Life Members: William Butler, Alan Frost, David Kelly, Andrew Stubbs, David Thorne.
Additional Members: Elva Ainsworth, Mark Ainsworth*, Stella Bianco, Roger Booth, Robert Cooles, Robert Lewis, Peter Trotman, Jane Wilkinson.
Ex-officio: Mary Bone, Tim Jackson, Brian Meads, Nigel Orchard*, Bill Purvis, Alan Regin, Andrew Taylor.
Ancient Society of College Youths: Richard Allton, Peter Mackie, Leigh Simpson, Andrew Wilby.
Australian & New Zealand Assn: Christopher O’Mahony, James Smith, Matthew Sorell, Derek Williams (alternate member).
Barrow & District Society: David Hibbert.
Bath & Wells Dio. Assn: Roland Backhurst, Jay Bunyan, Michael Hansford, Richard Newman, George Wyatt.
Bedfordshire Assn: Patrick Albon, Richard Horne, Sue Silver.
Beverley & District Society: James Blackburn.
Cambridge Univ. Guild: David Richards.
Carlisle Dio. Guild: Christine de Cordova, Duncan Walker.
Chester Dio. Guild: David Jones, Michael Orme, Peter Wilkinson, Stefan Zientek.
Coventry Dio. Guild: Michael Chester, Christopher Idle, Christopher Mew.
Derby Dio. Assn: Andrew Hall, Susan Hall*, Patricia Halls, Gill Hughes.
Devon Assn: Mervyn Way.
Devonshire Guild: Leslie Boyce, Lynne Hughes, Fergus Stracey.
Dorset County Assn: Timothy Collins, Maureen Frost.
Durham & Newcastle Dio. Assn: Matthew Cracknell, Howard Smith, Barbara Wheeler.
Durham Univ. Society: Michael Williams.
East Derbys & West Notts Assn: Brynley Richards.
East Grinstead & District Guild: Kate Desbottes.
Ely Dio. Assn: Philip Bailey, George Bonham, Sue Marsden, Paul Seaman.
Essex Assn: Fred Bone, Paul Cammiade*, Wendy Godden, Stephen Nash.
Four Shires Guild: Christopher Povey.
Gloucester & Bristol Dio. Assn: Derek Harbottle, Patrick Hickey, Angela Newing.
Guild of St Agatha: Anne Bray.
Guildford Dio. Guild: Anne Anthony, John Couperthwaite, Beryl Norris, Christopher Rogers.
Hereford Dio. Guild: John Croxton, Jenny Lawrence, Colin Ward.
Hertford County Assn: Tony Crowther*, Geoff Horritt, Margaret Horritt.
Irish Assn: June Kelly, Julia Lysaght.
Kent County Assn: David Grimwood, Philip Larter, Catherine Lewis, Frank Lewis.
Ladies Guild: Carolyn Dawson, Helen Webb, Jan Wyatt.
Lancashire Assn: Giles Blundell, Alison Brittliff, Ernie de Legh-Runciman, Christopher Fletcher, Beth Ingham.
Leeds University Society: Adam Crocker.
Leicester Dio. Guild: Carol Franklin, Andrew Preston, Arthur Rees, Winifred Warwick.
Lichfield & Walsall Archd. Society: Stuart Hutchieson, Andrew Ogden.
Lincoln Dio. Guild: Philip Green, Robin Heppenstall, Christopher Sharp, Christopher Turner.
Liverpool Univ. Society: Richard Andrew.
Llandaff & Monmouth Dio. Assn: Pip Penney.
National Police Guild: William Dowse#.
North American Guild: Bruce Butler, Alan Ellis, Beverly Faber, Anthony Furnivall.
North Staffordshire Assn: Ray Ballard, Jan Hine, Tim Hine.
North Wales Assn: Antony Diserens, David Raggett.
Norwich Dio. Assn: Peter Adcock, Jenny Brunger, Michael Clements.
