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Central Council of Church Bell Ringers

Minutes of 1963 Meeting

MINUTES of the First Session of the Twenty-fifth Council (66th annual meeting), held in the Town Hall, Great Yarmouth, on Whitsun Tuesday, June 4th, 1963

A welcome was extended to the Council by the Mayor, Councillor J. P. Winter, the Archdeacon of Norwich, the Ven. Aubrey Aitken and the president of the Norwich Diocesan Association, Mr. Nolan Golden. The president replied on behalf of the Council.

PRESENT

Life members: Messrs. F. Sharpe, E. A. Barnett, F. W. Perrens, E. H. Lewis, G. W. Fletcher, Mrs. G. W. Fletcher.
Honorary members: Mrs. E. A. Barnett, Messrs. F. I. Hairs, D. Hughes, C. K. Lewis, Mrs. C. C. Marshall, Messrs. G. W. Pipe, H. L. Roper, R. F. B. Speed, Mrs. R. F. B. Speed, Messrs. L. Stilwell, P. L. Taylor, T. W. White.
Ancient Society of College Youths: Messrs. W. T. Cook, J. F. Smallwood, C. G. J. Watts and W. Williams.
Bath and Wells Diocesan Association: Messrs. J. H. Gilbert, A. H. Reed and H. J. Sanger.
Bedfordshire Association: Messrs. J. H. Edwards and A. E. Rushton.
Cambridge University Guild: Dr. C. M. P. Johnson and Mr. B. D. Threlfall.
Chester Diocesan Guild: Miss A. D. Edwards and Mr. J. Scott.
Coventry Diocesan Guild: Mrs. D. E. Beamish and Mr. H. Windsor.
Cumberland and North Westmorland Association: Mr. G. McKay.
Derby Diocesan Association: Messrs. G. A. Halls, A. Mould and M. Phipps.
Devon Guild: Miss B. M. Boyle and Rev. J. G. M. Scott.
Dudley and District Guild: Mr. H. J. Shuck.
Durham and Newcastle Association: Messrs. K. Arthur and D. A. Bayles.
East Grinstead and District Guild: Mr. E. J. Ladd.
Ely Diocesan Association: Messrs. T. A. Bevis, J. G. Gipson, E. H. Mastin and H. S. Peacock.
Essex Association: Messrs. P. J. Eves, F. B. Lufkin, J. E. G. Roast and Miss H. G. Snowden.
Gloucester and Bristol Diocesan, Association: Messrs. W. B. Kynaston and C. A. Wratten.
Guildford Diocesan Guild: Messrs. A. C. Hazelden, D. A. R. May, S. G. Ponting and W. H. Viggers.
Hereford Diocesan Guild: Messrs. G. Cousins and A. Wingate.
Hertford County Association: Messrs. W. Ayre, G. W. Critchley and G. Dodds.
Irish Association: Mr. F. E. Dukes, Mrs. F. E. Dukes and Mr. J. T. Dunwoody.
Kent County Association: Messrs. J. R. Cooper, P. A. Corby, T. Cullingworth and I. H. Oram.
Ladies' Guild: Miss J. Beresford, Miss D. E. Colgate and Mrs. P. J. Staniforth.
Lancashire Association: Messrs. J. E. Burles, C. Crossthwaite, R. Leigh and D. Ogden.
Leicester Diocesan Guild: Messrs. S. Burton, J. M. Jelley, P. J. Staniforth and B. G. Warwick.
Lincoln Diocesan Guild: Messrs. J. Bray, G. E. Feirn, J. Freeman and J. L. Millhouse.
Llandaff and Monmouth Diocesan Association: Mr. T. M. Roderick.
London County Association: Messrs. C. W. Ottley, H. W. Rogers, Mrs. H. W. Rogers and Mr. W. G. Wilson.
Middlesex County Association: Messrs. F. T. Blagrove, F. W. Goodfellow, T. J. Lock and J. R. Mayne.
Midland Counties Guild: Mr. J. W. Cotton.
North Staffordshire Association: Mr. R. S. Anderson.
Norwich Diocesan Association: Messrs. H. W. Barrett, F. N. Golden, N. V. Harding and Rev. A. G. G. Thurlow.
Oxford Diocesan Guild: Mr. A. D. Barker, Mrs. A. D. Barker.
Oxford Society: Mr. F. A. H. Wilkins.
Oxford University Society: Mr. D. F. Roaf.
Peterborough Diocesan Guild: Messrs. B. Austin, E. Billings and Miss S. R. Collins.
St. Martin's Guild, Birmingham: Messrs. G. E. Fearn and F. E. Haynes.
Salisbury Diocesan Guild: Messrs. J. T. Barrett and G. S. Morris.
Sheffield and District Society: Mr. N. Chaddock.
Shropshire Association: Messrs. R. B. Morris and R. Newton.
Society of Royal Cumberland Youths: Messrs. D. Beresford, W. H. Dobbie, F. E. Hawthorne and Dr. D. E. Sibson.
Southwell Diocesan Guild: Messrs. B. M. Buswell and W. L. Exton.
Stafford Archdeaconry Society: Mr. B. G. Key.
Suffolk Guild: Messrs. J. W. Blythe, L. G. Brett, Miss A. E. J. Lester and Mr. C. W. Pipe.
Surrey Association: Messrs. N. S. Bagworth, F. E. Collins and W. Parrott.
Sussex County Association: Mrs. F. I. Hairs, Messrs. R. W. R. Percy and A. V. Sheppard.
Truro Diocesan Guild: Messrs. W. C. Boucher and D. Burnett.
Universities Association: Miss M. R. Cross.
University of Bristol Society: Dr. T. P. Edwards.
Winchester and Portsmouth Diocesan Guild: Mr. A. V. Davis, Rev. K. W. H. Felstead and Messrs. J. Hartless and F. W. Rogers.
Worcestershire and Districts Association: Messrs. B. C. Ashford, D. Beacham and W. B. Cartwright.
Yorkshire Association: Messrs. V. Bottomley, W. E. Critchley and W. F. Moreton.

