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SOCIALLY the selection of Worcester for the holding of the third session of the 26th Council was a happy choice, the welcome most cordial by the host Association, and Mr. W. B. Cartwright, the Master, and Mr. David Beacham, the general secretary, spared no pains to provide excellent facilities for ringing and good fellowship.
There was a large attendance of Council members at the Communion service in the Cathedral on Tuesday morning, at which the Bishop, the Rt. Rev. L. Mervyn Charles-Edwards, was the celebrant, and the president of the Council, Canon Gilbert Thurlow, assisted.
The meeting of the Council was preceded by welcomes from the City, the Diocese and the Worcestershire and Districts Association. The Mayor, Councillor Ronald Morris, was accompanied by the Mayoress, and with the Lord Bishop was the Dean of Worcester (the Very Rev. R. L. P. Milburn). Mr. W. B. Cartwright and Mr. David Beacham also accompanied the distinguished guests.
The Mayor reminded the company that they were gathered there in the shadow of the ancient Cathedral, where the bells had been rung for many centuries and were then housed in a campanile. The present bells were provided in 1870, as was also the clock, the cost being about £6,000, towards which the Earl of Dudley contributed. In 1928 the bells were recast by John Taylor and Co. of Loughborough. There was a full ring of 12 bells and a bourdon bell, and also a small bell for quarter chimes.
The Bishop recalled in his speech that he was once Vicar of a market town in Shropshire and during the war years it was awful to think of their splendid bells being silent. Their member of Parliament was a member of the Cabinet, and the Bishop told him that the bells should be rung Sunday by Sunday as a sign of triumph and not have the silence of defeat. He passed that thought on to Mr. Churchill and soon the bells were ringing on Sundays.
Dr. Charles-Edwards delighted the company with the story of the dedication of the bells at Great Comberton. The Bishop said he managed to climb up the narrow stairs but got stuck coming down and he imagined that he would have to conduct the duties of his episcopate from the church tower. The Master bellringer, however, came to his rescue and gave him a big shove with his boot from behind, which landed him outside the tower at the feet of the Vicar.
The Dean, who is president of the Worcestershire Association, said it was a great stimulant, delight and encouragement to have the Central Council with them and made them feel they were members of an interesting and powerful brotherhood. Their ancient Cathedral bells used to stand in a separate tower until they had trouble with a Bishop. Bishop Hooper did not like bells; he said “What you want is not bellringing but preaching.” What he forgot was that the bells themselves were the best preachers. Worcester had it own bell-founder in John Martin, and not far from where they were was John Martin’s bell foundry.
Mr. W. B. Cartwright, as Master, also endorsed the welcome, and the president made a very witty reply in which he recalled the days when the Bishop was the vicar of Newark.
Life members.- Canon A. G. G. Thurlow, Messrs. V. Bottomley, F. W. Perrens, F. Sharpe, E. A. Barnett, J. F. Smallwood.
Honorary members.- Mrs. E. A. Barnett, Mrs. V. Bottomley, Mrs. R. F. B. Speed, Messrs. F. E. Collins, J. L. Garner-Hayward, F. E. Haynes, D. Hughes, C. K. Lewis, H. N. Pitstow, G. W. Pipe, H. L. Roper, E. C. Shepherd. R. F. B. Speed, T. W. White.
Ancient Society of College Youths.- Mr. W. T. Cook, Group Captain J. S. Mason, Mr. W. Williams.
Australian and New Zealand Association.- Mr. P. M. J. Gray.
Baths and Wells Diocesan Association.- Messrs. J. H. Gilbert, E. Naylor, A. H. Reed.
Bedfordshire Association.- Messrs. J. H. Edwards, A. E. Rushton.
Beverley and District Ringing Society.- Mr. R. Ducker.
Cambridge University Guild.- Dr. C. M. P. Johnson, Mr. B. D. Threlfall.
Chester Diocesan Guild.- Messrs. H. O. Baker, A. R. Elkins, A. J. Martin.
Coventry Diocesan Guild.- Mrs. D. E. Beamish, Mr. H. Windsor.
Cumberland and North Westmorland Association.- Mr. G. Tembey.
Derbyshire Association.- Messrs. G. A. Halls, M. P. Phipps.
Devon Association.- Mr. B. E. Bartlett.
Dudley and District Guild.- Mr. M. J. Fellows.
Durham and Newcastle Association.- Messrs K. Arthur, D. A. Bayles.
Ely Diocesan Association.- Messrs. J. G. Gipson, E. H. Mastin, H. S. Peacock.
Essex Association.- Dr. J. Armstrong, Messrs. F. B. Lufkin, J. E. G. Roast.
Gloucester and Bristol Diocesan Association.- Messrs. A. L. Barry, W. B. Kynaston, J. R. Taylor, C. A. Wratten.
Guildford Diocesan Guild.- Messrs. D. A. R. May, J. F. M. Maybrey, W. H. Viggers.
Guild of Devonshire Ringers.- Mr. D. R. Bould, Miss B. M. Boyle, Mr. N. Mallett, Rev. J. G. M. Scott.
Hereford Diocesan Guild.- Rev. M. Hart, Mr. C. A. Lewis, Mr. A. T. Wingate.
Hertford County Association.- Messrs. W. Ayre, B. M. Barker, R. G. Bell, G. Dodds.
Irish Association.- Messrs. F. E. Dukes, J. T. Dunwoody.
Kent County Association.- Messrs. P. A. Corby, T. Cullingworth, S. Jenner, I. H. Oram.
Ladies’ Guild.- Miss J. Beresford, Miss D. E. Colgate, Mrs. P. J. Staniforth.
Lancashire Association.- Messrs. A. Capstick, C. Crossthwaite, J. P. Partington, F. Reynolds.
Leicester Diocesan Guild.- Messrs. S. Burton, J. M. Jelley, P. J. Staniforth, B. G. Warwick.
Lincoln Diocesan Guild.- Messrs. J. Bray, G. E. Feirn, J. Freeman, J. L. Millhouse.
Llandaff and Monmouth Diocesan Association.- Mrs. D. J. King, Mr. T. M. Roderick.
London County Association.- Mr. A. D. Barker, Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Rogers, Mr. W. G. Wilson.
Middlesex County Association.- Messrs. F. T. Blagrove, G. W. Critchley, T. J. Lock, Miss R. M. Foreman.
Midland Counties Guild.- Mr. J. W. Cotton.
National Police Guild.- Mr. N. S. Bagworth.
North Staffordshire Association.- Messrs. R. S. Anderson, C. S. Ryles.
North Wales Association.- Dr. E. V. Woodcock.
Norwich Diocesan Association.- Messrs. P. M. Adcock, H. W. Barrett, F. N. Golden, N. V. Harding.
Oxford Diocesan Guild.- Messrs. W. Butler, N. J. Diserens, F. C. Price, P. Walker.
Oxford Society.- Mr. F. A. H. Wilkins.
Oxford University Society.- Messrs. S. J. Ivin, D. J. Roaf.
Peterborough Diocesan Guild.- Messrs. E. Billings, J. H. Bluff, J. Linnell.
Railwaymen’s Guild.- Mr. E. J. Franklin.
St. Martin’s Guild, Birmingham.- Messrs. J. A. Ainsworth, G. E. Fearn.
Salisbury Diocesan Guild.- Rev. R. Keeley, Messrs. J. T. Barrett, G. H. Harding, G. S. Morris.
Sheffield and District Society.- Mr. N. Chaddock.
Society of Royal Cumberland Youths.- Messrs. D. Beresford, W. H. Dobbie, K. Newman, D. E. Sibson.
Society of Sherwood Youths.- Mr. G. A. Dawson.
South Derbyshire and North Leicestershire Association.- Mr. J. E. Collins.
Southwell Diocesan Guild.- Messrs. W. L. Exton, H. Poyner.
Staffordshire Archdeaconry Society.- Messrs. M. W. Fairey, B. G. Key, C. M. Smith.
Suffolk Guild.- Messrs. T. N. J. Bailey, H. W. Egglestone, C. W. Pipe.
Surrey Association.- Messrs. A. P. Cannon, S. F. W. Kimber, A. Streeter.
Sussex County Association.- Messrs. G. Francis, R. W. R. Percy, A. V. Sheppard, W. L. Weller.
Swansea and Brecon Diocesan Guild.- Mr. G. I. Lewis.
Truro Diocesan Guild.- Messrs. W. C. Boucher, A. J. Davidson, A. Locke.
Universities Association.- Miss M. R. Cross.
University of Bristol Society.- Dr. T. P. Edwards.
University of London Society.- Mr. A. J. Frost.
Winchester and Portsmouth Diocesan Guild.- Canon K. W. H. Felstead, Messrs. A. V. Davis, J. Hartless, R. R. Savory.
Worcestershire and Districts Association.- Messrs B. C. Ashford, D. Beacham, A. J. Brazier, W. B. Cartwright.
Yorkshire Association.- Messrs. W. E. Critchley, E. Hudson, W. F. Moreton, J. Seager.
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Mr. T. W. White, the Editor of “The Ringing World,” was proposed as a life member by Mr. F. E. Dukes (Irish Association), seconded by Mr. Edgar Shepherd (honorary members), both members of the Literature and Publications Committee. Mr. Dukes said “The Ringing World” was founded in 1911 by John S. Goldsmith, who remained its proprietor and editor until he died in 1942. John Goldsmith was elected an honorary member of the Council in 1927 and there was little doubt that had the class of life membership been in existence he would have attained that rank. Mr. Goldsmith was an accomplished ringer and travelled to Australia on Great Adventure I. Jabez Armiger Trollope, another accomplished ringer, took over as editor after Mr. Goldsmith’s death but had a short reign until he retired in 1946.
At probably the most critical period of “The Ringing World” Tom White came to the rescue of the paper as editor in 1946, having previously been of assistance to the paper when Mr. Goldsmith was in Australia. Last year Tom White completed 21 years as editor, truly a proud record. He was 40 years of age when he learned to ring and now, at the age of almost 74, looked quite fresh and his efforts as editor continued unflaggingly.
“On the personal side, I wonder how many editors would have remained at their post in face of the exceptional criticism which has as long as I can remember been levelled at ‘The Ringing World.’ How many times has the Council listened to the commonsense speeches which Tom White made when a deadlock seemed apparent.
“The improvement of ‘The Ringing World’ and in its circulation came in no small way as a result of the conscientious and devoted work of the editor. The paper has more of a sense of humour than it had years ago, and caters for the younger ringer more than it did.
“Can we imagine ‘The Ringing World’ without Tom White as editor? Will the Council be able to find a worthy successor when the time comes? How fortunate we are to have a man who continues to work for us when most others would be enjoying relaxation and the leisure of retirement, and never does he fail to produce the paper. Only when he took part in Great Adventure II was he relieved of the bulk of his duties.”
Mr. E. C. Shepherd, in seconding, thought it was most desirable to honour Mr. White now than to wait until it was too late. “Some of us who have been drawn close to the editor and his work will know of his kindness and unselfishness, and so, whatever the Council in its wisdom decides on this proposition, I personally am grateful to have this opportunity of paying tribute to the services (difficult to estimate to the full) given by one I have found so technically efficient, so devoted to ‘The Ringing World’ and so intensely sympathetic in all its difficulties.”
The motion was declared to be carried unanimously.
The Editor, in his reply, said that at a public dinner a lady had a rabbi on her right hand and a bishop on her left. Turning to the bishop she said “I feel as if I have the Old Testament on my right hand and the New Testament on my left.” Tersely the bishop rejoined: “In most Bibles, Madam, there is a blank page between the Old and the New Testaments.”
“I feel very much like a blank page today except for one thing. Across it is written ‘A very sincere thank you, Mr. President and members of the Council.’
“This is not the first time I have been honoured by the Council. At the honeymoon Council at Chelmsford, when we rejoiced to have a Welsh bride with us, I was elected an honorary member of the Council although on that occasion some of the leading members voted against me. It seems in the intervening 11 years I have behaved myself better.
“When I was first appointed an editor of a local newspaper at Guildford, a veteran editor wrote to me, ‘White, you will make many mistakes as an editor, but take comfort in the thought that in your locality you will probably make fewer mistakes than anyone else.’ I am not going to pretend to this Council that there are not better editors of ‘The Ringing World’ than myself. There are plenty. An editor is ever conscious of his mistakes and it is my regret that many of these cause pain to certain people. A firmer policy on my part would have saved their distress. Publicly I express my regrets.
“My period as an editor must be drawing to a close. The past year has been a difficult one and my troubles have been aggravated by indifferent sight. I have had this trouble partly adjusted with new glasses. A prominent ophthalmic surgeon has given me from two to three years, but insists that I should rest at lunch time and not read late at night. I am making this public in the hope that a man or woman will be forthcoming to succeed me. While have too great an affection for ‘The Ringing World’ to leave it in the lurch, my age tells me that I should make room for a successor.
“The other day I came across a philosophy of flying, given to Royal Flying Officers. ‘Strap it to your backsides and go to the limit.’ It could well apply to our outlook in service to the Church, to the Exercise and to our work, and I leave the thought with you. ‘Strap our faith to our backsides and go the limit.’”
Messrs. B. Austin, F. M. Bowers, D. R. Carlisle, J. D. Clarke, G. W. Fletcher, F. I. Hairs, B. E. Jeffrey, H. J. Sanger, Miss H. G. Snowden, E. J. Sterland, L. Stilwell, P. L. Taylor, C. G. J. Watts, F. A. White, E. F. Willcox.
The following new members were welcomed by the president: G. Francis (Sussex County Association), G. A. Dawson (Society of Sherwood Youths), Stuart Kimber (Surrey Association).
The Ringing World, June 14, 1968, pages 459 to 460, corrections June 28, 1968, page 500
When an application for membership was received from the Society of Sherwood Youths, Mr. G. A. Halls, of the Derby Association, voiced his opposition. He held that it contravened the basic principle of one man, one vote. The members of this Society largely belonged to their own territorial Association - the Southwell Diocesan Guild. The admission of the Sherwood Youths would create a precedent and they would have a string of applications before them.
Mr. W. L. Exton, hon. secretary of the Southwell Diocesan Guild, said he was surprised to hear this opposition. The Society of Sherwood Youths was formed back in 1670 and they were formerly represented on the Council but their membership lapsed during the war. They were now very active.
Mr. J. F. Smallwood (life member) recalled an outstanding member of the Society in William Doubleday Crofts. He could see no possible reason for the Society being turned down.
Mr. J. Seager also supported the application.
There was an overwhelming vote in favour of election and the Society was welcomed amid applause.
The Minutes published in “The Ringing World” of February 16th and amended on March 1st were adopted on the proposition of Mr. V. Bottomley, seconded by Mr. F. Sharpe.
EARLY in the year, prints of the President’s “Bells - True and False” were sent to all Diocesan Advisory Committees, with the request that a copy be sent to every applicant for faculty to install “canned” bells. On the whole these were well received.
There has been the usual flow of inquiries of many kinds from the public. A good number followed the appearance in the magazine “Woman” of an item in the feature “How it is done.” These were from potential recruits and I shall be pleased to hear of the successful introduction of anyone to ringing from this source.
The compilation of a register of redundant bells has created a lot of interest, but most of the applicants have been seeking single bells, or cheap augmentations. The object was of course the preservation of complete rings. My letter to the “Church Times” on the subject has not produced a single notification or redundancy but there have been several inquiries from incumbents hoping to obtain a ring of bells.
Once again I thank all those who have sent publications.
VERNON BOTTOMLEY.
Mr. Bottomley said he had nothing further to add and moved its adoption. Mr. R. S. Anderson seconded and expressed thanks to the hon. secretary for his work during the past year.
The following honorary members retired and were eligible for re-election: Mrs. E. A. Barnett, Messrs. B. Austin, J. Betjeman, F. E. Collins, F. I. Hairs, C. K. Lewis, W. A. Osborn and H. L. Roper. The secretary announced that Mrs. Hairs wished to retire.