Oxford Dio. Guild: Ken Davenport, John Harrison, Lucy Hopkins Till, Alan Marchbank*, Bobbie May, Timothy Pett.
Oxford Society: Bernard Stone.
Peterborough Dio. Guild: Alan Chantler, Nick Elks*, Jane Sibson, David Westerman.
St David’s Dio. Guild: Ian Hastilow#.
St Martin’s Guild: James Ramsbottom*.
Salisbury Dio. Guild: Tom Garrett, Andrew Howes, Anthony Lovell-Wood, Julian Newman.
Scottish Assn: Stephen Elwell-Sutton, Ruth Marshall.
Shropshire Assn: Alan Glover, Peter Woollam*.
Society of Royal Cumberland Youths: John Barnes, Ben Duke, Ian Oram, Derek Sibson.
Society of Sherwood Youths: Jane Woolley.
South African Guild: James Champion.
Southwell and Nottingham Dio. Guild: George Dawson, Anne Sladen, Robin Woolley.
Suffolk Guild: Veronica Downing, Peter Harper, Stephen Pettman, George Salter.
Surrey Assn: Jeremy Cheesman, Kate Flavell, Paul Flavell, Richard Wallis.
Sussex County Assn: Andrew Barnsdale, Stephen Beckingham, Anne Franklin, David Kirkcaldy, Margaret Oram.
Swansea & Brecon Dio. Guild: Paul Johnson, David Katz.
Truro Dio. Guild: Mary Jones, Norman Mattingley, Helen Perry, Robert Perry, Ian Self.
Univ. Bristol Society: Robert Wood.
Univ. London Society: Jacqui Brown.
Veronese Assn: David Roskelly.
Winchester & Portsmouth Dio. Guild: Michael Church, David Mattingley*, Peter Niblett, Vivien Nobbs, Anthony Smith.
Worcestershire & Districts Assn: Alison Hodge, Paul Marshall, Stuart Piper, Alan Roberts.
Yorkshire Assn: Barrie Dove, Peter Kirby, Deborah Thorley.
Birmingham University Society, the Middlesex County Association & London Diocesan Guild and Oxford University Society were not represented.
The Chair was taken by the President, Chris Mew.
Revd Giles Galley (Chaplain, Beverley & District Society) led members in prayer.
The Hon Secretary, Mary Bone, reported that 67 societies were affiliated to the Council with 195 representatives; there were seven vacancies. There were 6 Life Members, 10 Additional Members and 7 ex-officio Members. One subscription was outstanding from Birmingham University Society. She urged those societies with vacancies to fill these as soon as possible.
The President gave a warm welcome to new and returning members (indicated by * and # respectively in the list of those present).
Apologies had been received from Revd John Baldwin (Life Member), Alan Baldock (Additional Member), Peter Harrison (Australian & New Zealand Assn), John Atkinson (Beverley & District Society), Michael Woolley (Birmingham USCR), Robert Flockton (Cambridge UG), James Clarke (Guild of Devonshire Ringers), Andrew Gunn (Four Shires Guild), William Nash and John Nicholls (Gloucester & Bristol DA), Jane Mason (Hereford DG), Douglas Davis (Kent CA), Jonathan Lewis (Llandaff & Monmouth DA), Frank Blagrove, Linda Foddering, Peter Kemp and Helen Udal (Middlesex County Assn & London DG), Maureen Gardiner (Norwich DA), Mark Bell (Oxford US), Julian Hemper (Salisbury DG), Richard Webster (Univ Bristol Society) and Susan Welch (Yorkshire Assn). Further apologies were presented from Robert Brown (Devon Assn), Andrew Mills (Southwell & Nottingham DG) and Eles Belfontali (Veronese Assn).