REPORT AS TO MEMBERSHIP

The hon. secretary reported that 59 Societies were affiliated with 164 members. The rules provided for 24 honorary members and there were eight life members, making a total possible membership of 196. There were six vacancies among honorary members. All subscriptions had been paid.

APPLICATION TO AFFILIATE

An application from the South Derbyshire and North Leicestershire Association was agreed on the proposition of Mr. J. F. Smallwood, seconded by Mr. P. J. Staniforth.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received from Messrs. H. O. Baker, A. L. Barry, B. E. Bartlett, R. G. Bell, G. Benfield, E. C. Birkett, P. I. Chapman, J. D. Clarke, J. W. Clarke, A. J. Davidson, J. T. Dyke, E. H. Edge, J. P. Fidler, P. M. J. Gray, G. H. Harding, A. A. Hughes, Mrs. D. J. King, Dr. D. N. Layton, Messrs. G. I. Lewis, G. J. Lewis, A. Locke, N. Mallett, T. G. Myers, W. A. Osborn, A. J. Pitman, G. Salmon, E. C. Shepherd, D. J. Smith, J. J. Webb, W. L. Weller, W. C. West, J. Willis and R. St. C. Wilson.

PRESENTATION OF NEW MEMBERS TO THE PRESIDENT

The following were presented: Messrs. W. T. Cook (College Youths), J. H. Gilbert (Bath and Wells), J. H. Edwards (Bedfordshire Association), Miss A. D. Edwards (Chester Guild), Messrs. J. Scott (Chester Guild), H. Windsor (Coventry Guild), M. Phipps (Derbyshire Association), T. A. Bevis (Ely Association), J. E. G. Roast (Essex Association), D. A. R. May and S. G. Ponting (Guildford Guild), Miss J. Beresford (Ladies' Guild), Messrs. J. E. Burles, C. Crossthwaite, R. Leigh and D. Ogden (Lancashire Association), J. M. Jelley (Leicester Guild), C. W. Ottley (London County), D. J. Roaf (Oxford University), Miss S. R. Collins (Peterborough Guild), Messrs. R. B. Morris (Shropshire Association), W. H. Dobbie and Dr. D. E. Sibson (Cumberland Youths), Messrs. J. E. Collins (South Derbyshire and North Leicestershire), W. L. Exton (Southwell Guild), Miss A. E. J. Lester (Suffolk Guild), Messrs. N. S. Bagworth and W. Parrott (Surrey Association), Mrs. F. I. Hairs and Mr. A. V. Sheppard (Sussex County), Mr. G. W. Pipe and Mrs. R. F. B. Speed (honorary members).