The re-election of the other retiring members was proposed by Mr. F. Sharpe and seconded by Mr. F. E. Dukes.
Mr. D. E. Sibson proposed and Mr. D. Beresford seconded the election of Mr. John R. Mayne (a former member) as an honorary member. This was supported by Mr. F. Blagrove and carried unanimously.
The sale of publications still continues at a very high level, the total for the year again exceeding 6,000, states the report of the hon. librarian. This includes, for the third consecutive year, over 3,000 “Beginners’ Handbooks.” Due to the increased cost of these handbooks, together with increased postal rates, we are now selling these books at an increasing loss and I would suggest that we sell them at a flat rate of one shilling each.
We now have in stock only a few cards - “Care of Bells” - and I recommend that we do not have a reprint of these, as the information thereon is well covered in “Preservation and Repair of Bells.”
We are indebted to Mr. C. A. Wratten for his work in compiling “A Collection Of Surprise Compositions” and for his co-operation resulting in the sale of this very useful book now being in the hands of the Council.
During the year the library has received the following gifts, which we acknowledge with grateful thanks: “Cathedrals at Work,” Canon G. G. Thurlow - per the author; “Bobs and Singles,” History of Christchurch Cathedral Society of Bellringers, New Zealand - from the Christchurch Society; Copy of “Reverberations” - per J. P. Partington; Copies of “Irish Bell News” - per F. E. Dukes.
We are indeed grateful to Mr. W. Pitcher for undertaking the sale of our publications in Australia and are pleased to note from his report in April that ringers out there are taking advantage of the facilities provided.
Finally, a sincere and hearty “thank you” to Mr. J. L. Garner-Hayward for managing so efficiently the sales section of the library, a job which has grown very rapidly during the past few years.
FRANK W. PERRENS,
Hon. Librarian.
| Copies Sold | Stock | ||
| Preservation of Bells | 190 | 288 | |
| Beginners’ Handbook | 3485 | 5226 | |
| Popular Major Compositions | 115 | 755 | |
| False Course Heads | 48 | 123 | |
| Minor Methods | 226 | 372 | |
| Stedman Compositions | 36 | 562 | |
| Doubles Methods | 189 | 820 | |
| Ringing for Service | 120 | 1736 | |
| On Conducting | 178 | 427 | |
| C.C. Handbook | 96* | 267 | |
| Method Sheets - | D.N.C.B.M. | 31 | 653 |
| Triples | 48 | 388 | |
| Collection of Peals - Sec. III | 17 | 36 | |
| Care of Bells - Card | 56 | 19 | |
| Model Rules | 50 | 375 | |
| Electrical Switchgear Card | 14 | 823 | |
| Four-way Minor Table | 60 | 771 | |
| Recruiting Leaflet | 539 | 212 | |
| Handbell Ringing | 204 | 323 | |
| Grandsire Caters | 55 | 692 | |
| Surprise Methods | 142 | 684 | |
| Surprise Compositions (Wratten) | 96* | 654 | |
* 1 free.
Mr. F. W. Perrens moved the adoption and Mr. P. A. Corby seconded and the report was adopted.
| ASSETS | |||
| £ | s. | d. | |
| Library (£10) | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Stock of Publications (£1,109) | 815 | 19 | 3 |
| Debtor and Payments in advance (£1,198) | 1206 | 15 | 9 |
| Investments at cost (£10,963) | 10262 | 9 | 8 |
| Cash & Bank Balances (£2,192) | 3404 | 16 | 7 |
| 15700 | 1 | 4 | |
| Sundry Creditors (£1,143) | 1986 | 19 | 5 |
| Amounts received in advance (£1,800) | 1617 | 6 | 7 |
| 3604 | 5 | 6 | |
| NET ASSETS | £12095 | 15 | 10 |
| CAPITAL ACCOUNTS | |||
| “The Ringing World” (£10,645) | 10122 | 14 | 1 |
| General Fund (£976) | 1020 | 16 | 7 |
| Clement Glenn Fund (£908) | 952 | 5 | 2 |
| £12095 | 15 | 10 | |
The Council’s Income and Expenditure Account showed an excess of income over expenditure of £45 (£43). Expenses came to £94 (£110), of which Committee’s expenses were £15). There was a profit on the Publications Account of £56 (£71). The Publications Account showed that the stock had been reduced from £1,108 to £816. Sales gross were £432 and net £396. The Clement Glenn bequest now stood at £952.
| INCOME | |
| £ | |
| Publishing House (£2,967) | 2979 |
| Postal Subscribers (£5,428) | 5790 |
| Donations (£612) | 698 |
| Advertisements (£552) | 516 |
| Notices and Peal Reports (£813) | 894 |
| Sundry Receipts (£70) | 178 |
| Legacy received | 93 |
| Interest received (£408) | 476 |
| Premiums on Redemption (£24) | 86 |
| Bank Deposit Interest | 47 |
| Total (£10,874) | £11758 |
| EXPENDITURE | |
| Printing & despatch of copies (£8,138) | 10168 |
| Editorial Office expenses (£1,317) | 1504 |
| Accounts Department (£295) | 285 |
| Miscellaneous expenses (£87) | 95 |
| Audit and Accountancy (£45) | 45 |
| Taxation (£137) | 183 |
| Total (£10,019) | 12280 |
Net loss for the year £522 12s. 1d.
Moving the adoption of the accounts, Mr. V. Bottomley said the only item he should like to draw attention to was a reduction of “The Ringing World” capital account by £500 due to the loss that had been sustained. (This now stands at £10,122 against £10,645.)
In “The Ringing World” balance sheet the figures of investments (£9,499) was somewhat lower (£10,200). It was desirable in the time of losing money to remain a little more liquid and for that reason there was more money on deposit at the bank (£1,000). In the Income and Expenditure account they would notice a net loss for the year of £522. Income from Investments were £340 net. The effective loss on the publication was £1,040, and that was important to bear in mind.
Mr. F. E. Dukes seconded and the accounts were approved.
The president reported the deaths of the following members and past members of the Council: F. A. Finch, Middlesex Association (1950), H. Parker, Chester Guild (1936-1959), F. A. Salter, Southwell Guild (1949-1953), J. Willis, Kent County Association (1951-1967), A. E. Sharman, Bedfordshire Association (1921-1946), T. H. Radford, East Derbyshire and West Notts Association (1963-1967), A. W. Coles, Middlesex Association (1948), G. H. Spice, Kent County Association (1939-1954).
Mr. J. E. Jeater, accountant to “The Ringing World” for over 20 years.
The Ringing World, June 14, 1968, page 461
IT is with profound regret that we have to open this report with references to two serious belfry accidents, both of which have been given wide publicity in the national Press. The tragic death of Mr. John Hall at Uphill has brought forth the sympathy of the whole ringing Exercise, and the article by Mr. Wilfrid Wilson in “The Ringing World” of June 2nd expresses what we all feel of this very sad occurrence. The serious injury to Mr. Raymond Dunn at Old Hill was due to a similar mishap, and in this case, unfortunately, sensational reporting by sections of the Press not only obscured the circumstances of the accident but also aroused some public alarm over the question of belfry conditions and belfry tuition. The very sensible letter from Mr. G. F. Green to the “Birmingham Post” provided a salutary corrective.
The publicity given to these sad occurrences has led the convener of this committee being consulted by three incumbents on the matter of the safety of bells hanging in their respective towers (towers aid bells without ringers, it may be noted), and it is possible that interest and concern have been aroused in other parts of the country.
NATIONAL PROMINENCE
Items of bellringing news always seem to find a place in newspapers, and this year we have one or two notable ones. The “Daily Express” gave great prominence to the announcement of the contract given to the Whitechapel Foundry for replicas of the Liberty Bell of Philadelphia, an order said to amount to £750,000. In August the diamond wedding of Mr. and Mrs. G. E. Symonds came to our notice. The congratulations and good wishes of all of us will go out to this grand old man of Ipswich. The 19th birthday of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales was celebrated by the ringing of Stedman Cinques at Great St. Mary’s, Cambridge, and much publicity was given to the visit the Prince paid to the belfry on that occasion.
Two items of clerical news found prominence in the “Church Times.” First the achievement of the Rev. A. S. Roberts, of Carbis Bay, who has now succeeded in ringing a peal on every eight-bell tower its Cornwall. Secondly, we have read of the remarkable work of the Rev. R. E. H. Dudley, Vicar of Edington, Wiltshire, who has not only faced successfully a colossal restoration task at Edington Priory Church, but has also completed a scheme for providing a ring of ten bells. For the consummation of this ambitious plan Mr. Dudley has secured the bells of the church of the ruined village of Imber on Salisbury Plain.
The Central Council meeting in May was well reported and illustrated in the Nottingham Press.
FEATURE ARTICLES
Among the feature articles of the year “The Music of the Bells” by Edyth Harper in “Musical Opinion” has the conventional approach and is carefully written. Reference might perhaps have been made to more interesting names than “Scholars’ Delight” and “Canterbury Pleasure,” but this possibly is not of great importance. Ken Hill writes in “London Electricity” on bellfounding and the Whitechapel Foundry, with a delightful tailpiece on binding agents. A valuable contribution to the problem of recruits was a written (by request) for “The Hampshire Telegraph” by Mr. York-Bramble, and this essay boldly invites people to come to Portsmouth Cathedral and see for themselves what is done.
“Country Life” printed a short but excellent article by E. Trotman, of Beaminster, on Bilbie and his bells, and from the “Western Morning News” comes a scholarly account of West Country ringing and customs by Canon Miles Brown. As an outstanding essay we heartily commend “Launton Tower and Waterloo Celebrations” written by Keith Robertson for the “Oxford Times.” With its accuracy, its maintenance of interest and its impeccable taste it might serve as a model for this type of article. The photograph of the ringers entering the tower is most striking, and the picture of our genial friend Mr. F. Sharpe makes him look far more forbidding than we know him to be. “Home Words” has often provided something to do with our art, and in October M. Wight gave us “Bells with a Story,” pleasantly discursive and well written.
Lady ringers form the subject of Mary Sutherland’s “Sweet Belles in the Belfry,” an article in the “Western Mail.” But the Ladies’ Guild was surely not formed “because at that time women were nor allowed in bell towers.” By 1912 there were a good many lady ringers, and it was because of this that Edith Parker founded the Guild.
CRITICISMS
The convener communicated with the “Borchester Echo” to comment on the rather absurd and misleading presentation of the “Ambridge” bellringers that appeared in the annual issue. He received from the Editor a charming (and disarming) letter of apology and a promise that “next time I shall certainly consult a campanologist.” The vulgar presentation in the “Daily Mirror” of a mishap to a ringer’s braces at Lowestoft was a piece of bad taste, but it was felt that no good purpose would be served by writing to the journal. The matter underlines the importance in taking care in offering to reporters news of incidents which, trivial in themselves, can be unscrupulously exploited to bring ridicule upon a church and its belfry.
The illustrated article on ringing at Durban in “South African Panorama” seems to us to echo the same warning note. The text is short and interesting, but the illustrations do not present a satisfactory view of ringers in action, and we should find difficulty in commending the portrayal of a ringer standing in the pit beneath an upturned bell.
IRISH INTELLIGENCE
The Irish Press brings us some essays of note. In “Church of Ireland Gazette” Gilbert Thurlow provided an article both attractive and of excellent missionary value, and the “Courier and News” gave extensive publicity to the splendid work of the team of volunteers that brought eight bells from the disused church at Kilshane for use at Killyman, a distance of 200 miles. It is a pleasing thought that the Christian brotherhood fostered by our ringing can transcend political boundaries and the unhappy divisions that so often keep good people apart.
The close associations of Ireland with the centennial celebrations in Canada brought about some considerable festival ringing arranged by the Irish Association, and this and the ringing in many other parts of the world were given publicity in the “Ottawa Journal” and the “Edmonton Journal”; and Mr. F. E. Dukes received from the Canadian Embassy in Eire a special note on the events connected with the celebrations.
Among the publications we must make mention of “Reverberations,” the journal of the “Handbell Ringers of Great Britain,” a Society founded at Ashton-under-Lyne Grammar School in October, 1967. Both the enterprise and the publishing of the paper are to be commended, but we suggest that each number of the journal be dated; the copy we have bears no indication of its date of publication and no sequence number. “Northeast,” the newsletter of the North West District of the Essex Association, came out in November, and we have noted an excellent recruiting leaflet put out from Isleworth.
We offer our grateful thanks to all those who have sent material to us and have kept us in touch with journals we cannot readily see. To keep the report within reasonable limits we have not referred to all the matter sent in, but everything we have received has had attention, and everything has been of some importance in enabling us to indicate the journalistic trend of the year.
EDGAR C. SHEPHERD, (Convener),
FRED E. DUKES.
Mr. Edgar Shepherd moved the adoption. Mr. F. E. Dukes, in seconding, drew attention to the tragic occurrences mentioned in the first paragraph and said it was up to them to see that every care was taken, especially in the case of young people. The report was adopted.
The secretary reported that the Standing Committee discussed the succession to the president and vice-president, bearing in mind the statement made by Canon Thurlow when elected president that in no circumstances would he accept nomination after six years. Members of the Standing Committee wished to make known their decision to nominate Mr. John Freeman as president and Mr. E. A. Barnett as vice-president in 1969.
Regarding the revision of the Decisions of the Council, the Standing Committee recommended that the Records and Methods Committee and Mr. E. A. Barnett should investigate and publish their recommendations in “The Ringing World” before next January. This was moved by the general secretary and seconded by Mr. P. A. Corby and adopted.
The Ringing World, June 14, 1968, page 462
SEVEN demonstrations were given during the year to a total of 161 visitors, including three from the United States. The machine was also run on other occasions for faultfinding exercises, as some minor ailments had spoilt one or two of the demonstrations.
As it is quite impossible to carry out dismantling and repair at the Science Museum, the Trustees decided to withdraw the machine for repairs. We are indebted to Mr. Walter Dobbie for the work he willingly undertook during three weeks over the Christmas period, and which has put the machine once more into first-class order.
Mr. and Mrs. Dobbie must also be congratulated on the wide variety of methods they set up and rang during this time, including two peals as reported in “The Ringing World” on February 23rd, 1968.
We are also grateful for the continued interest of our two other operators, Messrs. Alan Bagworth and John Slater. The attendance of two or more operators enables us to give much more interesting demonstrations.
The Science Museum authorities asked that we should state a value for insurance purposes and the Trustees have agreed to £5,000 on the basis that while a new machine could not be commercially built for this figure, there would be no point in replacing it should it be totally destroyed. If, however, it was to become badly damaged, the figure of £5,000 would be sufficient to enable it to be rebuilt. The Trustees hold a Letter of Indemnity from the Museum superintendent, which also states “that the sum shall be re-viewed every three years.”
DOUGLAS HUGHES,
FRANK E. HAYNES,
Trustees.
Mr. D. Hughes moved the adoption of the report and Mr. F. E. Haynes, in seconding, said he did not think the members of the Council realised what a splendid machine it was. The Council were fortunate in that the machine had been cared for and kept in a working condition at no expense to the Council. It might, however, be necessary to ask the Council for some small financial help at some future time. The machine had been looked after for some 30 years by Mr. Hughes sen. and Mr. Hughes jun.
Mr. B. Ashford asked whether there were any technical drawings of the machine.
Mr. D. Hughes: No.
Mr. Roger Savory (Winchester and Portsmouth Guild) asked if the machine could be on view at the next Council meeting. The reply of the convener was that it could be done. The last time it was on view cost about £21 for three weeks.
Mr. Savory proposed and Mr. G. Pipe (Suffolk Guild), who offered to donate one guinea towards the cost, seconded that the machine be on view. Mr. Walter Ayre, on behalf of the Herts County Association, assured the Council that his Association would be most happy to have it for the period of the Council meeting.
