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CENTRAL COUNCIL OF CHURCH BELL RINGERS.

OFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE 1924 MEETING.

The first session of the twelfth Council (thirty-second meeting) was held in the historic Jerusalem Chamber at Westminster Abbey on Whitsun Tuesday, June 10th.

There were present at the general meeting 83 members representing 32 Guilds (this being the greatest attendance of members in the Council’s history).

After the meeting had been opened with prayer, the Council proceeded to the election of officers; and prior to the presidents election, the honorary secretary temporarily took the chair. He stated that only one nomination had been received, and that on behalf of Canon Coleridge, who had been proposed by the Rev. C. D. P. Davies, and seconded by the Rev. H. Law James. He (Mr. E. Alexr. Young) therefore declared Canon Coleridge duly elected for the ensuing three years. The president then took the chair.

After expressing his thanks to the Council, the President said that for honorary secretary and treasurer there was only one nomination, that of Mr. E. Alexr. Young, the proposer and seconder being as before, and he, therefore, declared him elected for three years.- Canon Baker proposed, and the Rev. C. E. Matthews seconded, the re-election of the honorary librarian, which was carried, together with a vote of thanks to the Council’s officers for their services.

The minutes of the last meeting having been published, were taken as read, and duly confirmed and signed.

Apologies for absence were received from the Rev. A. H. F. Boughey and the Rev. H. S. T. Richardson, Messrs. G. Bolland, C. E. Borrett, R. B. Chambers, G. Chester, C. Edwards, E. H. Lewis, D. J. Nichols, H. W. Wilde, G. Williams and Mrs. A. Edwards.

Before passing to the general business, the President here presented to the late honorary secretary and treasurer, the Rev. C. D. P. Davies, a silver cup, asking him to accept it at their hands as a slight token of their appreciation of all he had done in serving the Council during nearly 20 years.- The Rev. C. D. P. Davies, in receiving the cup, expressed in fitting terms his great pleasure and his hearty thanks.

The Honorary Secretary and Treasurer (Mr. E. Alexr. Young) presented the financial statement, which showed that the year began with a balance at the bank of £76 18s. 7d., and that the balance, after the receipts and expenditure of the year had been dealt with, was £62 17s. 1d. The accounts were adopted, on the motion of the Rev. C. D. P. Davies, seconded by the Rev. H. Law James.

The Honorary Librarian then read his statement upon the year’s sales, etc., which had dropped to 265, as against 315 the previous year. He also referred to some of the Council’s publications being now either out of print or likely to be so shortly. In regard to publishing the Corrigenda of Peals, this had been partly done, and the remainder would follow. The honorary librarian then presented the illuminated roll of honour, now completed. The work was by Mr. Cousins, of Cambridge. The cost was £3 15s. above the £20 voted. (This amount was contributed by those present at the meeting.)

The President voiced for the Council how deeply they were indebted to the honorary librarian for all he had done in compiling the roll. It was undoubtedly one of the most beautiful modern examples of its kind of work. The Honorary Librarian then moved that the Memorial Book be placed in the Library at St. Paul’s Cathedral, London (the Dean having kindly consented). This having been seconded by Canon Baker, it was unanimously agreed that it be deposited for inspection and on permanent loan, and to be produced to the Council upon demand of the officers; with this, a proposition of Mr. W. A. Cave’s, seconded by the Rev. C. E. Matthews, was also agreed, that it be placed on the table at the annual meetings.

The Honorary Librarian then completed his report by referring to the distribution of the corrigenda slips, and suggested that applicants should forward 1d. stamp. The report was then, upon his motion, seconded by the Rev. C. E. Matthews, agreed to, as was also the statement that the Council was unable to pay for advertising in Association Reports.

Election of honorary members. Those retiring, with the exception of Mr. R. A. Daniell, were re-elected, viz.: Mr. J. Carter, the Rev. C. D. P. Davies, Major J. H. B. Hesse, Mr. J. S. Pritchett and Mr. J. A. Trollope, on a motion by Canon H. J. Elsee, seconded by Canon Baker, and the names of Mr. J. Griffin and Mr. E. Alexr. Young (the honorary secretary) were added.

A large number of new members attending for the first time, were then formally introduced to the President, who cordially welcomed them. (For names see those marked with a star in the schedule.)

