CENTRAL COUNCIL AT FOLKESTONE

A GREAT WELCOME FOR RECORD ATTENDANCE - AFFILIATION ACCEPTED - DEVON ASSOCIATION WOULD BE WELCOME - COLOSSAL BUSINESS IN PUBLICATIONS - ‘THE RINGING WORLD’ IMPROVEMENTS APPRECIATED - EXTOLLING RINGING IN OUTSIDE PUBLICATIONS

FOLKESTONE looked its best on Whit Tuesday for the 63rd annual meeting of the Central Council held in the Town Hall, when there was a record attendance of 144 members. In addition there were many interested spectators of the proceedings in the gallery above the conference chamber.

Proceedings actually started with a celebration of the Holy Communion for the Council at Folkestone Parish Church at which the celebrant was the Bishop of Tonbridge (the Rt. Rev. G. Russell White), assisted by the Vicar (Canon Hough).

The proceedings at the Council meeting started with an official welcome by the Mayor (Ald. F. W. Archer), who was accompanied by the Bishop of Tonbridge and Canon Hough.

In his good wishes for a successful and happy conference the Mayor said he had been associated with Church work all his life, having been a chorister for 23 years, and it was a pleasure, within 10 days of assuming his year of office, to welcome them. He had read some of their literature about their work and he was amazed at the amount of organisation behind their Council, and the various suggestions made to diocesan bodies that their work could be carried out to the best advantage of the Church.

He noticed that in ringing for service that the church bells were rung to proclaim that Christ lives and to call his people to worship. He thought it was a wonderful way of expressing their work. He was personally very grateful to Canon Hough for the prayers he and the congregation offered for his recovery from illness, which enabled him to hold the office of Mayor.

He noticed that in the recruitment of ringers it was suggested that they should consider choirboys between the ages of 14 and 15. Knowing choirboys he wondered why. As a boy chorister it used to be his duty to toll a single bell five minutes before the service to announce that all seats were free. In those days it was his greatest delight to stop the bell suddenly and see people rush for their seats and after a pause to start ringing again. He did not think choirboys were the best recruits!

The Bishop of Tonbridge followed with a welcome to the conference on behalf of the Diocese of Rochester and Canterbury. He recalled that when he was Vicar of Twickenham he made an appeal for bells - unfortunately they were a carillon. One of the first donations, and a handsome one, was from a Roman Catholic, who lived near the church. He gave his gift because with the bells his dog had stopped barking. (Laughter.)

When he went to Tonbridge they embarked on a scheme of church restoration. The bells were taken down, recast and rehung, and on one of these bells his name was inscribed. Some 18 months ago he left Tonbridge and the local band of ringers then asked him to become their president. The strength of their organisation was the strength of each individual band and with each individual band strong, they would keep their art alive in this country.

Canon Hough proudly proclaimed that he had produced a family of change ringers, and he, alas, was the only ‘black sheep.’ When on holiday, instead of reading his thriller in his hotel, he was taken out to visit local towers, to find local ringers and ring the bells. There were only two churches in Folkestone where change ringing was practised and he was delighted that his was one of them. ‘I feel that what you do is part of England - like our churches and Shakespeare - and our Christian culture is bound up with such a craft and art as bell ringing and one hopes that England may be made really Christian.’

The Central Council was welcomed on behalf of the Kent County Association by Mr. John Willis. He said it was a great honour to them that they were paying their third visit. Mr. Willis said he could not speak of the first visit of the Central Council to Kent, but he remembered the visit on June 7th, 1897, when Canon Helmore was secretary of the K.C.A. At the meeting, at Canterbury, he was not present, but his friend, Bert Luck, told him he remembered ringing a plain course of Grandsire Cinques with George and Edith Fletcher at 1.30 am. One of the great things about change ringing was continuity and it was a pleasure to him to see George and Edith Fletcher with them.

The president (Mr. Frederick Sharpe) replied to the welcome and said it was a great pleasure to him to know that the Kent County Association celebrated its 80th birthday on Whit-Monday, and they congratulated the Association on its progress. When the Association was formed there was very little change ringing, now it was the rule rather than the exception as it was then. Kent was now one of the strongholds, as in the past in the days of James Barham in the 18th century, and it was noted for its ringing families.

This year had been an eventful one for the Central Council. There had been a tremendous amount of committee work. Since the end of the last war there had been a growing interest in the Church and now there were more young people taking part in the art than ever before. There were, moreover, ringing courses and as was said they were growing by evolution. In change ringing there were still new fields to be conquered.

THE ATTENDANCE

Ancient Society of College Youths: Messrs. J. E. Chilcott, J. F. Smallwood, C. G. J. Watts and W. Williams.
Bath and Wells Diocesan Association: Messrs. A. H. Reed, G. Salmon and H. J. Sanger.
Bedfordshire Association: Mr. S. Foskett and Mr. A. E. Rushton.
Cambridge University Guild: Dr. C. M. P. Johnson and Mr. B. D. Threlfall.
Chester Diocesan Guild: Mr. A. R. Elkins and Mr. J. Worth.
Coventry Diocesan Guild: Mrs. D. E. Beamish and Mr. J. L. Garner-Hayward.
Cumberland and North Westmorland Association: Mr. G. McKay.
Derbyshire Association: Mr. G. A. Halls and Mr. A. Moulds.
Devon Guild: Miss B. M. Boyle, Mr. J. L. S. Glanvill and the Rev. J. G. M. Scott.
Durham and Newcastle Association: Mr. K. Arthur and Mr. D. A. Bayles.
East Grinstead and District Guild: Mr. E. J. Ladd.
Ely Diocesan Guild: Messrs. D. E. R. Knights, E. H. Mastin and H. S. Peacock.
Essex Association: Messrs. J. H. Crampion, P. J. Eves and F. B. Lufkin.
Gloucester and Bristol Diocesan Association: Messrs. A. L. Barry, R. G. Hooper, W. B. Kynaston and C. A. Wratten.
Guildford Diocesan Guild: Messrs. C. W. Denyer, H. N. Pitstow and W. H. Viggers.
Hertford County Association: Messrs. W. Ayre, R. G. Bell, G. W. Critchley and G. Dodds.
Irish Association: Mr. F. E. Dukes and Mr. J. T. Dunwoody.
Kent County Association: Messrs. J. R. Cooper, P. A. Corby, T. Cullingworth and I. H. Oram.
Ladies’ Guild: Miss D. E. Colegate, Mrs. A. Richardson, Mrs. P. J. Staniforth.
Lancashire Association: Mr. P. Crook, Mr. F. Dunkerley and the Rev. R. D. St. J. Smith.
Leicester Diocesan Guild: Messrs. S. Burton, E. Morris, P. J. Staniforth and B. G. Warwick.
Lincoln Diocesan Guild: Messrs. J. Bray, G. E. Feirn, J. Freeman and J. L. Millhouse.
Llandaff and Monmouth Diocesan Guild: Mrs. D. J. King and Mr. T. M. Roderick.
London County Association: Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Rogers, Mr. W. G. Wilson.
Middlesex County Association: Messrs. F. T. Blagrove, T. J. Lock and J. R. Mayne.
Midland Counties Guild: Mr. J. W. Cotton.
New South Wales Association: Mr. P. M. J. Gray.
North Staffordshire Association: Mr. R. S. Anderson.
Norwich Diocesan Association: Messrs. H. W. Barrett, N. V. Harding and the Rev. A. G. G. Thurlow.
Oxford Diocesan Guild: Messrs. A. D. Barker, D. Smith and P. Walker.
Oxford Society: Mr. F. A. H. Wilkins.
Oxford University Society: Dr. J. E. Spice.
Peterborough Diocesan Guild: Messrs. B. Austin, P. I. Chapman, G. W. Jeffs and E. G. Orland.
St. Martin’s Guild, Diocese of Birmingham: Mr. F. E. Haynes.
Salisbury Diocesan Guild: Messrs. J. T. Barrett, G. H. Harding, G. S. Morris and W. C. West.
Sheffield and District Society: Mr. N. Chaddock.
Shropshire Association: Mr. H. Poyner.
Society of Royal Cumberland Youths: Messrs. D. Beresford, P. N. Bond, F. J. Cullum and F. E. Hawthorne.
Southwell Diocesan Guild: Mr. B. M. Buswell and Mr. J. D. Clarke.
Stafford Archdeaconry Society: Mr. G. W. Hughes and Mr. B. G. Key.
Suffolk Guild: Mr. J. W. Blythe, Mr. C. W. Pipe and Miss R. J. Seabrook.
Surrey Association: Messrs. A. P. Cannon, F. E. Collins and W. F. Oatway.
Sussex County Association: Messrs. R. Overy, R. B. Percy and H. Stalham.
Truro Diocesan Guild: Messrs. W. C. Boucher, D. Burnett and H. Miles.
Universities Association: Miss M. R. Cross.
University of London Society: Dr. D. N. Layton.
Winchester and Portsmouth Diocesan Guild: Mr. A. V. Davis, the Rev. K. W. H. Felstead and Mr. F. W. Rogers.
Worcestershire and Districts Association: Messrs. B. C. Ashford, D. Beacham and W. B. Cartwright.
Yorkshire Association: Messrs. G. Benfield, V. Bottomley, W. E. Critchley and L. W. G. Morris.
University of Bristol Society: Mr. T. P. Edwards.
Honorary members: Mrs. E. A. Barnett, Messrs. J. P. Fidler, F. I. Hairs, A. A. Hughes, D. Hughes, C. K. Lewis, W. A. Osborn, H. L. Roper, E. C. Shepherd, R. F. B. Speed, L. Stilwell, P. L. Taylor, T. W. White and J. Willis.
Life members: Messrs. F. Sharpe, E. A. Barnett, F. W. Perrens, E. H. Lewis, G. W. Fletcher, Mrs. Fletcher.

APOLOGIES

Apologies were received from the Misses N. G. Williams, H. G. Snowden, M. E. L. Beamish, M. E. Snowdon, Mrs. J. Jeffrey, Mrs. C. C. Marshall, Messrs. H. O. Baker, J. W. Clarke, T. G. Myers, H. J. Shuck, B. A. Sollis, J. G. Gipson, A. C. Hazelden, Rev. E. G. Benson, T. H. Taffender, F. W. Goodfellow, E. C. Birkett, E. H. Edge, F. N. Golden, D. H. B. Millward, A. E. Lock, G. E. Fearn, R. St. C. Wilson, D. H. Rooke, L. G. Brett, R. G. Blackman, C. I. Lewis, Rev. A. S. Roberts, A. J. Pitman, C. W. Roberts and A. Walker.

ATTENDANCE SUMMARY

REPORT AS TO MEMBERSHIP

The honorary secretary reported that 57 Associations were affiliated to the Council with 156 members. The rules provided for 24 honorary members and there were seven life members, making a total membership of 187. There were two vacancies among representative members and three among honorary. All subscriptions had been paid.

APPLICATION TO AFFILIATE

An application was received from the University of Bristol Society to affiliate. The Standing Committee recommended that the application be agreed to. It was proposed by Mr. P. M. J. Gray, and seconded by Mr. W. Williams, that the Society be elected a member and this was agreed to.

PRESENTATION OF NEW MEMBERS

The following were presented to the president: Messrs. J. E. Chilcott, C. G. J. Watts (Ancient Society of College Youths); A. H. Reed and G. Salmon (Bath and Wells); A. E. Rushton (Bedfordshire); Dr. C. M. P. Johnson (Cambridge University); A. R. Elkins, J. Worth (Chester); J. L. Garner-Hayward (Coventry); G. A. Halls (Derbyshire); Miss B. M. Boyle (Devon); Messrs K. Arthur, D. A. Bayles (Durham and Newcastle); E. J. Ladd (East Grinstead); D. E. R. Knights, E. H. Mastin (Ely); P. J. Eves (Essex); R. G. Hooper, C. A. Wratten (Gloucester and Bristol); C. W. Denyer (Guildford); G. Dodds (Hertford); P. A. Corby, I. H. Oram (Kent); E. Morris, B. G. Warwick (Leicester); J. L. Millhouse (Lincoln); D. Smith, P. Walker (Oxford Diocesan); Dr. J. E. Spice (Oxford University); B. Austin (Peterborough); J. T. Barrett (Salisbury); H. Poyner (Shropshire); D. Beresford, F. J. Cullum (Cumberland Youths); Miss R. J. Seabrook (Suffolk); Messrs. R. B. Percy (Sussex); A. V. Davis (Winchester and Portsmouth); V. Bottomley (Yorkshire); T. P. Edwards (Bristol University); H. L. Roper (honorary).