Mr. F. Reynolds (Lancashire Association) suggested that the Woodhouse machine should also be on view. This suggestion was warmly received by Mr. W. Dobbie, who has done much work on the Carter machine.
Mr. W. G. Wilson (London County) offered to help with the transport. He said he would like to see the two machines together - then they might have some splice!
The proposal was carried, only five members voting against, and the report was adopted.
The Ringing World, June 14, 1968, page 463
1.- The Council last year at Nottingham instructed us to include in our Report to be submitted in 1968 a statement of the measures we had taken and the plans we had made for widening the appeal of “The Ringing World” to all sections of the ringing fraternity. As required, we now submit in a printed appendix a very long and full report of the events of the past two years, with details of the various matters put to us and our actions (or reasons for inaction) thereon. We would point out that the report was written last August so does not refer to matters that have happened since then. Also that it refutes most emphatically the criticism we hear so often that the Exercise is not told of our plans and decisions, or the financial or other reasons for them.
2.- This policy of telling the Exercise has been continued since August by reports in “The Ringing World” and we cannot be held responsible if such reports are not read or not remembered.
3.- We would also draw special attention to other matters brought out in our report or apparent from the census referred to therein. It can be fairly assumed that the 25 per cent. of readers who filled in the census forms was representative of the keenest and most interested readers of “The Ringing World.” Of this percentage, less than three-quarters in reply to a question which said that a price increase must occur indicated their willingness to pay. It can also be fairly assumed that the large majority of those who did not reply would be against any increase in price unless it was essential for the survival of the paper.
4.- We would also draw special attention to our comments in paragraph 19 (viii) of the printed appendix, that by no means the whole of any increase of 3d. a week would accrue to “The Ringing World.”
5.- We have been told that our annual reports are no more than financial statements, dealing with matters that can be seen or deduced from “The Ringing World” accounts, but the weekly appearance of “The Ringing World” forms in fact our annual report - in 52 or 53 instalments. And we believe that is a very public and very topical report done in this way. We do not consider that members of this Council, well informed and constant readers as they are, will wish to have a potted history of what has appeared in the paper during the preceding calendar year, but it is worth noting that 96 extra pages (including 28 issues having coloured covers) were provided during the year at a cost of some £960.
6.- The issues of “The Ringing World” between October, 1966 and August, 1967, specially mentioned in paragraph 41 of the printed appendix and the issues since that date, are an indication of the immense amount of thought and care which has been put into the work, both by the Editor and members of the committee. With the latter we must associate the Council’s secretary and Mrs. Bottomley and Mr. D. Hughes, our treasurer. We willingly admit that the events of the 12 months between the Bath meeting in 1966 and the Nottingham meeting in 1967, unfortunate though they were in many respects, have had an effect both on the efforts of the committee and on the Exercise generally.
7.- The evident feeling of the Council that our present finances justified cautious expansion, even involving some risk of loss, has encouraged the committee to extend its thinking. The effect on circulation has been must gratifying. For each of the last four weeks of 1967 the circulation figure has been above 6,000 - even rising to more than 6,200, but this expansion has had to be paid for. The draft accounts available at the time of writing this report indicate that, whereas in 1966 there was a net profit of £855, in 1967 there will have been a net loss of over £500. We have arranged for a statement of account at April 30th, 1968, so that we and the Council may be informed of the trend of income and expenditure to as late a date as possible. It is, however, clear that during 1967, while our income increased by a total of some £700, our expenditure rose by some £2,200. Almost half of this, as indicated, was for an additional service to our readers. Apart from the increased cost of printing and despatch, a larger paper and more subscribers inevitably entail more expenditure on staff.
8.- Costs will undoubtedly continue to rise. Postal increases are foreshadowed and already in 1968 we have had to face increased printing costs, and shall have additional National Insurance charges. To our mind it is unthinkable that the Council and the Exercise will wish us to return to a smaller paper, without the coloured cover and picture. The choice before the Council may well be between this and an increase in price. We have arranged to meet before the Council meeting at Whitsun and will submit our views in the light of the latest possible information. Even if a price increase proves necessary, it is certain that to retain a paper of the standard we have been aiming at we must also maintain the present upward trend in circulation, and shall need increased donations from our readers.
9.- We heard with regret at our committee meeting in December that Mr. J. Frank Smallwood wished to retire from the committee. Over many years Frank Smallwood has given to the Exercise devoted and generous service and particularly has this been evident in his membership of “The Ringing World” Committee, of which he was convener until comparatively recently. Only those who have served with him in this exacting and, at times, not only thankless but on occasion severely criticised sphere, can speak of his unfailing sense of duty and purpose. He has always regarded as a duty the task of ensuring that “The Ringing World” appeared without fail week in and week out. His standards both as regards copy and printing have been of the highest, whilst his wide experience as a practical printer has been of inestimable value.
DEBT TO MR. SMALLWOOD
Appointed to a committee with no financial reserves and a limited income, to produce a weekly paper, to him his purpose immediately was clear - to provide a readable journal concurrently with building up adequate reserves against possible contingencies. Criticism, fair or otherwise, never deflected him from this path, and the Exercise owes to him the present financial strength of our accounts and the fact that projects which he would dearly have liked to introduce years ago are now being undertaken. The committee are pleased to know that when necessary he will still be available to them for advice and guidance and feel sure the Council will join them in saying “thank you” to one of the Exercise’s most loyal servants.
10.- The retirement of Mr. Smallwood leaves a committee of three and we have thought it right to consult the Standing Committee of the Council as to the future composition of the committee.
Throughout a period of difficulty and frustration the Council and the committee have had the services of one person, whose toil in the interests of “The Ringing World” his continued not only undiminished but enthusiastically, the Editor - Mr. T. W. White, and your committee are sincerely grateful for all his work. No less appreciative is your committee of the valuable work of Mrs. Lucas at the Guildford office; Mr. H. L. Roper, who once more without recompense prepared the index; and to all those who have made any contribution, great or small, to the journal throughout the year. Without this host of willing co-operation “The Ringing World” would be the poorer.
A special tribute must be paid to Mr. Jeater who has intimated that he finds it necessary for health reasons to resign during this coming summer. For years he has looked after the accounts of postal subscribers most efficiently, and we sincerely hope that his health will improve, and offer him our gratitude for his work for the paper.
Your committee also much appreciate the interest and guidance of Mr. Bottomley over what has undoubtedly been a difficult period, and no less the help of Mrs. Bottomley in taking notes at our meetings and providing and serving us with some most enjoyable lunches, enabling us to continue our deliberations without any break. Our thanks are also tendered to Mr. Hughes for providing facilities for our meeting and lunch at the Foundry.
We would also wish to thank the two bell founders - Messrs. Mears and Stainbank and John Taylor and Co. - for their continued help and support by the donation each week of the page used for Belfry Gossip and headed “Bellfounders’ Gift Page.” Very real help of this kind is greatly appreciated.
PEAL REPORTS AND CHARGES
The Central Council has several times debated the idea of imposing a charge for the publication of peal reports in the “Ringing World” and each time has rejected the principle of a compulsory charge.
There are objections to the idea on practical grounds. The cost and effort put into collection and checking would greatly reduce the net income. Currently peals are being rung at a rate of about 3,000 per annum, with an average of eight ropes per peal. One shilling can be taken as the maximum acceptable charge and this would produce a gross income of £1,200 per annum. At present voluntary contributions attributable to peal ringers amount to about £200 per annum. The net increase of £1,000 would be considerably reduced by the cost of additional clerical assistance that would be required, and the office at Guildford is already overcrowded!
The committee noted with appreciation the desire expressed by many peal ringers at Nottingham to make some contribution. It commends the idea of voluntary contributions and suggests that peal ringers might aim to contribute on a similar scale to those who ring quarter peals, based on the space occupied. In 1967 quarter peals contributed over £5 per page, whereas peals contributed only £1 per page. Approximately 15 peals per page give 120 ropes, and so a contribution of about 1s. per rope is needed to achieve this objective. It may be observed that production costs are currently running about £10 per page without overheads.
Much of the effort and expense in sending a multitude of small sums to Guildford could be saved if local secretaries or treasurers would collect and send in bulk. In many cases machinery is already in operation for collection of Association peal fees, and little extra work would be entailed in collecting voluntary contributions to “The Ringing World” for peals. All donations are appreciated and will continue to be “Gratefully acknowledged.”
R. S. ANDERSON (Convener).
D. BAYLES.
J. FRANK SMALLWOOD.
W. G. WILSON.
Mr. Anderson, in presenting the report prefaced his remarks by a tribute to Mr. J. E. Jeater and the meticulous care with which he kept the accounts of “The Ringing World.” He did his work principally as a labour of love. Mr. Jeater said at the beginning of the year that his health was such that he could not continue after June. Unfortunately illness overtook him and they had to report his death. The Council owed a great debt of gratitude to Mr. Jeater. He was able to attend the Council meeting at Truro and to meet so many friends whom he had previously known as pen friends. His death was deeply regretted.
The convener followed this with a reference to the retirement from the committee of Mr. Frank Smallwood. “Frank Smallwood,” he said, “was not everybody’s cup of tea. He is very straight, very forthright; he has carried out an unenviable task with dedication and devotion and it was through him that the capital account of ‘The Ringing World’ was in the position it was today.” They wished him every happiness in his new surroundings and with his ringing friends in the south of England.
There was one other person to thank, continued Mr. Anderson, and that was Mr. C. W. Lucas, who had now assumed the responsibility for the duties carried out by Mr. Jeater. He had done a tremendous amount of work because there was a backlog of work, and he spent long hours to provide the accounts to the end of April. These figures went to Mr. Tait, our auditor, who sacrificed part of his holiday and was thus able to hand the accounts to a member of the committee last Friday at 10.30 p.m. “We owe them both a debt of gratitude.”
Mr. Anderson then turned to the accounts for 1967, which he said showed a loss of £522. Taking into account that in 1966 there was a surplus of £855 - a turnover of £1,357. During 1967 printing costs went up by £2,000 and administration by £177. The unaudited accounts from January 31st to April 30th showed a continued loss and for the four months £458, the equivalent of £1,374 for a full year.
PRINTING BILL 50% INCREASE
He would like to remind the Council that the printing bill had now reached £12,000. In 1966 it was £8,000, in 1967 £10,000. Thus from 1966 there had been an increase of 50 per cent. Further increases were inevitable; there was a printer’s increase due at the end of September and postal charges would also increase about that time. The circulation had increased from 5,743 last May to 6,152 a week, an increase of just over 400. Unfortunately this increased income would not cover the cost of the extra copies.
The committee do not wish or believe that the Council wish to revert to a 16-page plain white issue, even with a front page picture. Since last September, except for the Christmas holiday, they had had tinted cover issues and their policy was to continue such issues except for the August holiday and Christmas issues. Even with only 16-page issues it would be impossible to continue on their present income - there would have to be a revision of charges.
NO PEAL LEVY
They would see from their report that they have not considered a peal levy as a suitable way of doing things. It would entail a lot of extra work if introduced. They hoped, however, that peal ringers would be more generous. During May quarter peal donations were £37, and peals only £5. In the issue of May 31st peals took up four and a half pages and quarter peals one and a half pages.
Mr. W. G. Wilson, in seconding the adoption of the report, associated himself with the remarks of the convener respecting Mr. Jeater and Mr. Smallwood. For the first few years he was on the committee he did not agree with all Jafus said, but he now knew that what he said was for his benefit and the Exercise as a whole.
APPENDIX “A” FACTUAL
Referring to Appendix “A” (published in the issue of June 7th), he said this long report was mostly written last August. Some of them might think it was a fairy story, but it was not - it was factual, and he would be very happy to show anybody the papers. There was an impression in some quarters that they got more through newsagents than from postal copies and that they made a loss on postal copies. They had asked their auditor to prepare a statement on it and it was quite clear that they made a profit on postals and a loss through newsagents. If they could persuade readers to take their copies through the post they would be better off.
There was one thing Mr. Anderson could have done. He could have underlined that only last Friday “The Daily Mirror” Group reported a loss of £4 million in trading. He thought that with the increase announced “The Ringing World” would break even. Whatever they did the price had to go up but they felt they had good value for their money.
Mr. D. Bayles, a member of “The Ringing World” Committee, said he thought the Council would be interested in the activities of the committee and the way it had reached its decision to increase the price to one shilling per copy from the beginning of July.
In the first half of 1967 there was some experimenting with the introduction of a colour issue. He did some homework. The increase in printing a coloured issue was about £40 per week. It was the convener who decided the number of coloured issues, and not the committee. He was so upset at the prospect of loss that he sent a copy of his calculations to the convener and the editor. These calculations were confirmed by a loss of £500 in 1967. He (Mr. Bayles) was not alarmed if the loss had been in the region of £200, but he was alarmed at the prospect of a loss of over £1,000 in 1968. He circulated his estimate of the loss to members of the committee but only the secretary acknowledged the receipt of it. It then seemed reasonable to suggest three coloured and one white issue per month for the first three months at the committee meeting in December at Whitechapel, but that was defeated. He was not complaining about that defeat. It was one of the fruits of democracy. There were two votes one way and one the other.
Then they came to the Henry Johnson Dinner meeting. They were told that coloured issues must be continued and it took the general secretary and himself a long time to get a realistic picture that expenditure was running so much in excess of income. They had heard the result - a loss of £438 for four months. That was not much out of what had said - a loss of £1,000 for the year, and yet his figures were not listened to.
NO AGENDA
Since the Johnson Dinner he had had no communications or agenda for the meeting last Sunday evening. There was no mention beforehand that they would have to consider a price increase. He felt when he arrived there he was presented with a fait accompli. He had just come down from Chester-le-Street; he was not blaming the committee, as he arrived late.
Mr. Bayles said he did not feel that a matter of this importance should be considered in such a precipitate manner. “I thought about it all day on Monday and when I came back I saw no point in being a member of my committee and therefore I proposed to resign unless a meeting was called in the very near future. This request was refused and it seemed to me that I had no alternative but to resign.
 |
“As I expected, I was approached by a number of people who said ‘You must not resign; you must stay on the committee. The Council have put you there to do a job.’ I think the Council should know how the committee was run at the present time. I did think of resigning and offering myself for election but this might create procedural difficulties. Therefore the committee should be enlarged by one member of my nomination, who will be there primarily to bring about an improvement in the way the committee is run and to ensure that decisions are properly acted on and proper agendas are prepared before a member travels 200 or 300 miles to attend. Therefore I propose the name of Mr. Richard Speed be added to the committee.”
Mr. Bernard Ashford (Worcestershire Association) seconded.
Dr. C. M. P. Johnson (Cambridge University) supported Mr. Bayles. After listening to the convener’s remarks he was not convinced that the price increase was enough, particularly in regard to the increased cost of production from £8,000 to £12,000. They had had very little warning of the proposed increase in charge and no actual prediction of the position next year. They had been told that there would be a reduction in circulation. What they wanted was an increase in cost that would make sure cover for years to come.
SADDENED
Canon K. W. H. Felstead said that it was not often that he spoke seriously but quite honestly he was very saddened on hearing the report of “The Ringing World” Committee showing this type of disagreement between members of the committee. For many years he was convener of the Methods Committee and the members often had different opinions but there was never disagreement like this. He hoped the committee would get together in a friendly way and be a happy committee, which was better than making or losing money.
The Rev. J. G. M. Scott (Guild of Devonshire Ringers) hoped that if the Appendix was accepted one sentence would be deleted which stated he could not find “The Ringing World” on a station bookstall. What he said was that he looked at the station bookstall and could find nothing that resembled “The Ringing World” in format. It looked out of date. He thought that in the past year it had improved so much that it was worth another threepence. He asked the Council not to accept the Appendix. Acrimony had gone on long enough. What the Appendix had done was to boot two people who found it impossible to remain on the committee. He moved that “The Ringing World” Committee be congratulated on the improvement of the journal but that the Appendix be not accepted.
