Minutes of the First Session of the Fifteenth Council (41st annual meeting) held in the Skinners Hall, Dowgate Hill, London, on Whitsun Tuesday, June 6th, 1933, at 11 o’clock.
The Council was welcomed by the Worshipful Master of the Skinner’s Company, Mr. R. D. Poland, who, on behalf of his company, placed the hall at the disposal of the Council and extended a cordial welcome. The thanks of the Council were expressed by the president.
The president took the chair, and prayers were offered by the Rev. Canon G. F. Coleridge.
Present:-
Ancient Society of College Youths: W. T. Cockerill, A. B. Peck and C. F. Winney.
Bath and Wells Diocesan Association: H. W. Brown, J. T. Dyke and J. Hunt.
Bedfordshire Association: A. King and A. E. Sharman.
Cambridge University Guild: E. M. Atkins and E. H. Lewis.
Chester Diocesan Guild: J. Norbury and T. Wilde.
Devon Guild: T. Laver, E. W. Marsh and the Rev. E. S. Powell.
Durham and Newcastle Association: W. H. Barber and W. J. Davidson.
East Derbyshire and Notts Association: T. Clarke.
Ely Diocesan Association: The Rev. B. H. Tyrwhitt-Drake and Miss K. Willers.
Essex Association: E. J. Butler, C. H. Howard, W. J. Nevard and G. R. Pye.
Gloucester and Bristol Diocesan Association: J. Austin, E. Guise and W. Rose.
Guildford Diocesan Guild: G. L. Grover, A. C. Hazelden and A. H. Pulling.
Hertford County Association: W. Ayre.
Kent County Association: J. H. Cheesman, T. Groombridge, F. M. Mitchell and T. E. Sone.
Ladies’ Guild: Mrs. E. K. Fletcher and Mrs. R. Richardson.
Lancashire Association: The Rev. Canon H. J. Elsee, W. H. Shuker and A. Tomlinson.
Lincoln Diocesan Guild: G. Chester and the Rev. Canon H. T. Parry.
Llandaff and Monmouth Diocesan Association: D. G. Clift and J. W. Jones.
London County Association: A. D. Barker, F. E. Dawe and T. H. Taffender.
Middlesex County Association: C. T. Coles, G. W. Fletcher, W. H. Hollier and W. Pickworth.
Midland Counties Association: E. C. Gobey, J. H. Swinfield, E. Denison Taylor and W. E. White.
Norwich Diocesan Association: A. L. Coleman and F. Nolan Golden.
Oxford Diocesan Guild: The Rev. Canon G. F. Coleridge, R. T. Hibbert and A. E. Lock.
Oxford Society: W. Collett.
Oxford University Society: H. Miles.
Peterborough Diocesan Guild: H. Baxter, R. G. Black, T. Tebbutt and F. Wilford.
Romney Marsh and District Guild: P. Page.
St. Clement Youths: G. Cross.
St. Martin’s Guild: A. Paddon Smith.
Salisbury Diocesan Guild: The Rev. F. Ll. Edwards, S. Hillier, C. H. Jennings and F. W. Romaine.
Society of Royal Cumberland Youths: J. Parker and F. Smith.
Sherwood Youths: A. Coppock.
Stafford Archdeaconry Guild: T. J. Elton and H. Knight.
Suffolk Guild: The Rev. H. Drake, C. J. Sedgley and S. H. Symonds.
Surrey Association: D. Cooper and C. H. Kippin.
Sussex County Association: J. T. Rickman.
Warwickshire Guild: F. W. Perrens and J. H. W. White.
Winchester and Portsmouth Guild: H. Barton, G. Pullinger, F. W. Rogers and G. Williams.
Worcester and Districts Association: H. G. Bird, R. G. Knowles and J. D. Johnson.
Yorkshire Association: J. Cotterell, P. J. Johnson, the Rev. Canon C. C. Marshall and S. F. Palmer.
