BENEATH the shadow of York Minster in the historic St. William’s College, the second session of the twentieth Central Council (52nd annual meeting) was held on Whitsun Tuesday. Mr. E. H. Lewis, the president of the Council, was in the chair, supported by Mr. G. W. Fletcher (hon. secretary of the Council), Mr. W. H. J. Hooton (hon. librarian) and Mrs. Fletcher.
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THE DEAN’S WELCOME.
In a welcome to the Council the Dean (the Very Rev. E. Milner-White) said he simply came there to bring to them the hearty and heartfelt welcome from the Minster and the Chapter. They had enjoyed, these last two days, the ringing of their bells.
Never would he forget one electric moment when the bells of these islands rang to express the feeling of the nation when they heard the news of the Battle of Alamein.
‘Let me say something of your art day by day and Sunday by Sunday. It is one of the things which no government of any type is going to deprive us. Speaking as an Englishman, of course, there is nothing like our bells or bellringing to be found anywhere else in the world. It is only a thing that people are adequately conscious of when they travel abroad. It is a popular ministry, using the word popular as meaning of the people.’
There is something in the particular sound bells make; it is an essentially clean sound. It fits in with God’s creation and our landscape in an extraordinary way. It is a beautiful sound; it is a music of its own. It is pure, passionless and jubilant. It comes with a strong breath as if it was meeting one, but it comes also with the breath of Heaven. It is in these secular days a tremendous witness of the other world - that God would save us despite our unfaithfulness. I suppose your first reaction is that it is a good recreation, but when we feel that pure recreation has a real value of high importance and unique beauty, then it is a good enjoyment to have.
The President, in thanking the Dean for his welcome, said it was 45 years ago since the Central Council met in the ancient city of York and he was told that there was one member present who was at that meeting.
The Dean had spoken of the music of the bells and their unique quality. He wondered if he came across the expression used in ‘The Morning Post’ some years ago of ‘weaving patterns of sound.’ He thought that was one of the best expressions of bellringing.
In thanking the Dean for the opportunity of ringing on his glorious ring of bells, Mr. Lewis said they would enjoy them more if they were boxed up a little more so that the sound did not come down on the street. He presented the Dean with a copy of ‘The History of the College Youths’ as a memento of the visit.
Accepting the gift, the Dean promised to read it with care and leave a label on it bequeathing it with his other books to the Minster Library.
The Dean, at the request of the President, opened the Council with prayer.
ROLL OF THE COUNCIL.
The Secretary reported that the Council consisted of 148 representatives from 53 associations, 20 honorary members making a total of 168. The membership of the St. Martin’s Guild had been increased from one to two and the Southwell Diocesan Guild from two to three.
MIDDLESEX ASSOCIATION.
It was reported by the letter of the general secretary of the Middlesex Association that the four members of the Middlesex Association had resigned as representatives on the present Council. It was further reported that they had immediately sought re-election. The Standing Committee, in considering this position, found that they did not conform to the rules relating to representative members except the election of Mr. Turner, who had been elected in place of one of the resigning members. The Standing Committee were compelled reluctantly to recommend to the Council that the re-election for the remainder of the triennial period of the Council did not comply with the rules and consequently their re-election could not be recognised.
When Mr. Fletcher announced that the three members would not be permitted to take their seats, a member protested and asked for them to be reinstated and allowed to take their seats forthwith.
The Chairman: I am sorry, but it is against the rule.
Mr. J. E. Lewis Cockey: Does that mean that we are not entitled to vote and speak?
The Chairman: Yes.
Mr. Lewis Cockey: Then I protest. I call it unchristian and vindictive and I propose to leave the meeting.
He then left the Council Chamber.
ATTENDANCE ROLL.
Ancient Society of College Youths.- Mr. G. W. Cecil.
Barnsley and District.- Mr. H. Chant.
Bath and Wells Diocesan.- Mr. J. T. Dyke, Miss N. G. Williams.
Bedfordshire Association.- Mr. H. Harding, Mr. A. C. Sinfield.
Chester Diocesan.- Mr. J. E. Bibby, Mr. J. W. Clarke, Mr. C. K. Lewis.
Coventry Diocesan.- Mrs. D. E. Beamish, Mr. F. W. Perrens.
Derbyshire Association.- Mr. G. C. Briggs.
Devon Guild.- Mr. A. L. Bennett, Mr. F. W. Biffin, Mr. T. G. Myers, Mr. F. C. Smale.
Durham and Newcastle.- Mr. F. Ainsley, Mr. W. H. Barber, Mr. W. N. Park.
Ely Diocesan.- Mr. E. H. Mastin.
Essex Association.- Mr. F. V. Gant, Mr. F. B. Lufkin, Mr. H. J. Mansfield.
Gloucester and Bristol Diocesan.- Mr. W. B. Kynaston, Mr. S. T. Price, Mr. F. Skidmore, Mr. W. Williams.
Guildford Diocesan.- Mr. G. L. Grover, Mr. A. H. Pulling.
Hereford Diocesan.- Mr. G. E. Oliver.
Hertford County.- Mr. W. Ayre, Mr. R. G. Bell, Mr. C. W. Woolley.
Irish Association.- Mr. F. E. Dukes, Mr. J. P. Dunwoody.
Kent County.- Dr. E. S. J. Hatcher, Mr. F. M. Mitchell, Mr. T. E. Sone.
Ladies’ Guild.- Mrs. G. W. Fletcher, Mrs. A. Richardson, Miss E. Steel.
Lancashire Association.- Mr. G. R. Newton, Mr. W. H. Shuker, Mr. A. Tomlinson.
Leicester Diocesan.- Mr. A. Ballard, Mr. J. P. Fidler, Mr. H. J. Poole, Mr. A. E. Rowley.
Lincoln Diocesan.- Mr. J. Bray, Mr. G. E. Feirn, Mr. J. Freeman, Mr. J. A. Freeman.
Llandaff and Monmouth Diocesan.- Mr. J. W. Jones, Mr. E. Stitch.
London County Association.- Mr. H. W. Rogers, Mrs. O. L. Rogers.
Middlesex County.- Mr. E. C. S. Turner.
Midland Counties Guild.- Mr. J. W. Cotton, Mr. B. G. Key.
North Wales Association.- Mr. A. J. Hughes.
North Staffordshire.- Mr. R. S. Anderson.
Norwich Diocesan.- Mr. W. Duffield; Mr. F. N. Golden, Rev. A. G. G. Thurlow.
Oxford Diocesan.- Mr. A. D. Barker, Mrs. A. D. Barker, Mr. F. D. Boreham, Mr. A. E. Lock.
