 1987-9), H Denman (N Nottinghamshire Assn 1945, Southwell DG 1946-50). The Revd J M Hughes led members in prayer.

7. Election of Honorary members

Dr L F Forbes, Miss J Sanderson and Messrs D W Beard, M J Church, J C Eisel, A J Frost, E G H Godfrey, R J Johnston and D J Roberts were individually elected Honorary members.

8. Election of Officers

President: Mrs M J Wilkinson was proposed by the Revd J C Baldwin, seconded by E A Barnett and elected.

Vice-President: Mr J A Anderson was proposed by R J Cooles, seconded by W F Moreton and elected.

Hon Secretary: Mr C H Rogers was proposed by W J Couperthwaite, seconded by R J Walker and elected.

Hon Treasurer: Mr M H D O’Callaghan was proposed by C J Groome and seconded by Dr J C Baldwin. Mr C Ridley was proposed by C A Wratten and seconded by J C Eisel. Mr O’Callaghan was elected on a ballot.

Professor Johnston vacated the chair. Mrs Wilkinson thereupon assumed the chair and thanked Professor Johnston for his work as President.

9. Appointment of Stewards

Library: Dr J C Eisel was proposed by W Butler, seconded by C A Wratten and elected.

Carter Ringing Machine: Mr J A Anderson was proposed by A E Bagworth and seconded by W H Dobbie. Mr A E Bagworth was proposed by M J Church and seconded by C J Groome. Both were elected.

Rolls of Honour: Mr A J Phillips was proposed by A N Stubbs, seconded by A R Kench and elected.

10. Minutes of the 1995 Annual Meeting

The Minutes of the meeting held on 30 May 1995, as published in The Ringing World of 9 February 1996, were approved.

11. Report of the Hon Secretary and Treasurer
(RW 26 April 1996, p.447)

The report was adopted on the proposition of the Hon Secretary, seconded by C J Groome.

12. Accounts for 1995
(RW 26 April 1996, pp.446-9)

Adopted on the proposition of the Hon Secretary, seconded by D J Jones.

13. Election of Auditors

Mr E G H Godfrey was proposed by R J Cooles and seconded by C J Groome. Mr A G Smith was proposed by D R Bugler and seconded by Mrs M E Frost. Both were elected.

14. Committee reports
(The reports were published in The Ringing World issues of 5, 12, 19 and 26 April 1996 Relevant page numbers are given against each report.)

(a) Peal Compositions (p.450)

Adopted on the proposition of R Bailey, seconded by D W Beard. A motion, proposed by A W R Wilby and seconded by H W Egglestone, “That the Peal Compositions Committee should discuss and agree with The Ringing World Board an annual volume of selected compositions to be supplied for publication”, was carried.

R Bailey, J Morgan, D F Morrison, P Needham and M Pidd were elected by ballot to form the committee for 1996-9.

(b) Peals Analysis (pp.363-5)

Adopted on the proposition of J D Cheesman, seconded by R J Perry, subject to the replacement of the words ‘the most changes on church bells’ by ‘the longest length on church bells’ in relation to a peal of 25,200 Grandsire Triples at Hawkshead. Recommendations 1, 2 and 4 on peals not complying with the Decisions on Peal Ringing were agreed. Recommendation 3, regarding a peal of Stedman Cinques with variable cover, was lost.

After a committee membership of nine had been agreed, J D Cheesman, J R Martin, P Needham, D H Niblett, R J Perry, T G Pett, D R Pettifor, the Revd L R Pizzey and D N Wallis were elected to form the committee for 1996-9.

(c) Public Relations (pp.362-3)

Adopted on the proposition of J A Anderson, seconded by S J Coleman.

After a committee membership of ten had been agreed, J A Anderson, Mrs S Bianco, Mrs W Daw, F E Dukes, Dr L F Forbes, R G T Morris, H W Rogers, Miss E St John-Smith, A Udal and D Watson were elected to form the committee for 1996-9.

(d) Publications (p.397)

Adopted on the proposition of W J Couperthwaite, seconded by D J Jones.

After a committee membership of six had been agreed, W J Couperthwaite, A G Craddock, D J Jones, Miss J Sanderson, R J Wallis and Mrs B M Wheeler were elected to form the committee for 1996-9.

(e) Records (pp.447-9)

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

D W Beard, F T Blagrove, J R Mayne, D E Sibson and C A Wratten were elected to form the committee for 1996-9.

(f) Redundant Bells (pp.397-8)

Adopted on the proposition of G W Massey, seconded by the Revd J C Baldwin.

After a committee membership of eleven, including the President, had been agreed, the Revd J C Baldwin, R G Booth, R J Cooles, R J Johnston, D J Kelly, J Kershaw, G W Massey, M H D O’Callaghan, Preb J G M Scott and Mrs M J Wilkinson were elected to form the committee for 1996-9, leaving one vacancy.

(g) Ringing Centres (p.398)

Adopted on the proposition of Miss S J Pattenden, seconded by R G Booth.

A J Frost, P W Gay, Miss S J Pattenden, Miss E St John-Smith and A W R Wilby were elected by ballot to form the committee for 1996-9.

(h) Towers and Belfries (p.398)

Adopted on the proposition of A J Frost, seconded by F W Lewis.