Mr. W. F. Moreton seconded and said that he could see no good in discussing the Appendix. He suggested that they add two people to the committee.
Mr. N. Chaddock proposed that Mrs. Jill Staniforth be added to the committee in addition to Mr. Speed. He had known her for many years. She was clear minded, sensible and had a mind of her own.
Mrs. Barnett seconded.
Mr. Philip Gray said it occurred to him that there must be some be something wrong in the way the committee functioned. He thought it was a normal practice for the general secretary to attend meetings. He asked him to see that the right procedure was followed - to be a special watchdog.
MURKY PAST
Mr. Dennis Beresford (Society of Royal Cumberland Youths) said this was an unpleasant task for George Pipe and himself. The suggestion that John Scott had made would be ideal as far as they were concerned. They did not wish to drag up the murky past or to go through this document and see what a complete travesty of truth this Appendix really was. He would like an assurance that this report be not published and no reference in the report.
The Editor: May I say that this Appendix will appear in the next issue.
Mrs. Staniforth: We have the last say as to what appears in “The Ringing World.” I think we should ignore the Appendix and see that it does not appear.
The Editor: The paper is being printed today. The general secretary telephoned me at 10.30 on Friday asking me to withhold the report until after the meeting. We went to press at 11.30 a.m. and it was impossible to withdraw it. I had not four pages ready to take its place.
Mr. G. Dodds (Hertford County Association) asked on what authority it was being published.
Mrs. Staniforth: There must be some way to stop it. Could we not cancel this week’s issue?
Mr. Walter Ayre: I was going to suggest that it be cancelled.
The President: Is it possible to take it out in the bindery?
The Editor replied that it would not be possible to remove the pages or black them out as suggested. This report was examined in detail by the committee and they had the assistance of the general secretary and the treasurer of “The Ringing World.” It was set up with the dual purpose as a report to the Council and to appear in “The Ringing World.”
The general secretary said he was present at the meeting but his impression was that it would not be printed without permission.
Mr. C. K. Lewis said that at one time all reports were published before the meeting. They used to have them printed so that they could be discussed by the Associations.
Mr. J. Hartless: Would Messrs. Pipe and Beresford be prepared to accept a full apology published on the front page of next week’s issue?
Group Capt. J. S. Mason (College Youths): Can we know what the consequences of this will be? I don’t know what they are complaining about. What will be the effect when it appears in “The Ringing World”?
Mr. John Freeman (vice-president) said as he saw it this was a report of a committee. It was not for the Council to dictate whether it should be published. It was news. The important thing was that since this statement had been made Messrs. Pipe and Beresford should be given an opportunity to reply.
The president remarked that Mr. Freeman’s observations were sound commonsense. The report had been printed and, short of burning the lot, there was nothing they could do. Those who printed the report thought these were the facts and they were all highly honourable men. It was perhaps a good thing that it was printed. Mr. Beresford had drawn attention to his file which was an expansive one. Mr. Pipe had one also and one would have thought a simple way out would be for them to produce their version of the matter and thereafter to refer to the thing no longer. What the committee thought or understood about the way things had gone had to be in print.
The Rev. John Scott: I do not think that this report does credit to anyone. I hope that the fact that the Council rejected it will suffice and that Messrs. Beresford and Pipe will be magnanimous and keep their facts to themselves.
The President: The next issue could have a note that while respecting the views of those who produced this report the Council rejected it, and that is the end of the matter.
Mr. Roper commended Mr. Scott’s suggestion and hoped that Mr. Pipe and Mr. Beresford would not continue with acrimony. They must have satisfaction in knowing that they put ginger into “The Ringing World” which improved it.
Mr. E. A. Barnett endorsed the pleas of Mr. Roper and Mr. Scott. Mr. Pipe was not going to attend the meeting but changed his mind.
CONVENER’S REPLY
Mr. Anderson then asked for permission to reply. He was greeted with cries of “No.” The president, however, ruled that he was entitled to reply.
Mr. Anderson reminded the Council that “The Ringing World” Committee was given a charge (a) to produce the paper as it was today; (b) the Appendix. They received certain recommendations which, if they were carried out, the loss would have very much more.
Mr. Bayles had made certain accusations. Firstly, the coloured covers. He, (Mr. Anderson) was in Guildford when the printers wanted to buy coloured paper. So far as the loss was concerned it was a calculated loss. The suggestion had been made in the previous Council that they could lose up to £2,000, At the March meeting at Birmingham the committee said it would consider the accounts to the end of April. This they did last Saturday and the vice-president attended that meeting. Agreement was then reached as to price and he informed Mr. Bayles of the decision. (Mr. Bayles arrived late.) He was at the hotel all day and it took Mr. Bayles until 6 o’clock before he informed him that he did not agree. They had taken into account any possible loss of circulation in fixing their price.
A discussion followed on whether the Appendix was “rejected” or not accepted. Finally it was agreed that the report be adopted and the Appendix not accepted.
Mr. A. V. Davis made the suggestion that the Council elected at Bath should operate for the last year of the triennial period.
The president replied that they had been told by their legal adviser that for people to come back was not acceptable.
Mr. Richard Speed and Mrs. Jill Staniforth were then elected to the committee.
Mr. Seager then suggested that the price increase should be left to the new committee.
Mr. W. G. Wilson explained that the increase in price was a matter for the committee. The decision could only be altered by the election of a new committee.
The Council then passed on to the next business.
In introducing his motion on this topic, Dr. Lewis stated that, in recent years, Doubles ringing had become chaotic. As far as the rules of the Central Council were concerned there was no such thing as a “variation.” Nevertheless, variations were commonly rung to peals and these had always been accepted by the Peals Analysis Committee, so that, de facto, the Central Council accepted variations. Unfortunately, because there were no rules relating to variations, a number of dubious peal arrangements had been rung.
Dr. Lewis illustrated the difference between a method and a variation by comparing Grandsire with Newborough. Grandsire had its own plain course, its own bob and single. Newborough uses the same plain course and bob as Grandsire, but utilises a plain lead of All Saints’ as a single. Because Grandsire has its own plain course it is a method. Newborough is only a variation because it uses Grandsire as its plain course.
Although Newborough is a traditional variation, which has been rung for hundreds of years, the Council might think that an extent of Newborough should be described as spliced Grandsire and All Saints’. If they took this view, then all variations which, at present, use a plain lead of another method as a call should cease to be variations and should be described as spliced. Mr. Blagrove’s amendment to the original motion stated that categorically, and Dr. Lewis said that he would like to withdraw section (1) of his motion and replace it with section (1) of the amendment. Where a call which was not part of a plain course of another method was used in lieu of the usual call for the method being rung it would still be correct to describe the resultant 120 as a variation. In such a case the variation should be given its own name.
Referring to part 2 of his motion, Dr. Lewis thought it desirable that a variation should be capable of producing 120 true changes. Many variations rung at present were false, but because the falseness occurred within a lead it often went unnoticed. Dr. Lewis again suggested that Mr. Blagrove’s amendment was better worded than his own, which he therefore withdrew.
The third part of the motion involved the Council in a technical description of the dubious practices that had been resorted to in order to ring multi-variation peals. Dr. Lewis analysed a set of variations based on Grandsire using a S-SPx2 calling. He said that some people had used the following arrangement:-
| S | Grandsire. |
| – | Grandsire. |
| S | All Saints’ plain lead, |
| P | Grandsire. |
This they considered to give both Grandsire and Newborough. Although this might be so, the following part was completely unethical:
| S | Grandsire. |
| – | Wallflower. |
| S | All Saints’ plain lead. |
| P | Grandsire. |
Here it was claimed that two variations had been rung, although the first required a Grandsire single and a Wallflower bob, as well as a plain lead of Grandsire, for its existence. The second required a Wallflower bob, an All Saints’ plain lead (as a single) and a plain lead of Grandsire. Yet only one Wallflower bob and one plain lead of Grandsire had been rung.
Dr. Lewis maintained that the same bob could not be shared between two variations, neither could the same plain lead. Again he felt that Mr. Blagrove’s amendment (No. 3) was more suitably worded than his own, and he withdrew the third section of his motion in favour of the amendment.
Regarding the proposition to limit multi-method/variation peals on seven bells or less to 5,040, Dr. Lewis said that be realised after discussion with Mr. Moreton that this would be unworkable. He was happy to withdraw this part of the motion completely, but would like to express his own opinion on it in public. He felt that it was not really playing fair to ring eight extents of Minor or 43 of Doubles and then say that one had rung more methods to a peal than had anyone else. Perhaps some of his friends on the Council might take the hint!
Finally he said that it had not always, in the past, been possible to get details of the arrangement of particularly important peals. For the good of the Exercise their arrangement should be published, and this was demanded by the final section of his motion. It was felt that full details of the peal should be submitted to the Editor of “The Ringing World” at the same time that the peal was submitted. At Mr. Moreton’s request, to facilitate the work of the Records, Peals Collection and Peals Analysis Committees, Dr. Lewis moved that these details should be published by January 31st of the year following the ringing of the peal.
Mr. Dukes then formally agreed to the withdrawal of sections (I), (II) and (III) of the motion, in favour of Mr. Blagrove’s amendment, to the complete withdrawal of section (IV) and, finally he seconded section (V).
Mr. Blagrove then proposed that his amendments, seconded by Mr. Butler, should replace those withdrawn in their favour by Dr. Lewis.
The Council proceeded to discuss the matter at some length and both Dr. Lewis and Mr. Blagrove were questioned closely on the implications of the motions. Mr. Dawson, in particular, felt that the proposed regulations were far too stringent. Canon Felstead and Mr. Moreton, however, strongly supported the motion in its amended form.
After further discussion the Council unanimously decided to adopt the amended motion. It should, perhaps, be stressed that there has been no restriction on the scope of ringing open to Doubles addicts. Many of the well-known names, such as April Day, will be replaced by recognising that spliced extents of various methods have been rung, and this should help to clarify the confusion. True variations which are not spliced extents will continue to be rung and it is hoped that a collection of them may be published in the future.
The Ringing World, June 21, 1968, pages 479 to 482
It is pleasing to note that certain centres seem now securely established for residential and day courses, and are able to develop new aspects and techniques and consolidate older ones which have proved very successful.
In this sphere we have the annual courses at Hereford, pioneered by Mr. Moreton and the Hereford Guild, where the next venture is to be a five-day course, and the annual courses at Grantley Hall in Mr. Chaddock’s hands.
Miss Cross and Mr. Sharpe both helped with the course at Cheltenham organised by the Gloucester and Bristol Guild and their own Guild is very active in this aspect of training. The Oxford Guild are planning for a potential leaders’ course, a commendable aim, which, under different names, has also caught on in Derbyshire and Yorkshire.
The Lincoln Guild and the Devon Association have both followed up the earlier courses in which Mr. Moreton and Mr. Chaddock gave assistance.
Along with the Durham and Newcastle Centre, continuity is thus established in six centres. Several other Guilds have already held courses and others are planning for them, and so it would seem that the movement is securely established. Advice has been given to many Guilds and the convener welcomes such inquiries.
Theological Colleges.- Mrs. Staniforth continues to maintain liaison between Theological Colleges and those concerned with organising or giving lectures.
Washington Film.- The film was loaned out 17 times during 1967 and net income to date from this source now exceeds the cost of the film to the Council. The film is still in very good condition and continues to give pleasure to many viewers.
Film Strip.- A film strip is to be made on the work of bellfounders. Both our leading bellfounders have promised to help Mr. Sharpe and Mr. Moreton to produce this.
Film about Bell Ringing.- Following a request at the last Council meeting that an instructional film should be made, it in of interest that, by coincidence, a professional body has offered to make a film. Since their cost for a 15-minute film would be likely to run into four figures, this sort of undertaking would seem to be outside our financial ability. It would seem that we await the enterprise of some 8 mm. enthusiast for a more economical production.
Gramophone Record Illustrating Good Striking.- Inquiries are being made regarding the cost of producing a gramophone record with commentary, illustrating good striking, for use as a teaching aid with beginners.
Tutors’ Handbook.- Provisional draft scripts were given to those members of the Standing Committee who asked to see one. The draft has been revised and rewritten and all comments received by the writers have been taken into account. The handbook will be in two related parts - Part I on “Bell Control” has been written by Mr. Moreton, and Part II on “Elementary Change Ringing” by Mr. Chaddock. The handbook concentrates particularly on methods of teaching. It is hoped that it will soon be available.
Miscellaneous items.- During the year the convener has dealt with the following requests: Notes on “Teaching Bell Control,” film strips on “Teaching Bell Control,” syllabuses for evening institute courses, loans of general interest slides and visual aids for recruiting, “propaganda” efforts and open days, advice on purchase of secondhand handbells, advice regarding striking contest, advice regarding tune ringing and music, information regarding ringing films.
Mr. Sharpe has again given numerous lectures to societies and church organisations and assisted with several weekend courses.
The “Squarer Deal for Learners.” - The convener has been in correspondence with Miss E. M. Barber about the above scheme, which she recently launched and on which she has reported in “The Ringing World.” Specimen test cards and notes about the scheme and tests were requested and received. The aim of this scheme is to encourage recruits and stimulate their progress. Miss Barber has put a good deal of work and enthusiasm into her scheme. The convener hopes to be able to report to the Council verbally on further discussions with Miss Barber about the scheme.
NORMAN CHADDOCK (Convener).
WILFRID F. MORETON.
FREDERICK SHARPE.
JILL STANIFORTH.
MARIE R. CROSS.
Moving the adoption of the reports, Mr. N. Chaddock said a film strip was likely to be produced this summer. He had discussed a “Squarer Deal for Learners” with Miss Barber. She had made various suggestions aimed at generating enthusiasm among learners.
Authority to publish the “Manual to Instructors” had been given, but the cost might be the deciding factor. What would be the ceiling? He was hoping that the publication would not exceed 8s. in cost.
Mr. W. F. Moreton seconded.
Miss Marie R. Cross: How many pages will it have and how would it compare with the Ringers’ Handbook?
Mr. Chaddock replied that it would be about 60 pages. It could be reduced according to price. It could cost 10s. but modern methods might reduce it to 6s. or 7s.
Mr. G. W. Pipe said he had been privileged to read the proofs. It was an excellent handbook and well worth 7s. 6d.
Mr. White said he understood the Ringers’ Handbook would have to be reset shortly and it would increase cost.
FILM STRIP DISCUSSED
Mr. E. Billings (Peterborough Guild) said the Peterborough Guild had an 8 mm. film strip.
Mr. A. V. Davis (Winchester and Portsmouth) was delighted to hear that they would have a film strip, which would be a great help to people talking about ringing. He suggested that inquiries should be made from film clubs.
Mr. Chaddock said he had spent some time with Mr. Clive Smith and he suggested a cine club. He asked for Mr. Smith to be added to the committee.
Mr. Colin Lewis said the cultural arrangements in Ireland included assistance in making films.
The convener replied that they had no success to their application in this country.
Mr. Billings said the cost of the Northampton film, which was recently shown, was under £10.
NO CEILING TO HANDBOOK
A discussion followed on the cost of the tutors’ handbook, during which it was suggested that a ceiling should be fixed or that it be published in two parts if it proved to be too costly.
Mr. R. S. Anderson: I think you will be tying the hands of the librarian if you fix a ceiling. We have appointed these officers and it would be a misplace of confidence.
GRAMOPHONE RECORDS
The convener said several people had written to him suggesting a gramophone record to illustrate good striking. The cost for an order of 100 records would be 21s. each; for over 100 the cost would be slightly cheaper. Perhaps the Clement Glenn Fund could be used to finance it.
Mr. Moreton supported the convener and Mr. Clive Smith said he had obtained a quotation of an actual disc and was prepared to go ahead with such recordings if the Council wished it.