Oxford University.- Rev. C. E. Wigg.
Peterborough Diocesan.- Mr. G. W. Jeffs, Mr. W. Rose, Mr. G. S. Valentine, Mr. E. E. Whitmore.
Salisbury Diocesan.- Rev. F. Ll. Edwards, Mr. G. Harding, Mr. F. Precey, Mr. W. C. West.
Shropshire Association.- Mr. G. L. Hewitt.
Society of Royal Cumberland Youths.- Mr. T. H. Francis.
Southwell Diocesan.- Miss J. Southerst.
Stafford Archdeaconry.- Mr. H. Knight, Mr. C. Wallater.
Suffolk Guild.- Mr. C. W. Pipe, Mr. C. J. Sedgley, Mr. G. E. Symonds.
Surrey Association.- Mr. F. E. Collins, Mr. D. Cooper.
Sussex County.- Mr. R. G. Blackman, Mr. F. H. Dallaway, Mr. F. I. Hairs, Mr. O. Sippetts.
Swansea and Brecon Diocesan.- Mr. D. H. Bennett.
Truro Diocesan.- Mr. H. Miles.
Universities Association.- Miss M. Cross.
Winchester and Portsmouth Guild.- Rev. K. W. H. Felstead, Mr. G. Pullinger, Mr. F. W. Rogers.
Worcestershire and Districts.- Mr. B. C. Ashford.
Yorkshire Association.- Rev. C. O. Ellison, Mr. P. J. Johnson, Mr. L. W. G. Morris, Mr. S. F. Palmer.
Honorary members.- E. A. Barnett, Mr. C. Dean, Mr. G. W. Fletcher, Mr. W. H. J. Hooton Mr. A. A. Hughes, Mr. C. F. Johnston, Mr. C. H. Kippin, Mr. E. H. Lewis, Mr. F. Sharpe, Mr. J. F. Smallwood, Mr. A. Walker.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
These were received from Messrs. H. J. Sanger (Bath and Wells), C. W. Cook (Ely), Miss H. G. Snowden (Essex), Messrs. A. C. Hazelden and A. Harman (Guildford), W. F. Moreton, G. J. Lewis and W. T. Poston (Hereford), A. Paddon Smith (St. Martin’s Guild), G. H. Cross, F. C. W. Knight and G. W. Steere (Society of Royal Cumberland Youths), Canon G. F. Coleridge, Messrs. G. E. Debenham, T. Groombridge, Mrs. C. C. Marshall, Messrs. W. A. Osborn, E. A. Young and W. H. Viggers (hon. members), Miss B. Spice (Oxford University), Messrs. J. D. Johnson and S. T. Holt (Worcester and Districts), Rev. B. F. Sheppard (Cambridge University), Messrs. H. Denman (Southwell Diocesan), H. G. Cashmore (Hertford County), T. W. Taffender and T. H. Taffender (London County), E. M. Atkins (Cambridge University), Rev. and Mrs. A. S. Roberts, Mr. F. D. Teague (Truro Diocesan), Messrs. S. G. Coles (Bath and Wells), C. H. Hawkins (St. David’s Diocesan Guild), E. G. Fenn and A. B. Peck (College Youths), and F. Colclough (Dudley and District).
NEW MEMBERS.
The following new members were presented to the President; Messrs. C. W. Biffin (Devon), E. C. S. Turner (Middlesex), E. A. Barnett (hon. member), H. Chant (Barnsley and District), Miss J. Southerst (Southwell), Messrs. P. Ainsley (Durham and Newcastle), F. Precey (Salisbury) and T. G. Myers (Devon).
HON. MEMBERS.
The Hon. Secretary reported that two honorary members were due to retire - Mr. C. H. Kippin and Mr. W. Rowe. Mr. Kippin did not seek re-election. The Standing Committee recommended that Mr. Rowe (New South Wales Association) be re-elected and they submitted the name of Mr. C. W. Roberts for the vacancy.
Mr. F. Smallwood seconded.
Mr. E. C. S. Turner proposed that Mr. W. Wilson be elected an honorary member and mentioned his services as convener of the Peal Board Committee.
Mr. Kippin asked if Mr. Wilson did not resign as a member of the Council.
The Chairman replied in the affirmative, and added, ‘I don’t see how he could be re-elected. I am afraid on those conditions that I cannot accept the nomination.’
Mr. Rowe and Mr. Roberts were elected to the vacancies.
LOSSES THROUGH DEATH.
The President read a list of past and present members of the Council who had died since the last meeting. The Council stood in respectful memory. They were: T. Groombridge, jnr, Southwell Diocesan Guild, 1946-1948; H. Chapman, Lancashire Association 1906-1915, honorary member 1924-1929; G. P. Burton, Norwich Diocesan Association, 1909-1929; R. H. Brundle, Norwich Diocesan Association, 1894-1896; G. Williams, Winchester Diocesan Guild 1891-1896, Sussex County Association 1897-1905, honorary member 1906-1917, Winchester and Portsmouth Guild 1918-1949; Rev. C. C. Marshall, Yorkshire Association, 1912-1947.
Mr. G. Pullinger, in a tribute to Mr. George Williams, said members would be interested to learn that his books and papers were to be handed to the Winchester Guild. His Association would consider a memorial to his memory at their meeting on the first Saturday in July. The committee responsible for the Bournemouth Festival had decided that it should be known as the George Williams dinner. Mr. Williams was not only a good ringer and conductor; he was a good churchman and a great friend to all.
Mr. P. J. Johnson, in a tribute to Canon Marshall, said he perhaps knew him longer than any other ringer; he knew him before he was ordained when he (Mr. Johnson) was a small boy in the East End of London and the Canon was working for the Oxford Mission. He was not a great peal ringer, but he was enthusiastic for the work, and the Yorkshire Association was a lasting tribute to the work he was so intensely interested in. No trouble was too great during his 35 years’ presidency of the Association. Those who were present at the Council meeting at Leeds would remember the Canon’s address. He was a man of great personality and Vicar of an important parish in Leeds.
MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING.
The Secretary reported that the minutes had been published in ‘The Ringing World.’ There was one alteration to be made, the name of Mr. A. Relfe, of East Grinstead Guild, had been omitted from those present. That had been corrected in the official minute book.
He moved that the minutes be taken as read.
Mr. F. I. Hairs seconded and this course was agreed to.