After a committee membership of 14 had been agreed, P S Bennett, R G Booth, G A Dawson, A Dempster, A J Frost, C Ledgerwood-Barr, F W Lewis, F D Mack, H F Pettifer, C M Povey, Preb J G M Scott, B J Stone, J R Taylor and H M Windsor were elected to form the committee for 1996-9.

(i) Bell Restoration Funds (p.361)

Adopted on the proposition of J S Barnes, seconded by A R Smith.

After a committee membership of nine had been agreed, J S Barnes, N E Booth, K R Davenport, Mrs K Flavell, Mrs C A Hardwick, N Johnson, I H Oram, A R Smith and Mrs B A Winter were elected to form the committee for 1996-9.

(j) Biographies (p.426)

Adopted on the proposition of D J Roberts, seconded by G A Dawson.

J C Eisel, Mrs P A M Halls, C Ridley, D J Roberts and B D Threlfall were elected to form the committee for 1996-9.

(k) Computer Coordination (pp.426-7)

Adopted on the proposition of A G Craddock, seconded by F J P Bone.

After a committee membership of six had been agreed, F J P Bone, A G Craddock, C E J Kilgour, J Morgan, P A Trotman and D N Wallis were elected to form the committee for 1996-9.

(l) Education (pp.427-8)

Adopted on the proposition of M J de C Henshaw, seconded by R R Warford.

After a committee membership of 12 had been agreed, F J P Bone, Mrs G Cater, N Donovan, G E J A Doughty, P W Gay, J A Harrison, M J de C Henshaw, F W Lewis, M J Mulvey, D G Salter, J F I Turney and R R Warford were elected by ballot to form the committee for 1996-9.

(m) Library (p.361)

Adopted on the proposition of Miss J Sanderson, seconded by J C Eisel.

F J P Bone, W Butler, C Ridley, Miss J Sanderson and C A Wratten were elected to form, with the Library Steward, the committee for 1996-9.

(n) Methods (pp.361-2)

Adopted on the proposition of A P Smith, seconded by R Bailey.

After a committee membership of six had been agreed, R Bailey, F T Blagrove, C K Lewis, J Morgan, P D Niblett and A P Smith were elected to form the committee for 1996-9.

(o) Administrative (pp.446-7)

Adopted on the proposition of the Hon Secretary, seconded by M J Church.

J Armstrong, the Revd J C Baldwin, M J Church, R J Cooles, Mrs K Flavell, A J Frost, Mrs C A Hardwick, R J Johnston, D J Jones, S S Meyer, Miss S J Pattenden and A W R Wilby were elected to the committee for 1996-9. The other (ex officio) members of the committee are the Council’s Officers; the chairmen of committees as follows: J S Barnes (Bell Restoration Funds), D J Roberts (Biographies), A G Craddock (Computer Coordination), M J de C Henshaw (Education), Miss J Sanderson (Library), A P Smith (Methods), R Bailey (Peal Compositions), J D Cheesman (Peals Analysis), W J Couperthwaite (Publications), D E Sibson (Records), G W Massey (Redundant Bells), P W Gay (Ringing Centres) and A Dempster (Towers and Belfries); and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Ringing World Limited (H W Egglestone).

15. Motion

A W R Wilby proposed and A R Kench seconded: “That the Methods Committee be asked to consider, and recommend to the Council’s 1997 meeting, appropriate changes to the Decisions so as to permit peals in which the cover bell varies.”

An amendment, proposed by J A Harrison and seconded by B D Threlfall, to insert ‘if appropriate’ before ‘recommend’, was lost. A second amendment, proposed by Miss S J Pattenden and seconded by C J Groome, to replace ‘recommend to the Council’s 1997 meeting’ by ‘advise the Council’s 1997 meeting of’, was carried. The motion as amended was thereupon put to the vote and carried.

16. Report of the Stewards of the Carter Ringing Machine
(RW 12 April 1996, p.398)

Adopted on the proposition of A E Bagworth, seconded by J A Anderson.

17. Report of the Steward of the Rolls of Honour
(RW 12 April 1996, p.398)

Adopted on the proposition of A J Phillips, seconded by A N Stubbs.

18. Rescue Fund for Redundant Bells
(RW 12 April 1996, p.399)

The report and accounts were adopted on the proposition of R J Cooles, seconded by M H D O’Callaghan.

19. Future meetings

Invitations from the Essex Association and the Leicester Dio. Guild for the Council to hold its meetings in their areas in 2004 and 2006 respectively were noted.

20. Other business

(i) A request that, when the results of ballots for elections were announced, the number of votes cast for each candidate should be given, was referred to the Administrative Committee.

(ii) A request that new members of the Council should be provided with a brief description of the work of each committee and the qualities sought for membership, was referred to the Administrative Committee.

21. Votes of thanks

On behalf of the Council the President warmly thanked the officers and members of the Shropshire Association and all others who had contributed to the success of the meeting.

Summary of Attendance
Members
SocietiesPresentAbsent
Wholly represented57159-
Partly represented113012



6818912
Life members81
Ex officio member1-
Honorary members203


21816


The Ringing World, February 14, 1997, pages 179 to 180

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