ELECTION OF PRESIDENT

With the Rev. A. G. G. Thurlow in the chair nominations were called for the office of president.

Mr. E. H. Lewis proposed Mr. Frederick H. Sharpe. ‘We appreciate very much what he has done in the last three years,’ he said, ‘and we should stick to him.’

Mr. A. A. Hughes seconded, and the resolution was carried unanimously and with acclamation.

Taking the chair, Mr. Sharpe returned thanks and said, ‘I can assure you that I have the interest of bells and ringing at heart and will do my utmost for the work of the Council during the coming years.’

OTHER OFFICERS

Mr. R. S. Anderson proposed, and Mr. F. I. Hairs seconded, the re-election of the Rev. A. G. G. Thurlow as vice-president.

Mr. J. F. Smallwood proposed, and Mr. A. A. Hughes seconded, the re-election of Mr. E. A. Barnett as honorary secretary and treasurer.

Mr. F. I. Hairs proposed, and Mr. J. F. Smallwood seconded, the re-election of Mr. F. W. Perrens as honorary librarian.

ELECTION OF HONORARY MEMBERS

The Standing Committee recommended the re-election of the following honorary members: the Earl of Shaftesbury, Messrs. J. T. Dyke, J. P. Fidler, A. A. Hughes, D. Hughes, Mrs. C. C. Marshall, Messrs. E. C. Shepherd, R. F. B. Speed, L. Stilwell, P. L. Taylor, A. Walker, T. W. White and J. Willis and not the re-election of Mr. C. W. Roberts. Also the addition of Mr. W. F. Moreton.

This was proposed by Mr. J. F. Smallwood, and seconded by Mr. N. Chaddock, and agreed to. This left three vacancies.

The honorary secretary announced that arising from the election of the honorary members he gave notice under Rule 6 (d) that the committee would propose, next year, the election as life member of Mr. Albert Walker and Mr. Joseph T. Dyke.

HONORARY AUDITORS

It was proposed by Mr. Anderson, and seconded by Mr. Hairs that Messrs. A. A. Hughes and H. N. Pitstow be re-elected honorary auditors.- Agreed.

VOTE OF THANKS

Mr. H. W. Rogers moved a vote of thanks to Mrs. Barnett for her continued help to her husband in his work for the Council.- Carried with acclamation.

LOSSES BY DEATH

The Council stood while the death of the following members since the last meeting were remembered: Mr. A. H. Pulling, Winchester Guild 1914-1927, Guildford Guild 1928-1956, honorary 1957-59, attended 30 meetings; Mr. R. S. F. Murphy, Irish Association 1930-1947, attended one meeting; Mr. Cecil J. Matthews, Society of Royal Cumberland Youths 1934; Mr. A. W. Searle, Devon Guild 1904-1931, attended seven meetings.

The following deaths had become known to the Council during the year: Messrs. R. E. Chichester, Devon Guild; H. C. Chandler, Middlesex County Association; John Clark, Hereford Diocesan Guild; R. B. Blanchard, Surrey Association; A. H. Cocks, Oxford Diocesan Guild and A. N. Hardy, Society of Royal Cumberland Youths.

TRIBUTES

Mr. F. W. Rogers paid a tribute to the memory of Mr. A. H. Pulling and recalled that he conducted the record peal of Stedman Caters of 19,708 changes in 1912.

Mr. C. K. Lewis mentioned that Mr. Pulling called the first peal of Spliced Surprise Major, an action which in those days required courage as the great men of the Exercise were then saying that it was not quite the right thing to do.

Mr. Harry Miles said he first met Mr. Pulling in 1900 when he was engaged on work in a small village in the Cotswolds. He stayed with the foreman ringer in that village. Conditions were primitive and when he retired to bed he took with him a candle, a box of matches and a cigar. If he could not sleep he would light his cigar and learn Holt’s Original, a peal which he conducted afterwards on very many occasions.

Mr. C. W. Denyer mentioned the great help Mr. Pulling had been to him when he was a young ringer. The Guildford Guild would like them all to do something for him in his memory. They proposed to provide a bell for the new Cathedral at Guildford, to his memory from the ringers of the country. To start with the bell would be rung with an electric gadget but afterwards when the tower was built it would be one of the ring of bells. They wanted between £700 and £800 for the bell.

The Rev. John G. M. Scott said Mr. Arthur Searle was a real champion of change ringing in the West Country and rang at St. David’s, Exeter. He was an outstanding man and had rung in every tower in Devon.

Mr. F. E. Dukes speaking of Mr. R. S. F. Murphy said he did a tremendous amount of work for change ringing in Ireland. In 1933 he presented a cup with a view to improving the standard of striking and since that day there had been a great improvement.

Tributes to Mr. A. H. Cox were given by Mr. A. D. Barker and the president. Mr. Sharpe said Mr. Cox did more research into the history of past bell founders than any other man. His monumental work. ‘The Bells of Buckinghamshire,’ was published in 1897.

MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

The honorary secretary reported that the minutes had been circulated. Omitted from those minutes was that the report of the Literature and Press Committee was adopted on the proposition of Mr. E. C. Shepherd and seconded by Mr. F. E. Dukes. Also that the alteration of Rules was seconded by Mr. A. D. Barker and that under Motion (c) the last two were in reverse order. With these amendments he moved the minutes be adopted. This was seconded by Mr. F. I. Hairs and carried.

REPORT OF THE HONORARY SECRETARY
Offer To Devon Association

Although in retrospect I can recall comparatively little of an unusual nature which took place during 1959, I find that 721 letters or receipts were sent out during the year, which shows that the ‘secretarial staff’ have not been entirely idle.

One rather interesting event, however, was a letter from the Devon Association of Ringers asking for information about the Council’s aims and objects, a copy of the Rules and whether we would be prepared to consider the representation of the Association on the Council. On the last point I replied that as the full Council meets only once a year, I could only express an opinion which was that we would consider the Devon Association being represented, particularly if, as I understood to be the case, the Guild of Devonshire Ringers did not object; and that in fact most members would be pleased to welcome the Association to our ranks. I hope members will endorse that opinion. So far no further correspondence has taken place but members may think that some official expression of the Council’s views should be conveyed to the Devon Association.

Information about ringing was given to, among others, a German author for a boys’ year-book, an incumbent in Newfoundland and a Special Correspondent of ‘The Times.’ The last helped towards what was, as might be expected, a most accurate and balanced article entitled ‘Bell Ringing as a Popular Art,’ which appeared on August 22nd, 1959, and which seems to have attracted surprisingly little attention in the Exercise. It could well have been reprinted in ‘The Ringing World.’

A letter from myself on the Council’s behalf criticising the decision of the Chancellor of the Diocese of Bristol to overrule the Diocesan Advisory Committee’s advice not to allow the installation of an electronic apparatus in a Bristol church and referring to the Church Assembly’s motion of February 8th, 1954, which deprecated the introduction of such devices into churches, appeared also in ‘The Times’ of November 21st.

At the time of writing information shows that the following have now ceased to be members of the Council, and we offer our thanks to them for their past services: A. B. Peck, A.S.C.Y., 1933-59; Wg. Cdr. J. S. Mason, A.S.C.Y., 1957-59; R. O. Fry, Bath and Wells, 1954-58; D. Hoare, Bath and Wells, 1959; B. F. Sims, Bedfordshire, 1955-59; Dr. P. A. F. Chalk, C.U.G. 1954-59; Rev. J. Kingdon, Chester, 1949-59; W. Allman, Chester, 1957-59; A. J. Martin, Chester, 1957-59; H. Windsor, Coventry, 1959; W. L. Robinson, Derbyshire, 1954-59; A. L. Bennett, Devon, 1957-59; F. Ainsley, Durham and Newcastle, 1948-59; W. N. Park, Durham and Newcastle, 1948-59; C. A. Bassett, East Grinstead, 1951-59; P. Border, Ely, 1954-59; F. W. Lack, Ely, 1951-59; L. S. Woods, Essex, 1958-59; T. Boreham, Gloucester and Bristol, 1954-59; F. Skidmore, Gloucester and Bristol, 1948-59; G. S. Joyce, Guildford, 1957-59; E. Edmondson, Hertford, 1954-59; Dr. E. S. J. Hatcher, Kent, 1954-59; T. E. Sone, Kent, 1933-59; A. E. Rowley, Leicester, 1946-59; J. A. Freeman, Lincoln, 1945-59; Mrs. A. D. Barker, Oxford, 1948-59; W. Butler, Oxford, 1957-59; R. B. Meadows, Oxford University, 1951-59; Dr. D. H. Niblett, Oxford University, 1957-59; E. Nobles, Peterborough, 1954-59; C. H. Hawkins, St. David’s, 1957-59; J. I. P. Davis, Salisbury, 1957-59; F. H. Bennett, Shropshire, 1957-59; G. H. Cross, S.R.C.Y., 1938-59; J. Segar, Southwell, 1953-59; K. G. Brown, Suffolk, 1957-59; F. H. Dallaway, Sussex, 1938-59; C. H. Kippin, Winchester and Portsmouth, 1949-59; G. Pullinger, Winchester and Portsmouth, 1933-59.

For the eighth time I must record my thanks to Mr. W. G. Wilson and Miss C. L. Groves for typing and duplicating these papers, and for the third and unfortunately the last time to Mr. W. N. Park for preparing the accounts of ‘The Ringing World.’ My thanks are also due to all who have kindly sent copies of reports and other publications, and to the Conveners of most Committees for the way in which they have abided by the new rule that reports must be in by March 31st. I trust they will keep it up and perhaps encourage the others (and certain Association secretaries and treasurers!) by their example.- E. A. Barnett.

Moving the adoption of the report the honorary secretary said with reference to the Devon Association if the Devon Guild had no objection would the secretary of that Guild write to the Association and tell them.

Mr. F. E. Dukes seconded the adoption.

The Rev. John Scott said as far as he knew ringers in the Devon Guild would be delighted. There was a good deal of excitement among the Guild that the Devon Association had applied for membership. At the moment their constitution was a little fluid, but by application to the Council they hoped that they could get their house in order.

The honorary secretary: I would like to make it clear that they have not applied but asked to be considered.

The President: I think the answer from the chair would be that we would be delighted to welcome the Devon Association. Thanks were also due to the secretary for his work.

The report was adopted.

REPORT OF THE HONORARY LIBRARIAN
6,139 Publications Sold

The outstanding feature of this year is the colossal record figures for the number of publications sold, the total being 6,139 compared with the average for the past eight years of 1,278. This tremendous increase is due entirely to the issue early in the year of the ‘Beginners’ Handbook’ and the sale of over five thousand of these surely augurs well for the future.

Although perhaps not quite so big as last year’s, there is still a considerable demand for a collection of Minor Methods, which I believe has now been out of print since 1954, and an early issue of this book is most desirable.

The stock of ‘On Conducting’ is now rather low and as there has been a steady sale of this book during the past few years, a reprint will be necessary in 1960.

The borrowing of books of reference during the year has been about normal but as books are sometimes kept for very long periods. I would ask borrowers to return books as soon as they have finished with them.

We record our thanks to the people concerned for the following additions to the library: ‘Steeple, Bells and Clocks of Shankill Parish, Lurgan’ and the ‘Irish Bell News,’ per Mr. F. E. Dukes; six of J. J. Parker’s note books, per Mr. A. D. Baker; MSS. by Col. M. D. Bell on ‘Training of Tune Ringers on Handbells,’ together with tunes for 8 and 12 bells, per Mr. T. W. White; old peal books and reports of the Midland Counties Association, per Mr. Paul Taylor; ‘Facts and Figures about the Church of England,’ per Mr. E. A. Barnett; ‘The Church and Other Bells of Aberdeenshire,’ by the late F. C. Eeles, O.B.E., D.Litt., F.S.A.Scot., and Ranald W. M. Clouston, B.Sc.Eng., F.S.A.Scot., presented by the authors.

It now remains for me to attempt an almost impossible task - to express adequately the thanks due to Mr. R. F. B. Speed for the enormous amount of work he has done for the Council during this year. I am as much at a loss for words to do this as I am to estimate the number of hours he must have spent in despatching over six thousand books. We are indeed very fortunate to have the sales section of the library in such capable and willing hands and we tender most sincere and hearty thanks to Mr. Speed and to his wife, who I feel certain has borne some of the burden.- Frank W. Perrens.