Mr. Alan Ainsworth said he had produced a record of Stedman Cinques and sold 100 copies. They would sell 100 copies easily.
The Editor said the Bristol firm who advertised “The Bells of Bristol” in “The Ringing World” was very pleased with the number of replies they received. Perhaps Saydisc would provide the record if the Central Council provided the material.
Mr. V. Bottomley said there was £185 available in the Clement Glenn Fund; they could not withdraw more. He suggested a limit of £100.
Mr. J. Hartless (Winchester and Portsmouth) urged the use of hard-wearing records, and Mr. H. Poyner hoped that six-bell, closed lead and call change ringing would be recorded.
It was agreed that Mr. Clive Smith be added to the committee and that they would be allowed to spend up to £100 from the Clement Glenn bequest.
Mr. E. A. Barnett said they should not pass the report without expressing thanks to the committee for the energy and enthusiasm with which they undertook their work.
The Ringing World, June 21, 1968, page 483
YOU may remember the first Overseas Report, five short years ago, contained no details of American ringing and reviewed just 20 towers. Since then most of the 16 unringables and all of the 48 ringables abroad have had a mention. This year we chronicle inspired efforts by steeplekeepers, a consolidation of the devoted work of teachers and its harvest of performances streaming from distant towers.
AFRICA.- The Republic of South Africa had a very quiet year when it seemed that ringing was going through a dormant period, then suddenly in the last days of 1967 Durban sprang to life. St. Paul’s has a new captain in Reg Davey, whose many learners enjoy three practice nights a week. St. Mary’s is encouraged by their enthusiastic Vicar, who always attends the start of quarters. With the help of Geoffrey Armitage (Leeds), joint practices were held, and three quarter peals quickly raised the standard for the first peal in Durham.
Rhodesia.- At Salisbury, in spite of departures, there were only four silent Sundays during the year, which was ended with muffled and open ringing. At the A.G.M. the official name became “The Rhodesian Guild” and the annual outing to Que Que resulted at some enjoyable change ringing on the four bells.
AUSTRALIA.- The 1967 A.N.Z.A.B. festival was the first to be held in the provinces with Ballarat and Bendigo as the venues. Jack Roper was elected president and the proceedings included a “Progressive Dinner.” In this each course of a meal is taken at a different house, so you eat your way along the route to the next tower!
In May ten Sydneysiders, mostly young lads, went on a 2,000 mile tower grabbing spree. They rang in seven towers in seven days across three States, quite a tribute to their enthusiasm for ringing.
Canberra.- Aspen Island in Lake Burley Griffin is the site chosen to receive the British Government’s gift of bells. Parliamentary answers in Adelaide suggest it is already too late to install a ring of bells, but the tower is to have a carillon of 53 (tenor 120 cwt.). However, A.N.Z.A.B. still hope that intensive high-level lobbying in both countries may yet sway the authorities to make the gift a truly British one. Geelong.- St. Paul’s has a Whitechapel eight (tenor 14 cwt.) just a century old. Alas, today the church is derelict and although the bells and fittings are intact there is small hope of any action. This would seem a good case for a transfer. Hobart.- The fellowship of ringers was most evident in the practical gift of money sent by members of Great Adventure II for relief in the disastrous bush fires that swept Tasmania last summer. Melbourne.- Here Robin Turner’s band have been breaking new ground with handbell peals of Surprise and 25 Minor methods, both Australian firsts. St. Paul’s Cathedral, which can be reckoned so have one of the finest 12’s in existence, is very active, ringing Caters and Cinques for service. The arrival of Heather and Tony Mann in Perth has been a great stimulus for Western Australia and handbell quarters are now streaming out from such unlikely places as sheep-shearing sheds. As a result the first Australian ladies’ peal was scored recently.
Sydney.-The band at St. Mary’s R.C. have progressed to ring Bristol and often help out at Randwick. Our correspondent’s estimate of the tenor at Christchurch (St. Lawrence’s) is 9 cwt. The old six in worn bearings on a weak frame, odd-struck with a long draught, have ropes missing and some wheels broken; not a cheerful picture. At Church Hill (St. Philip’s), Noel Bissett has an active chiming band. Although the “go” is difficult here, changes were rung by visitors twice during October. Sydney ringers also helped out at Broadway (St. Benedict’s), where the rough old six sounded out for church festivals, as did the bells at Yass. Burwood is again the scene of a memorable first, this time by an under-16 band. A call change band is active at Darling Point, and Turramurra’s ringers, when not polishing up London Minor, are scheming to make this an eight-bell tower.
New Zealand.- The Warner eight at Auckland were cast in 1862 and spent their first 40-odd years being chimed in a wooden tower. Installed in St. Matthew’s in 1905, they were rung to a quarter peal in 1912, but lost a peal the following year. Subsequently the wheels were removed and they were clocked until last year. Much devoted work by Mr. Lack and his team has got the third ringable. With new ropes and a tight frame they are now chimed for service; a weekly handbell practice keeps up enthusiasm. The tremendous task of making these bells ringable once again deserves every possible encouragement.
At Christchurch a thorough survey of this installation was sent to the Dean and urgent repairs were called for. There is no doubt that the publicity accompanying the peal of Cambridge - first by a resident New Zealand band - helped the restoration project. A benefactor came forward and a competent engineering firm is being sought to carry out the overhaul. In the suburb of Papanui, Ray Idle his taken on a healthy crowd of learners. They already ring Grandsire and have opened a fund for a sixth bell.
CANADA.- The year 1967 saw the centennial marked by several quarter peals. Victoria rang the first in Canada of Stedman Triples, while Calgary and Vancouver scored Grandsire. The structural survey at Vancouver Cathedral found the tower safe but the steeple had to be reinforced and this interrupted ringing for eight weeks. At St. James’ there is a 40 cwt. eight reputed to have been intended for change ringing, but thwarted by the city engineer when they were installed in 1937. Investigation now definitely establishes that these bells were never made to be rung for ringing. Apart from Vancouver and Victoria, the lack of replies from Canada constitutes the biggest gap in our knowledge of overseas towers.
U.S.A.- Boston (Advent) has a 20 cwt. Mears eight in fair condition. There was an active band until 1937 or so, now they are chimed. In Christ Church is an historic 15 cwt. Rudhall eight inscribed “We are the first ring of bells cast for the British Empire in North America, A.R. 1744.” Six years later one of the band was Paul Revere, the famous Boston patriot. In 1894 the “Old Colony of Bell Ringers” had them rehung. In 1939 the steeple blew down and subsequently sprinkler pipes obstructed ringing. Nowadays they are chimed. Still in Boston the Perkins School for the Blind has a good eight with ropes although there is no band. Visitors are most welcome but the neighbours, understandably, do not enjoy unskilled clashing. Down in South Carolina, Charleston has a Mears eight with a romantic history. Cast in 1764, they were removed from the tower as a prize of war during the colonists’ revolt and brought back to London. They were then bought by a sympathetic city merchant and shipped back again. There have been two recastings since and, although now devoid of wheels and stays, a quarter peal of Grandsire Triples was chimed on the Ellacombe apparatus in 1951.
Groton.- In the absence of any replies to our enquiries over the last three years we note (from “The Ringing World”) that ten boys toured Southern England during the summer. Back home they ring Stedman on the School’s excellent ten. From Hingham, Mass., we are happy to report a revival at this almost unknown tower. Since the 19 cwt. ten left Whitechapel in 1912 very little has been heard of them, indeed rumour had it the tower was unsafe. In 1967 David Gifford and friends brought ropes, cleaned the place up and, with the help of two British ringers, practice began. The bells go well, the tower is perfectly safe and eight people are now ringing “open” rounds. All this activity is a fine example of the infectious spreading of the art stimulated by Washington’s example.
New York.- Information is sought on the 25 cwt. eight cast by Mears in 1795 and hung in Trinity Church on Broadway; the church was later burnt down. Ithaca. N.Y.- Frank Eldridge reports that in planning the new college chapel, serious thought is being given to a ring of ten. In Northampton, Mass., Smith College is to have a new Mears eight with a tenor of 8¾ cwt. in A. At Philadelphia the uncertainty over the number of bells in Christ Church tower has now been cleared up. The 18 cwt. eight cast at Whitechapel in 1754 are chimed from a clavier as this historic ringing chamber is wholly filled by an 88 rank organ. It was here in 1850 that the first peal outside the U.K. was rung. The other three bells were given as a 1945 war memorial.
Washington has had a productive year with increased active membership and the formation of a fine “first band” which will not be interrupted by graduation for two years. The two groups, “The Whitechapel Guild” and “The Cathedral Society,” together muster almost 40 regulars with a practice, at different levels, every day of the week. Two peals were successful and nine quarters scored, two of them during a visit to Kent School. In April the tenor (32 cwt.) was turned in for the first time, and in June Rick Dirksen, the talented bellmaster, was married.
Outbreaks of change ringing on handbells were recorded from Cornell University, Northampton and Princetown, Mass., and Oberlin, Ohio.
Miscellaneous.- Malta, St. Paul’s pro-Cathedral. Investigation confirms the bells are hung for chiming. The 13 cwt. Mears six were cast in 1845. Poona, Panch Howd.- There was known to be a Taylor eight here of 1893 vintage (tenor 25 cwt.), hung in a detached campanile, reputedly unsafe. On examination they were found to be hung on one level in plain hearings and iron headstocks, complete with wheels and Hastings stays. Apart from the mess of resident birds the installation is in fairly good order and only needs oil and ropes to become ringable. They are chimed for service and State occasions.
In closing, I must acknowledge a debt to many correspondents, old and new, who have generously undertaken investigations and collated information on my behalf. The tradition of good fellowship that goes hand in hand with a love of bells truly spans all the ringing towers on earth.
A. VICTOR SHEPPARD (Convener).
The adoption of the report was proposed by Mr. V. Sheppard and seconded by Mr. G. Pipe.
Mr. F. Price (Oxford Guild) said he would like to make a couple of amendments in regard to ringing in America. At Perkins School for the Blind they were not made very welcome and not allowed to ring. At Groton the ringing was of superb quality. At Hingham the tower was unsafe. He was given to understand that something was to be done. In regard to Northampton (Smith’s College) he congratulated Messrs. Mears and Stainbank on an excellent ring, probably the best for their weight he had heard. He thought that some advice should be given in regard to sound proofing. Americans do not take kindly to noise and they had seven complaints straight away. He thought sound-proofing should be included in every contract overseas.
Mr. Edgar Shepherd commented on the handbell ringing at Canberra, where a peal in 25 Minor methods had been rung. It was very gratifying to see such progress in a quarter they had not expected.
Mr. Anderson asked if there had been any progress in regard to the Canberra installation.
The president said he had the good luck to take the Australian Postmaster General round Norwich Cathedral. He said he was entirely in favour of swinging bells but he was afraid he was in a minority. Their hopes had been raised in the last few days by Australia having a new president and he might achieve something.
Mr. Philip Gray (A.N.Z.A.B.) said he felt that the dice had not been fully cast and there was still a ray of hope if they could take it up again. He would like to think that this was true. Last September, when he visited Australia, he was amazed at the progress that had been made in ringing.
Mr. W. G. Wilson said there was an impression that a ringing peal could be at St. John’s.
The president said that a competition for the campanile at Canberra had been held and the designs were in Australia house.
Mr. D. Hughes said the models had already gone from Australia House. The competition had been won by an Australian architect.
The report was adopted.
THE work of the committee increased considerably during 1967, and advice on bell and tower restoration was given in 120 churches - an all-time record. It appears that we are now dealing with inquiries resulting from the second cycle of quinquennial reports under the Inspection of Churches Measure.
By reason of its special character it is only possible to give a brief summary of the committee’s work here. It is estimated that the 120 reports cover over 700 closely-typed pages. Members of the committee travelled approximately 6,000 miles and wrote over 400 letters during the year.
The 120 churches in which advice was given during 1967 may be analysed geographically, thus:-
| Bedfordshire | 1 | Lincolnshire | 1 | |
| Berkshire | 8 | Middlesex | 2 | |
| Buckinghamshire | 4 | Norfolk | 1 | |
| Cambridgeshire | 8 | Northamptonshire | 4 | |
| Cardiganshire | 1 | Nottinghamshire | 2 | |
| Carmarthenshire | 3 | Oxfordshire | 8 | |
| Cheshire | 5 | Pembrokeshire | 1 | |
| Cornwall | 2 | Rutland | 1 | |
| Derbyshire | 1 | Somersetshire | 15 | |
| Dorsetshire | 2 | Sussex | 1 | |
| Devonshire | 6 | Warwickshire | 3 | |
| Durham | 1 | Wiltshire | 2 | |
| Essex | 4 | Yorkshire | 2 | |
| Gloucestershire | 5 | London | 3 | |
| Hampshire | 3 | America | 1 | |
| Herefordshire | 15 | |||
| Huntingdonshire | 2 | 120 | ||
| Lancashire | 2 |
Of these, 21 inquiries were dealt with by correspondence, the remainder necessitated visits to the churches concerned.
Twenty-four inquiries relating to tower oscillation and damage to masonry due to defective bell installations were dealt with during 1967; 66 churches sought advice on repairs and maintenance of bell gear; advice on rehanging was given in 45 churches, and on augmentation in 19 churches. Advice on re-casting was given in 16 churches, and in regard to this the committee wish to remind members that the principles regarding the re-casting of ancient bells are given in detail on pages 25 and 26 of the Council’s Handbook. The problems of sound control increase each year, and advice on these was given in 46 churches during 1967.
Members are urged to emphasise the necessity of obtaining a faculty for bell restoration work; or alternatively an Archdeacon’s certificate if the work is of a minor character. We have experienced another instance in which bells and gear have been dismantled without the Chancellor of the Diocese, the Archdeacon or an architect being consulted, and without a faculty application being made. We also wish again to stress the importance of carrying out vital repairs to a tower before bell restoration work is put in hand, or of doing the two together. We have experienced more instances of bell restoration being done and essential tower repairs postponed.
The committee has met to discuss the proposed two new handbooks and reports that substantial progress has been made. We hope to produce the final draft MSS. during 1968.
Members of the committee have given 21 lectures to diocesan, architectural and professional organisations and resident ringing courses; and a subcommittee has been formed to investigate bell welding.
As in previous years this report has been compiled by the convener from statistics sent to him by members of the committee.
| FREDERICK SHARPE (Convener). | |
| B. AUSTIN. | H. J. SANGER. |
| H. O. BAKER. | J. G. M. SCOTT. |
| F. E. COLLINS. | T. M. RODERICK. |
| J. FREEMAN. | B. D. THRELFALL. |
| A. J. FROST. | |
Mr. Frederick Sharpe, in moving the adoption, said the committee had done more work this year than in any year in its history. They had heard references to various files, but in the car park there were 120 unless awkward questions were asked. He would like to pay tribute to the members of the committee, who had travelled long distances at great expense to give this service to the Exercise in general.
Seconding, Mr. Brian Threlfall thanked Mr. Sharpe on behalf of the committee. Mr. Sharpe was retiring from business and he no longer had the service of his office staff. He asked permission of the Council for a small sum to be available for Mr. Sharpe’s secretarial work.
The General Secretary: There is provision for the expenses of committees to be claimed. He believed that the greatest difficulty in the past had been to get Mr. Sharpe to claim.
The Rev. John Scott said diocesan advisory diocesan boards did not always pay expenses unless they asked for a report. It generally happened that kind P.C.C.’s asked what their expenses were. They sometimes gave a figure of 6d. a mile.
Mr. Sharpe said the majority of P.C.C.’s did not reimburse them or make allowance for the time they leave their business. Last week he spent two whole days with architects regarding towers that were faulty.
Mr. P. A. Corby commented that this was quite the finest practical work the Council did. He felt the Council would not wish to be niggardly for the work done.
Miss M. R. Cross suggested that the Council paid Mr. Sharpe an honorarium for the work he did. Other Guilds might wish to follow the lead of the Oxford Guild in this respect.