Honorary members: W. A. Cave, C. Dean, J. S. Goldsmith, J. Griffin, Major J. H. B. Hesse, A. A. Hughes, C. F. Johnston, Alderman J. S. Pritchett, J. A. Trollope, A. Walker, S. H. Wood and E. Alex Young.
The societies unrepresented were Barnsley and District Guild, Cleveland and North Yorkshire Association, Dudley and District Guild, Hereford Diocesan Guild, Irish Association, North Notts Association, North Staffs Association, Scottish Association, Shropshire Association, Swansea and Brecon Guild, Truro Diocesan Guild.
REPRESENTATION OF SOCIETIES.
The Hon. Secretary reported that 51 associations and guilds were now affiliated to the Council, with 128 members. Honorary members numbered 12. The alterations in membership were: Winchester and Portsmouth Guild from two to four members, the Truro Diocesan Guild from four to one member, the North Wales Association had lapsed, and all other subscriptions had been paid.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
President.- It was proposed by Canon G. F. Coleridge and carried that Mr. E. H. Lewis (Cambridge University Guild) be president of the fifteenth Council.
Honorary Secretary and Treasurer.- On the President’s motion, seconded by Mr. W. T. Cockerill, Mr. G. W. Fletcher (Middlesex County Association) was re-elected hon. secretary and treasurer.
Honorary Librarian.- The Standing Committee recommended the election of the Rev. B. H. Tyrwhitt Drake (Ely Diocesan Association) in place of the late Rev. C. W. O. Jenkyn. On the motion of the president the recommendation was adopted.
Honorary Members.- The Standing Committee recommended the re-election of the retiring members, viz., Alderman J. S. Pritchett, Major J. H. B. Hesse, Messrs. J. S. Goldsmith, J. Griffin, C. F. Johnston, J. A. Trollope and E. A. Young, and the election of Mr. C. Dean (a member of the Analysis Committee) who had not been re-elected by the Surrey Association. The recommendation was adopted on the proposal of Mr. A. Paddon Smith, seconded by Mr. C. T. Coles.
On the President’s motion it was agreed to leave one place vacant.
For the one remaining place the following were proposed: Mr. James George, proposed by Mr. J. Hunt, seconded by the Rev. H. Drake, supported by Alderman J. S. Pritchett and the Rev. F. Ll. Edwards.- Mr. W. H. J. Hooton, proposed by the Rev. B. H. Tyrwhitt Drake, seconded by Mr. J. A. Trollope, supported by the Rev. Canon H. J. Elsee.- Mr. C. W. Roberts, proposed by Mr. C. J. Sedgley, seconded by Mr. H. Knight. The voting was by ballot, and resulted as follows: Mr. James George 30, Mr. Hooton 26, Mr. Roberts 40. The president declared Mr. Roberts duly elected.
PRESENTATION OF NEW MEMBERS.
In accordance with Rule 10, the following new members were presented to the president: Messrs. J. Norbury, T. Wilde, T. Laver, W. J. Davidson, T. Clarke, Miss K. Willers, Messrs. T. E. Sone, D. Clift, E. C. Gobey, R. T. Hibbert, A. E. Lock, H. Baxter, P. Page, F. W. Romaine, D. Cooper, G. Pullinger, F. W. Rogers, A. Walker and S. H. Wood.
Apologies for absence were received from the Rev. W. R. Ingham, Rev. H. S. T. Richardson, and Messrs. T. Metcalfe, J. C. Pollard, J. W. Parker, G. R. Newton, J. Phillips, R. Richardson, J. D. Matthews and S. T. Rackham.
LOSS OF MEMBERS THROUGH DEATH.
The President referred to the deaths of the following members: The Rev. C. W. O. Jenkyn, Messrs. E. Barnett, H. W. Wilde, T. Faulkner, F. Hopgood, C. Player; and former members, Messrs. A. E. Parsons, W. Walmsley, H. Haigh and E. P. O’Meara. In memory of these, members stood in silence.
MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING.
It was proposed by Mr. W. T. Cockerill, seconded by Mr. A. A. Hughes and carried, that the minutes as published in ‘The Ringing World’ on March 31st, 1933, and afterwards circulated to affiliated societies, be taken as read and be approved.