The Standing Committee and its enlargement being referred to by the President, it was unanimously agreed that they be re-elected as follows: Canon Coleridge, Canon Elsee, the Revs. C. W. O. Jenkyn, C. D. P. Davies, H. Law James, with Messrs. W. T. Cockerill, J. Griffin, E. H. Lewis and E. A. Young (Messrs. Parsons and Daniell having dropped out).- It was then proposed by Mr. W. T. Cockerill, seconded by Mr. Smith, and agreed, that the three bell founders’ representatives be added, viz., Messrs. A. A. Hughes, C. F. Johnston and Pryce Taylor, as was also, on the proposition of the Rev. C. D. P. Davies, seconded by the Rev. F. Ll. Edwards, the inclusion of Alderman J. S. Pritchett.

The Dean of Westminster (Bishop Ryle) here entered, and gave a hearty welcome to the members.- The President, responding on behalf of the Council, thanked him, and added that they were honoured in being allowed to meet in such an historic Chamber.

The Council then received the following committee’s reports:-

Peal Collection Committee.- Mr. J. A. Trollope having reported generally upon the year’s work, the committee, consisting of the Rev. H. S. T. Richardson, Messrs. J. A. Trollope, H. W. Wilde, J. W. Parker and Miss E. K. Parker, were, on the President’s proposal, re-appointed nem. con., and the report adopted.- Subsequently, on the motion of the Rev. C. D. P. Davies, seconded by Mr. J. A. Trollope, the Rev. E. S. Powell was added to the committee.

The Literature and Press Committee.- The Rev. C. E. Matthews having referred to the report which had been previously published, moved its adoption.- This was seconded, and carried. The committee, consisting of the Revs. C. E. Matthews, F. Ll. Edwards, A. T. Beeston, Messrs. G. P. Burton and W. Willson, were re-elected.- Subsequently, on the motion of the Rev. F. Ll. Edwards, seconded by Mr. J. S. Pritchett, Mr. A. Paddon Smith was added to the committee.

Methods Committee.- The Rev. H. Law James here spoke as to the further delays in printing the collection.- The President referred generally as to the position, and then proposed the re-appointment of the Rev. H. Law James, Messrs. E. H. Lewis and J. A. Trollope to the committee, which was carried nem. con.

Peals Analysis Committee.- The Rev. E. W. Carpenter having referred to the great work and to the report published, moved its adoption, this being seconded by the Rev. A. T. Beeston, and carried nem. con.- The President then referred in terms of eulogy to the work of the members of the committee, and extended the thanks of the Council to them. Their re-election was then proposed by Mr. T. Hervey Beams, and the Rev. F. Ll. Edwards seconded, but the Rev. E. W. Carpenter was unable to offer to serve again. The Rev. A. T. Beeston and Messrs. J. W. Parker and G. Williams were duly re-elected.- The President expressed the regret the Council felt at the Rev. E. W. Carpenter’s retirement, after 16 years’ valuable service on the committee, and on the motion of Mr. T. J. Salter seconded by Mr. J. George, Miss E. K. Parker was elected in his place.

Towers and Belfries Committee.- The Rev. C. W. O. Jenkyn reported that no formal work had been done during the year, but he wished to call the attention of the Council to the desirability of considering the attitude of the new Advisory Committees, especially in regard to bells and their restoration. After some comments by Canon Elsee, the Rev. C. E. Matthews and Mr. C. H. Howard, Canon Baker proposed, and the Rev. H. Drake seconded, that ‘the Council strongly urge that each Diocesan Advisory Committee should include at least one member having expert knowledge of bells, bell-hanging and change ringing; and that the resolution be communicated to the secretaries of the committees and congresses.’- Carried nem. con. The committee, consisting of Mr. E. H. Lewis, the Revs. C. D. P. Davies and C. W. O. Jenkyn, Major J. H. B. Hesse, and Mr. E. A. Young, were, on the proposal of the President, duly re-appointed nem. con., and on the further motion of the Rev. C. W. O. Jenkyn, seconded by Canon F. J. O. Helmore, Mr. H. Fairclough was added to the committee.

Records Committee.- The Rev. A. T. Beeston referred in general terms, to the year’s work, but regretted that their report, having been lost in the post, must be deferred. The committee, consisting of the Revs. A. T. Beeston, H. Law James and Mr. T. Hervey Beams, were then duly re-appointed, on the motion of Mr. C. H. Howard seconded by Mr. W. A. Cave.