Members stood in silence as the Hon Secretary read the names of the following members and former members who had died since the last meeting: Kathryn Tucker (North American Guild 2008-2011); Stanley Darmon (Cambridge UG 1951-1954); Philip Rothera (Essex Assn 1972-1978); Adrian Semken (Essex Assn 1996-2011, Additional Member 2011-); John Armstrong (Essex Assn 1966-); Philip Chalk (Cambridge UG 1954-1960); Frank Beech (North Staffs Assn 2002-2014). The Revd David Grimwood led members in prayer.
The Minutes of the meeting held on 26th May 2014 had been published in The Ringing World of 12th September 2014.
The Hon Secretary informed members that the penultimate name in item 6 (Loss of members through death) should read W Leslie Weller and that in item 11(a) (Election of Life Members) it should state that Alan Frost was a member of the “Ringing in the Millennium” working party.
With these corrections, and there being no further corrections, the Minutes were approved and signed by the President.
The President asked members wishing to speak to wait for a microphone and to give their name and that of the society they represented. He informed members that the proceedings were being recorded to assist with the Minutes.
The President drew attention to the second Appendix to the Report of the Administrative Committee and reminded members to declare any interest in the bell-related trade to the Hon Secretary and to declare any relevant interest before speaking at the meeting or proposing a candidate for election. The President reminded members that we were all volunteers and should be treated with courtesy.
No member wished to raise any matter.
8. Annual Report of the Council
(RW 24th April 2015, p428)
The Hon Secretary noted that 3 vacancies had been filled since the Annual Report was prepared and that the figures in the last 2 sentences of paragraph 4 should therefore read “ … 6 Life Members, 10 Additional Members, 7 ex-officio Members and 195 Representative Members. There are 7 other vacancies.”
Adoption of the report was then proposed by the Hon Secretary, seconded by Christopher O’Mahony, and agreed.
9. Accounts for 2014
(RW 24th April 2015, pp428-431)
The Hon Treasurer, Andrew Taylor, reported that the independent examiners had issued an unqualified report. The net movement of funds for 2014 was a surplus of £62,307. The Roadshow made a surplus of £6,633 without which the General Fund surplus of £4,543 would have been a deficit of £2,090. Interest receivable was lower than in 2013 as all higher interest earning deposits had now matured and had been replaced with deposits at much lower interest rates. The expenses of the Council meeting were higher than in 2013. The Bell Restoration Fund received a bequest of £50,000. Total funds raised towards Christchurch NZ including Gift Aid were £14,925 of which £10,000 was paid last year to leave a balance of £4,925. Donations towards the Kilifi project totalled £2,269. Further donations had been received since 31 December towards both Christchurch and Kilifi. Payments had now also been made towards the forthcoming visit of the Kilifi ringers to the UK.
Looking ahead, the Hon Treasurer noted that the Administrative Committee had decided not to proceed at present with suggestions for changing the basis of the affiliation fee but to prepare detailed forward expenditure plans for several years to enable affiliated societies to plan themselves for regular staged increases in the fee from 2017 onwards. Details had yet to be put to the Administrative Committee but the likely proposal was for fees to increase to £35 for 2017, then to £45 and then £50 in subsequent years. The deficit for 2015 would be met from reserves.
The Hon Treasurer formally proposed the adoption of the Accounts; Michael Church seconded and adoption of the accounts was agreed.
Two Additional Members would complete their three-year term at the end of the meeting. The following advance nominations, duly proposed and seconded, had been received: Jane Wilkinson and Robert Lewis. The President clarified that Jane Wilkinson had been a member of the “Ringing in the Millennium” working party and had also dealt with post-completion monitoring of the project with Eric Godfrey. After a ballot these candidates were declared elected. Eight vacancies remained unfilled.
The President reminded members that the Council’s Rules had been changed in 2014 to allow for the election of a Public Relations Officer. A number of ringers had been approached about the position, which had also been advertised in The Ringing World, but none had felt able to stand for election at this time. Kate Flavell, Chairman of the Public Relations Committee, had therefore agreed to stand for election so that the post did not remain unfilled. The President declared her elected (applause).