Moving the adoption of the report Mr. Perrens reiterated his great debt to Mr. and Mrs. Speed. Mr. J. H. Crampion seconded, and the report was adopted.

SALES AND STOCK

Method sheets: Cambridge, 17; D.N.C.B., 19; Bristol, 12; Stedman and Grandsire, 40; Preservation of Bells, 79, Four way Minor Table, 50, Handbell Ringing, 139, Major Compositions, 37, Collection of Peals, Sect. III, 13, Report of Conference, S.P.A.B. 4, Doubles Methods, 100, Model Rules, 22, Village Bells, 135, Card of Instruction 28, Plain Major Methods, 61, Methods Committee Report, 13, On Conducting, 119, Handbook, 59, Electrical Switchgear Card, 9, Grandsire Caters, 80, Beginners’ Handbook, 5,103; total 6,139.

The stock at cost at the end of the year was £451 19s. 2d.

THE ACCOUNTS

BALANCE SHEET

(The figures in parentheses are the corresponding amounts in the previous year’s accounts.)

Sundry Creditors, £566 10s. 9d. (£76); Received in advance, £2,075 7s. 9d. (£1,040); Clement Glenn Fund, £807 0s. 2d. (£785); Provision for income Tax and Audit Fee £82 1s. 9d. (£40); Capital Accounts - ‘The Ringing World,’ £5,109 12s.; General Fund, £584 6s. 2d.; £5,693 18s. 2d. (£5,091). Total £9,224 18s. 7d. (£7,032).

Goodwill and Blocks ‘The Ringing World’ £200 (£200); Library, £10 (£10); Office and Library Equipment, £28 5s. 11d. (£33); Stock of Publications, £451 19s. 2d. (£351); Debtors and Payments in Advance, £863 9s. 2d. (£581); Investments at cost, £4,362 18s. 4d. (£4,362); Cash at Bank or in hand, £3,308 6s. (£1,494). Total £9,224 18s. 7d. (£7,032).

GENERAL FUND

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

Expenses - Biography Committee, £6 (£5); Sunday Service Committee, £16 3s. 5d. (£19); Standing Committee, £3 17s. 4d.; Honorary Secretary, £10 (£10); Stationery and Printing, £23 3s. 2d. (£15); Telephone/Telegrams, £2 6s. 10d. (£2); Office and Library Equipment written off, £6 (£6); Insurances Library and Roll of Honour, £1 16s. (£2); Wreath - A. H. Pulling, £2 2s. 6d. (£2); Typing, £2 2s. (£2); Cheque Book, 8s. 4d.; Sundry Expenses, £1 4s. 9d. (£1); Excess of Income over Expenditure, £15 10s. 9d. (£6). Total £101 14s. (£89).

Affiliation Fees, £77 10s. (£76 10s.); Balance Publications Account £24 4s. (£13). Total £101 14s. (£89).

PUBLICATIONS ACCOUNT

Stock, January 1st, 1959, £350 15s. 3d. (£331); Purchases: Beginners’ Handbook, 10,027, £340 18s.; Postages, Stationery and Sundries, £36 9s. 8d. (£11 10s.); Trade Discount, £2 16s. (£2 10s.); Advertisements ‘The Ringing World,’ £20 (£20); Balance (profit) to General Fund, £24 4s. (£13). Total £775 2s. 11d. (£445).

Sale of Publications £302 4s. 11d. (£94); Sale of Surplus Books, £19 18s.; Sundry receipts £1 0s. 10d.; Stock, December 31st, 1959, £451 19s. 2d. (£351). Total £775 2s. 11d. (£445).

The Clement Glenn Bequest showed investments at cost, £762 18s. 4d.; Cash at bank, £44 1s. 10d. Total £807 0s. 2d. (£785). The market value of the investment on December 21st, 1959, was £834 15s.

The honorary secretary and treasurer moved the adoption of the accounts, subject to audit. In regard to the Publications Account, the outstanding item had been the success of ‘The Beginners’ Handbook.’ Had it not been for the sale of surplus books and sundry receipts the profit would have been only £3. It was a small profit and in showed they were continuing their policy of publishing at as low a price as possible. The item of cost for the Standing Committee was due to the extraordinary meeting held to consider the price of ‘The Ringing World.’

Regarding £3,308 cash in hand, Mr. Barnett said he hoped that nobody would think it was spare money. Over £2,000 was for sums in advance for postal subscriptions to ‘The Ringing World,’ and the remainder was the balance of the Clement Glenn Fund.

Mr. V. Bottomley suggested that the surplus cash be put to a profitable use. At the present time banks were giving three per cent on deposit and only required seven days notice of withdrawal.

The honorary treasurer replied that a further £1,000 was invested this year.

Mr. P. I. Chapman inquired re £19 18s. sale of surplus books. The president replied that with books printed after 1850 where there were more than two copies the librarian had power to sell.

Mr. G. W. Fletcher suggested that this did not form part of the library account and with this the president agreed.

The accounts were adopted, subject to audit, and thanks were expressed to the honorary treasurer for his work.

REPORT ON THE TRUSTEES OF THE CARTER RINGING MACHINE

On July 18th, an open day was held and two parties saw the machine which successfully rang touches or plain courses of Cambridge Maximus. London Major, Stedman Cinques, Bob Minor and Grandsire Doubles. Only those who have their ‘Ringing World’ through the post knew of these demonstrations because of the printing dispute, so the total attendance of 20 for the day was rather disappointing.

On September 26th, a demonstration was given for the Leicester Diocesan Guild ringers, who saw and heard the conclusion of a quarter peal of Cambridge Maximus, which had been started before their arrival, also a plain course of Bristol Major (first time on the machine) and a bob course of Stedman Cinques. The attendance on this occasion was 30.

Mr. V. K. Chew, of the Science Museum staff, has made a tape recording of the machine ringing a bob course of Stedman Cinques. This is for the benefit of those ringers who call to ask to see the machine at times other than appointed demonstration times, and Mr. Chew felt that as they could not see it actually work, a tape recording would be of some advantage.- A. A. Hughes and A. Walker (trustees).

The Standing Committee recommended that the report be adopted and this was done on the proposition of Mr. A. A. Hughes, seconded by Mr. R. S. Anderson. The latter expressed thanks to Mr. Douglas Hughes and the secretary mentioned the services and interest of Mr. Chew.

REPORT OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE

The honorary secretary reported that at an extraordinary meeting on November 7th, 1959, the Standing Committee considered various proposals for meeting the increased cost of producing ‘The Ringing World’ and decided to increase rate of advertisements by 15 per cent.

The report was adopted.

The Ringing World, June 17, 1960, pages 417 to 419, correction July 1, page 453

‘THE RINGING WORLD’ COMMITTEE AND INCREASED PRICE

Since its inception in 1911, states the committee’s report, the story of ‘The Ringing World’ has been one of struggle punctuated by periods of crisis. This struggle has not particularly been in respect of lack of copy, for despite the lukewarm support of the Exercise, sufficient news has always been forthcoming to fill its pages. The difficulties have always been encountered on the financial side. We make no apologies for again emphasising to the Council that were all subscribers to take their copies direct by post many of the financial problems would be resolved.

However, your Committee are, of course compelled to deal with the position as it is and not on a hypothetical basis and early in 1959 it was evident that some revision would be needed if the liquid position was to be preserved. The situation rapidly became acute on the threat of a strike in the printing industry and the certainty of increased costs through their wages to the operatives. As you are aware, the Editor was able, in spite of many difficulties, to print an emergency paper at fortnightly intervals and this was overwhelmingly applauded by the Exercise. There were some grumbles but these your Committee now accept as inevitable.

Several long meetings of the Committee were held when the opportunity was taken to make a thorough examination of the whole position. From previous accounts members of the Council would appreciate operating costs were very low and the salaries of the paid staff bore little relation to the volume of work. It was felt that their remuneration should be more nearly equated to the work done and certain increases were agreed. Even the present figures, however, are still low in comparison to what could legitimately be demanded. Following the award made to and accepted by the printers and the probability of a further increase in two years time, the Committee felt that no other course was open to them but to increase the price of ‘The Ringing World’ to 8d. or 9d. per copy.

NO DRASTIC DROP IN SALES

They also considered that before putting any increase into effect the whole matter be placed before your Standing Committee, who at a special meeting in November endorsed your Committee’s report and a recommendation that from January 1st, 1960 the price be 8d.

Although as was to be expected, the increase was not unanimously applauded, your Committee are pleased to observe that fears of a drastic reduction in circulation have not been realised and in fact it was not until the week of March 11th that a drop in copies sold was shown. In that issue the figures were 5,570 for 1960 against 5,586 for 1958. It is earnestly hoped that numbers will not fall further and that new readers can be obtained to replace those lost. The Council cannot have failed to observe the increase in size of ‘The Ringing World’ and it may possibly be this factor which has persuaded some readers to continue their support.

Council requirements now stipulate that committee reports be with the secretary by March 31st. At this date the annual accounts of ‘The Ringing World’ were only in draft form and showed a small profit for 1959. An examination of the Profit and Loss Account, however, will quickly reveal that this surplus was only possible through the generosity of readers who voluntarily subscribed £336 19s. 1d. Merely to say ‘thank you’ for this magnificent gesture seems very inadequate but your Committee are certainly most grateful for these contributions and feel their thanks should be supported by the whole Council.

Your Committee, in conclusion, once more express their appreciation to all who in any way have contributed to ‘The Ringing World’ from those supplying front page articles, to the many sending in short news items and paragraphs of interest. Also to the compiler of the index, Mr. H. L. Roper. To mention even by initials only a few would fill more pages but our thanks are, nevertheless, sincere and our hopes are for a continuance of this help and interest.

Thought must also be given to the Editor and his staff and to Mr. Jeater and we ask the Council and the Exercise to join in thanks to them for their work and to our many advertisers for their support.

In announcing the increase in price of ‘The Ringing World’ to 8d. per copy from January 1st, your Committee offered to supply at the current price all who renewed their subscriptions before December 31st, 1959. As will be seen from the balance sheet there was a substantial response as shown in the figures for advance payments. Your Committee feel encouraged by this response although it will, of course, preclude the full benefit of the increased price being achieved before 1961.

Your Committee once more renew their appeal to readers in general and to members of the Council in particular for continued and sustained efforts at all times to seek new readers and to supply attractive copy. ‘The Ringing World’ is YOUR paper and as such its success or failure is YOUR responsibility.- J. Frank Smallwood (Convener).

‘A LITTLE MORE OPTIMISTIC’

Moving the adoption of the report Mr. Smallwood said they had had an anxious year which they had got through better than he expected. At the moment they were feeling a little more optimistic than they had found themselves for several years - but they had no grounds for complacency. They had been told that generally there had been an improvement in ‘The Ringing World’ since the first issue in January. They had received many encouraging letters from all parts of the country and abroad.

In regard to the increase in price, he expected a dismal setback in sales but that had not materalised to any great extent. One thing he would stress was the importance of postal subscribers. At the present time for two postal subscribers there were three through the newsagents. There had been some improvements in the paper and it might be asked why were not some of these improvements introduced before. It was, however, generally known that they had been travelling in a vicious circle for nine or ten years. They had now taken the ‘bit between the teeth,’ increased the price and gone out for a better paper.

They would have noticed that the page size had been increased and credit for that must go to Tom White, as it was his suggestion. The Woodbridge Press had installed a new machine. The paper previously wasted in cutting was printed on and this gave the equivalent of a page and a half extra an issue. In addition they had some 24 page issues. He hoped they would not finish in the red this year, as they would not reap the full benefit of the increased price. The committee would like to express their thanks to the Standing Committee for backing up the proposals as to the increased price.

Mr. R. S. Anderson seconded the adoption of the report.

PEAL LEVY

The Rev. John Scott said the Devon Guild last year were very disappointed that a peal levy was not introduced, and at their meeting passed a motion instituting a levy on all peals rung for the Guild, of which 6d. per rope would go to ‘The Ringing World.’ If other Guilds followed this course it would result in a great increase in revenue.

Mr. B. Austin asked if there could be of a better packing of ‘The Ringing World.’

Mr. John Mayne said the main reason why young people took the paper through the newsagent was because they found it difficult to pay a lump sum down and also because it went on the family’s paper bill. Another reason given by an older ringer was that he preferred it to come not covered with mud.

Mr. W. C. West said at the annual meeting of the Salisbury meeting on May 14th, a motion was carried deprecating that a peal levy was not charged on all peals published in ‘The Ringing World.’ They had from four to six pages of peals and he felt they should be paid for.