REPORT OF HON. LIBRARIAN.
The hon. secretary presented accounts for the year, since published in ‘The Ringing World,’ June 23rd, 1933, page 393. On the president’s motion the accounts were adopted. On the proposal of Mr. J. A. Trollope, seconded by Mr. C. J. Sedgley, it was agreed to supply copies of the Council’s publications to the various libraries, i.e., British Museum, Bodleian, Oxford and Cambridge Universities, and Trinity College, Dublin, to make up complete collections.
STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS.
The accounts for the year, duly audited, were presented by the hon. treasurer, showing balance of £67 12s. 2d., and investments valued at £138 3s. 9d. On the proposal of Mr. A. A. Hughes, seconded by Mr. W. A. Cave, the accounts were adopted.
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE CARTER RINGING MACHINE.
Mr. E. A. Young reported for the trustees (see report published in ‘The Ringing World,’ June 23rd, 1933, page 393). On the proposal of Mr. E. A. Young, seconded by Mr. A. Walker, the report was adopted, and it was also agreed that a fee of £1 be paid to the demonstrators for the official inspection made on May 27th.
REPORT OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE.
The committee reported that, as instructed by the Council at the 1932 meeting, it had considered its constitution and the constitution of the various committees. (a) It recommended that the Standing Committee consist of (1) the president, hon. secretary and treasurer, hon. librarian and conveners of committees ex officio, (2) twelve elected members (chosen by ballot if more than 12 names are proposed). The twelve retiring members to be the first names to be proposed. The committee to have power in the event of the services of any other members of the Council being considered by them desirable, to co-opt not more than two members. (b) It recommended that, as regards the other committees, the Council should appoint the convener in the first instance, but changes may be made at any time by the committees.
On the proposal of the Rev. Canon H. J. Elsee, seconded by Mrs. E. K. Fletcher, the report was adopted, and on the proposal of Mr. A. Walker, seconded by Mr. W. Ayre, the following members were re-elected: Canon G. F. Coleridge, Canon H. J. Elsee, Alderman J. S. Pritchett, Messrs. W. T. Cockerill, W. A. Cave, C. T. Coles, J. Griffin, A. A. Hughes, C. F. Johnston, J. D. Matthews, A. Paddon Smith and E. Alex Young.
REPORT OF PEAL COLLECTION COMMITTEE.
No formal report was presented, the absence being explained by a letter from the Rev. H. S. T. Richardson. Arising out of this letter the Standing Committee recommended the re-election of the committee with the addition of Mr. G. Lindoff and Mr. G. R. Pye, with Mr. Lindoff as convener.
On the motion of the president, the Standing Committee recommendation was adopted and the following members were re-elected: The Rev. H. S. T. Richardson, Rev. E. S. Powell, Mrs. E. K. Fletcher and Mr. J. A. Trollope; elected, Messrs. G. Lindoff and G. R. Pye.
REPORT OF METHODS COMMITTEE.
Mr. J. A. Trollope reported progress and proposed that the following addition be made to the statement under the Council’s definition of a method, which states, ‘Methods are formed from principles in two ways,’ the addition to be, ‘An illustration of this statement is to be found in the Little and Alliance methods, which have come into prominence of late years. In appearance their form places them outside the definition of Plain and Bob Leads, but, properly speaking, they are in logical succession of such methods as Bob Major. Thus a Little method is one which follows the rule except in so far as this is qualified by the restriction of the hunt to fewer places than the number of bells employed; an Alliance method is one in which the hunt has a composite path comprising portions of more than one principle.’
The proposal was seconded by the Rev. E. S. Powell and carried.