John Harrison proposed on behalf of the Biographies Committee:
That Rule 16(ii) (Terms of Reference of the Biographies Committee) be extended as follows:
“To maintain an account of the work and general ringing activities of past and present ringers, to make the information created available to ringers and the wider public, and to foster an interest in the history of ringing.”
John highlighted the changes to the current Terms of Reference which the additional clauses would provide. Bobbie May seconded.
The motion was put to the vote and carried nem con.
Andrew Wilby proposed:
That the Central Council meeting from 2018 onwards should be held during the first weekend in September.
Andrew recalled the history of the date and arrangements for the Council’s annual meeting, which were outlined in the background paper previously circulated. The first weekend in September was not currently used by any important regular event in the ringing calendar, as evidenced by the fact that it had been used for roadshows. A change of date would enable the Council to take advantage of modern conference facilities at universities at advantageous rates, and these facilities would also enable the Council to organise workshops and seminars open to all ringers during the weekend, thus enriching the format of the annual meeting. Any change would only take effect in 2018. Christopher O’Mahony seconded.
A number of points, both for and against the motion, were made in discussion: that this would encourage younger members of Council; that ringers with families returning to school would be unable to attend; that societies benefit by engaging their members with the organisation of a Council meeting; that day delegate rates would increase the costs for societies as representatives reclaimed the additional expenses; that an August date should be considered; and that clarification was needed on whether the annual meeting itself would be held on the Saturday or Sunday.
Andrew Wilby responded to the discussion by stating that the Council meeting would still be organised in conjunction with local societies, that it would not remain in the same venue, and that the motion was on the principle of changing the date. Christopher O’Mahony added that the motion arose from discussions at regional meetings, as well as at the additional meeting of the Administrative Committee, and showed that the Council was willing to embrace change.
Voting was by show of hands. The motion was lost (89 against; 60 for; 24 abstentions).
The President sought leave to vary the Agenda at this point in order to take a number of committee reports before item 13, as this item would be followed immediately by break-out sessions and then by the lunch break. He asked members to notify any items of any other business to the Hon Secretary during the lunch break.
(The reports were published in The Ringing World Supplement of 24th April 2015. The relevant page numbers are shown against each report.)
(a) Administrative (p432)
Adoption of the report was proposed by the Hon Secretary, who thanked Robert Lewis and The Ringing World staff for their assistance in producing an excellent Supplement (applause). She drew attention to the forthcoming meeting with Historic England (formerly English Heritage) and the Church Buildings Council and thanked members for continuing to support the electronic circulation of papers for the meeting, thus saving a considerable sum which would otherwise be spent on copying and postage. Jane Wilkinson seconded and spoke on the outline of a proposal to change the committee elections procedure by introducing a large maximum size for committees and advance nominations. This would avoid the need for time-consuming elections which distracted from more important items under discussion by the Council. Members showed their support for this proposal in a show of hands. The report was adopted.
Kate Flavell had become an ex-officio member of the Committee. Fred Bone, Robert Lewis and Jane Wilkinson retired. The following members were proposed, seconded and elected to fill the 4 vacancies on the Committee: Fred Bone, Robert Lewis, Anthony Lovell-Wood and Jane Wilkinson.