Sales during the year amounted to £135 18s. 4½d. Copies sold of various publications were: Triples Methods 67; Variation and Transposition 67; Collection of Peals, Section 2 51, Section 3 39; Hints to Beginners 347; Method Sheets, Bristol 53, Stedman and Grandsire 119, Double Norwich 50, Cambridge 62; Card of Instruction 53; Report of Conference S.P.A.B. 24; Mysteries Unveiled 98; D.N.C.B. Caters 52; Preservation of Bells 443; Four Way Table 242; Handbells 593; Doubles and Minor 142.
During the year books have been lent for research purposes, and in two or three cases general information has been required for lectures on the history of bells and bellringing.
The following gifts to the library are gratefully acknowledged: Group Theory, by R. A. Rankin, from the author; Bellringing Mechanism, by B. D. Price, being the description of a machine made by Mr. L. E. A. Boum, from the author; Surprise Major Methods (A. S. Corrigan), from the author; and a number of bound volumes of ‘The Ringing World,’ presented by Mr. E. R. Goate. Also papers of the late Mr. J. W. Parker, from Miss M. Parker.
The stocks of Triples Methods, Cards of Instruction and Mysteries Unveiled have been exhausted, and the card is now being revised for reissue. New publication have become available during the last six months. The four-way table of Minor Methods, of which 1,000 copies were printed, is often required with the reprint of Doubles and Minor Methods. The Handbell Book has had outstanding success and more than half of the edition has gone. But though new publications account for the abnormally large sales total there has been an increase in sales of those already available, notably in sales of Hints and Method Sheets. There has been an extra source, too, in Mr. Shepherd’s D.N.C.B.C., of which the Council purchased the remaining stock.
The reprinting of Carter’s broadsheets is proceeding. Requests for the book of Major and Cater methods still arrive, and there have been enquiries for Royal methods.
Mr. W. H. J. Hooton proposed the adoption of the report, and Mr. J. F. Smallwood seconded. The report was adopted.
The year started with a balance in hand of £286 12s. 2d. and concluded with £187 9s. 9d. Receipts were affiliation fees £39, sale of publications £124 12s. 3d., and subscriptions of hon. members 15s.
On the expenses side the main items were Library and Publications £231 13s. 9d., Biographies’ Committee £7 15s. 6d., Rupert Richardson Memorial Fund £3 3s., J. W. Parker Memorial Fund £3 3s.
The Secretary, in moving the adoption of the report, urged associations to send their subscriptions earlier - certainly earlier than four days before Whitsun. Calling attention to the reduced balance, he said as the Council knew it was always their intention as soon as possible to restock the library. They had still quite a lot of books they wanted to print.
Mr. A. A. Hughes seconded and the accounts were approved.
Mr. F. Rogers suggested that Guild subscriptions should be paid before Easter, otherwise the Association would not be entitled to vote.
The Rev. F. Ll. Edwards: I think it is already in the rules.
Mr. E. H. Mastin suggested that the stock in hand in productions should be shown in the accounts.
The Secretary replied that with the new set of accounts a uniform data would be introduced, and with the change the accounts would be set in another form.
The machine has been thoroughly tested by Mr. Brian Price and Mr. Douglas Hughes and some minor and temporary adjustments were made, after which a course of Bristol Surprise Royal and of Stedman Cinques were rung. These were recorded on the paper roll. Various faults were mentioned in the report. The motor was very temperamental and very noisy and the committee suggested the fitting of a new motor and reduction gear, both to be as silent as possible, and also to replace the first main driven wheel of the machine. The mechanism should be completely cleaned and re-oiled, as it was very dirty. The trustees recorded their deep appreciation of the work so far carried out by Mr. Price and Mr. Hughes.
Mr. A. A. Hughes moved the adoption of the report.
Mr. Kippin asked, to the amusement of the Council, what was the Bristol Royal rung by the machine.
Mr. A. A. Walker, in seconding, said the reason for moving the machine from the Museum was that they had not facilities for repairs. He paid tribute to the work of Mr. Brian Price and Mr. Douglas Hughes. Whether the Bristol Royal was true or untrue, whatever the machine was set to do it would do. Before the machine was returned to the Museum it would be in working order and it would be able to ring any method.
Mr. Harold Poole asked if the machine would be available for the next meeting in London.
Mr. C. S. Sedgley said there was a demonstrator at the Museum.
The Rev. A. G. G. Thurlow: Can we have a more efficient demonstrator? I understand that the last time the demonstrator set it it rang Grandsire Triples backwards on the back eight.
REVISION OF RULES.
The Secretary said the draft revision of rules had been supplied with the agenda. The Standing Committee recommended that the Council discuss the draft and in the light of the discussion the sub-committee would prepare their report for the Standing Committee.
Mr. F. W. Perrens seconded.
Mr. W. H. J. Hooton proposed that the report of the sub-committee be received.
On the question of representation, the suggestion was that for a territorial society 75 over and not exceeding 150 one representative member; 150 to 300, two members; 300 to 450, three representatives; over 450, four representatives. The basis of calculation of membership for territorial societies shall be honorary and ringing members and resident life members. The representation of non-territorial affiliated societies shall be one member per society or more in the discretion of the Council. Any recognised society numbering not less than 75 members shall, upon application and subject to election by a majority of two-thirds of the members present and voting, be affiliated to the Council.
Mr. F. E. Dukes asked for the reason of the two-thirds majority. He suggested as an alternative a clear majority.
Mr. P. J. Johnson maintained that it would be a big mistake if election was not by a big majority.
Mr. E. A. Barnett suggested that membership of non-territorial bodies should be not more than one member.
Mr. H. W. Rogers asked for a firm definition of a non-territorial association and the names of existing non-territorial associations.
The Secretary: I think it is generally recognised that the non-territorial associations are the Ancient Society of College Youths, the Society of Royal Cumberland Youths, the Ladies’ Guild, the Oxford University Society, the Cambridge University Society and the Universities Association.
Mr. Harold J. Poole pointed out that the Police Guild proposed to make application as they now had a membership of 117.
Mr. P. J. Johnson reminded the Council that all non-territorial representation led to duplication of representation. He remembered seeing a peal rung by a body called the Guild of Servers. He did not know whether that peal was rung to add dignity to that body. They would have seriously to consider peals by such bodies. They might have a Guild of Butchers. He felt they must take care that they did not lend themselves to duplication.
Mr. R. G. Blackman said the Guild of Servers was not a bellringing service. The Guild of Servers was primarily a body of young lads, servants of the Church at the altar, and there was no disgrace, but it was great credit to them and to ‘The Ringing World’ that servers of the Church were mentioned in the journal. Sunday by Sunday at Chichester Cathedral three or four of them went direct from their ringing to serve at the altar.
Mr. P. J. Johnson said he wanted to make it clear that he did not want to be misconstrued as belittling the work of the Guild of Servers to the Church. His point was that the peal was rung for a non-ringing society.
