REPORT OF THE ANALYSIS COMMITTEE.

The Report of the Analysis Committee for the year 1921 is presented under the shadow of a great sorrow. The Analysis itself was almost complete, when we received the news that our Chairman had suddenly been called away to higher duties in another state of life. His work here will live after him. It was a great privilege and pleasure to know him, and to feel the attractiveness and force of his character. To the Analysis Committee the sense of loss is overwhelming.

The Analysis of peals rung during 1921 shows that the total is still mounting upwards towards the pre-war figure. The increase above the number of 1920 is 161, 150 on tower bells, and 11 on handbells, bringing the totals to 1,451 and 181, or a grand total of 1,632. This is greater than in any year before 1910, and is only 107 short of the 1911 total. Another 700 peals are wanted to come up to the huge totals of 1912 and 1913.

The Norwich and Ipswich Diocesan Association again heads the list in the number of both peals and points, viz., 189 peals, of which 18 were on handbells, and 3,336 points. Two other Societies have rung over 100 peals - the Midland Counties Association, 130 peals and 2,505 points, and the Lancashire Association, 102 peals and 1,449 points, and on tower bells in both cases. The highest average points per peal is that of the Durham and Newcastle Association, 32.956 for 23 peals and 758 points, St. Martin’s Guild coming next with an average of 27.717 for 46 peals, which included 27 peals of Stedman of which 20 were on handbells, viz., Cinques 17, Caters 5 and Triples 5. The total number of Surprise peals, not including Minor, was 188, or 32 more than the total of all peals recorded 40 years ago. The peals of Bristol were only half as many as in 1920, but Cambridge and Superlative show a large increase, peals of Major being 66 and 56, against 25 and 38. Cambridge Surprise seems to have come largely into favour, there being 5 peals of Maximus and 17 of Royal, making a total of 88 peals of Cambridge, without taking into account the many 720’s of Minor. Besides these methods we find one peal of Yorkshire Surprise Royal and one each of Yorkshire, Northampton, Norfolk and Suffolk Surprise Major. Double Norwich Major was also very popular, 105 peals against 76 last year. One peal of Royal and one of Maximus were also rung in the same method. Stedman and Grandsire Triples show a slight increase, and there were 10 more peals of Minor, but Doubles fell off from 94 to 88.

First peals recorded are 531; on tower bells, 14; inside, 44; away from tenor, 8; by local band, 11; in the method by local band, 10; on handbells, 31; on the bells, 62; after addition or re-hanging, 21; in the method on the bells, 183.

‘First peal as conductor,’ numbered 54, the methods rung being Doubles 12, Minor 11, Grandsire Triples 15, Stedman Triples 3, Bob Major 3, Treble Bob Major 7, Granta Variation 1, Superlative Major 1, and Grandsire Caters 1.

We also find first peals of Doubles 22, Minor 65, Triples 35, Major 91, Caters 67, Royal 38, Cinques 14, and Maximus 12. Of particular methods 24 are recorded as ringing their first peal ‘in the method’ in Doubles, 133 in different numbers of methods of Minor 151 in different Triples methods, 580 in Major methods, 73 Caters, 86 Royal, 27 Cinques, and 39 Maximus, making a total of 1,113. First in the method inside numbered 85.

Of new methods we find Yorkshire Surprise Royal, Plain and Medium Bob Royal on handbells, Gonville Variation of Treble Bob (on handbells), Granta Variation (on tower bells) besides a peal of Minor in 18 methods, and one in 24 (!) methods; also a peal of Stedman Caters on handbells by five brothers. The occasions of peals were much as usual, one novelty being a peal for the Festival (sic) of Advent.

The conductors of five peals and upwards are shown in the following list. Figures in brackets show the number of handbell peals conducted: 42 peals, A. H. Pulling (32); 35 peals, G. H. Cross (3); 32 peals, W. Pye; 31 peals, C. F. Bailey (11); 27 peals, W. H. J. Hooton (20); 25 peals, R. Sperring; 23 peals, E. Morris; 22 peals, G. Williams; 21 peals, F. Bennett; 20 peals, R. Richardson (8); 19 peals, K. Hart; 18 peals, J. E. Sykes; 17 peals, E. Jenkins, T. H. Taffender (5), J. Thomas (5); 15 peals, C. T. Coles; F. H. Dexter, G. F. Swann (8); 14 peals, R. Matthews, A. Walker (10); 13 peals, A. E. Edwards, W. C. Rumsey, A. Tomlinson; 12 peals, F. W. Naunton (1), G. R. Newton; 11 peals, E. M. Atkins (7), C. W. Clarke, J. T. Dyke. J. Lord, O. Sippetts, J. W. Washbrook, senr.; 10 peals, T. Groombridge, senr., S. H. Symonds (5); 9 peals, F. Borrett, C. Camm, C. Edwards, C. E. Fisher, E. C. Gobey, J. E. Groves (5), C. R. Lilley (3), W. Poston (2); 8 peals, W. E. Bason (3), N. R. Bailey, F. Chamberlain, Rev. H. L. James (4), J. Motts, W. Page (1), H. J. Poole; 7 peals, W. H. Barber (1), J. A. Gofton (3), T. T. Gofton (2), J. Houldsworth, G. R. Jones, W. Keeble (2), B. A. Knights, R. G. Knowles, H. Langdon (2), J. D. Matthews (2); 6 peals, G. Billenness, H. J. Chaffey, J. H. Cheeseman, R. F. Deal, J. Fernley, H. Hall, A. Knights, W. T. Last, R. C. Loveday, J. Monk, F. Skevington, L. J. Williams, C. F. Winney (1), A. Wright; 5 peals, W. J. Allen, J. Austin, W. Ayre (1), E. Barnett, senr., G. Cattermole, G. T. Croft, A. Dean, L. A. Goodenough, T. Groombridge, junr. (1), R. Howard, H. Knight, H. Mance, J. Oldham, A. Panther, G. R. Pye, N. Spindlow, T. Tebbutt, S. Thomas, A. H. Ward, W. Welling, J. H. W. White.

There were also 34 conductors of four peals, 49 of three peals, 71 of two peals, and 227 of one peal. All the band took part in conducting two peals one of Minor and one of Doubles; one peal of Doubles had two conductors; one peal of Grandsire Triples was rung non-conducted, and one peal of Stedman Triples was published without the conductor’s name.

Six peals of above 7,000 changes were rung; a peal of 10,043 Grandsire Caters by the Oxford Diocesan Guild, 8,336 College Single Major by the Yorkshire Association, 7,488 Plain Bob Major by the Central Northants Association, 7,360 Treble Bob Major by the Suffolk County Association, 7,104 Treble Bob Major by the Norwich and Ipswich Association, and 7,011 Stedman Caters by the Middlesex Association.

Of the 178 peals of Treble Bob Major on tower bells, 138 were rung in the Kent Variation, 33 in the Oxford Variation, other variations being mentioned in the footnotes to the Analysis. Of the handbell peals 6 were in the Kent and 2 in the Oxford Variation.

The peals rung month by month in 1920 and 1921 are shown below:

The total number of peals rung year by year since 1881 is as follows:-

MINOR METHODS.

At the Council meeting in 1921, it was decided that the names claimed for all unnamed Minor methods in the Collection should be sent to the Librarian within six months, after which the Analysis Committee should proceed to name the remainder.

The Librarian’s list which we have received, however goes beyond the six months, which expired on November 17th, 1921. Names were accepted for Nos. 20, 21, 27 Plain methods, and No. 33 Third’s Place Delight at dates between December 19th, 1921, and January 31st, 1922. Of these No. 21 has long been known as Cumberland, and No. 27 is called in both ‘the Clavis’ and ‘Shipway,’ Stedman Slow Course, the name which is given in the Collection to No.9. The Collection differs also in several other cases from Monk’s Art of Ringing, the ‘Clavis’ and ‘Shipway.’ Possibly the compilers may have had some earlier source of information, which has not come to us; but if not, the principle of priority of use would seem to settle the matter. These points are, however, outside the limits of the reference to the Analysis Committee, but we feel that this real difficulty should be removed.