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

President: Mr. F. Sharpe having withdrawn, Canon A. G. G. Thurlow was elected on the proposition of Mr. Sharpe, seconded by Mr. N. Golden. Canon Thurlow thanked the members for electing him and paid a tribute to the retiring president, Mr. Sharpe, for his great services to the Council, not only as president, but as a former librarian and as convener of the Towers and Belfries Committee.

Vice-President: There were two nominations, Mr. W. B. Cartwright, proposed by Canon A. G. G. Thurlow, seconded by Mr. D. Beacham, and Mr. J. Freeman, proposed by Mr. J. F. Smallwood, seconded by Mr. H. J. Sanger. On a ballot, Mr. Freeman was elected.

Hon Secretary and Treasurer: Mr. E. A. Barnett was re-elected on the proposition of Mr. W. G. Wilson, seconded by Mr. H. W. Rogers.

Hon Librarian: Mr. F. W. Perrens was re-elected on the proposition of Mr. F. I. Hairs, seconded by Mr. R. W. R. Percy.

ELECTION OF HONORARY MEMBERS

The Standing Committee recommended the re-election of the following retiring members: Messrs. J. P. Fidler, A. A. Hughes, D. Hughes, Mrs. C. C. Marshall, Messrs. E. C. Shepherd, R. F. B. Speed, L. Stilwell, P. L. Taylor, T. W. White and J. Willis. The committee also recommended the election of Mr. H. N. Pitstow.

The recommendations were adopted on the proposition of Mr. R. S. Anderson, seconded by Mr. H. J. Sanger.

The hon. secretary gave notice under Rule 7 (ii) on behalf of the Standing Committee that the election of Mr. A. A. Hughes as a life member under Rule 7 (i) (b) would be proposed in 1964.

ELECTION OF HON. AUDITORS

Messrs. A. A. Hughes and H. N. Pitstow were re-elected on the proposition of Mr. F. I. Hairs, seconded by Canon K. W. H. Felstead.

LOSS OF MEMBERS THROUGH DEATH

The president reported the death of the following members and past members of the Council, the assembly standing in silence: Messrs. H. E. C. Goodenough (Hertford County), D. Smith (Barnsley and District), E. Stitch (Llandaff and Monmouth) and Miss M. E. Snowdon (life member). Tributes were paid to the memory of Messrs. Goodenough and Stitch and Miss Snowdon.

MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

The minutes as published in "The Ringing World" of March 22nd, 1963, were adopted on the proposition of Mr. E. A. Barnett, seconded by Mr. J. F. Smallwood.

REPORTS

These have been published in "The Ringing World" as shown:-

HONORARY SECRETARY AND TREASURER
(June 14th, 1963, page 396)

Adopted on the proposition of Mr. E. A. Barnett, seconded by Mr. H. W. Rogers.

HONORARY LIBRARIAN
(June 14th, 1963, page 396)

Adopted on the proposition of Mr. F. W. Perrens, seconded by Mr. P. A. Corby.

BALANCE SHEET AND ACCOUNTS
(June 21st, 1963, page 410)

Adopted on the proposition of Mr. E. A. Barnett, seconded by Mr. J. T. Dunwoody.

TRUSTEES OF THE CARTER RINGING MACHINE
(June 14th, 1963, page 396)

Adopted on the proposition of Mr. D. Hughes, seconded by Mrs. P. J. Staniforth.

STANDING COMMITTEE
(June 21st, 1963, page 410)

Adopted on the proposition of Mr. E. A. Barnett, seconded by Mr. F. E. Dukes.

"THE RINGING WORLD" COMMITTEE (June 21st, 1963, page 410)

Adopted on the proposition of Mr. J. F. Smallwood, seconded by Mr. R. S. Anderson. The committee (Messrs. Smallwood, Anderson, F. I. Hairs and W. G. Wilson) were re-appointed.