Mr. E. A. Barnett said the question of future non-territorial societies could safely be left to future Councils. At the present time these non-territorial societies were represented on a basis of membership. Take the University Associations, whose membership comprised a good many people who continued their ringing after leaving the university, but far more did not.
Miss Marie Cross: As the representative of one of these associations, I assure you that we do apply the axe.
Mr. F. B. Lufkin said they must take care that societies with a lot of ‘dead wood’ should not have undue representation, whereas there might be a lot of ‘live wood’ not represented.
The Rev. C. O. Ellison suggested that it might be that the qualifications for membership might be from 75 to 250, from 250 to 500 and so on.
Mr. A. D. Barker thought that the representation of future non-territorial associations should be one member per society.
Mr. Kippin considered that the Council could not afford to stand on sentiment.
The Secretary reminded the Council of the overlapping of certain territorial associations, quoting the case of the East Grinstead and District Guild. They would have to see there was no overlapping with new societies.
The Rev. K. W. H. Felstead supported the elimination of non-territorial associations representation to one.
A vote was taken and the majority of the members voted for a single member.
The suggested rule regarding honorary members was that retirement and election took effect as from the end of the annual meeting. Mr. E. C. S. Turner suggested that election took effect immediately and retirement at the end of the meeting.
LIFE MEMBERS.
A new rule suggested was the creation of life members consisting of (a) past and present holders of the office of president, hon. secretary or hon. librarian of the Council, and (b) those who in the opinion of the Council by reason of their services to the art of ringing merit the conferment on them of the honour of life membership. Life membership shall cease only on death or resignation.
Mr. John Freeman thought that the honour of life membership would be greater if there was a restriction on the number of the holders of the office. The holders of the office of secretary and librarian should not be qualified for life membership.
Mr. J. P. Fidler said honorary members should be elected for the work they could do for the Council. Inactive honorary members should not be retained.
Mr. P. J. Johnson spoke in support of the new rule as being a means of giving some recognition of work done.
Mr. Hooton explained that one of the reasons for the rule was that if an officer who was a representative was not re-elected he could still hold office.
COPYRIGHT.
Mr. R. S. Anderson wanted a rule that the copyright of any work done for the Council be vested in the Council. There was a mention in the report of the Methods Committee of a copyright being claimed by members of the committee.
Mr. E. C. S. Turner said he was the only surviving member of the old committee and the word copyright had never been mentioned by him.
MEETING PLACES.
Mr. Harold Rogers asked why it was proposed to amend the existing rule of one in three meetings being held in London.
The Secretary: The reason is the difficulty of a suitable room. To-day we have to cater for about 200 people, and we thought that there was more accommodation in the provinces.- The report was then carried.
The collection of Major Methods compositions was ready for the printer. The committee expressed their thanks to Mr. Stephen Hoare, of Watford, for his assistance in typing the bulk of the peals.
The late Gabriel Lindoff’s collection of peals of London Surprise Major had been examined with the possibility of its publication as a broadsheet. This contained 279,796 compositions, and on account of its size it was un-suitable for publication as a broadsheet. The committee recommended that the collection be not published in any form for the following reasons:-
(1) That such a large number of compositions in any one method was not required by the Exercise, in view of the number already available.
(2) That since Mr. Lindoff had (apparently) exhausted all the In and Fifths compositions having the 6th twelve courses home and two other bells only in 6ths, he had inevitably included all the compositions with these qualities which had been previously produced by other composers. it would be quite unfair to publish all these as Mr. Lindoff’s compositions, and so rob other composers of the credit for their work.
The committee proposed to produce a collection of peals of Royal and Maximus, subject to the approval of the Council.
This report was proposed by Mr. G. R. Newton and seconded by Mr. C. W. Woolley.
The Secretary said the Standing Committee recommended that the views be accepted on the Lindoff Broadsheet.
Mr. Turner: I understand that there are some 20 misprints in the Lindoff broadsheet. Are the committee aware of them?
Mr. Woolley: I was not aware of that.
Being a completely new committee of the Central Council, we have been ‘finding our feet’ during the past year.
We have decided to tackle three pieces of work which seem to be in general demand, and on two of these the advice of the Council is sought.
The uncontroversial task is the revision of the Plain Major and Cater book which is taking shape and, we hope, will be ready for publication next year.
The other two are the questions of the Surprise Major Book and Doubles Methods - both of which were mentioned at last year’s meeting of the Council.
In the case of the former, two facts have to be taken into account: (a) the publication by Mr. Corrigan of a large collection of Surprise Methods; (b) that the committee has been unable to obtain the MSS. of the book prepared by the last committee because its copyright is, apparently, claimed by the members of that committee. Thus it seems that a completely new book will have to be produced, and, in the light of (a), we feel we should ask the Council if this is now thought to be necessary before commencing on this task.
The preliminary discussions on the third subject have shown different opinions as to how far the general rules of the Council may be relaxed when considering the question of Doubles Methods. At the moment chaos rules in the manner of ringing and naming these methods and we must first try to produce some semblance of order. Thus methods with identical plain courses, but using different kinds of Bobs and Singles, are named differently. At the moment the committee has not arrived at any definite conclusions except that Plain Bob lead heads will have to be deemed non-essential if any variety of methods is to be produced. To ensure this variety, other rules will probably have to be relaxed also. Which of these and how far to go is what we are thinking about at the moment. The one point we are trying to bear in mind all the time is that relaxations shall be the absolute minimum to produce a sufficient variety of Doubles Methods for all whose interest lies in that direction. Next year we hope to put before the Council our recommendations and ask for general approval so that a Doubles Methods book can be produced.
Moving the report, the Rev. K. W. H. Felstead said as to the MSS. of the old Surprise book, the word copyright had been mentioned. He supposed that technically the committee had not gone into that matter, but the position was that this committee had not been able to obtain the MSS., which seemed to suggest that the last committee claimed it as their own. If that was the case, it did not seem any different from claiming the copyright. There was no mention of that word in any communication with the last committee, but he felt fully justified in using it to explain the circumstances.
In regard to Doubles Methods, the committee were up against a very big problem. They had not been able to come to any conclusion or to put a definite recommendation before the Council.
Mr. F. Rogers seconded.
Mr. Turner said as he had been mentioned indirectly in the Methods Committee’s report, he would like to place on record his attitude. He assisted the late Mr. Trollope with the book and it was finished in 1935 and presented to the Council. The Council then had not enough money to print the book, as it would cost £400. It more or less followed the pattern of the Jasper Snowdon series. If the Council was prepared to print the book as it stood, he was prepared to hand it to the committee.