In the hope that the whole subject may soon be taken in hand, so that an end may be put to the state of chaos which exists in the nomenclature of Minor methods we leave these names alone and append a schedule showing the names which we have given to the rest of the unnamed methods.

We are in possession of a very large amount of research work concerning nomenclature, which has been done principally by a member of our Committee, and we should be ready to undertake this task if the Council so desires. In that case we should be governed by the principle of priority, and the advisability of retaining as much as possible, consistent with our present definitions, all that has been in use in the past.

It will be seen that the Committee, in giving new names, have given different classes of names, e.g., flowers, etc. to different classes of methods.

The Committee feel strongly that some central authority should be appointed to control nomenclature in the future, and so prevent difficulties arising which may extend beyond Minor methods.

NAMES OF UNNAMED MINOR METHODS.

PLAIN METHODS - LAKES.

16, Killarney; 18, Loch Lomond; 22, Windermere.

TREBLE BOB METHODS - FLOWERS.

16, Shamrock; 17, Bluebell; 20, Daffodil; 21, Fuchsia; 22, Foxglove; 23, Hyacinth; 24, Marigold; 27, Dahlia; 28, Geranium.

FOURTH’S PLACE DELIGHT METHODS - ABBEYS.

1, Evesham; 2, Tewkesbury; 22, Waltham; 29, Glastonbury; 30, Tintern; 31, Sherborne; 32, Fountains; 33, Melrose.

THIRD’S PLACE DELIGHT METHODS - CASTLES.

3, Conway; 4, Carnarvon; 5, Ludlow; 6, Warwick; 7, Kenilworth; 9, Edinboro’; 21, Stirling; 23, Richborough; 24, Conisboro’; 32, Belvoir; 41, Fotheringhay; 42, Dover.

The Ringing World March 26th,1922, pages 329 and 331

REPORT OF TOWERS AND BELFRIES COMMITTEE.

During the year 1921-22 the members of your committee have been consulted individually with regard to schemes of rehanging, etc., and advice has been given in some half-dozen cases.

At the end of 1921 your committee got into touch with the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings and the members have attended four conferences with that society. As a result a statement has been drawn up setting out the points upon which your committee and the society are agreed in connection with the hanging of bells in old church towers. It is proposed that this document, after final revision, shall be printed and circulated to the ecclesiastical authorities concerned, including the Diocesan Advisory Committees, which have been recently set up. The society suggest that the expense of printing and circulation should be shared by the two parties to the conferences, and your committee ask for authority to contribute a sum not exceeding five pounds towards this cost.

For the purpose of these conferences your committee co-opted the Rev. C. W. O. Jenkyn, and they request the Council to confirm this co-option to the committee.

The Ringing World, June 2nd, 1922, page 345

THE CENTRAL COUNCIL.

TUESDAY’S MEETING AT LINCOLN.

The 29th annual meeting of the Central Council (the second session of the eleventh Council) was held in the historic Chapter House at Lincoln Cathedral on Tuesday, when 56 members were present as follows:-

Ancient Society of College Youths.- Mr. A. A. Hughes.
Bath and Wells Diocesan.- Mr. J. Hunt.
Bedfordshire.- Mr. A. E. Sharman.
Chester Diocesan.- Rev. A. T. Beeston and Mr. W. Bibby.
Central Northants.- Messrs. E. M. Atkins, D. J. Nichols and F. Wilford.
Ely Diocesan.- Mr. T. R. Dennis.
Gloucester and Bristol.- Mr. W. A. Cave.
Kent County.- Rev. F. J. O. Helmore, Messrs. E. Barnett, senr., and T. Groombridge.
Ladies’ Guild.- Miss E. K. Parker.
Lancashire.- Rev. Canon H. J. Elsee and Mr. W. E. Wilson.
Lincoln Diocesan.- Rev. H. Law James, Messrs. G. Chester and R. Richardson and J. W. Seamer.
Llandaff and Monmouth Diocesan.- Mr. J. W. Jones.
London County.- Mr. E. A. Young.
Middlesex County.- Mr. C. T. Coles.
Midland Counties.- Alderman R. B. Chambers, Messrs. J. Griffin, Pryce Taylor and W. Willson.
North Notts.- Mr. H. Haigh.
Norwich, St. Edmundsbury and Ipswich.- Messrs. G. P. Burton, A. L. Coleman and A. E. Reeves.
Oxford Diocesan.- Rev. Canon Coleridge, Rev. C. W. O. Jenkyn, Messrs. F. Hopgood and J. Evans.
Peterborough and districts.- Mr. R. Narborough.
Royal Cumberland Youths.- Mr. J. Parker.
St. Edmundsbury and Ipswich.- Rev. H. Drake and Mr. C. Mee.
Salisbury Diocesan.- Rev. F. Ll. Edwards, Major Hughes D’Aeth, Mr. T. H. Beams.
Surrey.- Messrs. C. F. Johnston and C. Dean.
Warwickshire.- Mr. H. Argyle.
Winchester.- Mr. G. Williams.
Worcestershire.- Messrs. A. E. Parsons and W. Short.
Yorkshire.- Rev. C. C. Marshall.
Honorary Members.- Revs. E. W. Carpenter and C. D. P. Davies, Alderman J. S. Pritchett, Messrs. H. Chapman, J. George, J. W. Parker and E. W. Wilde.

The chair was taken by the President (Canon Coleridge), who opened the proceedings with prayer.

The Dean of Lincoln then extended a welcome to the Council. He remarked that it was a critical time for them in Lincoln, for they were hard up, and one of their towers was in danger. As ringers they would sympathise with the authorities, because, he believed he was right in saying, the very creation of a tower was due to the development of bell ringing. If it had not been for the Christian art in which they were all particularly interested they might never have had any towers. In that cathedral, the first chapel he had the pleasure of helping to restore had been called the Ringers’ Chapel, and they would find upon its walls the names of the captains of the ringers from the time when ringing developed, down to the days of the Civil War, when many of their fine old windows and beautiful brasses were destroyed. The record of the names was continued from 1913, when the chapel was restored. He hoped they would be satisfied that it had been taken out of the category of a lumber room, and had been restored for Christian worship. The Lincolnshire ringers had in mind the idea of perpetuating those of their number who had fallen in the war by adding to the peal at the Cathedral, which had been recast in his (the Dean’s) time. The only thing he would now like to recast was ‘Great Tom,’ which, he was told, was out of tune with itself. He offered the Council a hearty welcome to Lincoln.

The President expressed the Council’s thanks for the welcome given to them, and for his kindness in placing the Chapter House at their disposal.

Apologies for absence were received from the Rev. A. H. Boughey, the Rev. C. E. Matthews, Major J. H. B. Hesse, Messrs. R. A. Daniell, W. R. Small, P. J. Johnson, W. J. Nevard, A. Paddon Smith, W. Lawrence, J. R. Sharman, G. Bolland, A. Roberts, W. T. Cockerill, C. Edwards, W. Shepherd and W. Storey.

The President explained that owing to an important engagement in London he would have to leave early, much to his regret, as he had not missed a meeting since the Council was formed.

It was resolved that Ald. J. S. Pritchett (who is Recorder of Lincoln) should take the chair on the president’s departure, and the President humorously remarked that he felt sure that if the Recorder had known he was to preside, he would have come in his silk stockings and full bottom wig (laughter).

The President made reference to the loss which the Council had sustained by the death of Mr. A. T. King, and the members expressed their sympathy with the widow and relatives by rising in silence.

The Hon. Secretary and Treasurer (Mr. E. A. Young) presented the financial statement, which showed that the year began with £73 10s. 6d. in hand, and that affiliation fees amounted to £12 2s. 6d., interest on stock to £4 5s. 8d., and sale of publications to £2 13s. 8d. The expenditure was £17 6s. 8d., leaving £2 10s. in hand, and a balance at bank of £74 10s.

In reply to Alderman Pritchett it was stated that there was in addition £100 invested.