Mr. J. H. Crampion said the question of price had been discussed by the Essex Association and they came to the conclusion that there was no other alternative than to increase the price. They wholeheartedly supported the committee in their action. They also felt that thanks were due to the Editor and apprentices in producing copies during the strike.

Mr. S. Foskett gave the view of the Bedfordshire Association that ‘The Ringing World’ should not be a charitable production, but placed on a basis that any loss should be met by the territorial Associations.

Mr. John Willis said there were a few members of the Central Council who did not take ‘The Ringing World’ by post. Had ‘The Ringing World’ Committee any knowledge that every member took the journal?

Mr. H. Miles said 95 per cent of the ringers in Cornwall were not method ringers. If they were not method ringers what was there of interest to them in ‘The Ringing World’? Could a page be devoted to those who were not method ringers?

Mr. H. Sanger: We in the Bath and Wells Association have decided to introduce a peal levy on all peals rung for the Association. We feel that until the circulation is improved all Associations should pass such a resolution.

Mr. Cecil Pipe remarked that now that ‘The Ringing World’ had taken the ‘bit between their teeth’ they had increased their income by 33 1/3 per cent. which was an extra £2,500 a year.

Mr. R. S. Anderson said it must he remembered that it was a 33 1/3 per cent gross. They had to remember that the price of newsprint did not remain stationary and there would be a further increase of wages in the near future. The committee was hoping that the increase in price already made would cover that. The surplus of £587 included £356 voluntary donations. They were also hoping to write off the £200 for goodwill and blocks.

So far as the peal levy was concerned it had been argued that peals were news and no publication paid for news. There was nothing to prevent an Association imposing a peal levy and so increasing this small amount of voluntary donations for peals. Quarter peal ringers had been very generous; peals ringers did not subscribe so generously. As to a reader getting a dirty copy they could not control the postal authorities. As far as Cornwall was concerned if the call change ringers would let them have the copy nobody would be more delighted than the committee.

The Rev. R. D. St. J. Smith said the committee had made out their case and it was up to them to give it a fair trial.

The president said their thanks were due to the committee for their work. He had had a letter from the American Guild of Handbell Ringers saying how much they appreciated ‘The Ringing World’ with its additional items.

The report was adopted.

‘THE RINGING WORLD’ ACCOUNTS
BALANCE SHEET

Sundry Creditors - Woodbridge Press Ltd., £552 10s. 6d., Editor, £12 12s. 9d.- £565 3s. 3d. (£74); Amounts received in advance - Postal Subscriptions, £2,027 11s. 6d., Notices, £44 16s. 3d.- £2,072 7s. 9d. (£1,040); Provision for income tax and audit fee, £82 1s. 9d. (£40); Capital Account Balance at December 21st, 1958, £4,522 4s. 7d., Profit for year, £587 7s. 5d.- £5,109 12s. (£4,522). Total £7,829 4s. 9d. (£5,676).

Goodwill and Blocks £200 (£200); Sundry debtors - Rolls Publishing Co. Ltd., £600 14s. 11d.; Advertisements, £137 4s. 9d.; Notices, £119 12s. 3d.; Postal Subscribers 3s. 7d.; Williams Brothers, £3 12s. 8d.- £861 8s. 2d. (£580); Investments at cost £3,600 (£3,600); Cash: at Bank, £3,111 10s. 7d., in hands of agent, £1 18s. 6d.- £3,113 9s. 1d. (£1,261); Amount due from Central Council £54 7s. 6d. (£35). Total £7,829 4s. 9d. (£5,676).

PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT

Woodbridge Press Ltd. Printing, £3,951 15s., blocks, £37 8s. 6d.= £3,989 4s. 3d. (£4,019); Editorial Office Expenses: Editor’s fees and expenses, £400 9s. 3d.; Clerical assistance £158; Postage and Sundries £24 9s. 11d.= £582 19s. 2d. (£603); Postal Subscribers: Postage, £822 12s.; Addressing and wrappers, £236 3s. 5d.= £1,058 15s. 5d. (£1,090); Accounts Department: Clerical assistance, £156; Postage, £24 19s. 4d.; Stationery and sundries, £38 7s. 9d.= £219 7s. 1d. (£202); Miscellaneous Expenses £32 16s. 6d. (£23); Audit and Accountancy Fees, £47 5s. (£37); Provision for Income Tax, £62 11s. (£46); Balance being profit carried to balance sheet, £587 7s. 5d. (£437). Total £6,580 5s. 10d. (£6,457).

Sales to Publishers, £2,251 2s. 1d. (£2,296); Sales to Postal Subscribers, £2,806 6s. 8d. (£2,762); Advertisements £424 9s. 8d. (£435); Notices, £546 19s. 1d. (£538); Donations, £356 19s. 1d. (£275); Sundry Receipts, £38 1s. 3d. (£45); Interest on Investments, £157 3s. 10d. (£106). Total £6,580 5s. 10d. (£6,457).

The honorary treasurer presented the accounts and said they were subject to audit as the auditor had been taken ill. He moved their adoption.

Mr. F. I. Hairs seconded.

Mr. Norman Chaddock asked for a breakdown of the voluntary subscription - peals, quarter peals and block grants like the Oxford Guild.

The honorary treasurer replied that it could be done but it was very complicated. They were extremely grateful to the Oxford Guild for their donation of £20.

The accounts were adopted.

THE NEW COMMITTEE

The Standing Committee recommended that the committee be re-elected with the exception of Mr. W. N. Park. who was not now a member of the Council.

Mr. Wilfred G. Wilson and Mr. Patrick I. Chapman were nominated. Mr. Wilson was elected to the committee and the recommendation of the Standing Committee was adopted.

THE PEAL BOARDS COMMITTEE

The task of recording details of Peal Boards from 1825 to the early part of the present century has been somewhat simplified by the fact that records of a large number of these interesting boards were published in ‘Church Bells.’ The details are being copied prior to their being arranged and typed on a uniform pattern, but as there are well over 500 the work will obviously take some time to complete.

The typing, however, is another problem and the Committee would welcome offers of assistance from typists. For those who feel able to help a specimen lay-out will be provided and in cases where some special setting out is necessary, details will be explained. Only with such help can this valuable record of ringing history be completed in a reasonable time.- J. W. Clarke (Convener).

In the absence of the convener, Mr. Walter Ayre moved the adoption of the report.

Seconding, Mr. J. P. Fidler said they had written details from over 5,000 peal boards. It was rather a big task getting them written out in standard form. The typing was now a big problem. Quite a number of these boards were destroyed in the blitz. There were others that were deteriorating rapidly and they asked ringers to have them restored. There were quite a number of boards up and down the country not recorded.

The Rev. K. W. H. Felstead asked ringers to check details of boards that had appeared in ‘Church Bells.’ Errors had been found.

The report was adopted.

The Standing Committee recommended that Messrs. J. W. Clarke, W. Ayre and J. P. Fidler be re-elected to the committee. This was agreed to.

THE PEALS COLLECTION COMMITTEE

The collection of Stedman Caters and Cinques is now complete its manuscript form and, allowing time for checking, should be in print within the next few mouths.- W. E. Critchley (Convener), G. E. Feirn, A. J. Pitman.

Moving the adoption of the report. Mr. Critchley said he hoped to start typing in the near future. He would like to thank all the people who had provided peals.

Mr. G. E. Feirn seconded.

The President: We should thank the committee for the commendable speed with which they had got the collection together.

The Standing Committee recommended that the committee be re-elected with the omission of Mr. C. W. Roberts and the addition of Mr. R. F. B. Speed. This was agreed to.

Literature & Press Committee Tell of Highlights of 1959

Once again some notable full-scale articles have come our way. Most of these are by non-ringers, but it is clear that the material has been carefully collected and discreetly presented. ‘Ringers’ Rhymes,’ by C. V. Hancock, published in the ‘Birmingham Post and Gazette,’ is very pleasant reading, and gives the author opportunity to remark: ‘The ancient art of bell ringing, thank Heaven, has not been killed by modernity.’ Eric Potter in ‘The British and Commonwealth Review’ (August, 1958) and F. E. Corfield in ‘Venture’ both present straightforward accounts of bells and ringing, The former stresses the importance of ringing as church work, whilst the latter includes mention of the Central Council and ‘The Ringing World.’ In ‘Readers’ Digest’ (April), Anne Deveson and Barbara Wace write of a visit to St. Paul’s. Their description of the ringer in action is slightly distorted but the general substance and tone of the article justify the title ‘The Joyous Ringing of Bells.’

‘The Times,’ of August 22nd, printed ‘Bell Ringing as Popular Art,’ by a Special Correspondent, an outstanding piece of work, distinguished by its matter, its arrangement and its writing. It provides an excellent survey of the Exercise and its organisation, and refers to ‘The Ancient Society of College Youths’ and the rules and customs of that body. The précis of the work of the Central Council is a little masterpiece of compression.

A well illustrated article on the activities of the teenagers, maintaining the ‘Old Tradition’ at Woolton Church, appeared in the ‘Liverpool Evening Echo’ just before Christmas. It showed the enthusiastic youngsters ringing both tower- and handbells. The same paper in May published an article by Arthur Turner entitled ‘Who Will Ring Those Bats Out of the Belfry?’ It gives an interesting account of bell usages throughout the centuries.

The local press, generally, has given good coverage to dedications. Great Yarmouth, Carbis Bay and Farnham were particularly well reported.

RINGING IN WORSHIP

Amongst church periodicals we have noted from: ‘The Liverpool Diocesan Leaflet’ for May the friendly appreciation of the work of ringers, written as a special message by the Bishop of Liverpool. The importance of ringing in worship and the beauty of the fellowship among ringers were the main themes. The ‘Harpenden Parish Magazine’ published a series of articles by J. D. Painter and Mrs. Coburn. These essays on the history of bells and the development of change ringing have been devised and written for the edification and instruction of the parishioners. Finally, ‘Cromlyn’ (who, by the way, is, I understand, a clerical ringer), in his weekly column PANORAMA, in the ‘Church of Ireland Gazette,’ devoted considerable space in the issue dated December 8th, to the Central Council’s leaflet ‘The Ringing of Church Bells for Sunday Services,’ which was distributed throughout all Dioceses in United Kingdom and Ireland. A touch of humour prevails throughout the article, but on a serious note he says ‘Bell ringers need, deserve and should be given a great deal more high level clerical support … It is no reflection on the Holy Order of Deacons to say that an interest in a parish team and attendance at annual regional meetings should not be regarded as the unimportant preserve of the junior curate … would seem to be just the kind of an occasion when a visitation from an x, a y, or a z (meaning anything in gaiters) would do a lot of good.’

From Ireland, too, comes the well written pamphlet by the local tower secretary, Mr. John P. Irwin, giving the history of ‘The Steeple, Bells and Clocks of Shankill Parish’ in Lurgan, Co. Armagh. The work is the result of much research and it reveals some very interesting facts.

Miss Jean Sanderson has written a well illustrated booklet on St. Nicholas’ Parish Church, Norton, Herts, in which she devotes quite a lot of attention to the bells.

Contributions from the American Continent have been rather small and undistinguished. In a Canadian paper, the name and date of which are missing, we find an article on Mrs. Alice Sullivan (née White) and her remarkable collection of bells. Unfortunately, what might have been a readable and informative account of this notable lady and her early ringing career was spoilt by inaccuracy and slovenly writing. ‘The Ocean Press,’ published on board the ‘S.S. America,’ outlines a prospective enterprise by a certain Louis Lamoureux, who proposes to establish a chain of bell shrines on Burke Mountain, Vermont. Since April no further news of this somewhat fantastic project has reached us. ‘Bell-making Brisk since World War II’ in the ‘Oakville Record Star’ has some straightforward lines on bells and bell-founding, but the article cannot be held to be in any way distinctive. On July 16th, ‘The Hatchettstown Gazette’ dealt with the history of the five bells of St. James’ Church, Hachettstown, New Jersey. These bells are tolled or chimed, and photographs show two of the bells and the chiming console.

Articles in the technical press have been few. Perhaps the one which concerns us most is the reference in ‘B.T.H. Productions’ to ‘Church Bell Reproduction,’ an unusual and interesting application of the Hi-Fi equipment made recently at the Church of St. Andrew, Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire. Here B.T.H. equipment has enabled the sound of the Parish Church bells, previously recorded on tape at the Church of St. Mary, Cheadle, to be broadcast with great fidelity and realism from the daughter church tower. A photograph of the church, with its small turret, makes the whole venture seem unrealistic. More realistic, however, is the description of the electrical equipment used in connection with the striking and chiming of the bells of St. Clement Danes’ in the Strand, London. This article appeared in the ‘Electrical Review’ in February. The ‘Foundry Trade Journey’ dealt with the Bilbie family in two feature articles by Ronald Bailey. They were entitled ‘Eccentric Bell Founders of the Mendips.’