Science Museum Exhibit Committee.- The Honorary Secretary reported at some length as to the present position, stating that framed diagrams had been given to the Museum, illustrating ‘Standard Methods,’ including those printed at his own expense by Mr. W. A. Cave. In reference to the Carter Ringing Machine, he suggested that Mr. Carter was prepared to make the Council Trustees, and he (Mr. Young) proposed that if possible the Council should arrange to meet the offer, and formally moved his report.- The Rev. C. D. P. Davies, in seconding, referred to the desirability of maintaining some control and use of the Ringing Machine.

Alderman J. S. Pritchett, having been asked by the President for his views, kindly stated his opinion to be that the Council not being a corporate body, could not act legally as a trustee, but there could be no objection to Mr. Carter, appointing as trustees, say, the President of the Council and such two other members of the Council as it might, from time to time select. The report was adopted, and the committee, consisting of the Revs. C. D. P. Davies, E. Bankes James, Messrs. E. H. Lewis, A. A. Hughes, C. F. Johnston, Pryce Taylor and E. Alexr. Young, were, on the motion of the President, re-appointed nem. con.

The Council then adjourned for lunch.

Card of Instruction.- The Hon. Secretary outlined the difficulties which had arisen since the card was proposed, and £5 promised by the Rev. H. Drake, though somewhat conditionally, it would appear. The latter haying expressed some of his objections, discussion was adjourned until later.

The President pointed out, that owing to the overlapping in the scope of the next three motions, it was felt by the Standing Committee that it was desirable they be conjoined as far as possible. This finding general acceptance, he called upon Mr. G. P. Burton to move his motion, which he did as follows: ‘To call attention to the Nomenclature of Methods, and to move the appointment of a Nomenclature Committee: (1) To review the whole existing method nomenclature, and to make recommendations for revision to the Council.’ It being agreed to take it seriatim, the first part of the motion was then seconded by the Rev. H. Drake, both speakers strongly urged the need of such a committee, and pointed out that good ringers were not necessarily masters of good wording. The mover instanced as objectionable old examples, ‘Grandsire’ and ‘Jolly Dick.’ And in regard to the new names, supported and proposed a motion from Leytonstone, which desired to see ‘Geranium’ and other flower names omitted, as being equally absurd. The Rev. E. W. Carpenter, for the Analysis Committee, then justified their selection of names, feeling that the proposed committee would prove of little use. Messrs J. S. Pritchett, J. A. Trollope and the Rev. H. Law James also spoke generally against the motion. They were followed by Messrs. C. T. Coles, J. Hunt and A. D. Barker, who spoke for the motion, Clause 1, of which was eventually carried by 34 to 29 votes.

Clause (2), viz.: ‘To prepare a selection of suitable topographical names, to which method nomenclature is to be limited for the future,’ was then moved by Mr. G. P. Burton, and seconded by Mr. T. Hervey Beams. Following some discussion, an amendment, proposed by the Rev. F. Ll. Edwards, and seconded by the Rev. H. Law James, met with general approval, and was agreed to as a substantive motion as follows, viz., that the rest of the motion should read: ‘To suggest a suitable system of Nomenclature for the future.’- This was carried nem. con.- A motion that the election of the committee be deferred for a year being defeated by 35 votes to 52, the Council then elected the following as members of the committee, viz., Mr. G. P. Burton, the Rev. H. Drake, Messrs. A. D. Barker, T. Hervey Beams, and A. L. Coleman.

The President then called upon Mr. T. H. Taffender to move his resolution that ‘The Council only recognise as peals upon handbells, those that have been umpired, and that the latter qualification shall be that of being able to ring the method and check each call as made.’ The proposer called attention to the loose nature of the present general practice and the necessity of stiffening the Council’s present rule.- The motion was seconded by Mr. J. George, but on being put to the meeting was lost by a large majority.

The President then called upon Mr. T. Hervey Beams to move his resolution: ‘To alter Rule 6’ by omitting ‘but that the meeting following the Triennial Election be always in London.’ Mr. Beams called attention to the changes of the past 33 years and the need for revision. He suggested a London meeting every five years.- The Rev. F. Ll. Edwards having seconded; the motion, on being put to the meeting, was lost by a large majority.

The President then called upon Mr. J. Hunt to move his resolution: ‘That the Council consider the advisability of publishing instructions showing how bobs are made in various Minor Methods as published.’ Mr. Hunt having done so, the motion was seconded by Mr. A. H. Pulling, and, with the proviso that the same be an instruction to the Methods Committee to deal with in their revision of Minor Methods, was carried.