The Secretary said the Standing Committee recommended that the copyright was claimed by the Council and requested Mr. Turner to hand the work over to the committee.
Mr. Anderson, in seconding, said any committee who prepared a publication for the Council must always understand that any copyright was vested in the Central Council.
Mr. Harold J. Poole said he wanted to say that no one recognised Mr. Turner’s ability more than he did, and it was such a pity that this had occurred. No matter how clever a man was, if he was not going to pull with the Council as a team they were better without him. He hoped that Mr. Turner would be prepared to accede to the request that had been made and hand over the book.
Mr. Turner: I am always willing to accept the view of the majority of the Council. On the one hand this book is finished. What can the new Methods Committee do with it? If they alter it and make an entirely new book then they might start from the beginning; if, on the other hand, they are not going to, there is no need for the copy. I can deal with the officers of the Council and see the book through publication, as I am the only living member of the committee.
Mr. Poole: We are more concerned with the principle than the book, and we ought to support the Standing Committee that the book be handed over.
The Chairman: I will put the motion and ask Mr. Turner to hand the book to the hon. secretary as recommended by the Standing Committee.- The report was carried.
The summary of peals rung during 1948 showed a total of 2,364 on tower bells and 274 in hand, making a grand total of 2,638.
Mr. C. Dean, in moving the report, stated that a further analysis would be published in ‘The Ringing World’ later. He would like to point out that one of the peals rung last year was a peal of Grandsire Minor. Would the Council wish to have that erased from report?
Mr. Walter Ayre, seconding, said regarding the record length peal of Double Norwich, it did not comply with the regulations governing record lengths. Secondly, as regards the peal of Bristol with two kinds of bobs, as long they admitted a single in Cambridge Major they must accept that (hear, hear).
Mr. Leslie Morris said he noticed that the Yorkshire Association was credited with 110 peals. They had 111 peals published in their report. Was there any reason for the omission of a peal?
Mr. C. Dean: One peal was rung for the St. Martin’s Guild. I will look into the matter.
Mr. P. J. Johnson raised the question of the peal of Cambridge with a single in it. In view of the Decisions of the Council, could they legitimately call that a peal of Cambridge?
The Rev. K. W. H. Felstead: That was rung last year.
Mr. E. A. Barnett: Members may recall last year a peal of Cambridge containing a single came up for discussion on this identical report and the Standing Committee recommended that the peal be not accepted. That recommendation might have gone through but for a speech by Mr. Harold Cashmore, and the matter was allowed to lie on the table for 12 months and the question of singles in Cambridge and other Treble Bob methods should now come before the Council.
The Rev. Felstead: On the other hand, Mr. Cashmore suggested that it should be thoroughly investigated. That has not been done.
Mr. P. J. Johnson: You are wasting your time discussing it until you remove that Decision of the Council. Let us put our foot down and maintain the Decision of the Council.
Mr. C. K. Lewis: Let us think, is this good for the Exercise? Are two kinds of bobs in a peal going to be any good? If so, shall we ring Stedman Cinques with 5, 7 or 9 place bobs? When you have got two kinds of bobs in a peal, what is to prevent 22? If you want a peculiar quality you can justify it by this peal of Bristol with two kinds of bobs. I have nothing against six place bobs in Bristol. I have done as much experimenting as anybody, but I have burnt the results or put them away. What are we going to ring in future years? When once you open the door you can’t shut it.
Mr. Johnson, in reply to further discussion, said the Council as such had no executive authority to prevent a peal of any kind being rung, but to say that any kind of peal was a standard of the Exercise was a different matter altogether. Most of these things were looked upon as ingenious, but the time arrived when they had to codify their calls where they could get certain effects without altering the bob and single.
The Chairman: The position is that the report of the Peal Analysis Committee has been proposed for adoption, and so far there is no other motion before the Council.
Mr. F. W. Rogers: I should like to propose that any peal that is rung and does not conform to the Rules and the Decisions of Council be ruled out.
Mr. Harold Poole: I second that.
Mr. John Freeman said he could see nothing in the Decision that would prevent peals with 4th place and 6th place bobs.
Mr. Vincent maintained that they could not have two kinds of bobs to one composition.
Mr. George Feirn: I think using two bobs in Bristol is only a variation.
The resolution proposed by Mr. Rogers was carried with three dissentients (the Rev. Felstead, Messrs. Woolley and Kippin).
Mr. Woolley: Does that mean that you cannot ring Double Norwich with a fourth place bob?
The Chairman: I cannot tell you that.
Mr. J. Freeman: Will Mr. Dean tell us whether the peal of Bristol will be ruled out?
No answer was given.
The Ringing World, June 17th, 1949, pages 281 to 284, correction June 24th 1949, page 296
THE committee reported the following new methods and progressive lengths rung during the year:-
Tower bells.- 5,040 Longney Bob Major, Oxford Diocesan Guild; 5,088 Cheshire Surprise Major, Chester Diocesan Guild; 5,040 Spliced Oxford Bob, Grandsire, St. Clement’s and Double Court Triples, Sussex County Assn.; 5,184 Withyham Surprise Major, Sussex County Association; 5,040 Prittlewell Surprise Royal, Essex Association; 5,120 Shenley Surprise Major, Hertford County Association; 5,152 Stanton Surprise Major, Leicester Diocesan Guild; 5,088 Bayswater Surprise Major, Middesex County Association; 5,152 Stockport Surprise Major, Chester Diocesan Guild; 5,088 New London Court Bob Major, Norwich Diocesan Association; 5,152 Ramsey Surprise Major, Chester Diocesan Guild; 5,120 Ospringe Surprise Major, Kent County Association; 5,152 Edinburgh Delight Major, Leicester Diocesan Guild; 5,120 Spliced Surprise Major (22 methods), Lincoln Diocesan Guild; 5,280 Lincolnshire Surprise Maximus, St. Martin’s Guild; 5,040 Rutland Surprise Royal, St. Martin’s Guild.
Progressive lengths.- 5,600 Aldenham Surprise Major, Chester Diocesan Guild. Handbells: 13,664 Double Norwich C.B. Major, Hertford County Association; 10,800 Plain Bob Royal, Ely Diocesan Association.
On tower bells peals of Doubles have been rung in 30, 33 and 42 methods.
Mrs. Fletcher moved the adoption of the report and Mr. F. I. Hairs seconded.
Mr. Harold Poole: What is the position of the Double Norwich peal? Is it allowed or not?
The Chairman: it is put down as a progressive length.
Mr. Poole: We have no authority to get over the Decisions.
Mr. Anderson: Can’t we get over it by the members not being aware of the rules?
