Central Council of Church Bell Ringers

Annual Report for 2014

  1. The Central Council of Church Bell Ringers (‘the Council’) was founded in 1891 and is a registered charity, no. 270036. Its address is that of its Honorary Secretary for the time being, namely 11 Bullfields, Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, CM21 9DB. The constitution and conduct of the Council is governed by its Rules.

  2. The Council’s Trustees during 2014 were as follows:

    until 26 May
    PresidentMrs K Flavell
    Vice-PresidentMr C Mew
    Hon SecretaryMrs M Bone
    Hon Assistant SecretaryMr R Walker
    Hon TreasurerMr D Harbottle
    from 26 May
    PresidentMr C Mew
    Vice-PresidentDr C O’Mahony
    Hon SecretaryMrs M Bone
    Hon Assistant SecretaryMrs C Franklin
    Hon TreasurerMr A Taylor
  3. The Council’s bankers are Lloyds Bank plc, Westminster House Branch, Dean Stanley Street, London, SW1P 3HU. Its Independent Examiners are Mr J D Cheesman and Mrs W E Godden.

  4. At the close of the Annual General Meeting on 26 May 2014 the Council’s membership comprised 6 Life Members, 9 Additional Members, 8 Ex-officio Members and 197 Representative Members representing 67 affiliated societies. Since then four Additional Members have retired and six Additional Members who were elected or re-elected at that meeting took office; one Additional Member and one Representative Member have died; six Representative Members have resigned and their vacancies have been filled and a further four Representative Members have resigned; three people stopped being and two others became Ex-officio Members. The Rules were amended to change the procedure for making a temporary appointment to fill a vacancy in the Independent Examiners, to amend the Terms of Reference of one committee and to allow for the election of a Public Relations Officer. Subject to any further changes, at the start of the 2015 Council meeting there will be 6 Life Members, 10 Additional Members, 7 Ex-officio Members and 192 195 Representative Members. There are 10 seven other vacancies.

  5. The Object of the Council is to promote and foster the ringing of bells for Christian prayer, worship and celebration and in furtherance thereof:

    (i) To promote awareness of and educate the general public in the ringing of church bells and the art of change ringing;

    (ii) To make available advice, assistance and information to church authorities, ringers and ringing societies and to promote good practice on all matters concerned with bells and bell ringing;

    (iii) To encourage development of the art of ringing through innovation;

    (iv) To bring together ringers to discuss matters of common interest and to represent ringers both nationally and internationally;

    (v) To encourage high standards of performance in ringing;

    (vi) To recommend technical standards in change ringing and maintain such records as may be necessary to uphold these standards;

    (vii) To assist in the provision, restoration, maintenance and transfer of church bells.

  6. The work of the Council in pursuing this object is for the most part carried out by its sixteen committees and by working groups appointed by them. Summaries of their activities during 2014 are given in the committee reports, which appear elsewhere on the Council’s agenda and are being published in the 24th April 2015 issue of The Ringing World.

  7. The public benefits from the following areas of activity of the Council:

    (i) the promotion of public worship by the ringing of church bells;

    (ii) the preservation of the tradition and heritage of change ringing;

    (iii) the encouragement and promotion of high standards of ringing;

    (iv) the provision of financial and specialist knowledge in the support of belfry repairs and maintenance;

    (v) the preparation and publication of educational and training materials.

  8. The Accounts for 2014 show total funds at the year-end of £442,800 of which £273,054 is in restricted funds. The income for the year totalled £119,432 compared with £35,951 in 2013. The 2014 figures include further donations for the Christchurch Cathedral, New Zealand, bells restoration and the Kilifi project, income from the Roadshow and a bequest to the Bell Restoration Fund. The Trustees have the power to invest money and adopt such measures as seem to them necessary in the interest of the Council. They do not have any power to borrow money.

  9. It is confirmed that the Council’s assets, together with the expected income for 2015, are available and are likely to be adequate to fulfil the objects of the Council in that year.

  10. Reserves policy:

    (i) General Fund - the balance on the General Fund is invested to produce income which, together with member societies affiliation fees, provides sufficient funds to support the work and activities of the Council. The balance also facilitates cash flow and enables the development of new projects and initiatives.

    (ii) Education Courses - the balance provides cash flow to enable the Education Committee to run various training courses, in general the costs are recouped from attendees.

    (iii) Bell Restoration Fund - the balance is fully allocated to bell restoration projects and paid on satisfactory completion of the work. Grants are made in proportion to the types of applications received and in accordance with priorities agreed by the Council and reviewed annually.

    (iv) F Dukes International Bell Fund - Grants from the Fred Dukes International Bell Fund are made in accordance with the terms of Mr Dukes’ legacy. Grants are awarded from the interest on the legacy and reviewed annually.

    (v) Publications Fund - the balance represents the stock of publications held and a cash balance to facilitate the production of new titles and the reprinting of existing publications.