The Hon. Librarian (the Rev. C. W. O. Jenkyn) reported that during the twelve months 469 copies of publications had been sold, against 419 in the previous year. The profits on the sales were £2 13s. 8d., against £3 17s. 9d., but the reduced profit was due to the increased cost of advertising. With regard to the library, it grew slowly, and he now had the records of ringing news from 1871 to the present date, with the exception of five years - 1901, 1902 and 1906 to 1909.

Mr. Chapman said Mr. Samuel Wood, of Ashton-under-Lyne, had all the ‘Bell News’ from the beginning, which he would be willing to give to the library, and the offer of the copies to complete the collection was accepted with thanks.

The Rev. A. H. Boughey, Mr. H. Chapman, Mr. J. W. Parker, and the Rev. H. S. T. Richardson were re-elected hon. members, and it was resolved not to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. A. T. King.

Mr. H. W. Wilde made a report for the Peal Collection Committee, stating that the Rev. H. S. T. Richardson was engaged in the proof and checking of peals of Treble Bob with tenors parted.

It was intimated that the typed copies of the Collection of Treble Bob peals were available for loan to any ringer on applying to the librarian, and paying postage.

Mr. W. Willson presented a report for the Literature and Press Committee, stating that they were on the alert for any Bill inimical to the interests of ringers which might be introduced into Parliament, and that the committee were prepared to give their assistance to any company where any local attempt was made to suppress change ringing.- The report was adopted.

With Alderman Pritchett in the chair, the Council proceeded to the consideration of the Method Committee’s report, made by the Rev. H. Law James, who stated that they had been waiting since 1913 for their work to be published, and suggested that in view of estimates they had received, they might be rewarded for their work by having the collection of Plain Major methods published.

On the motion of Mr. J. Griffin, it was resolved that the printing of these methods be proceeded with.

It was also decided to leave to the committee the responsibility of naming the methods or otherwise.

The Rev. E. W. Carpenter presented the Peals Analysis Committee’s report, already published in our columns, and this was adopted, Mr. J. W. Parker being added to the committee to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. King.

On the report of the Towers and Belfries Committee, the Council confirmed the co-option of the Rev. C. W. O. Jenkyn, who presented the report (already published), and paid a tribute to the splendid work of Mr. E. H. Lewis in connection with the negotiations with the Society for the Preservation of Ancient Buildings.

The report of the Records Committee was presented by the Rev. A. T. Beeston, and accepted. The question of the publication of the schedule of performances was left over until next year.

Alderman Chambers moved a resolution, that it is desirable to establish in the area of each ringing association a Bell Restoration Fund, from which grants may be made for the restoration of any rings of bells within the area when local funds are insufficient to meet the cost.

A suggestion made by the Chairman that the motion be made to read, ‘the county and diocesan associations be asked to consider the possibility of establishing in their respective areas’ such a fund was accepted by the mover, and in this form the motion was carried.

The Rev. C. D. P. Davies called attention to certain references in Snowdon’s ‘Grandsire’ to Holt’s ten-part and six-part peals of Grandsire Triples, and produced figures to contradict the assertion that in each case the two halves of these peals began at the same place.

On the motion of the Rev. H. Drake, it was resolved that a card of instructions on the care and use of bells suitable for hanging in a tower be drawn up, the assistance of Messrs. C. Johnston, P. Taylor and A. A. Hughes being sought in the matter.

Another motion by the Rev. H. Drake, that every tower should be officially affiliated to some one society and only one, was defeated by a large majority.

The Council discussed a motion that the Standing Committee ‘consider the advisability and practicability of proving and recording all new compositions before being rung or published,’ but the proposal was defeated.

It was resolved to appoint a special committee in connection with the exhibit upon campanology at the Science Museum South Kensington, and the following were appointed: Revs. C. D. P. Davies, C. W. O. Jenkyn and E. Bankes James, Messrs. E. A. Young, C. F. Johnston, A. Hughes, Pryce Taylor, and E. H. Lewis.

A resolution, of which Mr. J. H. Banks (Lancashire Association) had sent late notice, was formally moved by Canon Elsee to the effect that in future no method be named after a county or county town without the consent of the principal ringing association within the area.

The motion, however, did not find favour, and was defeated.

Several places were proposed for next year’s meeting, and Salisbury was eventually chosen.

On the motion of Mr. J. Griffin, it was resolved to communicate officially a report of the proceedings of the Council to the affiliated associations, by sending to each a reprint of the summary appearing in ‘The Ringing World.’

It was also resolved that the Roll of Honour of fallen ringers should be suitably inscribed and deposited in the library.

The last two resolutions were put forward upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee.

Votes of thanks to the Dean and Chapter and to the Chairman terminated the business.

The members afterwards inspected the Cathedral under the guidance of the Dean.

A collection during the day, in aid of the Cathedral Restoration Fund, realised nine guineas.

In the evening the visitors were the guests at tea of the Lincoln Diocesan Guild, and later indulged in ringing on various peals of bells in the city.

The Ringing World, June 9th, 1922, pages 361 and 363

THE CENTRAL COUNCIL.

COMMITTEE REPORTS.

In presenting a statement on behalf of the Peal Collection Committee, Mr. H. W. Wilde pointed out that the Rev. H. S. T. Richardson was engaged in checking and proving the peals of Treble Bob Major with tenors parted. This work took up a lot of time. He (Mr. Wilde) thought it would be interesting to know from the librarian whether the typed copies of the Collection of Treble Bob peals had been made use of.

The Hon. Librarian (the Rev. C. W. O. Jenkyn) said only one application had been received, and that was from Bristol. He would like it understood that ringers had only to make application and pay the postage, which was about 1s., to have the loan of one of the copies.

The Rev. H. Law James thought the question was, was the Librarian prepared to receive a copy of a peal and see if it was in the Collection or not. When he (the speaker) prepared the Lincoln Diocesan Guild report every year, he received compositions for insertion. Perhaps he got a peal of Treble Bob, said to be composed by Mr. Somebody. He would go through Snowdon, and through this and that, and would be unable to find it, and yet, when he looked at the peal, it was as old as the hills, though he could not find it anywhere. Could they go to the Collection and see if it were there?

The Librarian: I do not see why the Peal Collection Committee should not have a copy in their possession.

This suggestion was acted upon, and the Librarian authorised to part with a copy to the Chairman of the Peal Collection Committee.

RINGING DEFENCE.

The following report of the ‘Literature and Press Committee,’ under the heading of the ‘Ringing Defence Committee,’ was submitted by Mr. W. W. Willson, who recalled the fact that a year ago the Ringing Defence Committee was appointed and incorporated with the Literature and Press Committee. It was intended that the report should have been published before the meeting in ‘The Ringing World,’ but owing to the lethargy of certain members of the committee it had taken him twelve months to get four letters, and then the last of them was too late to permit the report being published before the meeting. He would suggest if the Council were spending any money, that they should lay in a stock of ginger (laughter). The report was as follows:

Those who follow the deliberations of the Central Council will know that a committee of five, incorporating the Literature and Press Committee, was appointed to watch the interests of ringing and to meet attacks which may from time to time be organised against church bells. The following represents the opinions of the committee as to the course to be taken:-

(1) Legislation.- To request a member of the House of Commons to watch our interests is impracticable, as no member’s seat is permanent. Your committee will, however, always be on the alert should any Bill inimical to our interests be brought in. In such case, before the Bill passed its ‘Committee stage,’ we should circularise each Association secretary, who would then send a protest in the name of his Association to the sitting Parliamentary members for the area covered by the Association, with a request to oppose the Bill, or a particular clause in the Bill. Your committee will be prepared for any contingency, and seeing that between the first or second reading of the Bill, and its Committee stage, a considerable period elapses, ringers need be under no apprehension that a surprise measure can be sprung upon the Exercise.

(2) Attacks in the Press.- It is not desirable as a rule to answer every discontented objector to bell ringing; but in cases where the local company have reasons to think that an attempt is being made to suppress change ringing, this committee will, if requested, use its influence in the ringers’ interests with the authorities responsible. In such instances, the secretary or captain of the tower should state the case concisely to the Secretary of the Central Council, and the Committee will then assist the company to fight their battle so far as it is possible to do so.