‘THE ARCHERS’ CHURCH

The cover of the ‘Radio Times’ of December 25th was decorated with a drawing of the inside of a ringing chamber, depicting ringers at the ropes. The ‘Borchester Echo,’ on the other hand, provided photographs of the tower at Hanbury, Worcestershire, showing some of the well-known male characters of the daily programme ‘The Archers’ preparing to ring up the bells. Thus we have an intriguing antithesis: the depiction of an imaginary belfry in a real paper and the portrayal of a real belfry in a fictitious newspaper.

During the year correspondence in the Press has, on several occasions, been directed against ringers and ringing, and amongst these was a notable complaint concerning a peal at Worcester Cathedral. While we cannot ignore these danger signals, we are left with the assurance that provided reasonable restraint is shown, the people of this land are wholeheartedly on the side of the bells and the ringers. The ‘Burnham (Bucks) Parish Magazine’ in its editorial pleads for public tolerance if the bells are to be rung at all, and the complaint by Sir Percy Sillitoe in the ‘Daily Telegraph’ was admirably answered by M. W. Lewis, of Newark, Canon Carew Cox and Margaret Wells-Garner.

We are of the opinion that a campaign in the Press on the lines of the broadcast from the Northern Ireland Region of the B.B.C. on Christmas Eve, when half an hour was devoted to bell ringing and ringers for the information of the listening public, should do much to interest the public and provide understanding of the ringers’ point of view. Such a campaign in the form of well-written articles by members of the various Guilds and Associations, or ‘Open days’ like the one organised at Rotherham, should do much to win the goodwill of the public. The ‘Open day’ at Rotherham, which was given good publicity in the ‘South Yorkshire Times,’ included photographs of teams of handbell ringers from the High School. Over one thousand people visited the tower, whilst many more stopped to listen to the handbell ringers and to hear the ringing from the tower.

It is discouraging to note that the Chancellor of the Diocese of Bristol has overruled the recommendation of its Advisory Committee in regard to electronic bells proposed to be introduced into the Diocese. The secretary of the Central Council followed up this matter with a letter to ‘The Times’ saying that other Diocesan Chancellors had refused faculties for the ‘blatantly false’ bells.

Bell ringing publications continue to appear.

In March, the long awaited ‘Elementary Handbook for Beginners’ was published by the Central Council. The popularity of this useful book can be judged by the fact that the first edition of 5,000 copies was quickly sold. Ernest Morris, of Leicester, continues to find something to write about. In September a further valuable book was added to the indispensable list of books already published by him. ‘Tintinnabula,’ his latest book, deals mainly with small bells and gives an interesting insight into the customs of various nations. In November, the publication of the Maidstone District of the Kent County Association, ‘The Belfry,’ celebrated its tenth year of production. As usual, the journal contains interesting material both from an historical and a change ringing point of view. ‘The Ringers’ Magazine,’ ‘Irish Bell News’ and ‘Ringing Towers’ continue in their own lively ways which meet the needs of rural and local ringers, in particular, and also have an interest far beyond their own boundaries. The Ringers’ Diary remains a most valuable asset to peal ringers, in particular, and all ringers in general. We cannot now imagine the Exercise without its own diary.

We, finally, desire to express our thanks to all who have sent us articles and newspaper cuttings, which are of the greatest assistance to us in formulating our reports.- Edgar C. Shepherd and Fred E. Dukes.

Proposing the adoption of the report. Mr. Shepherd said they could do with more people sending them cuttings.

Mr. F. E. Dukes seconded.

CHURCH PRESS

Mr. P. A. Corby congratulated the committee on a comprehensive report. He did not see any mention of ringing items in ‘The Church Times.’

Mr. Philip Gray said he understood a report of their meeting would appear in ‘The Church Times.’ They needed a little more active evangelism. There was a great deal of bad correspondence about bells. They must see that the right thing was put in the right place.

The honorary secretary said notice of the meeting was sent to ‘The Church Times’ and ‘The Church of England Newspaper.’

The Rev. John Scott said he circulated to Church newspapers details of the Sunday service survey. He got no response from ‘The Church of England Newspaper’ and ‘The Church Illustrated’ did not think it was ‘up their street.’ ‘The Church Times’ wrote a most cordial letter and published a report.

Miss M. E. Cross said particulars of the Oxford Guild’s ringing course were published in ‘The Church Times’ and also a report.

The report was adopted.

The Standing Committee recommended the reappointment of Messrs. Shepherd and Dukes and this was agreed to on the proposal of Mr. A. A. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Anderson.

The Ringing World, June 17, 1960, pages 420 to 422

NEXT CHRISTMAS DAY BROADCAST

REPORT OF THE BROADCASTING AND TELEVISION COMMITTEE

The broadcasting of bells can be divided into two categories - ringing for Divine Service and Feature Ringing, the latter would include the Christmas Round-up of Bells.

In the first there is nothing we can do in the selection of towers used. The service is obviously the important thing, the bells being merely incidental. The one thing the committee have again attempted is to get an increase in the time allowed. In Northern Ireland the time has been steadily cut, but after strong protest there has, of late, been some improvement. In England, however, the B.B.C. are adamant in their decision to keep the time allowance at one minute, so that the obvious thing for ringers to do is to see that the maximum co-operation takes place between them, the clergy and the B.B.C. engineers and to ensure that the full minute is put to good use. We feel very strongly that only the best band available should be allowed to broadcast and that what is rung should be well within the capabilities of the ringers, bearing in mind that good rounds are much to be preferred to poor change ringing. An admirable article by the Rev. Preb. Martin Willson, of the B.B.C. West Region, appeared in ‘The Ringing World’ in April last, and any ringers involved in broadcasting would do well to study it and follow his advice.

In the second group we have enjoyed a very pleasant co-operation with Mr. Willson, and a number of his programmes in the ‘Faith’ series have included bells. Each programme has featured three or four towers and although only a short period was allowed to each, some very good efforts were recorded. in all cases we were consulted regarding the selection of towers.

Efforts have been made to get something of a similar nature done in the North Regional Programme ‘Calendar,’ but this has not been possible to date. The B.B.C. have, however, suggested the idea of featuring several types of event such as the restoration of historical rings, or the hanging of new bells. We have promised to keep them informed of anything of the kind.

In the Midlands, Mr. Edgar Shepherd, the Master of the St. Martin’s Guild, took part in a radio programme and gave a brief description of ringing and some of the towers within the Diocese of Birmingham.

In the London Region members of the London County Association took part in the annual Oranges and Lemons service, and were featured in ‘In Town Tonight.’ The item was also reproduced in the Overseas Programme.

In an interview Mr. A. D. Barker discussed ringing in general and change ringing on hand-bells was also included.

In Northern Ireland an excellent programme, entitled ‘Treble Bob Major,’ was broadcast on Christmas Eve. Taking part were Mr. Dunwoody and Mr. Harry Brown, assisted by Mr. W. Pratt and Miss Jean Stewart. Recordings of all the bells available in the region were heard and the standard of the ringing was extremely good. This broadcast, which was principally for the listener in general, has produced much favourable comment and efforts are being made to persuade the B.B.C. to do a television broadcast on ringing.

Radio Eireann has broadcast bells on a number of occasions and, in particular, Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, bells were on the air for fifteen minutes, ringing out the Old Year.

The Christmas Broadcast has again been the subject of considerable criticism, not only of the ringing but of the way in which it was presented by the B.B.C. The committee have noted all the points and wish to make the following observations: Dealing with the B.B.C. first, after the many expressions of regret at the very short time allowed each tower in last year’s broadcast, the B.B.C. this year increased the time allowance to a full two minutes for each. So far as care in the presentation of the programme was concerned, we have received a copy of the script from the producer and there can be no doubt that every possible care was taken, a clear uninterrupted period of two minutes ensured, from each tower, with an interesting mention of each prior to the bells. The trip over Wareham was a technical hitch over which the producer had no control. With regard to the selection of towers, we have on a number of occasions offered assistance to the B.B.C. in this direction and at their request we have submitted lists of towers suitable for broadcasting in the various Regions, but our services, except in Northern Ireland, have never been directly solicited for this programme.

In fairness to the B.B.C. we should point out that to a very great extent the availability of equipment is the main deciding factor in the choice of these towers and in this respect the church selected for the morning service on Christmas Day in each Region, takes precedence for inclusion in the Round-up of Bells. As far as this year’s selection of towers was concerned the following information is relevant:-

Blackburn Cathedral: One of a group previously recommended by the Lancashire Association ringing secretary and passed to the B.B.C. by the committee.
Wareham: Morning service from here, so bells automatically used. Tower on list of recommendations by committee.
Elkstone: Morning service.
Beaconsfield: Watch night service from here. Bells automatically included in Round-up.
St. Andrew’s: Bells selected by head of Scottish Region.
Talgarth: Bells selected by head of Welsh Region.
Belfast: Bells recommended by the committee.

From this it will be seen that three of the towers were involved in service ringing as well as the Round-up. Two were recommended by the committee and the remaining two were selected by the heads of the regions concerned. Following the broadcast the committee had further correspondence with the B.B.C. and the final result is that Mr. Henry Riddell, the producer, has very kindly agreed to a plan whereby he will request each regional head to consult the member of the committee in his area, with regard to the towers selected for the next Christmas broadcast. We hope this arrangement will prove successful and meet with general approval.- H .J. Sanger (Convener), A. A. Hughes, J. T. Dunwoody, G. E. Fearn, N. Chaddock, A. G. G. Thurlow.

Mr. Sanger moved and Mr. Dunwoody seconded the adoption of the report.

The honorary secretary said he had had a comment by post that morning from the representative of the Scottish Association, regarding the last paragraph. So far as he knew there was no representative in the area covered by the Scottish B.B.C.

Mr. Sanger replied that there were one or two members, in the North who could be helpful regarding Scotland. The same remark applied to Wales.

The Standing Committee recommended that the committee be reappointed with the exception of Mr. A. A. Hughes and that Mr. Harold Pitstow be appointed in his place. This was agreed to.

PROGRESS REPORTED BY BIOGRAPHIES COMMITTEE

We now have in our books the names of 786 persons who, at various times, have been elected to membership of the Council. Of this total 374 are known to be deceased. 294 are completed and either already in the Albums here exhibited or are following. We have with regret included a few without photographs, in cases where the prospect of obtaining them is remote.

There are some records, otherwise complete, needing only a photograph known or believed to exist, and we list the names in the hope that members who know of photographs may be able to assist us. These are: T. G. Bartlett, Rev. H. C. Courtney, A. Craven, A. Coppock, A. E. Coles, F. E. Dawe, H. Dew, Rev. C. W. H. Griffiths, R. C. Knowles, G. Longden, W. Walmsley.

We still have some (mostly Council members before the Biographies Committee was functioning) who are to us little more than names, but who performed useful work and whose memory we would wish to perpetuate if possible. One example of this type must suffice, Mr. H. J. Bradley was elected a member of the Council in 1920 and although he never attended a meeting, he did give good service to the Exercise by publishing (1914) a well-written History of Shoreditch Church. He was steeplekeeper at St. Leonard’s and his book contains a full story of the extensive restoration of Shoreditch bells in 1913. He died about April, 1925. This is a typical case of a man who fully deserves a worthy place in our records and your committee would welcome the required information which must be in existence at Shoreditch.

In the period under review 30 biography records have been completed and handed over for inclusion in our albums. This number, set against the deaths reported in the 1959-60 period, shows that we are slowly gaining on the accumulated arrears which we inherited after the standstill period of the 1939-45 War.

Your committee again wish to acknowledge with gratitude help freely given by many, both of the Council and outside it. Outstanding among these are the efforts of Mr. Poole, whose careful research at Marlow resulted in the completion of an excellent record of the late Alfred Heneage Cocks, M.A., Mr. J. W. Cotton and Mr. R. H. Dove, who together helped us regarding Joseph Griffin, confirming the date of his first peal, his total number of peals, and a very fine photograph. Mr. J. J. Webb by obtaining a photograph for us has completed our record of the late J. P. Hyett.