The Rev. E. S. Powell reported as to progress on the Triples book (see report in ‘The Ringing World,’ June 23rd, 1933, pages 393-4), and recommended, on behalf of the committee, that the book be completed and forwarded to the Standing Committee for publication. The book to include Stedman and Erin and all Triples methods with two hunts symmetrical about the leads - of methods with one hunt eight of nineteen which run to the natural six leads - of compositions, about eight quarter-peals and six peals of Stedman and shorter touches - Erin, two quarter-peals and three peals - Grandsire and Reverse Grandsire about twelve quarter-peals and ten peals, to include Holt’s ten-part peal - Double Grandsire, one quarter and two or three peals, and in methods with one hunt, one quarter and two or three peals of each. The names of composers to be attached to their peals, except in the case of peals composed by members of the committee. Mr. Trollope supported the recommendation. On the president’s motion the recommendations were adopted.
The Standing Committee recommended the election of the committee, consisting of Mr. J. A. Trollope (convener); Rev. E. S. Powell and Mr. S. H. Wood, and on the motion of Mr. S. F. Palmer, seconded by the Rev. H. Drake, the recommendation was adopted.
REPORT OF THE VARIATIONS COMMITTEE.
Owing to the death of Mr. H. W. Wilde during the year, no report was presented.
The Standing Committee recommended that this committee be amalgamated with the Peals Collection Committee, and that Mr. G. R. Newton be asked to serve on the amalgamated committee. On the motion of Mr. J. S. Goldsmith, seconded by Mr. W. A. Cave, the Standing Committee’s recommendation was adopted, and it was also agreed to ask Mr. C. W. Roberts to serve on the committee.
REPORT OF PEALS ANALYSIS AND RECORDS COMMITTEE.
The report (published in ‘The Ringing World’ on May 26th and June 2nd, 1933) was formally presented. Mr. P. J. Johnson requested, and it was agreed, that the words ‘silent and non-conducted’ be added to a peal of Double Norwich Court Bob Major rung on handbells by the Yorkshire Association. On the motion of Mrs. E. K. Fletcher, seconded by Alderman J. S. Pritchett, the report as amended was adopted.
The Standing Committee recommended the re-election of the committee, Mrs. E. K. Fletcher (convener), Messrs. C. Dean, G. R. Pye and G. L. Grover, and on the President’s motion the recommendation was adopted.
REPORT OF THE TOWERS AND BELFRIES COMMITTEE.
The report of the committee was presented by the individual members of the committee, and the report and the discussions on the points arising were published in ‘The Ringing World’ on June 30th, 1933, page 409. On the President’s motion, seconded by Major J. H. B. Hesse, the report was adopted.
The Standing Committee recommended the re-election of the committee, Mr. E. H. Lewis (convener), Major J. H. B. Hesse, and Mr. E. A. Young, and that Mr. J. Hunt be asked to serve. The recommendation was adopted on the President’s motion.
REPORT OF THE STEDMAN COMMEMORATION COMMITTEE.
The report of the committee consisted of final accounts, presented by the hon. secretary on behalf of the committee, since published in ‘The Ringing World,’ June 30th, 1933, page 409, which showed that the sum of £13 16s. 1d. had been advanced by the Council to pay accounts. The President proposed that the fund be now closed by the Council voting the sum of £13 16s. 1d. and any further subscriptions received be paid into the Council’s fund. The proposal was seconded by Mr. A. Paddon Smith and carried.
After considerable discussion regarding the use of St. Benedict’s bells by beginners, it was proposed by Mr. E. M. Atkins, seconded by the Rev. F. Ll. Edwards and carried, ‘That this Council expresses the hope that the Stedman bells be rung regularly to the glory of God by a local band of ringers.’
REPORT OF THE LITERATURE AND PRESS COMMITTEE.
The report of the committee was presented by the Rev. F. Ll. Edwards and has since been published in ‘The Ringing World,’ June 30th, 1933, page 410. The committee recommended that a letter of thanks be sent to the B.B.C. for the broadcasts and references to bells during the year, and a suggestion be sent for still more use of ringing in the programmes.
The report and recommendation were adopted on the motion of the Rev. F. Ll. Edwards, seconded by Mr. J. S. Goldsmith.
The Standing Committee recommended the re-election of the committee, the Rev. F. Ll. Edwards (convener), Messrs. J. S. Goldsmith, C. H. Howard and A. Paddon Smith, and on the motion of the President, the recommendation was adopted.