Peter Niblett proposed adoption of the report. Peter stated that the majority of the Committee’s time during the year under review had been spent preparing for the consultation on the Decisions on Peal Ringing, Methods and Calls, as agreed at the 2014 Council meeting. Peter apologised for the delay in producing the consultation document; the Committee had naturally begun work by studying the current Decisions and this process had taken longer than expected. Peter referred to a letter from Philip Earis published on p255 of The Ringing World; this letter was Philip’s response to the consultation document and Peter therefore added Philip Earis’ name to the list of respondents given in the third paragraph of the Committee’s report. Responses had also been received from Graham Lay and Graham John and their names should also be included in the list. Peter summarised future options as follows: (1) to revise the current Decisions; (2) to produce a new set of Decisions; or (3) to have no Decisions at all. Peter noted that there was widespread agreement in the responses received to date that a framework for naming methods was necessary; however there was less agreement on other aspects of the current Decisions. The Committee therefore proposed to re-issue an amended consultation document, in particular to obtain views on the basic objectives of any revised or new Decisions; to seek input from associations; and to hold an open meeting for all interested parties in autumn 2015. Seconding the report, Robin Woolley reminded members that it was important that future ringers should be able to establish clearly and precisely what had been rung on a particular occasion. David Richards mentioned the work of an independent group studying the Decisions and urged the Committee to integrate their work into its own. Peter replied that he was aware of the work of this group and that the Committee was always willing to co-operate with other interested parties in its work. The report was adopted.
Tony Smith had resigned. Stephen Jones was no longer a Council member. There were 3 vacancies on the Committee. The following 2 members were proposed, seconded and elected: Fred Bone and David Richards. One vacancy was unfilled. John Harrison, while not wishing to stand for election, offered his services to the Committee where appropriate.
Proposing adoption of the report, Richard Allton noted that nearly 300 fewer peals were rung in 2014 compared with 2013. No non-compliant peals had been recorded in 2014. Derek Sibson seconded. Adoption of the report was agreed.
Richard Allton, Mark Bell and Ben Duke retired. The following 3 members were proposed, seconded and elected to fill the 3 vacancies on the Committee: Richard Allton, Mark Bell and Ben Duke.
(d) Public Relations (pp438-439)
Proposing adoption of the report, Kate Flavell informed members that the international reports had this year been published on the website. She drew attention to publicity in the Church Times on the 300th anniversary of the first peal, to a number of interviews given by the President and herself on ringing for the 70th anniversary of VE Day, and to plans for commemorative ringing for the 800th anniversary of the sealing of Magna Carta in June. She highlighted the BBC broadcast from Holy Trinity, Hull, on Sunday morning (24 May). Lynne Hughes seconded. Peter Wilkinson added his congratulations to the Beverley & District Society for the publicity obtained for the Council weekend. Julian Newman referred to criticism of the Central Council on Facebook and other social media and urged the Council to respond; Matthew Sorell replied that the Committee’s policy was to respond as and when appropriate but to ignore internet “trolls”. Adoption of the report was then agreed.
Rosalind Martin was no longer a Council member. Beverly Faber, John Harrison and Lynne Hughes retired. Six candidates were proposed and seconded to fill the 5 vacancies on the Committee. Barrie Dove then informed members that he wished to stand down from the Committee, thus creating an additional vacancy. The President therefore declared the following elected: Jacqui Brown, Nick Elks, Beverly Faber, John Harrison, Lynne Hughes and Alan Marchbank.
Introducing this item, Elva Ainsworth referred to the background paper circulated earlier and to the well-known age profile of ringers, to the decline in Church of England membership and to the many different social activities which now competed for time with ringing. However, recent initiatives had shown that change to secure a future for ringing was possible and she urged ringers to work more smartly, to modernise and be pro-active, especially at the local level. Elva encouraged members to participate fully in the regional break-out sessions, to identify opportunities and priorities, and to embrace debate and change. She noted in conclusion that the results of the sessions would be collated and reported later. Duncan Walker joined Elva in thanking the Council officers, members of the Administrative Committee, and the Beverley & District Society for their support for this initiative.
Members adjourned for lunch at 12.30 p.m. and the meeting resumed, after the Annual Meeting of The Ringing World Limited, at 3.20 p.m.
14. (e) Publications (p439)
Adoption of the report was proposed by John Couperthwaite, seconded by Beryl Norris and agreed.
Philip Green and Barbara Wheeler retired. The following members were proposed, seconded and elected to fill the 2 vacancies on the Committee: Philip Green and Barbara Wheeler.