The most interesting example is perhaps that of the late John Clark, who was the most unknown of our ‘unknown’ class, but Mr. William Poston, of Bridstow, very shortly before his own death, supplied some notes which enabled us to complete Mr. Clark’s record, excepting a photograph. Mr. F. W. Goodfellow also helped by obtaining photographs of old Middlesex representatives.- A. C. Hazelden (Convener).

The report was moved by Mr. John Willis, who asked ‘the new boys and girls’ of the Council to fill in the forms supplied by the Biographies Committee and provide a photograph.

Mr. W. H. Viggers seconded and said a postcard size photograph was most useful.

The report was adopted and the recommendation of the Standing Committee that Messrs. A. C. Hazelden, John Willis and W. H. Viggers be re-elected to the committee was carried.

The Ringing World, June 24, 1960, page 434

PEALS OF MINIMUS RECOGNISED

REPORT OF THE PEALS ANALYSIS COMMITTEE

In submitting their report for 1959 the committee have to announce a decrease in the totals of peals rung during the year on both tower- and handbells.

The grand total of peals accepted to date is 2,410, against 2,512 in 1958, with 2,283 on tower bells (2,372) and 127 on handbells (140) - a total loss of 102. The analysis breaks down as follows:-

Peals of Cinques are down; Royal are the same; Major up by 53; Triples down by 33; Minor plus 26, but Doubles slumped badly. The number of persons shown as recording their first peal is 345. Those shown as obtaining their first peal as conductor - 70.

Once again we find the premier position is held by the Leicester Diocesan Guild, with 188 peals; the Lincoln Diocesan Guild has jumped to second place, with the Yorkshire Association close behind, while the Oxford Diocesan Guild has dropped from second to seventh place.

The first seven places are as follows:-

The committee would like to draw the attention of the Council to the rise in peals of Surprise Major on tower bells, there being 581 in contrast to 349 in all other Major methods.

One peal of Minor, with tenor covering, rung for the Lancashire Association, has not been accepted. The committee ask for guidance regarding a peal of Minor in 10 methods, rung for the Essex Association in which, the ringers of 3-4 changed places for the last 720, as reported in Belfry Gossip.

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES

13,280 Cambridge Surprise Major by Kent County Association.
92 Methods Spliced Doubles, in which conductor rang 2/3.
54 Minor methods in hand by Yorkshire Association.

May we again urge conductors of peals so ensure report are sent to ‘The Ringing World’ immediately they are rung - and not sent in twice. The first portion is particularly important. This year we had 1959 peals published in the middle of February.- W. Ayre, K. W. H. Felstead, H. Miles, H. L. Roper.

Moving the adoption of the report Mr. W. Ayre said he had taken some figures out of the analysis, which he felt might be useful to the committee. Methods having had 10 or more peals rung in them during the year were:

Maximus - Cambridge 15.
Cinques - Stedman 22.
Royal - Cambridge 27, London 13, Yorkshire 24, Plain Bob 22.
Caters - Grandsire 32, Stedman 39.
Major - Bristol 49, Cambridge 100, New Cambridge 12, Lincolnshire 28, London 58, Pudsey 12, Rutland 22, Superlative 36, Yorkshire 120, Spliced Surprise: 6 methods 12, 4 methods 23; Double Norwich 67, Kent T.B. 45, Kent and Oxford T.B. 11, Plain Bob 177, Little Bob 20.
Triples - Grandsire 114, Stedman 53.
Minor - Seven methods and plus 188.
Doubles - Seven methods and plus 33.

All these figures were for tower bells and it would be noted that Yorkshire had apparently become more popular than Cambridge.

There were a few extra peals which the Committee think worthy of special mention, being above the usual class of peals: 42 and 31 methods of Doubles, Ely Diocesan; 60 and 51 methods of Minor, Essex Association; 100, 51 and 42 methods of Doubles, Gloucester and Bristol; 100 methods Doubles, Middlesex County; 60 methods Doubles, Oxford University; 36 methods Doubles, Sussex County; 40 methods Minor, Truro Guild; Spliced Surprise Major, 4 methods silent, Yorkshire Association.

Handbells.- Cambridge Surprise Major, Leicester Diocesan Guild; Cambridge Surprise and Yorkshire Surprise Major, Middlesex County; Grandsire Triples, New South Wales Association.

In ‘The Ringing World,’ two miscellaneous performances - a peal on nine bells and a peal on four bells in five methods - were not included in the analysis. There are also two peals of Kent Major, rung by the Lancashire Association last November and published in ‘The Ringing World’ in March. They were not included. They could not keep their records up to date when peals were sent in so late. There was a peal where two ringers changed bells, which was mentioned in Belfry Gossip. If they wanted a thing kept secret it should not be published in Belfry Gossip. That peal had not been included.

Mr. H. Miles seconded the adoption of the report.

The Standing Committee recommended that the report be adopted, that the peal of Minimus be included and the peal of 10 Minor methods, where the ringers changed over, should not be included because it did not comply with conditions. Since they had a condition that each bell or bells should be rung by the same person the committee had no option but to exclude it. The committee also asked Mr. Cartwright to make the wording more clear.

Mr. F. B. Lufkin said the Essex Association had no qualms about accepting the peal. The rhythm was broken by two rows. While the Essex Association felt that the practice of changing bells should not be encouraged, they should like the peal to be accepted because of the enthusiasm of the young people. This peal was rung by one set of persons. They should not apply a damp squib to these people.

Mr. Harry Miles: What is the exact wording?

The honorary secretary: Each bell or bells shall be rung by the same person or persons.

Mr. Lufkin: The reason for the change over was that the bell was running dry. The person on the fourth was getting white in the face and the ringer next to him took over for the last 720. This is not the first time it has been done. I think it has been done from Annable to Cannon.

Mr. F. W. Perrens: Although everybody has sympathy with what Mr. Lufkin has put forward we should keep to our rules.

Mr. T. J. Lock supported this view. ‘I can see no other interpretation,’ he added.

Mr. G. McKay: I do suggest that the words do create a patent ambiguity.

The peal was not accepted and the report was adopted.

The Standing Committee recommended that the committee be re-elected as follows: Mr. W. Ayre, Rev. K. W. H. Felstead, Messrs. H. Miles and H. L. Roper. This was ageed to.

RECORDS COMMITTEE STRENGTHENED
The Report

The committee beg to report the following new methods and progressive lengths rung during the year ended December 31st, 1959:-

TOWER BELLS

PROGRESSIVE LENGTHS

The committee asks for direction regarding the following peals, as to whether they shall be included in the records under their present names:-

(Sgd.) E. K. Fletcher and L. K. Marshall.

Mrs. Fletcher, in moving the report, asked for the deletion of Lakenham Imperial College Bob Triples (rung by Norwich Diocesan Association), as it was previously rung as St. Stephen’s Triples by the Norwich Diocesan Association in 1957, and Marden Little Surprise Major (by Kent County Association), as it was previously rung as Northrepps Major by the Norwich Diocesan Association in 1939. She also asked for the addition of a handbell peal of Little Bob Maximus, rung by the Lincoln Diocesan Guild last June.

Mr. F. I. Hairs seconded the adoption of the report.

Mr. R. F. B. Speed said there was a lot of correspondence in ‘The Ringing World’ over the naming of peals. He suggested that the committee should provide the answers when asked for.

Mr. Shirley Burton said the Leicester Guild suggested that Whitwick Surprise Royal should be called Gracedieu Surprise Royal and Lyme Surprise Royal, Charmouth Surprise Royal.

Mr. F. T. Blagrove said regarding Marsden Little Surprise Royal, he would like the conductor to acknowledge that the figures published in ‘The Ringing World’ were correct.

The report, as amended, was adopted.

The Standing Committee recommended that the committee be reappointed with the addition of Mr. F. T. Blagrove.

Mr. J. R. Cooper moved that Mr. John Mayne be also appointed to the committee.

Mrs. Fletcher said she would be pleased to have Mr. Mayne on the committee. This was agreed to with the recommendation of the Standing Committee.

BUSY YEAR BY SUNDAY SERVICE SURVEY COMMITTEE

This committee has been very active since the Council met and in addition to much work by correspondence it was possible for five members to meet for nearly a whole day in Birmingham last January.

The greatest, and what has proved to be the most fruitful and rewarding task, was the preparation and distribution of the leaflet, summarising the results of the survey done last year. The object was not just to set out mere facts but to present them in an attractive and interesting way. We also took the liberty of including a little information about the Council and its work as so many of our clergy know little or nothing about the Council and this seemed an excellent opportunity to present them with a few facts. 1,250 leaflets were printed and the main batch of 1,049 leaflets were despatched last year, copies being sent to:-

England.- Rural Deans, Archdeaconries, Diocesan and Cathedral offices.
Wales.- Archdeaconries, Diocesan and Cathedral offices.
Scotland.- Diocesan and Cathedral offices, and also every incumbent of a Church possessing a ring of bells.
Ireland.- The chief officer of each Representative Body, every Cathedral office and Bishop, and every incumbent of a Church possessing a ring of bells.

Copies were also sent so every Theological College and the various Regional Directors of religious broadcasting.

BETTER UNDERSTANDING

Undoubtedly the leaflet has done much good with regard to public relations and understanding with the clergy. A suitable covering letter was sent out with each leaflet and the convener received many encouraging letters from clergy, including Bishops, promising sympathetic co-operation. It has been brought to our notice that extracts and comments on the leaflet have appeared in many diocesan, deanery and parish magazines. Several important newspapers, including the London ‘Times’ and ‘The East Anglian Times’ have referred in considerable detail to the contents of the leaflet.

The booklet on belfry organisation, recruitment, relations within the parishes, etc., which the committee was asked to draft, has been prepared and copies of the draft have been circulated so that the Council may consider and make a decision about printing it. The cost of 1,000 copies will be about £25 (6d. each) or, if eight line drawings to illustrate it are included, £30 (about 7d. each). These figures are the lower of two quotations which have been obtained. We suggest that the booklet would be of tremendous value to a band, an incumbent, or even the individual ringer.

Efforts to get information about the contents of the leaflet on the survey into church publications have been less successful, little progress being made with ‘The Church of England Newspaper,’ ‘Church Illustrated’ and ‘Home Notes.’

It is gratifying to see that so many Associations devote quite a lot of space in their annual reports to their own surveys and, in some cases, they indicate measures which are being planned to improve Sunday service ringing and to inspire greater activity in their areas.

In response to one request from a local education authority, a syllabus for a further education course in campanology (an evening school class) was prepared, and the convener has sent copies to a number of people who have requested them. A number of such evening classes in bell ringing have taken place in recent years, including several organised by the convener.

BELL RINGING COURSES

The recent course in bell ringing at Grantley Hall has provided very useful information regarding the running of such courses. This course was successful beyond expectations and it is almost certain that another similar course will be held next year. The knowledge gained therefrom will be gladly passed on to any association or person interested. Though not the first course in bell ringing provided by a local authority, the establishment of such courses is in its infancy. There are some 20 to 30 such adult courses throughout the country and since there is a free dissemination of information between these colleges it is important that any courses in bell ringing, which may be organized, should be successful if continuity is to be maintained. Whatever arrangements are made it is advantageous for one person to be responsible for the detailed organisation of the course in conjunction with the warden or principal of the adult college. Apart from the instruction offered, the course at Grantley Hall provided excellent opportunities for friendship between all classes of ringers and between ringers and non-ringers on other courses. Students who attended this course were mainly drawn from the County of Yorkshire. They included Surprise ringers, Round ringers, and some who had never handled a bell before. The establishment of more courses of this type can do much for the Exercise both socially and in its technical aspects.

The Oxford Diocesan Guild has recently held a successful week-end course - on its own initiative. At this course the president of the Central Council said that ‘courses in bell ringing were growing by evolution, which was perhaps the best way to grow.’ The policy of this committee has been, in fact, to feel our way rather than to rush headlong, and is to encourage the gradual introduction of courses similar to those mentioned in consultation with local Associations. A course is to be held in Gloucestershire on September 16th, 17th and 18th, and we have been in touch with the Shropshire Association, the North Staffordshire Association and the Peterborough Diocesan Guild. With the agreement of the last mentioned Guild, a week-end course has been arranged for the spring of 1961 at Knuston Hall, in Northants.

We feel that a committee of seven is too large and if it is decided to continue the work of this committee its numbers should be reduced to about three or four. It is felt that in addition to completing the tasks already undertaken by the committee, its main function should be to develop the idea of courses in bell ringing and to maintain contact with the Theological colleges.- (Sgd.) N. Chaddock (convener), P. Gray, W. F. Moreton, F. B. Lufkin, D. N. Layton, J. Scott, A. G. G. Thurlow.