The report was then adopted.
Mr. Edwards (Bedfordshire Association) called attention to a letter on the 1970 Report which had appeared in “The Ringing World” and had been forwarded to the Council. They would like it discussed. It might be a good thing if a committee was set up to keep abreast of the situation.
The general secretary said the letter was discussed by the Standing Committee and he was instructed to get to the heart of the matter.
Asked what the report was, Mr. Bottomley said it was a report on the lines of the Paul Report, but instead of dealing with people this dealt with buildings. There was a risk of loss of bells.
The Council agreed to amend Rule 17, dealing with Notice of Meetings, that the agenda be published not less than four weeks previously instead of five, as at present.
In reply to Mr. B. G. Warwick (Leicester), who wanted to know the reason, the general secretary replied that it was physically impossible for the secretary to get the material to “The Ringing World” at Guildford in time.
The Standing Committee suggested that the next meeting should be at Whitsun, 1969, on May 27th. This was moved by the chairman and seconded by Mr. W. Ayre.
Mr. P. A. Corby moved as an amendment that the Council meet on Saturday, May 24th. Because Tuesday was a working day, it was difficult for some people to serve on the Council.
Mr. Taylor seconded, and the amendment received the wholehearted support of Mr. J. A. Ainsworth.
Mr. Ayre said the hall had already been booked for May 27th.
The president said it would only be possible to hold it on a Saturday not next to a great Church festival.
Mr. Corby then withdrew his amendment but expressed the hope that the Council would not lose sight of meetings being held on Saturdays.
Mr. R. Speed asked for ringing arrangements not to be advertised in “The Ringing World” because the towers became crowded. The bells would then be available for members of the Council.
Mr. W. Ayre: Noted. Peal arrangements will be for Council members.
Mr. Wilfrid Moreton invited the Council to meet in 1970 on the right side of the Pennines - in Yorkshire. They had not decided upon the town in which they would meet.
Mr. Walter Ayre seconded, and the Council accepted the invitation.
The Ringing World, June 28, 1968, pages 499 to 500
OUR first section deals with 13 peals left over from 1966: Chester Guild 1, Hertford County 2, Oxford Guild 4, Salisbury Guild 5, Unattached 1. Why the respective conductors cannot send in their peals promptly is beyond our comprehension.
In 1967 there was again a decline in the number of peals rung - tower 2,923, a loss of 129, and handbells 250, a drop of 37. The grand total is therefore 3,173. We noticed one redeeming feature - that there were less duplications than last year - thank you for this.
In the final totals, the three leading Associations, Guilds, etc. are the same, as the table below shows. It is good to see the Peterborough Guild appearing so high. The first nine places, with 100 plus peals, are:-
| Tower | Handbells | Total | |
| Kent County Association | 216 | 21 | 237 |
| Yorkshire Association | 212 | 13 | 225 |
| Oxford Guild (4 in 1966) | 192 | 22 | 214 |
| Lancashire Association | 170 | 18 | 188 |
| Chester Guild (1 in 1966) | 237 | 38 | 175 |
| Peterborough Guild | 117 | 4 | 121 |
| Bath & Wells Association | 109 | - | 109 |
| Norwich Association | 108 | - | 108 |
| Leicester Guild | 97 | 10 | 107 |
The breakdown is as follows:-
| Tower | Handbells | |||||||
| 1966 | 1967 | 1966 | 1967 | |||||
| Fourteen | - | - | - | 1 | + | 1 | ||
| Maximus | 89 | 67 | + | 22 | 15 | 15 | = | |
| Cinques | 59 | 47 | - | 12 | 5 | 5 | = | |
| Royal | 226 | 192 | - | 34 | 38 | 27 | - | 11 |
| Caters | 95 | 91 | - | 4 | 14 | 4 | - | 10 |
| Major | 1274 | 1200 | - | 74 | 125 | 107 | - | 18 |
| Triples | 185 | 204 | + | 19 | 6 | 4 | - | 2 |
| Minor | 827 | 838 | + | 11 | 75 | 75 | = | |
| Doubles | 295 | 279 | - | 16 | 9 | 12 | + | 3 |
| Minimus | 2 | 5 | + | 3 | ||||
| 3052 | 2923 | - | 129 | 287 | 250 | - | 37 | |
Among the outstanding performances of 1967 the enumerate the following: Bath and Wells, 160 methods Spliced Surprise Major; Chester Guild, 24 Spliced Surprise Maximus and 5 methods Spliced Surprise Major “in hand”; Coventry Guild, 50 and 53 methods Minor; Derby Diocesan, 100 methods Doubles, Stedman Cinques with eight firsts on 12, including the conductor; Gloucester and Bristol, 163 and 165 Spliced Surprise Major; Kent County, Plain Bob 14 “in hand”; Lancashire Association, 30, 33, 35 Spliced Surprise Maximus and 10 methods Spliced Surprise Royal; Lincoln Guild, 52 and 95 methods Doubles; St. Martin’s Guild, 11,872 Glasgow Surprise Major; Archdeaconry of Staffordshire, Family peal of Doubles; University of London, 70 Spliced Surprise Minor; Middlesex County, London Surprise Royal “in hand” - a very fine performance.
We should welcome further information as to the number of changes rung on certain occasions and how the peals came round:
| e.g. | p. 36 | Lancashire Association - Samlesbury, Yorkshire Major - 5,051. |
| p. 481 | Peterborough Guild - Nobottle Surprise Royal - 5,037. | |
| p. 862 | Peterborough Guild - Vintry Surprise Royal - 5,038. | |
| p. 862 | Sussex County - Plain Bob Royal - 5,088. | |
| p. 329 | Kent County - Limpsfield Chart How many methods? 6 of 6 shown. |
In addition we require guidance from the Council regarding the acceptance of two peals of Scientific, rung for the Middlesex County, as we understand that three types of bob were used; also a peal of Plain Bob Minor rung at Dorney by the Oxford Guild - without singles. At the moment these three are not included in the analysis.
We have included the peal rung at Frindsbury of five methods of Surprise Major using no bobs or singles, but wish for confirmation try the Council.
The following peals are ruled out, on the information given:-
| p. 940 | Lancashire Association - Hawkshead, H.B.- College Little Bob - 7 extents - as an extent of Little Bob is 480 changes. |
| All handbell “peals” of Minimus. | |
| Lodsworth, Sussex - four methods. | |
| Thrybergh, Non-Association - three methods. | |
The Council ruling is that handbell peals of Minimus be not accepted. We should appreciate the views of the Council on the Major methods now being rung with irregular lead-ends.
First-pealers during 1967 totalled 549, with 103 firsts as conductor.
METHODS IN WHICH 10 OR MORE PEALS WERE RUNG
Maximus.- Cambridge 35, Plain Bob 14.
Cinques.- Stedman 44.
Royal.- Cambridge 58, London 21, Yorkshire 30, Plain Bob 50.
Caters.-Grandsire 48, Stedman 43.
Major.- Spliced Surprise.- Nine methods and over 36, 8 methods 18, 6 methods 11, 5 methods 12, 4 methods 41, Bristol 47, Cambridge 101, Glasgow 16, Lincolnshire 64, London 64, New Cambridge 13, Pudsey 23, Rutland 69, Superlative 37, Yorkshire 150, Kent T.B 56, Double Norwich 44, Plain Bob 254, Spliced Plain 2 to 8 methods 11, 9 methods and over 14.
Triples.- Grandsire 93, Stedman 74, Plain Bob 24.
Minor.- Fourteen methods and over 63, 8 to 13 methods 87, 7 methods 179, 6 methods 18, 5 methods 43, 4 methods 62, 3 methods 64, 2 methods 41, 1 method 359.
Doubles.- Twenty-one methods and over 41, 14 to 20 methods 31, 8 to 13 methods 44, 7 methods 17, 6 methods 12, 5 methods 18, 3 methods 14, 2 methods 22, 1 method 89.
Note the rise in peals of London Surprise Royal, Glasgow and Lincolnshire Surprise Major, with Yorkshire well in advance of Cambridge.
W. AYRE (Convener).
K. W. H. FELSTEAD.
H. L. ROPER.
Mr. W. Ayre moved the adoption of the report and said of the peals of Scientific he still maintained that three types of bobs were used. In regard to College Single they would like the views of the Council on this irregular lead-end. The peal of Southrepps Minor (Yorkshire Association) was not in line with the Decisions of the Council. He had come to the conclusion that it was about time that there was a change and he suggested that at next year’s meeting someone else be elected in his place.
Canon K. W. H. Felstead seconded the adoption except for the last remark.
Mr. D. E. Sibson said Gloucester and Bristol had two peals of 165, and not 163.
Mr. A. J. Frost (University of London) said a peal of Scientific was rung ten years ago and there was no exception taken to it. The bobs were then called red and blue. He thought the peal should be accepted.
Mr. F. T. Blagrove said he would like to see every true peal included in the analysis. The peals of Scientific were true. Both Jasper Snowden and Shipway accepted the peals of Minor without a single as true peals. One could not get a 720 from Windsor Single. Surely the committee should be competent to do its job.
Mr. Ayre: I am afraid it is not our job to check the truth.
Mr. G. Dodds said regarding the peal of Bob Minor as Dorney (without singles) early exponents accepted it, but since then they had made various decisions about a peal. Did the peal now rung count as Bob Minor?
Mr. B. Warwick (Leicester Guild) asked about the peals of Shortheath Surprise Royal.
Mr. R. Speed replied that two compositions were put in “The Ringing World.”
Mr. H. Poyner thought the peal of Minor should be included.
Mr. P. A. Corby asked whether the convener would be prepared to amend his report in the light of what had been said.
Mr. R. Speed then moved that the report be accepted and that they delete “welcome further information” on the first page and that the totals on the second page be amended. This was agreed to.
Mr. Eric Critchley (convener) stated that there was no report from the committee but work had started on a collection of 9- and 12-bell peals.
THE work of this committee has consisted of routine matters, but we have not been overwhelmed by the receipt of members’ out-standing biography sheets and photographs. We would very much like to have this personal record of all members.
We have been saddened by the death or one of our committee colleagues, John Willis, who has done much valuable work during almost 16 years’ membership of this committee. We have benefited greatly from his experience and advice and, as he had an early and systematic method of working, he left none of his committee work unfinished - to our undoubted advantage.
William Parrott, who through business reasons has been forced to resign from the Council, has volunteered to continue his contribution to the work of this committee and we feel this acceptable for the coming year. So it is felt that, with the approval of this Council, we should not elect replacements now but carry on as at present during the third year of this triennial session.
Deaths of the following members and past members have been recorded:-
J. Worth, Chester Diocesan Guild, 1951-1953, 1960-1963, 1965-1967. Died February 25th. (Attended eight meetings.)
T. G. Myers, Guild of Devonshire Ringers, 1948-1967. Died March 27th. (Seven meetings.)
S. G. Coles, Bath and Wells Diocesan Association, 1946-1960. Died May 30th, (Nine meetings.)
F. A. Finch, Middlesex County Association, 1950. Died July 23rd. (One meeting.)
H. Parker, Chester Diocesan Guild, 1936-1939. Died October 9th. (Three meetings.)
F. A. Salter, Southwell Diocesan Guild, 1949-1953, Died November 12th. (No meetings.)
J. Willis, Kent County Association, 1951- 1957; honorary 1957-1967. Died November 20th. (10 meetings.)
A. E. Sharman, Bedfordshire Association, 1921-1946. Died November 25th. (16 meetings.)
T. H. Radford, East Derbyshire and West Notts Association, 1963-1967. Died December 10th. (No meetings.)
T. J. LOCK (Convener).
W. PARROTT.
W. H. VIGGERS.
Moving the adoption of the report, Mr. T. Lock (Middlesex) called attention to the resignation of Mr. W. Parrott from the committee and said they were very indebted to him for the work he had done very efficiently.
Mr. W. Viggers (Guildford Guild) seconded, and the report was adopted.
The Ringing World, June 28, 1968, page 501
THE broadcasting and televising of bells during the year have varied much as between Region and Region and it would appear from the reports we have been able to collect that bells attracted more interest in the West and in Ireland than elsewhere.
From Scotland, where of course there are few churches with rings of bells and fewer still with ringers, there comes no report of any ringing “on the air.” At St. James’, Leith, a tape was recorded of the Association Ringing Master with a group of helpers to be used as a news item on Scottish I.T.V. but it appears not to have been broadcast yet.
The report from Ireland speaks of the bells of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, being heard over Radio Eireann on Christmas Eve, and mention of this was made in a subsequent interview over the air - the ringers taking part also were referred to. Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, bells welcomed the New Year in connections with the usual celebrations, which were broadcast over Radio Eireann. The Bush brothers, from Shankill, Lurgan, were seen on Telefis Eireann “Late Late Show.” St. George’s, Dublin, and St. Mary’s, Limerick, bells also were heard on Radio Eireann. The bells of Hillsborough joined in the “Christmas Bells” programme broadcast by the B.B.C.
Wales.- Television appears to be the only medium featuring bells during the year. T.W.W. News gave shots of Grosmont bells being lowered from the tower, watched by the Vicar and ringers. In the B.B.C. “Hobby Horse” programme, Talgarth handbell ringers appeared playing tunes. The “Claim to Fame” programme included a young man whose claim was that he had composed a new method - “All Saints’ Doubles.”
In the “How” programme, a T.W.W. Southern production, there was given a demonstration of how to ring a bell, using a model. This was done very well, but unfortunately the demonstrator ended by pulling a supposedly real bell rope and disappearing out of the top of the picture. This programme was for children and such an ending could only give an impression of danger, and certainly would not encourage young people to learn to ring. A letter of protest to Angus Wright, the producer brought from him an abject apology, and a promise “as a one-time service ringer myself” to put things right with a further demonstration in a future programme.
North Region.- With Darley Dale from the Diocese of Derby representing the North Region in the Christmas broadcast it may be fairly claimed that all areas of the Region have taken part now in these broadcasts. Suggestions were made as usual to the tower before the recording, and the outcome was very satisfactory.
Several occasions were noted on I.T.V. Sunday morning programmes where bells were used to accompany the establishing shots before a service. With the very limited time available, ringing on these occasions is probably best confined to rounds. Rounds were rung in most of the programmes seen and the striking was generally quite good.
Canon Thurlow appeared in an Epilogue on Tyne-Tees television on November 4th and spoke on bellringing. Two other Epilogues which he recorded, and three recorded by Dennis Bayles for the series “My Job in the Church,” have yet to be allocated dates for transmission.
Midland Region.- There is very little news from this Region of bells on the air, but good coverage by radio and TV was given to the long peal of Glasgow Surprise Major rung at Edgbaston. The B.B.C. gave two radio broadcasts on the day of the peal with an interview with one of the ringers, and a recording of the bells a day or so later. Colour TV pictures of the church, which was floodlit, were taken and shown, as were pictures of the ringers during the peal as with a close-up of the conductor, Roderick Pipe.
East Anglia.- In the B.B.C. “Look East” programme, on various dates, were seen a film of the bells of Wymondham Abbey being returned after recasting and retuning; a film of a party of American boys touring Suffolk for bellringing practice “they cannot get in their own country”; and one of the ringing of the peal at Great St. Mary’s, Cambridge, in honour of the 19th birthday of Prince Charles.
An interview with Cecil Pipe after his return from his visit overseas was broadcast.
West Region.- The year 1967 has seen a change in the post of Religious Broadcasting Organiser in the West at Bristol. The Rev. Colin James, who succeeded the late Rev. Martin Willson, has left the B.B.C. to become Vicar of St. Peter’s, Bournemouth, and his place has been taken by the Rev. Peter Firth. Although we have yet to make his personal acquaintance we have had several telephone conversations with him, particularly in connection with the “Christmas Bells” broadcast, and found him most co-operative. In correspondence we have raised the question of the use of bells in service broadcasts and feel he will do all in his power to help in this respect. Sunday service broadcasts have included the bells of St. James’, Southbroom, Broadclyst, St. Michael’s, Honiton and St. Mary’s, Southampton. The bells of Crawley Parish Church were included in an evening service broadcast for the World Service.