(f) Redundant Bells (pp439-440) and Central Council Rescue Fund for Redundant Bells (Registered Charity no. 278816) Report and Accounts (p448)
Proposing adoption of the reports and accounts, Bob Cooles informed members that discussions on the problems of bells in closed and closing churches had resumed with the Church Buildings Council and the Church Commissioners. Helen Webb seconded and adoption of the reports and accounts was agreed.
Tim Jackson and David Westerman retired. The following members were proposed, seconded and elected to fill the 2 vacancies on the Committee: Tim Jackson and David Westerman.
(g) Ringing Centres (pp440-441)
Adoption of the report was proposed by Norman Mattingley, who corrected the name of a Committee member listed at the end of the report to Richard Newman. He noted the publication of the latest edition of Training Times and encouraged members to publicise this and submit content for future issues. Norman thanked the retiring Committee members who were not standing for re-election. Adoption of the report was seconded by Paul Marshall and agreed.
Alan Bentley was no longer a Council member. Robert Brown and Richard Newman retired. There were 3 vacancies on the Committee. One member was proposed, seconded and elected: Barrie Dove. Two vacancies remained unfilled. Norman Mattingley added that Matthew Sorell had now become chairman.
Elva Ainsworth proposed adoption of the report, which was seconded by Mark Ainsworth. Elva and Mark spoke about the forthcoming survey of the state of ringing and requested the aid of associations in conducting this and ensuring a good response rate. It was hoped that most of the survey could be conducted electronically although some paper copies would be available. Tony Furnivall asked about plans to repeat the survey in future: there had been a long gap since the 1988 survey. Beryl Norris queried the decision not to use data from the 2007 survey as comparison; Mark Ainsworth noted that there had been significant differences between that and the 1988 survey. Anthony Lovell-Wood requested that association secretaries be copied in to all communications on the survey so that they could respond to any local queries. Lynne Hughes asked if the aim was to sample 10% of towers or all towers, and Paul Johnson asked if the aim was to sample 10% of ringers. Mark replied that the survey could be sent to all towers in a branch if so desired and again stressed that a good response rate was vital in providing an accurate snapshot of the state of ringing in 2015. Adoption of the report was agreed.
Andrew Wilby (co-opted), Elva Ainsworth and Tony Furnivall retired. There were 3 vacancies. The following members were proposed, seconded and elected: Elva Ainsworth, Tony Furnivall and Andrew Wilby.
(i) Towers and Belfries (pp441-442)
Adoption of the report was proposed by Tim Collins, seconded by Alan Frost and adopted.
Adrian Semken had died. George Dawson, Chris Povey and David Roskelly retired. There were 4 vacancies on the Committee. The following members were proposed, seconded and elected: George Dawson, Chris Povey and David Roskelly. One vacancy was unfilled.
Proposing adoption of the report, Ernie de Legh-Runciman noted that Guidance Note 1 on Insurance was currently being updated. Guidance agreed with EIG on tower open days would be available on the website shortly and a note on health and safety was being prepared. James Smith seconded. Peter Wilkinson stated that there had been a number of insurance issues within the Chester Diocesan Guild recently and a lack of consistent responses from EIG. James Smith replied that there could be good reasons for differing responses from EIG; the Committee was always willing to refer queries to a senior EIG officer for a definitive answer. Adoption of the report was agreed.
John Hall was no longer a Council member. Ernie de Legh-Runciman retired. The following members were proposed, seconded and elected to fill the 2 vacancies on the Committee: Ernie de Legh-Runciman and Chris Sharp.
(k) Bell Restoration (pp442-443)
Peter Wilkinson proposed adoption of the report. He informed members that, following the success of the seminar held at the Newbury Roadshow, a regional seminar would be held in the South-West later in 2015. The Council’s Bell Restoration Fund had received a legacy of £50,000 and this would be distributed in tranches with applications next being invited in 2016. Jay Bunyan seconded. The Committee lacked expertise in charity administration and Gift Aid issues and would welcome a new member with experience of these. Chris Rogers reported that a new Guidance Note on reclaiming VAT under the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme was available on the Committee’s stand that day and on the website. Adoption of the report was agreed.