Mr. Norman Chaddock, in moving the adoption of the report, said the two members who did not seek re-election were Mr. Philip Gray and the Rev. John Scott. They owed a vote of thanks to Mrs. Gray and Mrs. Scott, who did a lot of the typing.

Seconding, Mr. Philip Gray said the booklet on the ringing survey had a considerable amount of criticism. If any member had any constructive criticism would he send it to him.

Mr. D. Bayles said he would like to suggest that a recent development might be included on page 16. During the last week or two Mr. Chaddock had published a pamphlet which was very good but he had not seen the film strip. He felt that a film strip might be profitably used especially at a time when the number of projectors was increasing.

The President: I have seen the film and it is an exceedingly good one.

Mr. J. P. Fidler said there was one little item that might be included. That was if a young ringer left his own parish he would invariably find friends among ringers in other parts of the country.

Mr. Chaddock agreed that this point might be incorporated. The report was then adopted, and the president expressed thanks to the committee for their work,

The Standing Committee recommended the re-election of Mr. N. Chaddock, Dr. D. N. Layton, Messrs. F. B. Lufkin, W. F. Moreton and the Rev. A. G. G. Thurlow, and this was agreed to.

The Council also gave approval to the printing of the pamphlet mentioned in the report, with line drawings.

The Ringing World, June 24, 1960, pages 435 to 436

OLD BELLS AND RECASTING

REPORT OF THE TOWERS AND BELFRIES COMMITTEE

During the past year the work of the Towers and Belfries Committee has continued to increase. Requests for inspections and reports on bells, bell-gear and towers were received from 58 parishes. These 58 towers were situated in 16 different counties. The inspections and reports were dealt with by members of the committee as follows: Mr. J. W. Clarke, 11 - all in Cheshire; Mr. F. E. Collins, 3 - one each in Kent, Surrey and Sussex; Mr. J. Freeman, 1 - in Lincoinshire; Mr. E. H. Lewis, 1 - in Surrey; Mr. W. A. Osborn, 13 - all in Somerset; Rev. J. G. M. Scott, 2 - both in Devonshire; Mr. F. Sharpe, 27 - 10 in Northamptonshire, 4 in Buckinghamshire, 3 in Oxfordshire, 2 each in Berkshire and Cardiganshire, and 1 each in Breconshire, Hampshire, Huntingdonshire, Pembrokeshire, Surrey and Yorkshire.

An analysis of the reports reveals that advice on the rehanging of bells was given in 33 instances. In 5 towers advice was given on recasting. Twenty-three towers sought advice on repairs to bell-gear; 5 on sound control and improvement; and 2 on the augmentation of existing rings of bells. In one tower also advice was given on the restoration of a set of handbells.

No outstanding or unusual problems were reported by members of the committee, but Mr. J. W. Clarke found considerable damage being caused to bells and gear by faulty clock hammers. He suggests a special effort be made to urge church authorities, ringers and steeple keepers to carry our regular periodic inspections and adjustments of these fittings.

Besides carrying out inspections and issuing reports, Mr. W. A. Osborn rendered valuable practical assistance to a village church by lowering to safety himself the fourth bell at Closworth. He found this bell hanging in a precarious state in the parish in which was once situated the famous Purdue bell foundry. Mr. Osborn has been assisted during the year by Mr. R. H. Gardener, who succeeded him as adviser to the Bath and Wells Association.

The convener found an increasing number of towers in which considerable repairs were necessary because of complete neglect of routine maintenance work. To quote but one of many instances; in one tower no one had oiled the rope pulleys for 25 years and the oil wells of the brass bearings were rendered useless by being packed with stiff grease.

During the year Messrs. E. H. Lewis and F. Sharpe, as representatives of your committee, attended a joint meeting convened by the Dean of Gloucester, between representatives of the Central Council for the Care of Churches, the bell founders, and our Council’s Towers and Belfries Committee. The object of this conference was to debate the Standing Orders of the Central Council for the Care of Churches in regard to bell restoration, and to make suggestions for their amendment and improvement. A copy of the revised draft of these Standing Orders is appended. They have been accepted in their revised form by the Central Council for the Care of Churches and we are asked if our Council would also accept them, and print them in any subsequent editions of our handbooks. They will be printed in the publications of the Central Council for the Care of Churches and issued to all Diocesan Advisory Committees and Diocesan Chancellors responsible for the granting of faculties for restoration work, and new installations.- Frederick Sharpe (convener), J. W. Clarke, F. E. Collins, J. Freeman, E. H. Lewis, W. A. Osborn, J. G. M. Scott.

APPENDIX

(Version agreed at joint meeting of the Central Council for the Care of Churches, the bell founders, and representatives of the Towers and Belfries Committee of the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers, November 12th, 1959. Circulated to all present; with minor amendments proposed by the Central Council for the Care of Churches at their meeting on November 19th, 1959, and subsequently circulated to those who attended the joint meeting.)

(a) Bells cast earlier than 1600 should not be recast. As such bells are of archaeological importance, they should be preserved intact. Sound bells of good tone should be used if possible, either incorporated in a ring or hung as single bells; failing which they should be preserved intact in the church or churchyard. If, in very special circumstances, permission is sought to recast a cracked bell, the petitioners must put forward adequate proposals for the mounting and display of the crown and inscription band in the church.

(b) Bells dated between 1600 and the middle of the 18th century should not be recast unless cracked. If it is desired, on special grounds, to recast a bell of this period, information should be sought from the Central Council for the Care of Churches as to the rarity and archaeological value of the bell. This application for advice should be accompanied by a statement of the opinion of the bell founder, as to the musical qualities of the bell. If such bell are allowed to be recast, their inscription should be recast in facsimile on the new bells with the date of recasting added.

(c) If a bell cast later than 1750 is permitted to be recast the old inscription should be reproduced in facsimile on the new bell with the date of recasting added.

(d) When estimating for major work on bells, the firms tendering should give the date and founder of each bell in the ring, and any points of special interest, including inscriptions, and the approximate age of the frame.

(e) No bells should be rehung, or frames altered, in ancient towers without consultation between the bell founder and an architect, skilled in handling such buildings; the application for a faculty should contain a note of the result of such consultation.

(f) When bells earlier than 1600 are rehung, the canons should be retained. If it is desired to remove the canons in a particular case, the position of the bells in the ring, the weight of the bells and the condition and decoration of the canons must be taken into account, and the proposal for their removal must be supported by this information.

(g) Mechanical or electrical imitations of bells are to be strongly condemned.

(h) Ancient wooden bell frames should be carefully preserved wherever possible if sound and fit for continued use. The decision as so the soundness of the frame for continued service should be based on the bell founder’s advice, in conjunction with that of the architect in charge of the church.

A faculty is required for recasting or rehanging bells, for the addition of new bells to an existing ring, for the sale of bells and for major repairs to a bell frame. Minor works of repair to frames and quarter turning of bells may generally be covered by an Archdeacon’s certificate. The Diocesan Advisory Committee must be informed of the proposals and can refer cases of difficulty to the Technical Panel of the Central Council for the Care of Churches.

The Central Council of Church Bell Ringers, which has members in every diocese, is also prepared to give expert advice on all these matters through their Towers and Belfries Committee. Application for advice from the Towers and Belfries Committee should be made to Mr. Frederick Sharpe, F.S.A., ‘Derwen,’ Launton, Bicester, Oxon.

Moving the adoption of the report, Mr. E. H. Lewis said in the last paragraph of the report they would see that two members of the committee (the president and himself), together with the two bell founders, met the Committee of the Central Council for the Care of Churches to see if they could agree on a statement which would modify the statement the Central Council for the Care of Churches had circulated on the retention of old bells. They had a long meeting, and the suggestions of the Central Council for the Care of Churches which they were willing to permit were printed in the appendix to the report. They want the Council to agree to it and have it printed in their handbook. His committee and the Standing Committee did not feel happy about Section (a). They discussed it at some length and put forward the following slight alteration to see if it was acceptable to the C.C.C.C.

‘Bells cast earlier than 1600 of archæological importance and if sound and of good tone should be preserved intact either incorporated in a ring or hung as single bells. Permission to recast cracked bells or bells of poor tone should be sought only if adequate for mounting and display of the crown and inscription band in the church.’

Mr. John Freeman seconded.

The Standing Committee recommended the adoption of the appendix with the substitution of the paragraph Mr. Lewis had read out.

The president said it so happened that the Central Council for the Care of Churches was the body which advised diocesan advisory bodies in the country. The Chancellor usually gets the opinion of his own advisory committee.

Mr. R. F. B. Speed: Why do we desire to alter their paragraph?

Mr. E. H. Lewis: We thought the paragraph shown here is not very clear, and also ‘the Four C’s’ want all bells cast before 1600 preserved intact. We tried to get some concession on that point.

Mr. W. A. Osborn: If you put an old bell in a churchyard as they suggest, it is a short way to lose it.

The President: We did argue with the Dean of Gloucester and we pointed out that it was not always the best place to place an old, cracked bell in the church. In many churches there was not a place where it could be put, and the answer of ‘the Four C’s’ was if there was not room in the church it should go in the churchyard.

Mr. F. B. Lufkin expressed thanks to the committee for their work. A museum was the best place for these old bells, he added.

Mr. F. E. Collins thought these old bells should be either in the tower or the melting pot.

Mr. Paul Taylor pointed out that if a bell was in a tower it had to be heard in relation to other bells.

Mr. A. A. Hughes: If you have a ring of five or six bells in a tower and one is a very bad bell, even if it is 1600, are you going to let all the other bells suffer by the presence of a very bad bell? I have a feeling that they will accept Mr. Lewis’ amendment.

Mr. C. W. Pipe said it seemed to him that the Central Council for the Care of Churches was only interested in bells from the archæological point of view. The parishes were interested in them from the financial view, and to them it seemed a pity that a couple of thousand pounds of metal could not be used. He thought the time had come when the Central Council for the Care of Churches should buy these old bells or compensate the parishes for the value of the bells.

The Rev. A. G. G. Thurlow pointed out that the last word on these old bells was with the Chancellor.

The Rev. John Scott suggested that all information about old bells should be stored. Sometimes it had not been preserved.

The President: Messrs. Taylor and Messrs. Mears and Stainbank keep information of all bells they recast. What you have not got is Gillett and Johnston’s and other bell founders.

The Council agreed to adopt the report with the amendment of Mr. Lewis.

The Standing Committee recommended the re-election of the committee with the addition of Mr. Brian Austin and Mr. Brian Threlfall. This was agreed to.

The President said they felt it would be an advantage to have an architect, as since the death of Mr. Young they had not had an architect on the committee. Mr. Austin was an architect and Mr. Threlfall an A.M.I.C.E.

MINOR METHODS BOOK

METHODS COMMITTEE REPORT

The section of the Minor Methods book which has been holding up its completion is now finished, and so the final draft is, at long last, almost ready.

Our attention was drawn to the naming of certain Surprise Royal methods. As noted in ‘The Ringing World’ of February 19th, 1960, we found that the so-called Lyme, Whitwick and Gainsborough Surprise Royals were not extensions of the corresponding Major methods which conformed to the accepted Central Council rules for extension.

We ask the Council to confirm our decision that these Royal methods be renamed by the bands that rang them.- K. W. H. Felstead, F. Nolan Golden, C. H. Kippin, C. K. Lewis.

Moving the adoption of the report Mr. Felstead said that they hoped in two or three weeks that the manuscript of the Minor Book would be in the hands of the librarian. The hold-up had been in the spliced section. The second point about extension had already been answered.

Mr. C. K. Lewis seconded the adoption.

Mr. Brian Warwick said whilst he was not happy about renaming Lyme and Whitwick, as the Leicester Guild was a member of the Central Council they would be renamed. Why did these two methods not conform to rules?

The Rev. K. W. H. Felstead: That is a difficult question to answer without notice. Those who know the Methods Committee report on extension will agree with us. The fact that the methods have been renamed solves the whole matter.

Mr. C. K. Lewis: If Mr. Warwick cares to write to me I will give him the answer.

Mr. John Mayne said the study of method extension was a complicated affair. It was up to the ringing fraternity either to understand the report or submit the extension to someone who did.

Mr. Mayne also advocated the selection of suitable names for new methods. There were a lot of unsuitable names now being used.