    (vi) Library Fund - the balance represents the value of the library, which is maintained for use by council members and affiliated societies.

  11. Funds are invested in low risk investments and bank accounts. The need for regular income from investments is considered important to support the work of the Council.

  12. No significant fund-raising activity has been carried out during the year.

  13. The Council had no employees during the year. All of its work is carried out on a voluntary basis.

Mrs M BONE
Honorary Secretary

April 2015

CENTRAL COUNCIL OF CHURCH BELL RINGERS

Registered Charity Number 270036

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2014

General FundEducation CoursesBell Rest- oration FundF Dukes Internat’al Bell FundPublic- ations FundLibrary FundTotal Funds 2014Total Funds 2013
Note££££££££
Income and Expenditure
Incoming resources:
Affiliation fees6,060-----6,0605,025
Ringing Roadshow925,387-----25,387-
Subscriptions from Friends of Library-----2,2222,2221,744
Interest receivable71,607-3001,25244463,2494,479
Sales of publications, books and CDs----14,7985,14119,93922,208
Sales of jigsaw puzzles and prints--2,726---2,726(131)
Sales of training video/dvd35-----3587
Stock written back----1,442-1,442535
Donations re Christchurch Cathedral, NZ8--3,853---3,853250
Donations re Kilifi, Kenya8--2,070---2,070-
Gift aid2-851--2711,124264
Grant from PRS Foundation-------21
Library outreach day-------380
Lloyds compensation200-----200-
Other donations28-51,021--7651,1251,089
Total incoming resources33,319-60,8211,25216,2847,756119,43235,951
Resources expended:
Council meeting2,528-----2,5281,451
Committee expenses103,960---3106814,9514,999
Ringing Roadshow918,754----26219,016-
The Future of Ringing - regional seminars668-----668137
Regional Development Project130-----130-
Council and other committee costs----369-36971
Cost of publications sold----8,5422,99011,53210,854
Cost of jigsaws--1,892---1,892-
Library maintenance-----871871914
Grants for bell restoration11---4,300--4,30013,400
Advertising----2,4934282,9213,038
Storage and distribution13----2,400-2,4002,400
Stationery, postage & telephone386---969501,432932
Insurance2,203---511-2,7142,679
Stock write off provision-------3,098
Stock written off and disposed of----990-990157
Roll of Honour92-----9268
Library outreach day expenses-------485
Depreciation - Library Collection-----1,8821,8821,940
Depreciation - shelving-----106106106
Website17-----17-
Paypal charges----56-56-
Sundry expenses38-----3815
Total resources expended28,776-1,8924,30015,7678,17058,90546,744
Net I/c resources before transfers4,543-58,929(3,048)517(414)60,527(10,793)
Revaluation of Library Collection-----1,7801,780-
Transfers between funds--------
Net movement in funds4,543-58,929(3,048)5171,36662,307(10,793)
Balances at 31 December 2013137,4272,1697,61083,02225,090125,175380,493391,286
Balances at 31 December 2014141,9702,16966,53979,97425,607126,541442,800380,493

CENTRAL COUNCIL OF CHURCH BELL RINGERS

Registered Charity Number 270036

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31ST DECEMBER 2014

General FundEducation CoursesBell Rest- oration FundF Dukes Internat’al Bell FundPublic- ations FundLibrary FundTotal Funds 2014Total Funds 2013
Fixed Assets££££££££
Tangible assets
Investments at cost107,200-65,50079,300--252,000165,000
Library Collection-----95,00095,00095,102
Library shelving-----9549541,060
Total fixed assets107,200-65,50079,300-95,954347,954261,162
Current Assets
Stock----5,5923,1808,77212,842
Debtors and prepayments2,749-898732214244,3653,769
Term deposits with bank-------50,000
Cash on short term deposit and at bank33,9572,16914160119,99327,17384,03453,668
Total current assets36,7062,1691,03967425,80630,77797,171120,279
Current Liabilities
Creditors
Amounts due within one year(1,936)---(199)(190)(2,325)(948)
Net current assets34,7702,1691,03967425,60730,58794,846119,331
Total assets less current liabilities141,9702,16966,53979,97425,60730,58794,846380,493
Funds
Unrestricted141,923-----141,923137,288
Unrestricted (designated)472,169--25,607-27,82327,398
Restricted--66,53979,974-126,541273,054215,807
Total Funds141,9702,16966,53979,97425,607126,541442,800380,493

Andrew Taylor
Hon Treasurer April 2015

Central Council of Church Bell Ringers

Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31st December 2014

1. Basis of accounting

The accounts have been prepared under the historic cost convention and in accordance with applicable accounting standards and the Statement of Recommended Practice on Accounting by Charities.

2. Accounting policies

The accounts have been drawn up in accordance with the going concern, accruals, consistency and prudence concepts.

2.1 Incoming resources

Interest is accounted for when receivable.

Donations, grants and legacies are accounted for as soon as the Council is notified of the legal entitlement and the amount due.