The Rev. F. Ll. Edwards thought it would interest the Council to hear of the way in which one objection was dealt with recently and that without any intervention on the part of the Committee. It was a parish in which it had been the custom not to ring the bells for practice between the months of May and October, although they were always rung on Sundays. Some young and energetic spirits came on the scene and obtained leave to practise during the summer months. One evening the Vicar was stopped by an elderly inhabitant who complained about this additional ringing. He said in his young days the bells of that church were never rung for practice during the summer, and such thing ought not to be. Just as he was ventilating his grievance a charabanc passed. ‘You see a good many of these go through the village now, don’t you?’ said the Vicar. ‘Yes,’ replied the old man. ‘You didn’t see many of them in your young days, did you?’ said the Vicar. ‘No, we didn’t,’ was the reply. ‘You see,’ said the Vicar, ‘you have to move with the times. You can no more stop the bells being rung in the summer than you can stop these charabancs going through the parish,’ which effectively silenced the ‘complaint.’ Nor was that all, on the following Thursday the Vicar appeared in the belfry for the first time since he had been in the parish, and took a rope with the ringers for he was a ringer himself (applause). That was the kind of spirit the Council wanted to encourage. As to any possible legislation in Parliament, the thing to be watched before all else was the granting by the Ministry of Health of any additional powers to local authorities. It was when local authorities had extensive and indefinite powers given them, to deal with whole classes of what they considered nuisances, that the danger arose. It was a modern fashion to decree that cocks should not crow, and it did not need a very great stretch of imagination to conceive that they might add to that that bells should not ring.

Mr. G. P. Burton said the scheme the Committee had outlined was about all that could be expected of them. It was impossible to watch all the Press. Often the Press attacked them in a subtle way, and recently a gross libel on ringing appeared in one of the daily papers, which stated that the cracking of the tower at Lincoln cathedral was caused by the bells, when, as a matter of fact, there were no bells at all in the tower. That was the kind of thing that it was very difficult, if not impossible, to correct.

On the motion of Mr. A. L. Coleman, seconded by Mr. W. A. Cave, the report was adopted.

CANON COLERIDGE’S HONOUR.

At this stage, Alderman Pritchett took the chair, and said he highly appreciated the compliment that was paid him by electing him as temporary chairman. He was sorry they were to lose their President for the day, but he had had conferred upon him a great honour in Freemasonry, and he was going to London to receive that honour, or the insignia of it at the hands of the Duke of Connaught (applause). Canon Coleridge had been appointed Provincial Grand Chaplain of the Mark Masons of England (applause). Their president had said that he (the speaker) was an important man in the City of Lincoln. He believed theoretically he was second to the Mayor, and before everyone else. As a modest individual he did not lay stress on that, but if he could in any way lay claim to represent the City of Lincoln, in the absence of the Major, and on behalf of the City, he gave them a most cordial welcome. Had the Chapter House not been available, and had they applied for the use of the Council Chamber, he believed they would have got it. That too, was a venerable building, and had they met there he was sure the Mayor would have been present to welcome them (applause).

PLAIN MAJOR METHODS TO BE PRINTED.

The Rev. H. Law James, on behalf of the Methods Committee, reported that they were generally still in the same position as they were last year, but they had moved on in one way. He had got a letter from Mr. Lewis regretting that he could not be there, and stating that he had an estimate for printing the Plain Major Methods, and the estimate was just about £20. They had been waiting, he believed, since 1913 to print these methods. They had done their work, and now that the price had come as low as it had he thought they might be rewarded by having the methods printed. They could sell them at a shilling a copy and make a profit.

Mr. J. Griffin seconded. He said the matter had been before the Standing Committee that morning, and they recommended that the tender of ‘The Ringing World’ to print 500 copies each of the Collection of Plain Major Methods and the Collection of Little Methods be accepted. The Standing Committee had come to the conclusion that the work done by the Methods Committee should receive recognition by the publication of the Collections. The Committee had every confidence that members of the Exercise would take these copies, and eventually the Council would be reimbursed.

The Rev. F. Ll. Edwards seconded.

The Rev. H. Law James asked whether the Committee were to name the methods before publication, or to do as was done when the Minor methods were published, leave them without names and allow those who rang them to name them.

The Chairman suggested that the Committee should take the responsibility, and name them or leave them without names as they thought fit.- The motion was carried.

The Ringing World, June 16th, 1922, page 377

PEAL ANALYSIS COMMITTEE’S REPORT.

The Rev. E. W. Carpenter, in moving the adoption of the Peal Analysis Committee’s Report, referred to the great loss which the committee especially had sustained by the death of Mr. A. T. King. They felt they had sustained an appreciable loss. Proceeding, he said, the Council would notice that in the first part of the report certain things were missing which they had been accustomed to include in former years. Mr. King spent a very great deal of time and labour in getting out particulars, for instance, of the Grandsire Triples peals that were wrong, that he had not done for the past year when he was called away, and the committee did not think they could undertake the work at the time, and indeed they felt it was rather a work of supererogation. He did not know whether the Council would like to have these particulars in future, and he would also like to know whether the committee considered it was necessary to continue the long table of the number of peals rung year by year, since 1881. The committee thought if they gave the figures for the past two or three years it would be sufficient.

Another alteration which they had made in the arrangements or the Analysis was to divide the tower bell peals from the handbell peals. It has facilitated the binding up of the paper, and it also showed more clearly what had been done in the way of handbell ringing.

POINTS FOR PEALS.

The Rev. H. Law James suggested that the Council should relieve the committee of the great waste of time of calculating the points for peals. They were no good, and only gave the committee a lot of work.

Mr. T. H. Beams said to drop the points would be to eliminate the only thing by which they were able to compare the standard of ringing in different parts of the country. The report upon the analysis was then adopted.

UNNAMED MINOR METHODS.

The Rev. E. W. Carpenter then referred to the question of the naming of unnamed Minor Methods. He said the Council would remember that last year the librarian was asked to receive names up to a period of six months from the last meeting, but he appeared to have gone on receiving them for some time after that. The committee found that there would be so much difficulty in going back over the names that they thought the simplest way out of it was to take the librarian’s list and give names to those unnamed methods that were left. They had also looked into the names given to the methods by members of the Methods Committee when the collection was published, and they could not agree with them. In several instances they had called attention to the name given to No. 9 of Plain Methods called by the committee ‘Stedman Slow Course,’ but that name many years before was given to quite another method. Then, too, some of the methods had two or three, and one had at least four different names, and they felt it would be a most excellent thing to have some committee, either their own or some other committee appointed for the special purpose of going into the whole question, and see if they could not decide what were the original names that should appear in the Collection. If they had the permission of the Council to go into the matter, they would like to add to their committee the name of Mr. J. W. Parker, who, he was glad to say, was ready to serve, and they would be only too pleased to have him on it (applause).

The Rev. H. Law James (chairman of the Methods Committee) said the name of Stedman Slow Course to No. 9 was obviously wrong, and both names were circulated among the members of the committee before being printed. This mistake was never found out. He had no objection to the Analysis Committee taking over the naming of methods.

Mr. G. P. Burton said in view of the extraordinary names which had been given to new methods in the past, he hoped that only the committee would be allowed to name them in the future.

The librarian (the Rev. C. W. O. Jenkyn) apologised to the Council for having overstepped his instructions with regard to receiving names for methods, and stated that he absolutely overlooked the fact that the Peals Analysis Committee were to be the authority after the end of six months from the last meeting. He had received a large number of claims which the committee are to go through and settle once for all, and he thought the best means of doing so would be to meet round the table, and not to conduct it by correspondence (hear, hear).

The Rev. E. W. Carpenter pointed out that there was one practical difficulty to their meeting round a table. One member resided near Southampton, another at Sunderland, a third in the extreme east of the country and another in the west.

The Chairman: We have some excellent round tables in Birmingham.