The majestic ring of 12 at Exeter Cathedral was heard as the West’s contribution to the “Christmas Bells” broadcast.
On television the Rev. John Scott gave an excerpt from his splendid programme on the bells and ringers of Devon.
We feel sure that there were other items which included bells in either sound broadcasts or on television, and if those taking part in any such event would be good enough to pass the necessary information to us we shall be pleased to include details in these reports in the future.
London Region.- No reports of bell broadcasts have been received other than one of Westminster Abbey, half-muffled, on the occasion of the memorial service to Lord Atlee.
During the year we have approached the B.B.C. with a view to changing the recordings used for introducing the Sunday morning programmes without getting much satisfaction. However, this is being followed up and we hope soon to persuade the powers that be to use some of the good recordings which we know are in the B.B.C. Library.
H. N. PITSTOW (Convener).
D. A. BAYLES.
J. T. DUNWOODY.
G. E. FEARN.
J. KING (Mrs.).
H. J. SANGER.
A. G. THURLOW.
R. S. WILSON.
Mr. Harold Pitstow moved the adoption and said that since the report was written he had had a long talk with the B.B.C. Director of Religious Broadcasting, mainly on getting the bells of churches where the services were broadcast. He was received very sympathetically but told that it was really a matter for the Regions. The B.B.C. did not dictate to them what they should do.
Mr. D. Bayles seconded.
Mr. John Gilbert said he was very sorry that no bells accompanied the “Songs of Praise” broadcast from Worcester Cathedral the previous Sunday.
Mr. David Beacham said requests were made for Worcester Cathedral bells to be included.
The report was adopted.
THE ATTENDANCE
| 45 | Associations fully represented | 112 | - |
| 13 | Associations partly represented | 34 | 16 |
| 5 | Associations not represented | - | 5 |
| Life members | 7 | 1 | |
| Honorary members | 13 | 7 | |
| Total | 165 | 29 | |
The total attendance possible was 195 and the attendance was an improvement of one on last year.
The president proposed the Council’s most grateful thanks to the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral and incumbents for use of bells. He thanked the Mayor, the Master and general secretary of the Worcestershire and Districts Association. Each Council meeting, said Canon Thurlow had something unusual, and they valued the book on the towers round and about Worcester by Mr. Paul Cattermole and the librarian, Mr. C. W. Cooper, who made it possible for a copy to be presented to each member of the Council. He also thanked Mr. Brazier, the accommodation secretary, and Mr. G. Bowen, the peal secretary, and all the members of the Worcestershire Association for having them. (Applause.)
The president concluded with an announcement that this was the last meeting of the Central Council over which he would have the pleasure of presiding, and he thanked the members for their friendship and co-operation during the last six years.
Mr. P. A. Corby, in thanking Canon Thurlow for what he had done in the last six years as president, said they congratulated him on always maintaining his equilibrium and finding the right word at the right time.
The civic reception followed in the Civic Hall, where the Mayor and Mayoress received the members of the Council and their wives. The president expressed the thanks of the Council in a charming and witty speech.
The Ringing World, June 28, 1968, page 502
Mr. C. K. Lewis moved the adoption of the report. He said the question of spliced peals was referred to the committee and their decision was published on May 24th. It covered both regular and irregular methods. It was the unanimous decision of the Records Committee.
Mr. F. T. Blagrove (Middlesex) seconded.
Mr. I. H. Oram said there was a long discussion at the last Council meeting on peals with half-leads. At the end of the discussion the matter was referred to the Methods Committee for its decision and report. They had had no formal report and until that day no reasons for supporting it. It did not seem very satisfactory for a report to be published in “The Ringing World” without reasons for the decisions come to. Why could not peals of spliced be recognised with no bobs or singles? He felt they should recognise this as a peal of Spliced Surprise Major and for that reason moved that the report be not accepted.
Mr. J. M. Jelley (Leicester Guild) thought that there was a simple way out. It was being done with Minor records - that a peal should contain a full lead of each method and if the method was symmetrical he could not see how any complaint could be made.
Mr. G. Dodds (Herts County) said the motion last year completely reversed the decision on spliced peals in that three leads of Spliced Royal methods be not allowed, bearing in mind that three leads of Spliced Royal methods were irregular. It was wrong to consider half-leads containing all the work should be called spliced.
Mr. C. Crossthwaite (Lancashire Association): Would this be recognised as a peal?
LEAD AS UNIT
Mr. C. K. Lewis: It would be recognised as a peal and could be made into a peal of spliced. The decision relates to one peal but the thing is much wider. You are introducing a new unit and a half-lead that contains all that is necessary. I think this is very dangerous. We have come to the conclusion that we should not tamper with a decision with the lead as a unit. It is 30 years since I spliced on the half-lead, but I would hesitate to say at this stage that the unit of ringing is half a lead.
Mr. S. Jenner (Kent) made two points: “Kent and Oxford Spliced should not be allowed to stand as spliced. Secondly, Mr. Lewis thinks there is a danger in splitting methods at half-leads. We have done this by saying the peal is a peal. As to what it should be called, if the Council will not accept it as spliced what should it be called?”
Mr. N. J. Diserens (Oxford Diocesan Guild): I feel the Methods Committee has not done what we required; we wanted something positive.
Mr. C. K. Lewis: We are not asked to give it a name.
Mr. H. L. Roper: It was I who proposed at the last meeting that it should be referred to the Methods Committee. It seems that they have dealt with it. They say it is not a peal of spliced and it is not, according to the Council’s rules, a peal of Surprise. I am satisfied that they have done their work.
Mr. Crossthwaite disagreed; they still did not know what to call it.
Mr. Blagrove: This change at the half-lead has been done for many years in peals of Doubles. It is called mixed Doubles.
Mr. J. Seager: Why not call it plain spliced at the lead-end; reverse spliced at the half-lead; and double spliced at both?
Mr. Oram seconded this suggestion and Mr. E. A. Barnett remarked that it sounded attractive. Could they think this over between now and the next meeting?
Mr. P. A. Corby: If this or some other name is to be adopted, should it not be considered with the proposal by Mr. Oram last year?
Mr. Barnett: The Standing Committee has been charged with revising the Council’s decisions and this is one of the things that might be taken into consideration. We are charged with putting something in “The Ringing World” by next January.
Mr. Moreton: It strikes me that Mr. Lewis has something up his sleeve and that there is an easy solution. Perhaps he will tell us something now?
Mr. Lewis: Mr. Moreton is right. Half-lead methods are irregular methods which are asymmetrical.
Upon the recommendation of the vice-president, seconded by Mr. H. O. Baker (Chester) the meeting took note of the Committee’s decision, and that the decision as to what other types of peals be called be referred to them. And so ended the debate.
| January | ||
| 5 | 5040 | Newgate Sur. Max., St. Martin’s. |
| 7 | 5088 | Effingham Del. Maj., Middlesex. |
| 28 | 5056 | Kenwyn Sur. Maj., Oxford D.G. |
| February | ||
| 2 | 5040 | Eldon Sur. Max., St. Martin’s. |
| 11 | 5056 | Pendeen Sur. Maj., Oxford D.G. |
| 25 | 5040 | Elthorne Del. Roy., Middlesex. |
| March | ||
| 4 | 5184 | Eastwood Sur. Maj., Derby D.A. |
| 4 | 5056 | Wight Sur. Maj., Surrey. |
| 9 | 5056 | Witney Sur. Maj., Oxford D.G. |
| April | ||
| 1 | 5056 | Xenophon Sur. Maj., Win. & Ports. |
| 8 | 5088 | Malmesbury Sur. Maj., Glouc. & Bris. |
| 8 | 5120 | Norwich Sur. Maj., Middlesex. |
| 23 | 5040 | Single Oxford Bob Royal, Middlesex. |
| 27 | 5056 | Hadleigh Sur. Maj., Middlesex. |
| 29 | 5024 | Long Eaton Sur. Maj., Derby D.A. |
| May | ||
| 6 | 5056 | Aquitania Sur. Maj., Oxford D.G. |
| 11 | 5120 | Mablethorpe Sur. Maj., Middlesex. |
| 14 | 5040 | Jugsholme Sur. Roy., Peterborough. |
| 18 | 5184 | Nempnett Bob Caters, Yorkshire. |
| June | ||
| 3 | 5024 | Urchfont Sur. Maj., Salisbury D.G. |
| 25 | 5037 | Nobottle Sur. Roy., Peterborough. |
| July | ||
| 9 | 5040 | Dodford Sur. Roy., Peterborough. |
| 27 | 5184 | Heathcote Sur. Maj., Middlesex. |
| 29 | 5152 | Yatton Sur. Maj., Bath and Wells. |
| August | ||
| 5 | 5040 | Single Isleworth Bob Roy., Oxford D.G. |
| 12 | 5280 | Winchester Sur. Max., Win. & Ports. |
| 17 | 5024 | Eversfield Sur. Maj., Middlesex. |
| 21 | 5024 | Hertford Sur. Maj., R. Cumberland. |
| 26 | 5056 | Verney Sur. Maj., Peterborough. |
| 31 | 5056 | Hastings Sur. Maj., Sussex. |
| September | ||
| 15 | 5002 | Kegworth Sur. Roy., Peterborough. |
| October | ||
| 5 | 5088 | Piccadilly Sur. Maj., Hertford. |
| 12 | 5024 | Kew Sur. Maj., Middlesex. |
| 14 | 5088 | Lydney Sur. Maj., Glouc. & Bristol. |
| 28 | 5088 | Keynsham Sur. Maj., Oxford D.G. |
| 29 | 5038 | Vintry Sur. Roy., Peterborough. |
| November | ||
| 4 | 5056 | Guiseley Sur. Maj., Yorkshire. |
| 11 | 5184 | Belfast Sur. Maj., Hertford. |
| 16 | 5024 | Grimsdyke Sur. Maj., Middlesex. |
| December | ||
| 2 | 5040 | Heckington Imp. Bob Royal, Oxford D.G. |
| 7 | 5088 | Knightsbridge Sur. Maj., Hertford. |
| 16 | 5088 | Otford Sur. Maj., Kent. |
| 16 | 5088 | Keystone Sur. Maj., Peterborough. |
| 22 | 5184 | Brislington Sur. Maj., Glouc. & Bris. |
| 26 | 5040 | Wexham Sur. Roy., Oxford D.G. |
| January | ||
| 21 | 5120 | 160 Spliced Sur. Maj., Bath & Wells. |
| February | ||
| 11 | 5280 | 165 Spliced Sur. Maj., Glouc. & Bris. |
| April | ||
| 15 | 5040 | 30 Spliced Sur. Max., Lancashire. |
| 30 | 5040 | 6 Spliced Sur. Roy. (all the work), Lancashire. |
| June | ||
| 4 | 5040 | 33 Spliced Sur. Max., Lancashire. |
| July | ||
| 16 | 5040 | 8 Spliced Sur. Roy. (all the work), Lancashire. |
| September | ||
| 3 | 5280 | 10 Spliced Sur. Max (all the work), Lancashire. |
| 9 | 5040 | 35 Spliced Sur. Max., Lancashire. |
| December | ||
| 17 | 5040 | 10 Spliced Sur. Roy. (all the work), Lancashire. |
| November | ||
| 11 | 12480 | Pudsey Sur. Maj., Universities Assn. |
| 25 | 11872 | Glasgow Sur. Maj., St. Martin’s. |
| January | ||
| 23 | 5280 | Westminster Sur. Max., Hertford. |
| March | ||
| 9 | 5040 | Westminster Sur. Roy., Hertford. |
| September | ||
| 4 | 5040 | London No. 3 Sur. Roy., Middlesex. |
| May | ||
| 4 | 5016 | 27 Spliced Plain Maj., Glouc. & Bris. |
| December | ||
| 23 | 19620 | Plain Bob Royal, Chester. |
A comprehensive card index of some 800 Minor methods has been built up. Several people have helped with this work, and in particular thanks are due to Mr. Arthur Whiting, of the Chester Diocesan Guild, for a tremendous amount of work done and help freely given. The loan of pre-1900 Reports would be greatly appreciated by Mr. C. A. Wratten.
Work is proceeding on the Edith Fletcher Memorial volumes. A list of required compositions will be published in “The Ringing World.”
The committee feel that the tape-recording of rings of bells and of record peals would provide a valuable addition to the Council’s archives. The work should be undertaken by interested and competent persons.
J. A. AINSWORTH.
F. T. BLAGROVE.
D. E. SIBSON.
C. A. WRATTEN.
Moving the adoption of the report, Mr. F. T. Blagrove said the conclusions of the committee had been sent to “The Ringing World.” In section (d) the committee would like the Council to take action. Mr. Ainsworth was staying on the committee and they would like Mr. John Mayne and Mr. Geoffrey Dodds to be members of the committee.
Mr. D. E. Sibson seconded.
Mr. Clive Smith said he would be prepared to help in the recording of long-length peals. If the committee provided the equipment he could undertake the work.
The General Secretary: I feel we could be going into heavy expenditure. The affiliation fee to the Council is very low and it might be necessary to increase it.
Mr. Smith said that all he would require was the tape and our-of-pocket expenses if records were not made.
Mr. E. A. Barnett moved that reasonable out-of-pocket expenses be allowed, and the Rev. John Scott, in seconding, suggested £10 for the first year.
The report was adopted, financial assistance approved, and Mr. Clive Smith was added to the committee.
Handbells in brackets.
Ancient Society of College Youths.- Maximus 6, Cinques 7, Royal 6, Caters 3, Major 8, Triples 2, Minor 1, Doubles 1. Total 34.
A.N.Z.A.B.- Minor (3). Total 3.
Bath and Wells.- Royal 4, Caters 2, Major 24, Triples 7, Minor 34, Doubles 38. Total 109.
Bedfordshire.- Caters 2, Major 4, Triples 4, Minor 6. Total 16.
Beverley and District.- Major 1, Minor 3. Total 4.
B.R.S.A. (Railway Guild).- Royal (1).
Cambridge University.- Cinques 2, Royal 1 (1), Caters 1, Major 11 (8), Triples 2, Minor 3. Total 20 (9).
Chester Guild.- Maximus 3 (6), Cinques 1 (2), Royal 11 (10), Caters 1 (1), Major 46 (17), Triples 5 (1), Minor 50, Doubles 20 (1). Total 137 (38).
Cleveland and N. Yorks.- No peals.
Coventry Guild.- Royal 3, Major 30, Triples 2, Minor 27 (3), Doubles 3. Total 65 (3).
Cumberland and N. Westmorland.- Major 1.
Derby Diocesan.- Cinques 1, Royal 9, Caters 6, Major 30 (4), Triples 7, Minor 30, Doubles 1 (1). Total 84 (5).
Guild of Devonshire.- Cinques 1, Major 12, Triples 2, Minor 7, Doubles 3. Total 25.
Devonshire Association.- Triples 2.
Dudley and District.- Minor (1).
Durham and Newcastle.- Maximus 1, Royal 2, Caters 1, Major 17 (2), Minor 6 (1). Total 27 (3).
East Derby and West Notts.- Minor 1.
East Grinstead and District.- No peals.
Ely Diocesan.- Royal 1, Major 18, Triples 1, Minor 9. Total 29.
Essex Association.- Maximus 1, Cinques 1, Royal 2, Caters 3, Major 39 (1), Triples 4, Minor 45, Doubles 3. Total 98 (1).
Gloucester and Bristol.- Cinques 1, Royal 1, Caters 7, Major 12 (23), Triples 5, Minor 23 (1), Doubles 4. Total 53 (24).