Mr. Johnson: Is there anyone who will say that ignorance is accepted as a plea in law?
Mr. Woolley: Have the Standing Committee any idea of revising these rules, as they are out of date? If the committee are not doing anything I should like to propose a motion to abolish them all.
The Chairman: A sub-committee has been appointed.
Mr. Johnson: The previous handbell lengths were subject to these Decisions, and while there is nothing to prevent a band ringing a record length without those who rang the previous one being told, it means that while those Decisions are on the books we cannot swallow our words. Once you have a decision you must adhere to it.
Mr. A. H. Pulling: When we rang our handbell peal we had people walking in and out during the whole time. You have your rules and you ought to stick to them. The trouble of this Council is that it is weak in saying ‘No.’
Mr. Barnett: Last year this peal was discussed and it was agreed to accept it.
The report was then adopted.
The Chairman, in a verbal report, said the committee had dealt with 26 towers and had replied to enquiries by the Society for the Preservation of Ancient Buildings on the movement of towers. Last year the committee called attention to the need of sound control, and in five cases information was supplied. Mr. Osborn had called attention to the need of clappering so that all bells up to 25 cwt. could be rung up in peal with clappers on the right side. A book in original calculation of horizontal forces had been reproduced photographically. He thanked Mr. Hazelden for his work in this direction.
On the question of sound control he would like to mention two cases with which he had been connected. In one of these towers the widows were blocked up with a layer of asbestos and other material at a cost of a little over £16. In the other case the ringers were able to scrounge asbestos sheeting and felt that furniture people use and a lining of plywood. The ringers did the job themselves and the total cost was about 30s.
Two years ago Mr. Newton gave some information about Liverpool bells and the possibility of those bells being finished. Mr. Newton had let him see a letter which the Dean of Liverpool had written, and without reading any part of that letter the substance was if the labour and material were available Mr. Newton should be able to notify his friend that in 18 months’ time it would be possible to make music at Liverpool. Permission has to be got, but the Dean is hopeful.
The Secretary said at the Standing Committee Mr. Lewis’ book was examined by the members of the committee, and in view of the importance of the calculations it contained it was thought desirable that copies should be presented to some of the scientific bodies and the British Museum. The Standing Committee recommended that six copies be obtained.
Mr. Harold Rogers seconded and the report was adopted.
LITERATURE, PRESS AND BROADCASTING COMMITTEE.
References to bells and the art of ringing, both in the Press and in broadcast programmes, appear to indicate a wide and increasing interest in the subject, and it is satisfactory to note a marked improvement in accuracy. The part played by ringers last November in celebrating the birth of a Prince aroused enthusiastic interest among journalists.
Local newspapers in all parts of the country devote considerable space to events connected with the belfry. A recent instance is to hand in an article on the Henry Johnson Dinner published in ‘The Birmingham Gazette,’ with a picture of ringers holding their ropes in St. Chad’s Cathedral. Lectures given by members of St. Martin’s Guild have also been reported in the local Press, thus reaching a wider audience and creating a demand for more.
While ‘The Ringing World’ continues to flourish and increase its circulation at home, the New South Wales Association has produced a journal of its own under the title of ‘The Ringing Towers.’ We wish this praiseworthy enterprise all success.
With regard to broadcasting, we are glad to present in most respects a satisfactory report. Talks on bellringing have found a place in a number of programmes: one by a young girl telling of her introduction to the art was especially pleasing. Descriptions of the making, hanging and ringing of bells have been broadcast from foundries, with demonstrations of change ringing. Handbell music has been introduced in the Children’s Hour and on other occasions. Christmastide broadcasts included both church bells and handbells in various places. The eight bells of Congresbury, Somerset, have been heard on several occasions. On one or two occasions ringers have been televised, and at the Henry Johnson dinner the B.B.C. recorded the speeches and also the Stedman Cinques rung on handbells, part of which was reproduced in the Round Britain series. In Ireland the bells of Christchurch Cathedral, Dublin, were broadcast on New Year’s Eve.
In the important matter of ringing before a broadcast service we are able to report some measure of progress. On Easter Day this year bells did appear in the official programme, though it was to be regretted that a Choral Eucharist was broadcast from a cathedral without any sound of bells. It is now the regular practice to allow a brief period of uninterrupted ringing, but in very many cases it is curtailed to little more than a minute. In the Midland Region a satisfactory understanding has been established between ringers and officials of the B.B.C., but in the West strong representations have been made with respect to the very short time allocated to ringing. The committee consider that two minutes without any sort of interruption is a reasonable period for broadcasting bells before a service.
The Rev. F. Ll. Edwards, in moving the adoption of the report, said that as to broadcasting, some correspondence between the Devonshire Guild and the Rev. Martin Willson, of the B.B.C., had taken place, and it could be said that that correspondence had done good. In recent weeks a reasonable time had been allowed for the ringing before broadcasting programmes. The correspondents from the Devonshire Guild asked for five minutes. He was sure that was out of the question; it ought to be a good solid two minutes, and in that time it would he possible to get 40 changes and a few well-struck rounds. In recent weeks there had been some improvement and the bells had appeared in print on the radio programme.
Mr. Edwards read a paragraph from a trade publication dealing with the production of electronic church bells by a factory at Norwich commending the apparatus, as it replaced that specialist who was fast dying out, the bell-ringer. It was proposed to have the apparatus on view at the British Industries Fair. Mr. Edwards expressed the hope that the specialists in existence would keep a watchful eye on Norwich.
Mr. F. C. Smale said his Guild had had correspondence with the Rev. Martin Willson. In his last letter he asked for two minutes. The recent broadcast from Portsmouth was exceedingly good, but it lasted only 1 minute 15 seconds. For the present he was afraid they would have to be satisfied with one minute of uninterrupted ringing.
Mr. Fred Rogers said as one who took part in the broadcast, the Rev. Martin Willson’s promise was to give one minute of uninterrupted ringing.
The Rev. A. G. G. Thurlow said the paragraph that Mr. Edwards had read out was only two true except that the specialists were dying out. He was rung up by the people concerned and they told him that they had their bells in a fit state to look at. He went to the factory and was not a little astonished to hear the most remarkable imitation of Grandsire Triples that he had heard hitherto. It was composed of eight pieces of piano wire and the electrifying device that connected with the amplifier, and one could hear the bells five miles away or just near one by turning a knob. It was not open to some of the objections because the Grandsire method required a certain human artistry to play this. He tried to smash the apparatus by playing chords. There were only one or two minor technical qualifications to be made before this instrument was capable of making precisely the same effect as a ring of bells. It seemed that the only thing they could do was to get the Chancellors of dioceses to withhold faculties. It seemed to him the most serious competition they had had to face.