The Rev. A. T. Beeston called attention to the fact that the committee suggested that a central authority should be established, to which inventors of methods should send the names they proposed to give to such methods, and that that central authority should decide whether the suggested name should be the name to be given to it, as they would then be able to see that the name was not borne by any other method. The confusion existing in the nomenclature of Minor Methods was likely to extend to the Major; in fact, a beginning had taken place, as they saw when a claim to the name of ‘Lancashire Surprise Major’ was made for a peal rung in Lancashire. When, however, it was pointed out that a method published in 1907 already bore the name of Lancashire Surprise, the band readily consented to change it to Northampton. He mentioned that fact to show that the tendency to confusion was likely to extend to Major Methods, and he hoped the Methods Committee would undertake the naming of the methods which they were now authorised to publish.

The portion of the report relating to the naming of methods was then put to the meeting, and carried, and Mr. J. W. Parker was added to the committee.

THE TOWERS AND BELFRIES COMMITTEE.

The Towers and Belfries Committee’s Report, which has already appeared in ‘The Ringing World,’ was presented by the Rev. C. W. O. Jenkyn, whose co-option on the committee was confirmed by the Council. Mr. Jenkyn said the conferences between the Council and the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings were well attended, and were extraordinarily interesting. It was no detriment to anyone else who was present to say that the man who absolutely gathered everybody round him, and brought light out of darkness, was Mr. Lewis. He came with his figures and his personality, and tackled every objection in his quiet and convincing way. He placed his figures on the table and invited the other society to produce someone to test them. They found someone who was a great mathematician and engineer, who went through Mr. Lewis’s figures and found they were absolutely correct. Their opinion of Mr. Lewis went extraordinarily high, and there had never been such good feeling between the society and that Council as existed at the present. He did not think the society ever had before such ideas of what might be done in hanging bells in ancient towers as they had at present (applause).

The Hon. Secretary, Mr. A. E. Young, said he attended every one of the meetings, and could fully bear out everything Mr. Jenkyn had said, while Major Hesse had written that the committee had thoroughly justified itself in the very fine work it had done this year.

The Rev C. D. P. Davies said he had had a letter from Mr. Lewis, which contained one important sentence. Mr. Lewis wrote:- ‘The main object for which the committee was set up is to my mind accomplished’ - the main object being, of course, to try and get a settlement to which both sides could agree - ‘but I imagine it would be useful to continue the committee for the alternative purpose, and particularly with reference to the new diocesan bodies, which will be universal in the near future.’ He thought Mr. Lewis was very wise in advising that the Towers and Belfries Committee should be conducted so that they might watch those new diocesan bodies, and consult with them when they were asked for their advice, or when they thought it would be good to give it.

The adoption of the report was proposed by Canon Elsee, seconded by the Rev. F. J. O. Helmore.

The Hon. Secretary stated that copies of the statement arrived at at the conference were on the table for perusal, but they were not yet for publication, as they had not yet been approved by either party.

The Rev. H. Drake pointed out that the Council’s pamphlet on ‘More of Church Bells’ was out of print, and asked whether it would not be advisable to get this committee to bring out a new edition, bearing in mind the new information that was presented in the report of the conference.

The Rev. C. W. O. Jenkyn said it was understood that a revision of the pamphlet was necessary, and it might be a good thing for the committee to take it in hand.- The report was adopted, and the Chairman congratulated the committee upon the very useful work it had done.

THE WORK OF THE RECORDS COMMITTEE.

The Rev. A. T. Beeston presented the report of the Records Committee, whose terms of reference were ‘that the Central Council compile and keep up to date an official list of the first peal, and the longest length in each method, and on each number of bells.’ In the last report, the committee recommended the publication of the schedule of first performances and greatest lengths, in order that the details given might be examined, and the inaccuracies pointed out, but after considering the cost, the committee felt unable to proceed without the Council’s knowledge of the amount and definite instructions to do so, especially in view of the prior and heavy call upon the funds of the Council for the publication of other matters. In this connection they were, therefore, marking time until they learned the Council’s will, meanwhile they had gone on with the necessary research work they had done.

They had been or were now in communication with the secretaries of all the Affiliated Associations, and the result was embodied in a revised schedule. They had thought well to include in it the findings of the late Jasper W. Snowdon, and in consequence the list was considerably lengthened. The original terms of reference had required them to register all record performances up to date. There were a few additions to the list of progressive lengths, and appreciable progress had been made in new methods or new variations of old methods. The work still remained incomplete; the committee believed records of performances might be found in places of which they were as yet unaware. Quite recently they had learned that such records had appeared in the old periodicals, ‘Bell’s Life’ and the ‘Sporting Magazine.’ It was not, therefore, unlikely that some of the records the committee had already registered might require correction in the light of future discoveries. Mr. Daniell and Mr. Trollope had research work in hand for the committee at the British Museum. The committee wished gratefully to acknowledge their assistance; also the kindness of Mr. Davies in lending one of his volumes of ‘Church Bells.’ They were further indebted to those honorary secretaries of associations who had examined and returned the lists submitted to them.

It was agreed that in view of the fact that there were still other particulars to add to the schedule, that the printing of this schedule should stand over for another year.- The report was adopted.

BELL RESTORATION FUND.

Alderman Chambers moved the following resolution:-

‘That it is desirable to establish in the area of each ringing association a Bell Restoration Fund, from which grants may be made for the restoration of any rings of bells within the area when local funds are insufficient to meet the cost.’

He said the necessity for such a fund had been pressed upon him on several occasions. It would be very desirable to have such a fund available for the larger restoration work that had to be undertaken. In every parish where there was a ring of bells there ought to be some fund provided locally for keeping the bells in order. They had a notable instance of this at Duffield, and one could only wish that the same sort of thing could be done in other places. They did not, however, find enthusiasts like the late Sir Arthur Heywood in every part of the country. In the absence of that it might be possible to establish a bell repair fund, apart from the general fund of each of the associations. At the last two meetings of the Midland Counties Associations he had been asked as president to make special appeals - last year for St. Martin’s, this year for two peals of bells in Derby - and it did seem that some further help might be forthcoming if they had any central fund upon which they could fall back. Last year, the President had pointed out that the Council had always refrained from interfering with the business of local associations, and that practically every association had a fund of this kind, or was ready to make grants, and he did not see that the Council could give instructions. With all deference, he (Alderman Chambers) did not think anyone suggested that it would be a matter of instructions, but merely a recommendation from that Council that should receive consideration at the hands of the various associations. He thought it was a mistake to assume that most associations had repair funds. They had in a few cases, but he should say certainly not half of them had such a fund of that description available. In remote country districts and sparsely inhabited neighbourhoods it was very difficult indeed to carry out any important work of restoration, and he thought the supply which he proposed would be in. the right direction.

Mr. W. Willson, who seconded, said the ringers wore out the church bells, and it was their place to contribute something towards their restoration.

Mr. A. E. Parsons said he thought this matter was a domestic affair and not one for that Council to legislate upon. There were already societies which have their own funds to carry on this work, and they were really doing good work. If the Midland Counties Association felt disposed to institute a similar fund, they could get some helpful information from the societies who already had them, and amongst them, he was pleased to say, the Worcester Association was one.

The Rev. C. D. P. Davies suggested as an amendment that the opening of the resolution should read: ‘That Diocesan and County Associations be asked to consider the advisability of establishing in the area of each Ringing Association,’ etc. He said he entirely agreed with the spirit of the motion, but he thought the amendment was the more desirable form for it to take. Mr. F. Hopgood seconded.

Mr. James George said that there were good peals of bells in the towns as well as in the country districts that required restoration work, and where it would end he did not know. He was afraid that such a scheme as proposed would lead to a good deal of selfishness and dissatisfaction, although he agreed that if it could be properly carried out it would be a good thing.

Alderman Chambers intimated that he was prepared to accept the amendment proposed by the Rev. C. D. P. Davies.