Guildford Diocesan.- Royal 1, Caters 2, Major 20, Triples 3, Minor 8, Doubles 2. Total 36.
Hereford Guild.- Maximus 1, Royal 1, Caters 1, Major 19, Triples 4, Minor 33, Doubles 12. Total 71.
Hertford County.- Maximus 2 (2), Royal 4 (2), Major 35 (7), Triples 1, Minor 17 (2), Doubles 1. Total 60 (13).
Irish Association.- Royal 1, Major 6, Triples 2, Minor 1. Total 10.
Kent County.- Fourteen (1), Maximus 4 (6), Cinques (3), Royal 5 (4), Caters 5 (3), Major 104 (3), Triples 19 (1), Minor 62, Doubles 16, Minimus 1. Total 216 (21).
Ladies’ Guild.- No peals.
Lancashire Association.- Maximus 11, Cinques 2, Royal 23, Caters 1, Major 83 (2), Triples 10, Minor 33 (16), Doubles 6, Minimus 1. Total 170 (18).
Leicester Guild.- Maximus 4, Cinques 1, Royal 10 (3), Caters 2, Major 38 (3), Triples 6 (1), Minor 24 (3), Doubles 12. Total 97 (10).
Lincoln Guild.- Maximus 1, Cinques 5, Royal (4), Caters 1, Major 18 (14), Triples 8 (1), Minor 40, Doubles 7. Total 80 (19).
Llandaff and Monmouth.- Maximus 1, Cinques 1, Royal 4, Caters 6, Major 16, Triples 6, Minor 6, Doubles 11. Total 51.
London County.- Maximus 1, Caters 2, Major 2, Minimus 1. Total 6.
Middlesex County.- Royal 2 (1), Caters 3, Major 43 (2), Triples 3, Minor 5, Doubles 1. Total 57 (3).
Midland Counties.- Royal 6, Major 24, Triples 5, Minor 1. Total 36.
North Staffordshire.- Royal 1, Caters 1, Major 22, Triples 1, Minor 1, Doubles 2. Total 28.
North Wales.- Major 1.
Norwich Diocesan.- Maximus 2, Cinques 1, Royal 2, Caters 1, Major 27, Triples 6, Minor 54, Doubles 15. Total 108.
Oxford Diocesan.- Maximus 1, Cinques 3, Royal 10, Caters 3, Major 73 (3), Triples 19, Minor 59 (19), Doubles 23, Minimus 1. Total 192 (22).
Oxford Society.- Cinques 1, Caters 2, Triples 3. Total 6.
Oxford University.- Caters 1, Major 2, Triples 1, Minor 4 (1). Total 8 (1).
Peterborough Guild.- Royal 18, Caters 2, Major 49 (3), Triples 1, Minor 34 (1), Doubles 14. Total 117 (4).
Police Guild.- No peals.
St. David’s Guild.- Major 4, Triples 3, Minor 3, Doubles 2. Total 12.
St. Martin’s Guild.- Maximus 15, Cinques 3, Royal 12, Caters 1, Major 26, Triples 2, Minor (1), Doubles 1. Total 60 (1).
Scottish Association.- No peals.
Sheffield and District.- No peals.
Salisbury Guild.- Royal 1, Major 23 (1), Triples 2, Minor 15, Doubles 17. Total 58 (1).
Shropshire Association.- Caters 1, Major 2, Doubles 3. Total 6.
Society of Royal Cumberland Youths.- Cinques 1, Caters 1, Major 22, Triples 1, Minor 1. Total 26.
Society of Sherwood Youths.- Cinques 1, Royal 1, Major 3, Minor 1 (3). Total 7 (3).
S. Derby and N. Leicester.- Doubles 1.
Southwell Guild.- Maximus 2, Cinques 4, Caters 2, Major 14, Triples 3, Minor 24 (6), Doubles 20. Total 69 (6).
Staffordshire Archdeaconry.- Maximus 1, Royal 3, Caters 2, Major 16 (2), Triples 7, Minor 13 (1), Doubles 4. Total 46 (3).
Suffolk Guild.- Royal 10, Caters 2, Major 14, Triples 2, Minor 26, Doubles 9. Total 63.
Surrey Association.- Cinques 2, Royal 3, Caters 5, Major 25 (1), Triples 4, Minor 7 (1). Total 46 (2).
Sussex County.- Royal 2, Caters 2, Major 30, Triples 6, Minor 11, Doubles 4. Total 55.
Swansea and Brecon.- Maximus (1), Major 1 (1), Doubles 3. Total 4 (2).
Truro Guild.- Caters 1, Major 1, Triples 3, Minor 8, Doubles 2. Total 15.
Universities Association.- Maximus 1, Caters 1, Major 7 (2), Minor 3. Total 12 (2).
University of Bristol.- Cinques 2, Major 2, Triples 2, Minor 1. Total 7.
University of London.- Maximus 1, Caters 1, Major 4, Minor 7, Doubles 1. Total 14.
Winchester and Portsmouth.- Maximus 1, Cinques 1, Royal 3, Caters 4, Major 16, Triples 6, Minor 14 (1), Doubles 11, Minimus 1. Total 57 (1).
Worcestershire and Districts.- Maximus 2, Cinques 3, Royal 3, Major 31, Triples 10, Minor 4 (1), Doubles 2. Total 55 (1).
Yorkshire Association.- Maximus 5, Cinques 2, Royal 22, Caters 7, Major 96 (1), Triples 2, Minor 67 (2), Doubles 11 (10). Total 212 (13).
Other Societies, etc.- Maximus 1, Royal 4 (1), Caters 2, Major 30 (7), Triples 10, Minor 10 (8). Total 57 (16).
Tower 2,923. Handbells 250. Grand total: 3,173.
These totals include the “laggard” peals of 1966.
Six Associations/Guilds etc. did not join our lists this year.
The Ringing World, July 5, 1968, pages 519 to 520
The following will bring up to date the Central Council Collection of Surprise methods as far as the end of 1967.
1.- NUMERICALLY ORDERED TABLE
| A.- Surprise Major Methods | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1D | Norwich | (mx) | -34-14-12-38-34-38-34-1. |
| 2D | Long Eaton | (mx) | -34-14-58-16-34-1458-34-1. |
| 3D | Xenophon | (b) | -36-14-1258-16-34-1458-16-7. |
| 4D | Marlborough | (l) | -36-14-1258-36-14-38-14-5. |
| 5D | Okehampton | (f) | -36-14-58-16-34-1458-36-3. |
| 6D | Eastwood | (b) | -38-14-1258-36.14-14.38-56-7. |
| 7D | Witney | (b) | -38-14-58-16-12-1458.36.14.56.7. |
| 8D | Mablethorpe | (d) | -38-14-58-16-12-38.12.36.12.3. |
| 9D | Keynsham | (b) | -38-14-58-16-14-58.36.12.56.7. |
| 10D | Kew | (a) | -38-14-58-16-34-58.16.34.56.3. |
| 11D | Kenwyn | (b) | -38-14-58-36-12-38-36.14.7. |
| 12D | Hastings | (j) | -38-14-58-36-34-58-16-3. |
| 13D | Guiseley | (b) | -38-1458-12-36-14-58-16-7. |
| 14D | Mangotsfield | (f) | -38-16-12-16.34-14.58.14.36-3. |
| 15D | Amesbury | (e) | -38-16-12-36-12-38-56-3. |
| 16D | Aldbourne | (e) | -38-16-12-36-12-58-56-5. |
| 17D | Aldermaston | (e) | -38-16-12-36-12-58-56.34.5. |
| 18D | Crowan | (e) | -56-14-56-36-14-3458-12-1. |
| 19D | Highworth | (f) | -56-14-58-38-34-38.56-36.5. |
| 20D | Verney | (d) | -58-14-56-16-12-58.16-16.7. |
| 21D | Okeford | (f) | -58-14-56-36-14-58.14-12.5. |
| 22D | Melksham | (f) | -58-14.56-56.1238-14-38-16-1. |
| 23D | Aquitania | (d) | -58-16-12-1236-14-1458-14-7. |
| 24D | Keystone | (b) | -58-16-12-36.14-14.38-12-3. |
| 25D | Knowle | (e) | -58-16-12-38-12-38.14-12.3. |
| 26D | Kea | (e) | -58-16-12-38-12-38.56-36.1. |
| 27D | Pendeen | (d) | -58-16-56-36-34-38.14-12.7. |
| 28D | Grimsdyke | (mx) | -58-16-56-38-14-38-56-5. |
| 29D | Helston | (f) | -58-16-58-38-12-58-56-3. |
| 30D | Belfast | (mx) | 34-58.14-12-38.12-14.38.16-12.3. |
| 31D | Hertford | (mx) | 34-58.14-12-38.12-14.38.56-34.1. |
| 32D | Otford | (a) | 38-38.14-12-38.14-14.58.14-36.7. |
| 33D | Cleeve | (f) | 38-56.14-56-38.14-14.58-36.14.7. |
| 34D | Hadleigh | (a) | 38-56.14.58-12.38.14-14.58.14-14.7. |
| 35D | Eversfield | (e) | 58.34-16-12-36-14-58-16-5. |
| B.- Surprise Royal Methods | |||
| 36D | Westminster | (a) | -34-14-12-30-12-30-12-30-12-3. |
| 37D | Jugsholme | (mx) | -30-14-12-30.14-14.50.16-16.70.58-18.3. |
| 38D | Kegworth | (f) | -50-14-56-36.14-14.50.14-14.50.14-14.5. |
| 39D | Dodford | (b) | -50-16-70-18-12-30.14-14.30.14-14.9. |
| 40D | Wexham | (b) | -70-18-1250-36-14-50-16-70-18-9. |
| 41D | Vintry | (f) | 30-30.14-12-30-14-30-36-50-14-9. |
| 42D | Nobottle | (d1) | 30-50.14-12-36.70-14.58.16-16.70-16-9. |
| C.- Surprise Maximus Methods | |||
| 43D | Westminster | (a) | -34-14-12-3T-12-3T-12-3T-12-3T-12-3. |
| 44D | Feering | (b) | -3T-14-12-3T.14-14.3T.14-14.3T.14-14.3T.14-34.E. |
| 45D | Winchester | (b) | -3T-14-125T-36-127T-38-149T-50-16-7T-10-E. |
| 46D | Halifax | (b) | -5T-14.5T-5T.36.14.9T.14.58.9T.14.9T.70.18-18.9T-18-1. |
| 47D | Wembley | (f) | -5T-16-12-36-14-3T-16-3T-16-3T-16-3. |
| 48D | Stoodley | (a) | -5T-16-12-36-14-5T-16-147T-18-7T-18-7. |
| 49D | Manitoba | (b) | -7T-18-9T-10-12-3T-14-5T-16-7T-18-E. |
| 50D | Saskatchewan | (b) | -9T-10-12-3T-14-5T-16-7T-18-9T-10-E. |
| 51D | Deansgate | (a) | 36-56.14.5T.12.5T.36-14-5T-16-7T-18-9T-38-9. |
| 52D | Oldham | (a) | 3T-3T.14-12-3T-14-5T-16-7T-16-7T-36-7. |
| 53D | Ashton | (b) | 3T-3T.14-12-3T-34-5T-16-70-36-7T-16-3. |
| 54D | Newgate | (f) | 3T-3T.14-12-3T.14-14.5T.16-16.7T.14.58.14.9T.14-14.9. |
| 55D | Eldon | (f) | 3T-3T.14-12-3T.14-14.5T.16-16.7T.18-18.9T.18-38.9. |
2.- TABLE OF FIRST PERFORMANCES
| A.- Surprise Major Methods | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Date | Place | |
| Aldbourne | Rung in Spliced | 16D | |
| Aldermaston | Rung in Spliced | 17D | |
| Amesbury | Rung in Spliced | 15D | |
| Aquitania | 6-5-67 | Buckland | 23D |
| Belfast | 11-11-67 | Kings Langley | 30D |
| Brislington | 22-12-67 | Stratton St Margaret | 50C |
| Cleeve | Rung in Spliced | 33D | |
| Crowan | Rung in Spliced | 18D | |
| Eastwood | 4-3-67 | Eastwood | 6D |
| Eversfield | 17-8-67 | Willesden | 35D |
| Grimsdyke | 16-11-67 | Harrow Weald | 28D |
| Guiseley | 4-11-67 | Guiseley | 13D |
| Hadleigh | 27-4-67 | Willesden | 34D |
| Hastings | 31-8-67 | Rusper | 12D |
| Heathcote | 27-7-67 | Willesden | 440 |
| Helston | Rung in Spliced | 29D | |
| Hertford | 21-8-67 | Bushey | 31D |
| Highworth | Rung in Spliced | 19D | |
| Kea | Rung in Spliced | 26D | |
| Kenwyn | 28-1-67 | Buckland | 11D |
| Kew | 12-10-67 | Willesden | 10D |
| Keynsham | 28-10-67 | Deddington | 9D |
| Keystone | 16-12-67 | Raunds | 24D |
| Knowle | Rung in Spliced | 25D | |
| Long Eaton | 29-4-67 | Long Eaton | 2D |
| Lydney | 14-10-67 | Cirencester (Watermoor) | 24C |
| Mablethorpe | 11-5-67 | Willesden | 8D |
| Malmesbury | 8-4-67 | Malmesbury | 13C |
| Mangotsfield | Rung in Spliced | 14D | |
| Marlborough | Rung in Spliced | 4D | |
| Melksham | Rung in Spliced | 22D | |
| Norwich | 8-4-67 | Staines (St Mary’s) | 1D |
| Okeford | Rung in Spliced | 21D | |
| Okehampton | Rung in Spliced | 5D | |
| Otford | 16-12-67 | Headcorn | 32D |
| Pendeen | 11-2-67 | Chipping Norton | 27D |
| Urchfont | 3-6-67 | Urchfont | 19C |
| Verney | 26-8-67 | Easton Neston | 20D |
| Wight | 4-3-67 | Putney | 65 |
| Witney | 9-3-67 | Witney | 7D |
| Xenophon | 1-4-67 | Kingsclere | 3D |
| Yatton | 29-7-67 | Yatton | 6C |
| B.- Surprise Royal Methods | |||
| Method | Date | Place | |
| Dodford | 9-7-67 | Daventry | 39D |
| Jugsholme | 14-5-67 | Daventry | 37D |
| Kegworth | 15-9-67 | Daventry | 38D |
| Nobottle | 25-6-67 | Daventry | 42D |
| Vintry | 29-10-67 | Daventry | 41D |
| Westminster | 9-3-67 | Watford (on handbells) | 36D |
| Wexham | 26-12-67 | Slough | 40D |
| C.- Surprise Maximus Methods | |||
| Method | Date | Place | |
| Ashton | Rung in Spliced | 53D | |
| Deansgate | Rung in Spliced | 51D | |
| Eldon | 2-2-67 | Birmingham Cathedral | 55D |
| Feering | Rung in Spliced | 44D | |
| Halifax | Rung in Spliced | 46D | |
| Manitoba | Rung in Spliced | 49D | |
| Newgate | 5-1-67 | Birmingham Cathedral | 54D |
| Oldham | Rung in Spliced | 52D | |
| Saskatchewan | Rung in Spliced | 50D | |
| Stoodley | Rung in Spliced | 48D | |
| Wembley | Rung in Spliced | 47D | |
| Westminster | 23-1-67 | Bushey (on handbells) | 43D |
| Winchester | 12-8-67 | Winchester Cathedral | 45D |
Footnote.- The place notations of Melksham Surprise Major and Winchester Surprise Maximus were incorrectly published with the peal reports.
Appendix A was published in “The Ringing World” of July 2nd, 1965, page 449.
Appendix B was published in “The Ringing World” of June 17th, 1966, page 390, and July 15th, 1966, page 461.
Appendix C was published in “The Ringing World” of June 30th, 1967, pages 462 and 463.
The Ringing World, July 12, 1968, page 555