Mr. Harold Poole asked if Mr. Thurlow succeeded in impressing the firm that bellringers were not dying out and did he succeed in selling one of his books? (laughter).
PEAL BOARDS COMMITTEE.
Mr. Walter Ayre said he had heard nothing from the convener of the committee and had received no report since the last meeting.
The Secretary replied that the fact was that there was nothing to report. The Standing Committee had had a letter from Mr. Wilson, who had resigned from the Council and intimated that the committee had not met since the war. The remaining members of the committee were requested to appoint a convener and to obtain the papers in the possession of Mr. Wilson. They suggested that Mr. J. W. Clarke, of the Chester Guild, would be willing to serve on the committee.
The Council agreed to co-opt Mr. Clarke on the committee.
A great volume of steady work has been accomplished during the past twelve months to fill in the gaps in our knowledge of early members of the Council. This has involved many hours of searching through old volumes of ‘Church Bells’ and ‘Bell News’ for information.
The problem of an efficient storage and filing system for the records has been tackled this year, and it was decided to use a large envelope for each person’s records, filing them alphabetically.
During the existence of the 1945, 1946 and 1947 Councils questionnaire forms requesting biographical information were posted to all new members. Our knowledge is fairly complete, but 35 persons did not return the forms. New members of 1948-9 vintage have not yet been circularised.
The Secretary said that in the absence of Mr. Hazelden and Mr. Viggers he moved the adoption of the report.
The accounts of ‘The Ringing World’ showed a net profit of £227 3s. 5d. Income was: Rolls House Publishing Company, £1,079 9s. 9d.; postal subscribers, £991 16s. 6d.; advertisements, £195 11s. 2d.; notices, £321 16s. 7d.; sale of ‘History of College Youths,’ £24 13s. 6d. On the expenses side there had been no charge for clerical assistance.
Presenting the accounts, the Hon. Secretary said they showed a profit of £227. That profit could be very misleading. In the first place they had 53 issues during the year and had only charged postal subscribers for 52. The second point was that they had had a considerable number of eight-page issues and obviously it did not cost so much to print them. If they had had all 12-page issues the accounts might easily have shown a loss of £250. There was another thing. If they were to pay for the work done by the Editor and his staff adequately a considerable part of the profit would disappear. He had arranged for the accounts to be audited by a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants. The Standing Committee recommended that such action be endorsed.
Mr. F. I. Hairs seconded the adoption of the accounts.
Mr. N. Park suggested that the goodwill and blocks be written down from £200 to £1.
The Secretary promised to consider the suggestion.
Mr. F. V. Gant then withdrew the motion in the name of the Essex Association and said they were prepared to support the motion of the Guildford Guild.
Mr. G. L. Grover then moved the motion on behalf of the Guildford Guild: ‘That in the opinion of this Council too much of the available space of “The Ringing World” is devoted to peal recording.’
He said the motion was not intended as hostile and aggressive criticism of either the Editor or the Editorial Committee. The Guildford Guild was very proud of the fact that the Editor was one of their ringing members and they should be the last to say any word or take any step to cause him to think that his work was not appreciated to the fullest possible degree.
As for the Editorial Committee, many of the older members of their Guild were well aware and mindful of the difficulties which confronted them when they took the steps which led to the Exercise acquiring the paper and were able fully to appreciate the very deep sense of gratitude that ringers owed to them for their prompt action at the time when the discontinuance of the paper was almost an accomplished fact.
Peals had been printed in ‘The Ringing World’ for so long in the manner in which they now appeared that the style had become traditional, and until the committee were convinced by the vote of the Council that a large section of the readers desired a change in style there was no doubt that they would continue in that traditional style.
‘This motion is not intended to demand any heads on a charger or that the Editor and his Editorial Committee should present themselves at the Minster to-night with their own ropes round their necks and the keys of office in their hands, but it is intended simply and solely to draw attention to the fact that if the feeling of the Guildford Guild is any guide to the general feeling throughout the Exercise, that although they pay their 3d. per week cheerfully, they feel at the same time that they are not getting their money’s worth.’
An analysis of the space in ‘The Ringing World’ up to the time of the Guild’s annual meeting showed that of 220 pages, 74 were for peal recording, 12 for quarter peals, 43 for news, letters, articles of a more or less general interest, 10 for technical articles, 81 for advertisements. Roughly about one-third of the paper was devoted to peal recording and about one-fifth for news, letters and articles of more or less general interest. Of the readers, he thought that probably less than 20 per cent. were regular peal ringers, which meant that one-third of the paper was devoted to recording their activities.
He was not attempting to discourage peal ringing or to suggest that peal ringers were not the very cream of the Exercise. He claimed to be in the ranks of the peal ringers, having rung quite a few, including two that week-end, and hoped to ring many more. He was certain that it was the incentive given by peal ringing which would enable the Exercise to continue as a live and vital force in the future. He left to the Editorial Committee methods by which the space allocated to peals could be cut down.
Mr. F. I. Hairs: In the absence of Mr. Hazelden, and I do not think we run any risk of it being passed, I second it.
Mr. F. E. Dukes suggested a number of methods for curtailing the space occupied by peals.
Mr. A. H. Pulling said this was not a fresh question. Years ago it arose in the time of Mr. Goldsmith. They had an editor who had been in the paper business all his life and had been trained to know what the public wanted. The main news of the day as far as ringing was concerned was peal ringing. The Editorial Committee was composed of business people and not any Tom, Dick and Harry. To run a paper was a highly financial job. He was going to vote against the motion, although it came from the Guildford Guild.
Mr. H. J. Poole: We sometimes talk about the nigger in the wood pile; can’t we know what the committee have in view?
COMMITTEE’S STATEMENT.
The Secretary said he thought the answer was to be found in the words of the proposer of the motion to leave it to the Editor and the Editorial Committee to get them out of the mess. Whatever was proposed was going to put more work on somebody. If the style of the peals was altered or set up in a different form the Editor was going to spend a lot more time re-writing them. It was proposed that the two motions should be heard and then the Standing Committee would submit their recommendation.
When they took over the paper in 1942 Mr. Trollope was the Editor. Since Mr. White had been Editor the circulation had risen from 3,250 to 4,700. In the first place, what yardstick were they apply? Surely if they had an increased circulation that was an answer. The second point was when Mr. White took over the arrangement reached was that he should work approximately two days a week. If they gave effect to the suggestions it would mean employing someone for a full week.