The Next Annual Meeting.- On the recommendation of the Standing Committee, and by general consent, it was agreed to accept the invitation to Chester for 1925.

Card of Instruction.- Upon returning to the consideration of the card, as presented by the honorary secretary, it was, on the motion of the President, agreed nem. con. that it be left for the Standing Committee to agree to publish it, regard being paid if possible to one or two of the points referred to by the Rev. H. Drake.

On the motion of Canon Elsee, the Council commended to the support of the ringing associations, the proposal to erect in a suitable place in Oxford a memorial to the late Mr. James W. Washbrook.

Notice of a revision of the definition relating to peals on eight bells and upwards, so as to include peals in spliced methods, was given by Mr. W. A. Cave, and in connection with the ringing of a peal comprising fourteen 360’s of Minor, to which attention was called by the Rev. H. Law James, the President mentioned that the Standing Committee proposed to take in hand the general revision of the Rules and Decisions of the Council.

A vote of thanks was passed to the Dean, which Canon Perkins (who was now present to describe the Jerusalem Chamber) promised to convey, and the business proceedings terminated at about 5 p.m., with a vote of thanks to the President, who briefly responded.

The Ringing World, April 10th, 1925, pages 228 to 229

The various Associations were represented as follows:-

Ancient Society of College Youths: Messrs. W. T. Cockerill, A. A. Hughes, T. Faulkner and H. R. Newton.
Bath and Wells Diocesan: Rev. C. C. Parker, Mr. J. Hunt.
Bedfordshire: Canon W. W. C. Baker, Mr. A. E. Sharman.
Chester Diocesan: Rev. A. T. Beeston, Messrs. H. Fairclough, E. W. Elwell.
Devonshire: Rev. Maitland Kelly.
Dudley and District: S. J. Hughes.
Durham and Newcastle Diocesan: Messrs. W. Story, W. H. Barber, T. T. Gofton.
Ely: T. R. Dennis.
Essex County: C. H. Howard, W. J. Nevard, G. R. Pye and E. J. Butler.
Gloucester and Bristol Diocesan: W. A. Cave and E. Bishop.
Hertford County: Rev. B. H. Tyrwhitt Drake.
Kent County: Rev. F. J. O. Helmore, Messrs. T. Groombridge, senr., E. Barnett, senr., and J. H. Cheesman.
Ladies’ Guild: Miss E. K. Parker.
Lancashire: Canon H. J. Elsee, Messrs. H. Chapman, J. R. Taylor and W. E. Wilson.
Lincoln Diocesan: Rev. H. Law James, Rev. H. T. Parry, Mr. R. Richardson.
Llandaff and Monmouth: Messrs. J. W. Jones and W. Bolton.
London County: Messrs. T. H. Taffender, A. D. Barker.
Middlesex County: Messrs. F. A. Milne, C. T. Coles, W. H. Hollier and R. Holloway.
Midland Counties: Messrs. Pryce Taylor, A. Coppock.
Norfolk Guild: Messrs. A. L. Coleman, G. P. Burton.
Oxford Diocesan: Canon G. F. Coleridge, Rev. C. W. O. Jenkyn, Messrs. F. Hopgood and J. Evans.
Peterborough Diocesan: Messrs. F. Wilford, R. Narborough and L. S. Clark.
Royal Cumberland Youths: Messrs. J. Parker and F. Smith.
St. Martin’s, Birmingham: Mr. A. Paddon Smith.
Salisbury Diocesan: Rev. F. Ll. Edwards, Rev. C. Carew Cox, Messrs. T. Hervey Beams and S. J. Hector.
Stafford Archdeanery: Mr. H. Knight.
Suffolk: Rev. H. Drake.
Surrey: Messrs. C. F. Johnston and C. Dean.
Warwickshire: Messrs. H. Argyle and A. Roberts.
Winchester Diocesan: Rev. C. E. Matthews, Messrs. A. H. Pulling and H. Barton.
Worcester and Districts: Messrs. T. J. Salter and R. Matthews.
Yorkshire: Messrs. P. J. Johnson and J. Cotterell.
Honorary members: Revs. C. D. P. Davies, E. W. Carpenter, Messrs. J. S. Pritchett, J. W. Parker, J. George, J. A. Trollope, J. H. B. Hesse, J. Carter and E. A. Young.

The Ringing World, June 20th, 1924, page 393

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