LITERATURE AND PRESS COMMITTEE
(June 21st, 1963, page 413)

Adopted on the proposition of Mr. F. E. Dukes, seconded by Mr. J. T. Dunwoody. The committee (Messrs. E. C. Shepherd and F. E. Dukes) were reappointed.

TOWERS AND BELFRIES COMMITTEE
(June 21st, 1963, page 411)

Adopted on the proposition of Mr. F. Sharpe, seconded by Mr. E. H. Lewis. The committee (Messrs. Sharpe, B. Austin, J. W. Clarke, F. E. Collins, J. Freeman, E. H. Lewis, W. A. Osborn, H. J. Sanger, the Rev. J. G. M. Scott and Mr. B. D. Threlfall) were reappointed. Congratulations were extended to Mr. Lewis on completing 50 years' membership of the committee.

BIOGRAPHIES COMMITTEE
(June 21st, 1963, page 412)

Adopted on the proposition of Mr. A. C. Hazelden, seconded by Mr. W. Ayre. Messrs. Hazelden and J. Willis were reappointed and Mr. T. J. Lock was added to the committee. Thanks were extended to Mr. L. Stilwell, who wished to retire, for his past services to the committee.

RECORDS COMMITTEE
(June 21st, 1963, page 417)

Adopted of the proposition of Mr. F. T. Blagrove, seconded by Mr. J. R. Mayne. It was noted that the method rung as Durham Surprise Major, Royal and Maximus had been renamed "New Durham." It was agreed that that rung as Deddington Hybrid Major should be renamed "Little Alliance Major."

The committee (Mrs. G. W. Fletcher, Mrs. C. C. Marshall and Messrs. F. T. Blagrove and J. R. Mayne) were reappointed.

BROADCASTING AND TELEVISION COMMITTEE
(June 21st, 1963, page 414)

Adopted on the proposition of Mr. H. J. Sanger, seconded by Mr. J. T. Dunwoody. The committee (Messrs. Sanger, D. A. Bayles, Dunwoody, G. E. Fearn, H. N. Pitstow, Canon A. G. G. Thurlow and Mr. R. St. C. Wilson) were reappointed).

SUNDAY SERVICE RINGING AND EDUCATION COMMITTEE
(June 21st, 1963, page 415)

Section I (Theological Colleges) was adopted on the proposition of Mr. N. Chaddock, seconded by Mr. F. B. Lufkin, and Section II (Courses and Miscellaneous Items) on the proposition of Mr. Chaddock, seconded by Mr. W. F. Moreton. Messrs. Chaddock, Lufkin and Moreton were reappointed and Mr. F. Sharpe and Miss M. R. Cross were added to the committee. Dr. D. N. Layton and Canon A. G. G. Thurlow did not seek reappointment.

PEALS COLLECTION COMMITTEE
(June 21st, 1963, page 414)

Adopted on the proposition of Mr. W. E. Critchley, seconded by Mr. G. E. Feirn. The committee (Messrs. Critchley, Feirn, A. J. Pitman and R. F. B. Speed) were reappointed.

PEALS ANALYSIS COMMITTEE
(June 21st, 1963, page 416-7)

Adopted on the proposition of Mr. W. Ayre, seconded by Canon K. W. H. Felstead. The committee (Mr. Ayre, Canon Felstead and Mr. H. L. Roper) were reappointed.

METHODS COMMITTEE
(June 21st, 1963, page 410)

Adopted on the proposition of Mr. C. K. Lewis, seconded by Mr. F. T. Blagrove. Messrs. Lewis, Blagrove and J. R. Mayne were reappointed to the committee. Tributes were paid to the services rendered to the committee over the previous 15 years by Canon K. W. H. Felstead, who wished to retire.

PEAL BOARDS COMMITTEE

It was agreed on the proposition of Mr. W. Ayre, seconded by Mr. F. I. Hairs, that the committee should be disbanded, with the Council's thanks to its members for their past services, and that they be asked to send all matter collected to the Librarian.