John Barnes, Ken Davenport and Chris Rogers retired. There were 4 vacancies on the Committee. The following 3 members were proposed, seconded and elected: John Barnes, Ken Davenport and Chris Rogers. One vacancy was unfilled.
Proposing adoption of the report, John Harrison thanked Andrew Craddock, for supplying records from PealBase to the Committee, and Margaret Oram, who was not standing for re-election, for her work. He drew attention to the forthcoming event with the Library Committee in February 2016. Bobbie May seconded and the report was adopted.
Patrick Hickey, Bobbie May and Margaret Oram retired. The following members were proposed, seconded and elected to fill the 3 vacancies on the Committee: Anne Bray, Patrick Hickey and Bobbie May.
Paul Flavell proposed adoption of the report. He thanked Stuart Hutchieson for his contributions to the Committee. The number of compositions in the online collection continued to increase and supporting this now formed the major part of the Committee’s work, while members also produced articles on composers and helped current aspiring composers. Richard Allton seconded. The report was adopted.
Fred Bone and Stuart Hutchieson retired. The following members were proposed, seconded and elected to fill the 2 vacancies on the Committee: Fred Bone and Fergus Stracey.
Duncan Walker proposed adoption of the report and stated that the Committee wished to expand its membership in order to increase its outreach to guilds. Lucy Hopkins Till seconded and the report was adopted.
Tony Furnivall, Geoff Horritt, Catherine Lewis and Brian Sanders retired. Six members were proposed, seconded and elected to fill the 6 vacancies on the Committee: Veronica Downing, Christopher Fletcher, Tony Furnivall, Geoff Horritt, Catherine Lewis and Anne Sladen.
(o) Information and Communications Technology (p445)
Adoption of the report was proposed by Peter Trotman, who amended the penultimate point in the Committee’s report to read “work with Tony Smith to transfer his archives …”. The Committee had held a meeting on the previous day at which David Richards had become the new chairman. David Richards seconded and adoption of the report was then agreed.
Andrew Hall (co-opted), Alan Chantler, Stephen Nash and Stuart Piper retired. Four members were proposed and seconded to fill the 3 vacancies on the Committee. A motion to increase the size of the Committee was approved and the following were therefore declared elected: Jacqui Brown, Douglas Davis, Andrew Hall and Stuart Piper.
Proposing adoption of the report, Stella Bianco drew attention to the Librarian’s request for annual reports to fill gaps in the Library’s holdings and to the joint event with the Biographies Committee. She thanked Paul Johnson for all his work producing DVDs and announced that only a few copies of the latest DVD of The Ringing World remained for sale. Alan Glover seconded. Adoption of the report was agreed.
Linda Foddering and Jenny Lawrence retired. The following 2 members were proposed, seconded and elected to fill the 2 vacancies on the Committee: Linda Foddering and Jenny Lawrence.
15. Report of the Stewards of the Carter Ringing Machine Collection (RW 24th April 2015, pp446-447)
Adoption of the report was proposed by Bill Purvis, who reported that the first project mentioned in the last paragraph of the report had been completed. The Stewards would consider suggestions for video clips of the machines in operation. James Blackburn seconded. Matthew Sorell stated that a video clip taken that day had already been uploaded to the Internet. The report was agreed.
16. Report of the Steward of the Rolls of Honour (RW 24th April 2015, p447)
In proposing the report for adoption, Alan Regin added that a further 17 names were currently being added to the Rolls. Alan thanked The Ringing World for assistance in publishing accounts of the ringers killed in the Great War on the anniversaries of their deaths but added that alternative means of publication would also be explored as the numbers of those killed increased. Alan thanked ringers for their response to his requests for commemorative ringing and noted that 25 May was the centenary of the death of Private E J Hollox (Ely Diocesan Association). Derek Sibson seconded and adoption of the report was agreed.