The Chairman said he was glad of that, because he was going to point out that supposing they passed the resolution they had no power to compel it being carried out. It might be disregarded, and the Council would then look rather foolish in passing a resolution which they could not enforce. Ringers were never backward in contributing to bell restoration funds, and in Birmingham they had done a good deal, having contributed considerably to improve the peal of bells at St. Martin’s. He had found that ringers always gave to the best of their means. He would like at that point to make a practical suggestion, and that was before they adjourned for luncheon that they should make a collection towards the restoration fund of Lincoln Cathedral. They had been favoured by the Dean and Chapter with the use of that magnificent Chapter House, and they sympathised deeply with the Cathedral authorities in their efforts to preserve that noble edifice in its integrity, and to check the first signs of decay a large sum of money was required, and subscriptions were not so handsome as one would have hoped. Every little helped, and he appealed to the members of the Council to contribute towards that noble object.

Canon Elsee said he greatly questioned whether the resolution proposed by Alderman Chambers, would be of great practical benefit. They all sympathised with those who had spoken about a Central Fund, but as a matter of fact he thought that such a Central Fund would produce too small an amount.

The Chairman: It is not proposed that there should be a Central Fund.

Canon Elsee said he was thinking of a Central Fund for a diocese of a county. The amount gathered by ringers in such an area would make up but a very small part of the cost of the restoration of a ring of bells, or of increasing a ring of bells. One could not oppose the loan, but he greatly doubted if it would have any great practical benefit. It seemed to him in the case of bell restorations that the real sources of income came with local feeling and local interest, and if a Central Fund for an Association did anything it would be very little.

Mr. G. P. Burton endorsed the views of Canon Elsee, and said they ought to be careful before putting forward anything which would add to the burdens of Associations.

The Chairman said they had got quite a harmless resolution, which merely invited local Associations to consider whether the matter was expedient. Any argument upon the subject had better be put at the local Association meetings.

The motion as amended was then put to the meeting and carried.

The Ringing World, June 30th, 1922, pages 408 to 409 and 411

HOLT’S PEALS OF GRANDSIRE TRIPLES.

When the Council resumed after the luncheon interval it proceeded to consider the notice upon the agenda. ‘to call attention to a point in Holt’s peals of Grandsire Triples.’ The Rev. C. D. P. Davies, who had put this matter on the agenda, said it referred to Holt’s ten-part or six-part peals, and some comments in the second edition of Snowdon’s ‘Grandsire.’ It was only recently these comments had come to his notice, as he had been in the habit of using the first edition, and had not seen the second edition. In Mr. Thompson’s paper it was stated ‘We now see at a glance that the former (the ten-part peal) is symmetrical about the dividing line and that the latter (the six-part) is not so. We do not see anything wrong on page 78, and do not understand the criticisms on page 165.’ Page 78, explained Mr. Davies, contained a table of the calling of the two halves of Holt’s ten-part drawn up by Snowdon, and on page 165, he (Mr. Davies) showed where the starting points of the two halves were, and added that his explanation served to clear up the little mistake into which Mr. Jasper Snowdon had fallen, which consisted in thinking that the two halves started from the same place, whereas the first half started from a point marked A, and the second half from B (and not from the same point). He wanted to try and make this matter plain, and had written out the actual changes for the Council’s inspection. It was not a matter of opinion, but a matter of fact. Where he thought Mr. Thompson got wrong was that he used symbols. He said, ‘Let a lead of Grandsire equal X,’ and then went on to play with X, the end of it being that the X came out upside down (laughter). It was not the first time he had found a mathematician in error. They treated symbols as if the symbols were the things themselves. He suggested before the discussion went further that the figures he had copied out should be passed round for examination, and the matter debated at a later stage.

This course was adopted, and later the Council returned to the subject.

Mr. J. W. Parker said the extent in Triples with two hunts could always be rung direct where the lead ends or division ends were even, and in composing a peal in two halves they generally composed it direct; but in joining the halves by singles (or other means) as in Stedman Triples, immediately they went from one half to the other they began to ring the second half backward, although they got exactly the same changes. He believed, however, in Grandsire Triples when they got out their two half peals they could not reverse one of the halves, because if they did the plain places would come first, and the bob places would come after. The effect was that they would get quite different changes. Holt’s singles did not reverse the half peals, but simply shunted on to another even lead-end by making a single change only instead of a triple change. If that were the case, why did Mr. Davies in his figures show the first half going one way and the second half going in the opposite direction if the second half were not the reverse?

The Rev. C. D. P. Davies said what Mr. Parker had brought forward was no doubt an interesting question, but it was absolutely different to the question which he (Mr. Davies) had brought forward, which was a question of fact: Did the two halves of Holt’s ten-part start from the same place, or did they not? He maintained that they did not.

The Rev. H. Law James said Mr. Davies and Mr. Parker were both right, although it looked on the face of it as if they were contradicting each other. If they used Holt’s singles the bob places came up in reverse order. It was perfectly true, if they did what Mr. Parker said, and called an ordinary single, that the changes would run up backward from 132 to the last single. The bobs would be made after the treble led, and the plain places when the treble came to lead; the changes would run up backwards in the second half peals, and the bobs would be in the same order, and he was very anxious to ring a peal like that (laughter).

The Rev. C. D. P. Davies: What method would the last half be? I say it would not be Grandsire.

The Rev. H. Law James: Then if you stand on your head on the table you are not Mr. Davies? (loud laughter).

The Rev. C. D. P. Davies: I should very soon be a sick Mr. Davies (laughter).

No resolution was passed, and the subject then dropped.

THE USE AND CARE OF BELLS.

The Rev. H. Drake moved:-

‘That the Council draw up a card of instructions on the Care and Use of Bells suitable for hanging in a Tower.’

His object he said, was to provide concise instructions for those in charge of bells who were not in the habit of taking care to keep the bells in good condition. His suggestion was that the Council should draw up a card of instructions for the care and use of the bells, so that it could be hung in the belfry, just as they now found ecclesiastical insurance societies’ cards hung upon organs. People ought to be made to understand that it was really a criminal thing to ‘clock’ a bell; and that the public ought not to have to suffer the ringing of a single bell for too long a time. A single bell ought not to be rung for more than three minutes, although it was often the practice to ring a single bell for ten minutes. It was on account of the annoyance which people got from this kind of thing that they objected to ringing altogether, and objected to change ringing. If the Council could do a sort of missionary work in this way it might be the means of getting more bells hung in the churches. Often people did not trouble about getting more bells because it had never been put into their heads, but if they had a card hanging up where it could be seen, they might sometimes think about having a peal of bells introduced into their church, and the bells would be kept in better order. He proposed that the Council draw up such a card and hang it in every church in the country where there were bells.

Canon Elsee, who seconded, emphasised the desirability of warning those responsible for bells of the danger of ‘clocking,’ and said that concise instructions, clearly printed, would be of service in many towers.

The Chairman (Alderman Pritchett) suggested that if the resolution found favour it should be amended, so that the Council instruct the Standing Committee or some other committee to draw up the card of instructions.

Mr. W. Willson said this was a matter more for individual associations. The Council would have to print some ten thousand cards for all the churches in Great Britain and saddle themselves with great expense. Why should they do so? The associations could deal with this matter better than the Council. At the same time he appreciated the spirit in which the motion was brought forward.

Mr. A. E. Parsons said he did not take it the Council were to bear the expense. The motion was simply that the Council draw up a card of instructions. It would, he thought, be for the Council to issue them.

Mr. Willson: If the Council assumes the authority it will have to bear the expense.

Mr. W. A. Cave said there was already an excellent card of instructions drawn up by one of the bell hanging firms, which was left in every tower where they rehung the bells. He thought it was a question for the bell founders, and he thought it would mean business for them.

Mr. James George asked why the Council should interest themselves in the one-bell question at churches they never went into!

The Rev. F. Ll. Edwards said one of the principal ideas was to get uniformity throughout the country. The cards issued by the different founders only got into the towers where rehanging or restoration took place. The value of the resolution before them was that it should interest the towers throughout the country. He suggested that the resolution be altered to the effect that the Standing Committee be instructed to make a draft of such instructions and submit it to the next meeting, when they could discuss the question whether it was advisable to take any steps for its printing and distribution in conjunction with the different Guilds and Associations.

The Rev. C. D. P. Davies, who supported the resolution, said the speaker who referred to their requiring ten thousand copies was very wide of the mark. He thought a thousand copies would last them three or four years. He believed the bell founders would be glad to see issued a card which had the authority of the Council. The Council could very well charge for the cards, and so reimburse themselves.