REPORT ON OVERSEAS RINGING
(June 21st, 1963, page 418)

Mr. G. W. Pipe reported. It was agreed on the proposition of Mr. F. I. Hairs, seconded by Mr. F. E. Dukes, that an Overseas Committee be formed. Messrs. Pipe (convener) and A. V. Sheppard were appointed on the proposition of Mrs. E. A. Barnett, seconded by Mr. J. R. Cooper.

STANDING COMMITTEE - MEMBERSHIP

The hon. secretary announced the names of the ex-officio members: Canon A. G. G. Thurlow, Messrs. J. Freeman, E. A. Barnett, F. W. Perrens, A. A. Hughes, H. N. Pitstow, E. H. Lewis, F. Sharpe, G. W. Fletcher, A. C. Hazelden, H. J. Sanger, E. C. Shepherd, C. K. Lewis, G. W. Pipe, W. Ayre, W. E. Critchley, F. T. Blagrove, J. F. Smallwood and N. Chaddock.

On a ballot, the following were elected to the committee: Mr. R. S. Anderson, Mrs. E. A. Barnett, Messrs. W. B. Cartwright, P. A. Corby, Miss M. R. Cross, Messrs. F. E. Dukes, F. I. Hairs, T. J. Lock, R. F. B. Speed, P. J. Staniforth, Mrs. P. J. Staniforth and Mr. W. G. Wilson.

AMENDMENT OF RULE

A proposed amendment to Rule 13 standing in the names of Mr. R. S. Anderson and Mr. G. A. Halls was withdrawn by permission of the Council.

MOTION

The following motion was, by permission of the Council, proposed on behalf of the Truro Diocesan Guild by Mr. D. Burnett in place of a motion on the Agenda paper and formally seconded by the hon. secretary in the absence of the original seconder:-

"That all chancellors be urged to ensure that in all faculty petitions arising as a result of quinquennial surveys of consecrated buildings, expert opinion has been taken in matters of bells, their frames and hanging, such matters being normally outside the usual work of the surveying architect; and when architect and experts are not in agreement, note to be taken of such disagreement."

After debate, during which it was pointed out that the Council could not tell chancellors what they should do and the need for a more comprehensive book on the care and preservation of bells was stressed, the motion was referred to the Towers and Belfries Committee, with power to act and to co-opt if necessary, on the proposition of Mr. C. K. Lewis, seconded by Mr. R. S. Anderson.

PLACE OF NEXT MEETING

Invitations had been received from the Truro Diocesan Guild to visit Truro, the Peterborough Diocesan Guild to visit Peterborough and the Coventry Diocesan Guild to visit Coventry. It was decided by a majority to accept the invitation to Truro.

OTHER BUSINESS

The hon. secretary gave notice of motion to amend Rule 9 (Meetings of the Council) by substituting the words "at a previous meeting" for "at the previous meeting."

Mr. T. J. Lock asked whether the Council would be prepared to take over from the Middlesex Association the publication of a booklet containing all Surprise Major methods which had been rung. On the proposition of Mr. F. E. Dukes, seconded by Mr. G. A. Halls, it was decided to refer the matter to the Methods Committee for consideration, with power to act.

Mr. G. Dodds proposed and Mr. W. Ayre seconded that Mr. Sharpe be asked to convey the good wishes of the Council to the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers during his forthcoming visit. This was carried.

VOTES OF THANKS

On the motion of the president, the thanks of the Council were expressed to the Mayor of Yarmouth, the Archdeacon of Norwich and the president of the Norwich Diocesan Association for their welcome; to the Lord Bishop of Norwich for officiating at the Holy Communion service; to the officers of the Norwich Diocesan Association, in particular the Master, the hon. secretary, Mr. H. W. Barrett (and Mrs. Barrett), the Ringing Master, Mr. F. C. Goodman, and to the captain and secretary of the Great Yarmouth ringers (Messrs. A. Wigmore and P. Newstead) for local arrangements: to Mr. G. W. Fletcher for his help in obtaining the use of a room for headquarters; and to local incumbents and towerkeepers for the use of their bells.

After the meeting the members were the guests of the Mayor and Mayoress at tea.

The Ringing World, March 20, 1964, pages 189 to 190