17. Report of the Stewards of the Dove Database (RW 24th April 2015, pp447-448)
Adoption of the report was proposed by Tim Jackson, who reiterated the appeal for help contained in the Stewards’ report, and seconded by David Kelly. Replying to George Dawson, Tim noted that there had been no progress in transferring Dove to a new database. The President informed members that he had met with John Baldwin recently to discuss this and expected this project to move forward in the coming year. Robert Wood paid tribute to the vast amount of work done daily by the Stewards and urged more assistance for them to keep this vital resource for all ringers up-to-date. Tim Jackson stated that the Stewards were fully engaged in keeping the current system operational and up-to-date; he again requested any member who could assist with the future of Dove to contact the Stewards urgently. Adoption of the report was agreed.
This item was taken with the report of the Committee for Redundant Bells (item 14(f)) above.
The President thanked all the stewards and the trustees of the Rescue Fund for their work for the Council.
The President reminded members that invitations had been accepted for future years as follows:
Vivien Nobbs outlined plans for the visit of the Council to Portsmouth in 2016.
The Hon Secretary reported on attendance at the meeting as set out in the table below and thanked Stephen Franklin for compiling the attendance records.
(a) Brian Meads announced that the Annual Meeting of the Ringing Foundation would be held on Saturday 8 August in London.
(b) Catherine Lewis invited new members of the Education Committee to meet for photographs.
(c) Bobbie May, Biographies Committee, asked new members of the Council to meet for photographs.
(d) Alan Frost thanked the President for his chairmanship of the meeting (applause).
(e) The President sought agreement for the ballot papers to be destroyed and this was given.
(f) The Hon Secretary reminded members to return badges and, especially, badge holders.
(g) The Hon Secretary reminded members that there would be open ringing at Holy Trinity that evening.
The President thanked all members for their support during this meeting and throughout the year and all committee members for their work for ringing and the Council.
The President moved a comprehensive vote of thanks to all those involved in the Council’s visit to Hull: to the organising committee of the Beverley & District Ringing Society: John Atkinson, Rosina Baxter, James Blackburn, Bill Lennox, Simon Plows and Wendy Stabler; to all the members of the Society who manned the Reception / Help Desk; to ringing members from local towers who acted as Stewards for the ringing tours; to Society members who acted as Stewards at The Royal Hotel and at Holy Trinity Church; to the roving ringers, tellers, and microphone operatives; to Margaret & Neville Pailing for arranging the Saturday evening quiz; to the Society Chaplain, Reverend Giles Galley, for leading prayers; and especially to members of the Hutton Cranswick Church music group for providing the audio equipment; to the Lord Mayor of Kingston upon Hull, Councillor Mary Glew, and to James Blackburn, Ringing Master of the Beverley & District Ringing Society, for their welcome at the Dinner; to the Reverend Canon Dr Neal Barnes and the Reverend Irene Wilson for taking the Ringers’ Service and also participating in the BBC Radio 4 broadcast on Sunday morning; and to Mark Keith, organist at Holy Trinity Church, for providing the music at the church services and playing the Guildhall Carillon prior to the dinner; and to all the incumbents and ringers of local churches who made bells available during the weekend (applause).
The President declared the meeting closed at 4.48 p.m.
| Members | |||
| Societies | Present | Absent | |
| Fully represented | 43 | 123 | - |
| Partly represented | 21 | 49 | 17 |
| Not represented | 3 | - | 6 |
| 67 | 172 | 23 | |
| Life Members | 5 | 1 | |
| Ex-officio Members | 7 | - | |
| Additional Members | 8 | 2 | |
| 192 | 26 | ||
The Ringing World, October 2, 2015, pages 979 and 981 to 984
(Archivist’s note: also absent were David Willis (Additional) and Brian Sanders (Yorkshire Assn))