The Rev. C. W. O. Jenkyn suggested that the three bell founders who were members of the Council should draw up the card. They were experts, and their advice would be most valuable.

Mr. C. F. Johnston said the bell founders would welcome a move on the part of the Council to try and impress upon church authorities that they should keep their bells in proper order. He had no doubt the founders interested would be willing to lend a hand in framing the instructions.

Mr. Pryce Taylor said his firm had for years issued a card of instructions with regard to the use and care of bells. They, however, only reached the towers where they carried out restorations.

The Chairman thought it would be most useful to have a card issued under the auspices of the Council which could be hung in towers where there were peals of bells. He thought the draft might be settled by the Standing Committee in consultation with the three bell founders.

The resolution was carried, with two dissentients.

AFFILIATION TO ONE SOCIETY.

The Rev. H. Drake next moved:-

‘That every Tower should be officially affiliated to some one Society, and only one.’

This resolution, he said, was a corollary to the previous one, and the reason he had proposed it was that each association should be responsible for the towers in its area where there was no ringing. At present, associations only had to do with churches where there were ringers, and what they ought to do was to get into touch with the authorities of the towers where there were no ringers. He believed the whole country could be mapped out so that each association had a certain number of towers to look after. Perhaps he had not worded his resolution in the best possible way, for the Editor of the ‘Ringing World’ seemed to have put a wrong interpretation upon it. It was not in his mind that each tower where, at the present time, there were two associations ringing should decide which of these associations should be considered the official association of that tower. What he desired to see was that towers not affiliated to an association should be looked after by the association in whose area they stood. With regard to those towers where there was no ringing, or only one bell, and where only one association covered the area there would be no difficulty. Where there were two associations he suggested they could meet and map out the areas for which each should be responsible. If a card on the care and use of bells was to be hung up in the towers, each association would be responsible for seeing that it was in the towers in its area. Such a scheme would also be useful to enable associations to keep a look out for proposals to instal tubular bells, and in cases where there was a question whether a tower was strong enough to hold a peal of bells, the authorities would know to what organisation they could appeal.

Mr. C. Mee seconded.

The Rev. F. J. O. Helmore, having pointed out that nothing had been said about towers with two, three, four or five bells, expressed the opinion that associations could not interfere in towers which were not in union with them. They must come into union before an association could have any locus standi at all, otherwise the parson might tell them he did not want their interference.

The Chairman said he hardly thought this was a resolution it would be wise to carry, because they could not enforce it. Inconvenience might arise as to what association a tower belonged to. It occurred some years ago in his own tower at King’s Norton. The tower used to be in the Worcestershire Association. but ten years ago King’s Norton was taken into Birmingham, and when the diocese of Birmingham was formed the ringing association became the Birmingham Diocesan Guild. The question then arose, were they to subscribe to Birmingham or continue their subscription to the Worcestershire Association? The resolution before them was, he thought, impracticable. They must allow these things to adjust themselves as best they could.

The motion on being put was defeated by a large majority.

The Ringing World, July 7th, 1922, pages 424 to 425

THE PROOF OF PEALS.

Mr. A. E. Parsons proposed:-

That the Council consider the advisability and practicability of proving and recording all new compositions before being rung or published.

He said he personally took neither a positive nor negative position with regard to the motion, which emanated from the secretary of the Worcestershire Association (Mr. Newman), who had asked him to propose it. They had false peals composed and published, sometimes even by experienced men, and if his proposal could be carried out, it would eliminate that trouble with regard to forming a record of the peals. There might be some difficulty, at the same time he thought steps which the Council had taken that day were in the right direction. To have the compositions on record would, he believed, be of great assistance to students, and might save a great amount of wasted labour and discouragement. With regard to the practicability of putting the proposal into operation, he must leave that to the Council. It might be that various experts would undertake the proof of the various compositions sent to them, perhaps for a small fee to be paid by the composer. As to the record, he did not know how the Council would deal with that.

Mr. W. Short seconded.

The Chairman suggested that the resolution be amended to read, ‘That the Peals Collection Committee be instructed to consider,’ etc.

A member asked if this was not already part of the work which the Peals Collection Committee had been doing for the past 25 years.

Mr. C. T. Coles said in spite of what the Peals Collection Committee had done, there were still false peals rung. There was a peal rung by the association, which he had the honour to represent, as long ago as 1907, which was published in the annual report for that year, and although 600 copies or more were distributed and came into the hands of a number of competent composers and conductors, it was not discovered to be false until a few weeks ago. Whether they could get all peal compositions proved before being published or rung he did not know. It would be a big thing to undertake, but he hoped something might be done, because it was a disappointment to find that peals that had been rung had turned out to be false.

Mr. J. Parker said the best thing for a composer to do was to get his peals rung and then publish them. As Mr. Hattersley once said, ‘somebody will soon prove a peal for you if you have rung it’ (laughter).

The Rev. C. D. P. Davies said if he were going to call a new peal he should prove it before he called it, and if he could not do it himself he would ask someone to do it for him.

Mr. H. W. Wilde said it would be an enormous task to prove all the peals that were continually being brought out. The Peal Collection Committee, he thought, only undertook to prove the peals for the Treble Bob Collection, and not all the peals that were published. His experience had been that peals by some of the great composers were rung 30 years ago, and had not been discovered as false until recently. That applied to some of the simpler methods as well as the more difficult. He came across a peal of Double Norwich rung in Liverpool ten years since, the falseness of which had not been pointed out until a few days ago. There were instances of false peals rung bearing the names of the most famous composers - Henry Johnson, for instance. There was a good deal to be said in favour of the matter being considered by a committee, and they might pass a resolution suggesting that no peal should be rung unless it had been submitted to the committee of the Council. The great difficulty had already been pointed out; upon whom should the task of proving the peals devolve? It would be a very great task, and would be imposing on somebody a great burden. Still that would not prevent the committee from considering the matter.

The Chairman said he could speak with feeling upon this matter. He once composed a new and original peal of startling brilliancy, and he got it rung at St. Martin’s, Birmingham. He conducted it himself, and published the figures. In the next issue of the paper no less than five letters appeared denouncing the peal as false (laughter). He had not tried to compose one since (laughter). He would have been glad to be spared that humiliation by knowing to whom he could have submitted the composition before he called it.

Mr. T. H. Beams asked if the proposer would accept the addition of two or three words, to make the resolution apply to methods and new compositions.

The Chairman: It is very much widening it. Had we not better have one thing at the time?

Mr. Parsons: I prefer to confine myself to the motion on the agenda.

Mr. C. T. Coles said he would urge associations, where they had published a false peal in their reports, to take pains to mark them as false in any existing copies which they had, otherwise there was the danger of the peals being rung again by conductors who sent for old reports in order to get fresh compositions to call.

Mr. James George said the ringing of false peals was a serious thing, and be urged the Council to do anything that was possible to reduce the risk.

The Rev. C. W. O. Jenkyn said it seemed to him the question of proving peals was nothing to do with the Peals Committee. If anyone wanted to start for a peal of the truth of which they were not certain, they should get someone to prove it beforehand.

Mr. J. Parker said the proposal would make conductors lazy. They ought to prove the peals or get them proved.

The Rev. H. Law James said ever since he had been Master of the Lincoln Guild he had taken the trouble every year to prove every single peal before it was printed in their report, and he guaranteed there was not a single false peal right the way down. He thought the resolution was unnecessary.

On being put to the meeting, the motion was defeated.

PROPOSED SCIENCE MUSEUM EXHIBIT.

The Hon. Secretary (Mr. E. A. Young) moved:-

To move that a Committee be appointed in connection with the new exhibit upon Campanology, at the Science Museum, South Kensington.

Mr. Young said he was pleased to be able to report that as a result of a number of visits and considerable correspondence, the authorities at the Science Museum at South Kensington were prepared to allow them to provide an exhibit representing the art and science of campanology (hear, hear). The authorities would give them a case, and a certain amount of wall space. The department, however, had no money to give them; and it was for the Council to see that the case was properly filled. If they did not fill it properly and worthily they would do themselves no good, but harm, and at the same time show a lack of appreciation of the kindness of the authorities. In exhibiting in the museum they would have around them some of the finest exhibitions of science, and they must make a good show to compete favourably with those most excellent exhibits. The time had now arrived when his work should be supplemented by a committee, and he asked the Council to appoint such a committee.