Rev. F. Ll. Edwards suggested the formation of a separate Broadcasting Committee, and on the motion of the President it was decided to give the committee power to co-opt two or three members who were wireless experts to take over this side of the work.
REPORT OF THE RULES COMMITTEE.
The report of the committee embodying the proposed new rules was published in ‘The Ringing World’ on April 7th, 1933. The report had the support of the Standing Committee, and the adoption was moved by the President, seconded by Mr. C. T. Coles. The motion was carried nem con.
On the motion of Mr. E. J. Butler, seconded by Mr. W. Ayre, it was agreed that as far as the general business of the Council was concerned the rules come into force for next year’s meeting. In reply to a question, the President stated that the new rules did not imply that affiliated societies must ring changes.
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO PREPARE PAMPHLET ON GOOD STRIKING.
Rev. Canon G. F. Coleridge reported that the committee had prepared the pamphlet, and this, together with photographs, had been sent to the hon. secretary. The printing had been delayed as the book did not actually carry out the terms of the resolution passed last year, inasmuch as that it did not contain information on how to ring and call Grandsire Doubles and Bob Minor for the benefit of young bands. He moved that the pamphlet as now presented be approved without any addition. This was seconded by Mr. J. T. Dyke. The Standing Committee recommended this course, and that the price be restricted to 2d. per copy post free. The resolution was agreed to and printing authorised.
GENERALLY AS TO COMMITTEES.
On the motion of the President a vote of thanks was passed to all members of committees for the work done by them during the past three years.
It was proposed by Mr. F. E. Dawe, and seconded by Mr. E. A. Young, ‘That this Council deprecates the breaking-up of church bells renowned for their tonal qualities and historic interest, urges Church authorities not to assent to their destruction except for the gravest reasons, and, furthermore, recommends that independent expert advice be obtained in all such cases before action is taken.’ By permission of the proposer and seconder, the following amendment, proposed by Mr. C. F. Johnston, seconded by Mr. A. L. Coleman, was substituted: ‘That this Council deprecates the breaking-up of church bells of proved good tone and of real historic interest, urges the Church authorities not to assent to their recasting except for the gravest reasons structurally or musically, and, furthermore, recommends that independent advice, qualified to advise on historic, engineering and musical grounds, be obtained in all such cases before action is taken.’ The resolution was carried.
In the absence of Mr. G. R. Newton it was proposed by the President ‘That this Council uses its influence to encourage five and six-bell companies to ring peals in more than one method. It also urges them to include whenever possible at least seven methods in their peals.’ The motion was seconded by Mr. A. Tomlinson and carried.
It was agreed on the President’s motion to debate items Nos. 13 and 14 together.
It was proposed by Mr. S. H. Wood, and seconded by Mr. J. S. Goldsmith: ‘That peals of Minor shall in general consist of seven or more separate extents rung consecutively and without interval. That compositions arranged in what is known as the “Bankes James Principle,” not withstanding that they do not conform to the above definition, shall be recognised as peals.’
The following note should have been added to the above proposal: ‘This arrangement consists of a number of successive blocks of 720 true rows, not necessarily round blocks themselves, but which when joined together consecutively, form a round block, starting from and ending with rounds. It is recommended that such compositions should only be used when there is considered to be some definite gain from the point of view of variety or music.’
It was proposed by Mr. C. T. Coles, seconded by Mr. E. M. Atkins: ‘That a peal of Minor should normally consist of seven true and complete round blocks of 720 changes each, in a recognised method or methods, rung consecutively and without interval, rounds thus occurring at the beginning and end of and at regular intervals throughout the peal.
That a peal of Doubles should consist of 42 true and complete round blocks of 120 changes each, in a recognised method or methods, rung consecutively and without interval, rounds thus occurring at the beginning and end of and at regular intervals throughout the peal.
That peals as above may be lengthened by the addition of one or more true and complete round blocks of 720 (or of 120) changes, each fulfilling the same conditions, with or without one true round block having less changes.