Would it not be better to honour the memory of the founder by retaining the style of the peals? The answer to the question was an increased paper. If they had a 16-page paper the space occupied by peals would not be disproportionate. Could those who support the motion say where they could get the extra income? The accounts next year would show a loss of from £200 to £250, and then they would not be reimbursing the editorial staff adequately.
The time had come when they must face their responsibilities. Could anyone point to a specialist publication at 3d. a week and no increase in the war years? They would not find one.
The Standing Committee discussed this the previous night and they decided in the first place that they reimburse the editorial staff for their work. They had not asked for it. Why should they live on charity?
The second point was, was 3d. a week enough and whether it would not be better to increase the charge to 4d. and maintain a 16-page paper weekly. Could anybody tell him that a ringer could not afford another 1d. a week? In the past ringers had had things done for them too cheaply. They did not realise what went on behind the scenes in the production of the paper.
On behalf of the Standing Committee, he proposed that as from January 1st next the price of the paper he increased by a penny to 4d. and that for the benefit of the postal Subscribers the annual subscription be £1 instead of 17s., 10s. 6d. for the half-year and 5s. 6d. quarterly.
Mr. A. Walker seconded.
A member suggested that the space occupied by bellfounders’ advertisements should be reduced.
Mr. Fletcher replied that the reduction of space of their advertisements in an eight-page issue was an act of grace. They were entitled to their space and he deprecated any alteration.
Mr. Fidler: Might I suggest that you ask the three bellfounders to withdraw their advertisements.
Mr. F. Rogers: Are the display rates increased in proportion to the increased sales?
Mr. Fletcher: How can we fix a rate with a circulation of 4,800?
Mr. Fidler: On this question of value the value of ‘The Ringing World’ to the three bellfounders is nothing, because everybody knows who the three founders are.
Mr. George Pullinger: I suppose it is more beneficial to have postal subscribers?
Mr. Fletcher: We want as many postal subscribers as possible. We could deal with 2,000 under our present arrangement.
Mr. Blackwood said the motion of the Standing Committee was something in which they were absolutely unanimous, and in accepting that resolution they ought to express a debt of gratitude to the Editorial Committee.
Mr. G. L. Grover: In view of the report of the Standing Committee, I should be very happy to withdraw my motion.
The recommendation of the Standing Contmittee was then carried unanimously.
The Ringing World, June 24th, 1949, pages 295 to 296
METHOD EXTENSION.
The following notice of motion was submitted by the Universities Association: ‘That this Council undertakes to review the principles of method structure, with the purpose of adopting criteria for the recognition of the extended form of a basic method.’
Dr. Hatcher said as a new member of the Council of the 1948-9 vintage, to use the phrase of the Biographical Committee, he did not anticipate that his maiden speech would mark such an important occasion as the presentation of the motion on method extension. He did so in the name of the Universities Association following a resolution at its last general meeting which took the form of an amendment to a proposition about London Royal. But while reluctant to make a rapid decision on the precise nature of extended London, this meeting gave full support to the idea of considering the problem of extension in more general terms.
Most methods were treble dominated with plain or treble bob hunting paths. They might be simple with a principle defining duty of bells relative to certain, often extreme, treble positions not multiplied in frequency as the number of bells was increased (e.g., Plain Bob, Kent Treble Bob), or were more complicated with a principle defining duty of bells relative to these positions, and also to other internal positions which did increase with the number of bells (e.g., Cambridge). For a method of the latter type it would be evident that the minimum number of bells involved was that which sufficed for the independence, or non-interference, of the two types of duty.
From that point of view a method which could be extended at all could be extended upwards indefinitely, each addition of two bells giving an extra internal set of positions. Thus a method principle had for its expression a minimum number of positions which was variable according to the spatial implications of the duties, but an indefinite maximum, e.g., Plain Bob from four upwards, Cambridge six upwards, Yorkshire eight upwards.
Such extensions of the basic method, however, in many cases did not conform to accepted lead-end requirements, and in the case of these methods attempts had been made to produce legitimate extension by modification of the structural ideal. Here was the real problem, and there might be a large number of such variants claiming recognition as the accepted extended form. This was exactly the position with London, in which method some 16 versions for the Royal extension had been published in the last 40 years.
It was not his intention to comment there on the respective virtues or vices of these versions of London Royal. All he would do was to emphasise the urgent need for the Council to go into the matter thoroughly and then give the Exercise guidance.
In proposing the motion he would suggest that, if adopted, those entrusted with the responsibility of making the review of method structure should present a report to be published either in book form or in a series of articles in ‘The Ringing World,’ before the Central Council was asked to take any decision.
The Secretary: In the absence of Miss Cross I beg formally to second. At the same time it is my duty to given you the recommendation of the Standing Committee that the motion be accepted and referred to the Methods Committee for report.
Mr. E. A. Barnett: It is merely an easy way of getting out of something the Standing Committee does not understand, and speaking for one member of the Methods Committee he does not either (laughter).
The recommendation of the Standing Committee was carried.
NEXT MEETING.
The Chairman said the Gloucester and Bristol Association had invited the Council to Cheltenham and the Sussex County Association to Eastbourne. The Standing Committee recommended Eastbourne, as they understood. there would be a difficulty about accommodation at Cheltenham.
Mr. C. H. Kippin proposed that the next Council meeting be held at Bournemouth. The bells of Eastbourne could not be called first-rate, and there were not many towers in the vicinity. At Bournemouth there were ideal arrangements for ringing and accommodation.
The meeting decided in favour of Eastbourne.
Mr. J. Bray mentioned that members of the Lincoln Diocesan Guild extended a hearty welcome to the Council to visit Lincoln in 1951.
Mr. Anderson pointed out that 1951 was the festival year, and bellringing could claim a place among the art. He hoped the Council would try and do something that year - say a peal in every tower. He moved a vote of thanks to the chairman and officers of the Council, which was carried unanimously.
The President, before acknowledging the vote of thanks, said in connection with the birth of Prince Charles, Mr. Elston sent three copies of ‘The Ringing World,’ containing peals for the royal birth, to Princess Elizabeth, who had graciously acknowledged the copies, which she had read with much interest.
He thanked Mr. Anderson for his vote of thanks, and on behalf of the Council he desired to express their thanks to the Dean and to the Yorkshire Association for the arrangements they had made and also for the hospitality, especially of Mr. George Horner, of the York company.
The Rev. Ellison, president of the Yorkshire Association, said it was a great pleasure to his Association to receive the Council.
The conference was followed by tea at the College, the members of the Council and guests being entertained by the Yorkshire Association. A social evening was afterwards held at The Windmill, where Mr. Harold J. Poole was M.C.
The Ringing World, July 1st, 1949, page 307