Various. names were submitted, and the following were eventually appointed: Revs. C. D. P. Davies, C. W. O. Jenkyn and E. Bankes James, Messrs. E. A. Young, E. H. Lewis, C. F. Johnston, A. A. Hughes, and P. Taylor.

Mr. G. P. Burton asked what the scope of the exhibit was to be. Was it to be archæological or mechanical?

The Chairman said it was not to be an antiquarian exhibit in any sense. The object of the exhibition was to show the progress of modern science, so far as it concerned the modern aspect of campanology.

The Rev. C. D. P. Davies said the main object was to show visitors to the museum what change ringing really was, and how bells were hung in order to be maintained in change ringing.

The Chairman: Having appointed an excellent committee we cannot do better than leave the matter in their hands to arrange the best exhibition in their power.

The Chairman said notice of a resolution had been received but not in time to be placed on the printed agenda. It was from Mr. J. H. Banks who intimated his intention to move ‘that in future no method be named after a county or a county town without the consent of the principal ringing association within the area.’

Canon Elsee said that as Mr. Banks was not present he would formally move the resolution.- Mr. H. Chapman seconded.

Mr. C. T. Coles said it had been the general understanding in the past that a band ringing a peal in a new method should have the privilege of naming it. He thought the Council should stick to that procedure. Fortunately or unfortunately, the Council had no means of enforcing their decisions, and they could not stop a band giving a new method any name they liked. He thought the procedure in the past had been satisfactory, and that they might leave it as it was.

The Chairman said he must confess he did not see what the resolution aimed at. Why should not the composer of a new method call it what he liked? The resolution had been formally moved out of kindness to the absent proposer but he would advise the Council not to accept the resolution without some good reasons in support of it.

The Rev. C. W. O. Jenkyn said he thought the correspondence which he had received on the names of six bell methods might throw some light on it. As far as his recollection served him a band rang a Minor method, and called it Lancashire without the knowledge of the secretary of the Lancashire Association and he had rather a difficulty in getting the name altered when it was found that Lancashire Major was already in existence.

The motion was put to the meeting without further discussion and defeated.

SALISBURY FOR THE NEXT MEETING.

The question of the place of next meeting was then discussed by the Council, and the Rev. C. D. P. Davies moved that the meeting be held at Cardiff, pointing out that as Lincoln was to the north and east of the Midlands, Cardiff would make a very good ‘pair’ by being in the opposite direction of south and west.- Mr. J. Griffin seconded.

Mr. J. Hunt, on behalf of the Bath and Wells Association, invited the Council to Bath, where they had, he said, plenty of bells, plenty of good water (laughter), and very good railway facilities. He was instructed to say that the association would do everything it could for the comfort and convenience of the members.- Mr. W. A. Cave seconded.

Mr. T. H. Beams proposed that the Council should meet at Salisbury. It was only a few years ago the Council was at Gloucester, and Bath was within about 30 miles of that city. He strongly urged the claims of Salisbury, and said the Council would receive a great welcome from the Salisbury Guild. It was all very well to go to big ringing centres, but the Council had to do a little missionary work. They could help the Salisbury Guild, which was a struggling association working in a rural area, and only those who worked in it knew what a difficulty there was in carrying on.- The Rev. F. Ll. Edwards seconded.

Mr. W. Bibby proposed Chester, which, he said, had been before the Council on more than one occasion.- The Rev. A. T. Beeston seconded.

The Rev. F. J. O. Helmore proposed Hereford and this was seconded by Mr. W. Short.

Mr. J. W. Jones said he did not think they would get the bells at Hereford on the day following the annual meeting of the Hereford Guild. With regard to Cardiff, his association (the Llandaff and Monmouth) had not discussed the matter of inviting the Council there at all, and for that reason he did not support Mr. Davies’ motion. If they would drop Cardiff this time he would see what they could do for a future meeting.

Cardiff was, therefore, withdrawn, as were also Chester and Hereford, but the Rev. A. T. Beeston proposed Plymouth, which the Council had several times considered visiting.- Mr. J. George seconded.

On being put to the meeting, Bath received 15 votes, Salisbury 28 and Plymouth 5. Salisbury was, therefore, declared the selected place, and Mr. Beams promised the Council that nothing should be lacking in the local arrangements to make the visit a pleasant one.- Major Hughes D’Aeth, as Master of the Salisbury Guild, also assured the Council of a hearty welcome. He believed the visit would give a great fillip to campanology in their diocese.

OFFICIAL REPORTS.

Mr. J. Griffin said the Standing Committee had that morning considered the various suggestions that had been put forward in the ‘Ringing World’ of the previous week, and recommended the Council to issue a report of that meeting to the various societies affiliated to them. They suggested that the report should take the shape of a leaflet printed from the ‘Ringing World’ with, of course, an official communication from the secretary. The committee felt that, although the proceedings were reported through the ‘Ringing World,’ for the real recognition of the Council it was necessary that the official communications pass through the association secretaries. The expense would not be great, because it was understood their secretary would be able to take advantage of the summary of the proceedings which the ‘Ringing World’ published on the Friday following their meeting.- The Rev. E. W. Carpenter seconded.

Mr. C. T. Coles said he took it the idea was that the associations should have the opportunity of discussing any matters brought before the Council. With the present-day pressure of business at annual meetings, it would be almost impracticable to find time for such discussions, and he thought they would have to come up at branch meetings. He hoped, therefore, there would be sufficient leaflets distributed to enable association secretaries to send them on to their branches.

The motion was agreed to.

THE ROLL OF HONOUR.

The Rev. Canon Elsee said one other suggestion had been made in the ‘Ringing World,’ and that was that the roll of honour of ringers who fell in the war, that was read two years ago at Northampton, should be preserved in a more permanent form than the list which at present the librarian had. Whether it would be too costly to write on parchment - which would be the worthiest and most permanent form - he did not know, but the Librarian had suggested to the Standing Committee that if that were not possible, the list might be written in a fair hand in durable ink into a book. He, therefore, moved that the Librarian make inquiry into the cost of writing the names on parchment, and if the cost appeared to be too great, that the names be written out in book form so that they might be preserved for the future.

Mr. J. Griffin seconded.

The Chairman asked if it would not be well to leave the matter, with instructions to the Standing Committee, to engross these names in such manner as they thought most convenient. They could rely upon them doing it satisfactorily.

After further discussion, it was left to the Librarian to ascertain and report the cost of writing the names on parchment.

Mr. A. Coleman said he thought before the engrossing took place the list should be revised. Since he sent the list of the members of his association there had been several more to add, and one who was reported dead was still alive.

VOTES OF THANKS.

The Chairman then proposed a vote of thanks to the Dean and Chapter for the use of the Chapter House for the meeting, and to the Dean for his kindness in other ways. He thought the Council had expressed gratitude in a very practical form, for they had collected the handsome donation of nine guineas for the Cathedral Restoration Fund (applause).- The Rev. C. W. O. Jenkyn seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously.

A vote of thanks to the Chairman was accorded, on the motion of the Rev. C. D. P. Davies, and Alderman Pritchett, in replying, said they had had a most harmonious and practical meeting. They had done good work, and had had a pleasant gathering in that ancient city and cathedral (applause).

This concluded the business, and the Council rose about 4.30 p.m.

The members were afterwards conducted round the Cathedral by the Dean, who explained the many points of interest in the ancient building in a most delightful style. A master of history, he introduced a rare humour, and those who followed him through the building from the cloisters to the Ringers’ Chapel, enjoyed a most delightful and instructive hour.

Subsequently the majority of the members availed themselves of the kind invitation to tea extended by the Lincoln Diocesan Association, and later enjoyed ringing on the bells of various city churches.

The Ringing World, July 14th, 1922, pages 440 to 441 and 443