That any departure from the above standards is not encouraged; notwithstanding this, however a peal of Minor or of Doubles may consist, of any arrangement of 5,040 changes in a recognised method or methods, provided that no change is rung more (or less) than seven times in a peal of Minor, or 42 times in a peal of Doubles, and that the whole starts from and ends with rounds. Such peal may be lengthened, provided that no change is rung more than once for each additional 720 (or 120) changes, and that the whole ends with rounds.’
As an amendment to the above two proposals, it was moved by Mr. W. E. White, and seconded by Mr. E. Denison Taylor:-
‘That a peal of “Doubles” must consist of not less than forty-two true and complete round blocks of 120 changes each, rung consecutively and without interval, each 120 commencing from and finishing with rounds. It may be lengthened by the addition of any number of 120’s and/or by the addition of one shorter touch fulfilling the above conditions. It may be rung with or without a cover bell.
‘That a peal of “Minor” must consist of not less than seven true and complete round blocks of 720 changes each, rung consecutively and without interval, each 720 commencing from and finishing with rounds. It may be lengthened by the addition of any number of 720’s and/or one shorter touch fulfilling the above conditions. It may not be rung without a cover bell.’
It was stated by the President that the question had been raised as to what, if the amendment was carried, was going to happen with regard to the various peals that had been rung containing these special compositions which were not true round blocks of 720, and there was confusion as to what was meant by the Council recognising peals or otherwise.
The peals that were rung came before the Council in the Report of the Analysis Committee, but this committee did not attempt to discriminate between legitimate or regular peals or otherwise, and included all peals published. The Council was not legislating for the past, and in his view they had taken no steps either to recognise or not recognise the various peals that had been rung.
Under the new rules there was a possibility of the Council recognising a peal in the future, as all guilds, societies and associations would be definitely affiliated to the Council, and agree to abide by its decisions. Being loyal to the Council they would withdraw from their records any peals not so recognised. What was most important was that what was rung should be recorded so that future generations could decide on the merits of it.
The amendment was carried, and on being put as a substantive motion was carried, but failed to obtain the necessary two-thirds majority under Rule 11.
PLACE OF NEXT MEETING.
The following places were proposed: Wolverhampton, proposed by Mr. H. Knight, seconded by Alderman J. S. Pritchett; Warwick, proposed by Mr. J. A. Trollope, seconded by Mr. J. H. White. The voting was in favour of Warwick.
GRANTS TO MEMORIALS.
On the motion of the President, the Standing Committee’s recommendation was adopted to make the following grants: £5 5s. to memorial to Rev. H. Law James, £10 10s. to memorial to Sir A. Heywood, £3 3s. to memorial to Mr. H. W. Wilde, and £3 3s. to memorial to Mr. E. Barnett.
VOTES OF THANKS.
To the president, on the motion of Canon H. J. Elsee.
On the President’s motion to the Worshipful Master of the Skinners’ Company for his welcome; the Worshipful Master and the Skinners’ Company for the use of the hall, and to Mr. J. J. Lambert (clerk) for making arrangements; to the following societies for their co-operation and generous subscriptions to defray expenses, thanks to members of committee: Ancient Society of College Youths (Mr. A. A. Hughes), Society of Royal Cumberland Youths (Mr. G. Cross), London County Association (Mr. T. H. Taffender), St. Clement Youths (Mr. E. A. Young), Essex Association (Mr. E. J. Butler), Kent County Association (Mr. F. M. Mitchell), Middlesex County Association (Mr. C. T. Coles), Surrey Association (Mr. C. H. Kippin); to the Middlesex County Association for their hospitality in inviting members and friends to tea; the St. Paul’s Cathedral authorities in making arrangements for the roll of honour to be inspected; the authorities at the Science Museum for permitting a demonstration of the Carter machine; H.M. Office of Works for allowing the use of the bells at the Imperial Institute; the authorities at all churches for allowing the use of the bells, and to the steeplekeepers; the Rector of St. Clement Danes for use of vestry for Standing Committee meeting.
The Ringing World, May 11th, 1934, pages 297 to 299, correction April 12th, 1935, page 229