Mr. E. H. Lewis: What is the opinion of the Methods Committee on Major methods which have double changes and Royal methods with triple changes?

The Rev. K. W. H. Felstead said there were two things he might say, and he thought a personal opinion came in rather than a mathematical reason. In the new Minor Book they were not including Minor methods where four bells were lying in a pair of rows. They would also not do it in the Major book.

Mr. C. K. Lewis said at Eastbourne he said he did not like it and he was rather shouted down. He still held that view. ‘We don’t want to make ourselves a straight-jacket of rules. The Exercise depends on the good taste of the people who ring. The people who ring these four methods will gradually realise what rubbish they were.’

The president asked what the position was in regard to Gainsborough Bob Royal.

The hon. secretary said when the committee considered this question and the Leicester Guild were prepared to rename Lyme and Whitwick it was decided to approach the band to rename the method. He suggested that it should be left to him to take such action.

The report was then adopted. The president in thanking the committee said it was stated last night that there were years of work ahead of them.

The Standing Committee recommended that the Rev. K. W. H. Felstead and Mr. C. K. Lewis be re-elected to the committee, and Mr. F. T. Blagrove in the place of Mr. C. H. Kippin who was not now a member of the Council. This was agreed to, together with the addition of Mr. John Mayne, who was proposed by Mr. P. A. Corby.

CONVENORS OF COMMITTEES

The committee elected the following convenors: ‘Ringing World,’ J. F. Smallwood; Literature and Press, E. C. Shepherd; Biographies, A. C. Hazelden; Peal Boards, J. W. Clarke; Broadcasting and Television, H. J. Sanger; Records, Mrs. G. W. Fletcher; Peals Analysis, W. Ayre; Peal Collection, W. E. Critchley; Sunday Service Survey, N. Chaddock; Towers and Belfries, F. Sharpe; Methods, Rev. K. W. H. Felstead.

The following were elected to the Standing Committee: Mrs. Staniforth, Miss M. R. Cross, Messrs. R. S. Anderson, W. B. Cartwright, P. A. Corby, F. E. Dukes, P. J. Staniforth, C. K. Lewis, J. Freeman, F. I. Hairs, T. J. Lock and J. T. Dyke.

ALTERATION OF RULES

Mr. R. S. Anderson moved the following amendment of rules.

To add the following new Rule 2 and renumber the existing Rules 2 to 18 at 3 to 19 respectively.

‘2. The Council shall:-

(i) Use its best endeavours to guard the rights and generally promote the welfare of the Exercise both in its scientific aspect and as a branch of church work.

(ii) Encourage and assist the development of the Art in its scientific, mathematical and historical branches.

(iii) Arbitrate so far as may be deemed advisable in such matters of dispute or perplexity as shall be submitted to its judgment.’

Mr. Anderson said the Council should add to its rules a statement of aims and objects. These were the foundation of the Council, and whilst each affiliated Association was required to subscribe to the rules they were not asked to subscribe to what, in the opinion of his association, was its aims and objects.

Mr. E. A. Barnett formally seconded.

Mr. Vernon Bottomley moved an amendment of the deletion of the words ‘guard the rights.’

The Rev. John Scott seconded, and remarked that they should be a body for encouraging things. The amendment would read ‘To use its best endeavours generally to promote the welfare of the Exercise.’

Mr. C. K. Lewis said he did not like to tamper with a thing that had stood the test of 70 years. These were the aims they had in 1890, and even if times had changed they should stand. They had certain rights as Church officers, and for historical reasons he would deplore any change. Let them keep something of Sir Arthur Heywood’s original intention. He was very much against altering rules without considerable thought, and here they were interfering with one of the foundations of the Exercise.

The amendment was defeated and the motion was carried.

A QUESTION OF QUORUM

Mr. Anderson then moved a second alteration as follows: To amend Rule 14 (Procedure at Meetings) by inserting the words ‘representing Territorial Societies’ between the words ‘Twenty members’ and ‘shall.’

The rule to read:-

‘At the meetings of the Council the president or vice-president shall take the chair, and in the event of their absence the members present shall elect a chairman for that meeting. The chairman shall have a casting vote. Twenty members representing Territorial Societies shall form a quorum …’

Mr. Anderson said a quorum could consist of honorary and life members, as they had 24 honorary and eight life members. Until that morning they had eight non-territorial Associations, and now they had admitted another. These non-territorial Associations consist of members who were members of territorial Associations.

The hon. secretary formally seconded.

Mr. Brian Threlfall said the proposal was to create first class and second class members.

Mr. G. W. Fletcher said for 70 years they had worked well with representative members and honorary members, and recently they had had life members, but they were all members of the Council. He was against the alteration.

Mr. D. Beresford asked what would happen about territorial representation regarding London County and the Middlesex or the Sheffield and District and the Yorkshire.

Dr. Layton said he did not think ringing was something associated exclusively with territorial Associations.

The alteration to rules was not accepted.

PEALS FOR ASSOCIATIONS

Mr. D. A. Bayles moved the following motion.

‘This Council reaffirms the principle that a peal may not be credited to more than one affiliated Society. It accordingly instructs the Editor of “The Ringing World” and affiliated Societies to keep their records in line with the Council’s Peals Analysis, adopting the procedure laid down in the Council’s Handbook of 1956.’

Mr. Bayles said the motion was not to solve the vexed question of when a peal was rung by a non-resident band, it was only that it should be credited to one Association. In cricket and football a player at the time could only represent one team. The principle had been recognised by the Central Council for many years, and it was as in the rules and decisions of 1893. It was desirable when a band of ringers meet to ring a peal that they should decide to which Society it should be credited and that in future no peal should be under more than one Association. That principle was also set out in the Handbook of 1956.

In 1947 there were two peals, both in the reports of the Durham and Newcastle and the Yorkshire, although they were published in ‘The Ringing World’ as only for the Durham and Newcastle. ‘The Ringing World’ was under the direction of the Central Council and instructions could be given to the Editor; instructions could not be given to the late Mr. J. S. Goldsmith.

Mr. W. Ayre formally seconded.

The Standing Committee considered the motion and decided to make no recommendation.

Mr. W. Ayre said their practice had been where two Associations were named to take the first name.

Mr. W. L. Critchley considered Mr. Bayles was making rather ‘a storm in a teacup.’ It did not matter in the slightest degree what appeared in the two reports so long as the Peals Analysis Committee counted the peal as one. He also strongly objected to the suggestion that the Council instructed the Associations what they included in their reports.

Mr. F. B. Lufkin objected to an instruction to the Editor. He thought ‘The Ringing World’ should be run by the committee.

Mr. G. W. Fletcher suggested the word ‘invites’ instead of ‘instructs.’

Mr. P. A. Corby said since this did not involve any administrative difficulty either to ‘The Ringing World’ or the Peals Analysis Committee he could see no particular purpose in the motion. He moved that the matter be left on the table.

Mr. John Freeman seconded, and this was agreed to by the Council.

THE NEXT MEETING

The hon. secretary reported that the Council had received an invitation to visit Stoke-on-Trent next year, and also one for Great Yarmouth. The Standing Committee unanimously decided to recommend Stoke-on-Trent.

Mr. R. S. Anderson, on behalf of the North Staffordshire Association, extended to the Council a warm welcome to visit Stoke-on-Trent in its jubilee year. Whilst they could not give them sea bathing or a seat on the beach, they could offer them some very charming country.

The Rev. A. G. G. Thurlow said the invitation to Yarmouth came not from Yarmouth but from the Norwich Diocesan Association.

Mr. E. H. Lewis seconded the resolution in favour of Stoke-on-Trent, which was accepted by the Council.

RECORD LENGTH ATTEMPTS

The hon. secretary drew attention that in record length attempts notice should be given to the Association holding the record length. That had not been done in two recent successes.

The president expressed the hope that this should be borne in mind.

ADDRESS OF LIBRARIAN

The Rev. John Scott asked that the name and address of the Librarian should appear in ‘The Ringing World.’

The Librarian asked members and others who had books out on loan to notify him.

A vote of thanks to the president for presiding was proposed by Mr. H. Rogers.

VOTES OF THANKS

The president moved a vote of thanks to the Mayor of Folkestone for his welcome; to the Bishop of Tonbridge for his welcome and being the celebrant at the Corporate Communion; to Canon Hough for the use of his church; to Messrs. A. Berry, J. R. Cooper, C. T. Hillis and Phillimore for the fine local arrangements and for peal attempts; to incumbents and tower keepers for churches visited.

The resolution was carried with acclamation. Mr. John Willis thanked the Council for the vote of thanks.

THE RECEPTION

A civic reception was held in the sun lounge of Leas Cliffe Hall, when the members of the Council and their ladies were received by the Mayor of Folkestone (Ald. F. W. Archer) and hospitably entertained by the Corporation.

The Mayor in his welcome expressed his pleasure that the Council meeting had gone extremely well. He understood that one of the things ringers were famous for was their ‘underground grape-vine.’ He hoped by that means they would tell their friends what a wonderful place Folkestone was. [Applause.]

‘A real hearty thank you’ was expressed to the Mayor and the Corporation by the president.

The usual social evening concluded the day at the headquarters, the Princes Hotel.

The Ringing World, July 1, 1960, pages 450 to 452

A TRAGIC BALLAD

Dedicated
with deepest respect
to
Two Societies,
the one Ancient and the other Royal.

Tune: ‘Vilikins and his Dinah’

It is of an old gent that I’ll have you to know
Who rang at St. Paul’s and at Cornhill also.
He lived all alone with young William his son
Who was promising well, though not yet forty-one,
Singing toorali-oorali-oorali-ay.

One evening the father admonished young Will,
‘You must come down to practice tonight at Cornhill,
For afore you reach seventy, if no ill befalls,
I believe I could get you a ring at St. Paul’s.’
Singing, &c.

‘O Father, dear Father,’ young William replied,
‘I can’t tell you lies, though you know how I’ve tried,
I’ve promised tonight - and I mean to be there -
For to ring at St. Martin’s in Trafflegar Square.’
Singing, &c.

‘My son, do not darken the door of that tower,
You never shall ring with that horrible shower,
You’ll change your mind quickly and avoid the disgrace
When I tell you it’s Cumberlands ring in that place.’
Singing, &c.

Says William, ‘A young lady ringer I’ve met,
And on her my affections most firmly are set;
Your rooted objections to me are no barrier,
For I love her, dear father, and I’m going to marry ’er.’
Singing, &c.

‘Now William,’ says Father, ‘just listen to me,
If you must persist, then cut off you will be.
And when I pass out, and am laid in the dust,
I shall leave all my cash to the Barron Bell Trust.’
Singing, &c.

‘I’ve rung all my life, and I still must insist
That what you’re describing can’t never exist;
I’ve heard people tell that there’s women what ring,
But a lady - why no, boy, there ain’t no such thing.’
Singing, &c.

Next month they was married, this couple so bold,
And the poor father’s grief was a sight to behold;
His brain is quite gone, the psychiatrist thinks,
For he even goes wrong in three courses of Cinques.
Singing, &c.

Now Bill and his bride I am glad to relate,
They could not escape from the vengeance of Fate;
By poverty pressed, their possessions they sell,
And to fly from their creditors in Devon they dwell.
Singing, &c.

And there they are forced to go up in the tower,
And ring rounds and call-changes hour by hour;
But even that fate ain’t as bad as it sounds,
For they might live in Cornwall, and only ring rounds.
Singing, &c.

(First perpetrated before members of the Central Council, Folkestone, 1960. The person responsible forgot the seventh verse, and has here added it; but it is stoutly maintained that the verse was omitted through lapse of memory and not through fear of reprisals. Anyway, the author is not responsible for the views of William’s father, now is he?)

TWO CORRECTIONS

Dear Sir,- Your necessarily abbreviated account of the early part of the Council meeting in the issue of June 17th gives a slightly wrong impression in one or two places, and I should be glad if you would allow me to correct these.

On page 419, it was not the intention that the secretary of the Devon Guild should write to the Devon Association but that I should, and this has in fact been done. The Association has not asked to be considered for membership of the Council but merely inquired whether, if they should apply, they would be considered.

On the same page, only part of the cash in hand remaining after the postal subscriptions in advance represents the Clement Glenn Fund - about £800. The other £500 is from various different sources.

In the Standing Committee report it was stated that at the meeting on November 7th the committee also decided to increase the price of the paper, not only the advertisement rate.

E. A. BARNETT, Hon. Secretary.

Crayford, Kent.

The Ringing World, July 1, 1960, page 452