2.2 Resources expended

Expenditure is included on an accruals basis.

Grants are accounted for when paid over.

3. Consistency

The accounts are prepared on a consistent basis with the previous year and in accordance with the accounting policies.

4. Funds

The General Fund is unrestricted and includes designated funds raised and held for a particular purpose.

The Education Courses Fund and Publications Fund are unrestricted designated funds.

The Bell Restoration Fund, the Fred Dukes International Bell Fund and the Library Fund are maintained for restricted purposes.

5. Transfers between funds

No amounts have been transferred between funds.

6. Tangible assets and intangible assets

The major tangible assets of the Council are the Investments in National Savings Income Bonds and the Library Collection. The Library Collection is valued at a replacement cost of £95,000. The revaluation was undertaken by Roger Barnes of Church Green Books as at 31 December 2014. The policy is to revalue the collection every five years. It is being depreciated for accounting purposes at 2% on the reducing balance per annum. An asset register is maintained for other tangible assets. The policy is to treat assets of an individual cost up to £1,000 as fully depreciated in the year of purchase.

The major intangible asset of the Council is the copyright of Dove’s Guide.

7. Interest receivable

The interest was received from:

20142013
££
National Savings Investment Bonds2,3222,697
Central Board of Finance of the Church of England Deposit175169
Lloyds Bank term deposits7511,612
Other banks11
Total3,2494,479

8. Donations and grants received

8.1 Christchurch, New Zealand

Donations received in respect of Christchurch Cathedral, New Zealand, bells restoration following the damage caused by the earthquake to the City of Christchurch are included in the Bell Restoration Fund as a restricted item and, together with the related gift aid, amount to £4,501. The total amount of the donations received to date is £14,925. A grant payment of £10,000 was made in 2013.

8.2 Kilifi, Kenya

Donations have been received in respect of Kilifi, Kenya, for ropes and a training project. These are included in the Bell Restoration Fund as a restricted item and, together with the related gift aid, amounts to £2,269. The total amount of the donations received to date is £2,269.

9. Ringing Roadshow at Newbury Racecourse - September 2014

Income£
Ticket sales19,144
Stand sales and table hire4,523
Advertising688
Sponsorship930
Donations102
25,387
Expenditure
Venue hire14,220
Equipment1,194
First Aid444
Wrist bands246
Printing712
PayPal fees505
Committee expenses1,021
Website, travel and setup674
19,016
Net surplus6,371

10. Committee expenses (excluding Ringing Roadshow)

These were as follows:

20142013
££
Administrative983363
Bell Restoration195186
Biographies285402
Education439730
Information and Communications316345
Library681660
Publications310243
Public Relations731868
Redundant Bells189-
Ringing Centres35274
Ringing Trends8428
Towers and Belfries616690
Carter Ringing Machine Steward87-
Dove Steward-210
Total4,9514,999

11. Grants paid

During the year, the Fred Dukes International Bell Fund awarded two grants totalling £3,000. Three grants were paid.

Year awardedUnpaid brought forwardAwarded in 2014Paid in 2014Carried forward
££££
20102,000--2,000
2011200--200
20131,300-(1,300)-
2014-3,000(3,000)-
Total3,5003,000(4,300)2,200

The Bell Restoration Fund did not award any grants in 2014.

Year awardedUnpaid brought forwardPaid in 2014Withdrawn in 2014Carried forward
££££
20101,300-(1,300)-
Total1,300-(1,300)-

12. Charitable commitments

There were unfulfilled charitable commitments at 31st December 2014 in respect of two grants totalling £2,200 awarded but not yet paid by the Fred Dukes International Bell Fund. There is also a charitable commitment to Christchurch Cathedral New Zealand bells restoration in respect of the balance of donations received but not yet paid amounting to £4,501 and Kilifi for ropes and a training project of £2,269.

13. Publications fund

Storage and distribution costs of £2,400 were paid to a Council member.

14. Payments to trustees

There were no payments to Trustees.

15. Emoluments of employees

The Council had no employees during the year.

The Ringing World, April 24, 2015, pages 428 to 431, corrections October 2, 2015, page 981

Administrative Committee

Since the 2014 Council meeting the Committee has met three times in London, in July, October and March. The Methods Committee review of the relevant Decisions was discussed in both October and March. In March Committee chairmen advised which members would be retiring under the provisions of rule 15 (i) and the committee sizes needed for next year. The arrangements for the 2015 Council meeting were discussed and agreed. Papers for the meeting will again be circulated electronically to those Council members with email.

Change Ringing for the Future: Regional seminars were held at Exeter in July and in Ryde in October. The seminars continued to provide an opportunity for a good exchange of ideas with local ringers and useful feedback, as well as showing the existing work of the Council, Ringing Foundation and Association of Ringing Teachers. An inter-committee group, which also involved members of the Association of Ringing Teachers and the Ringing Foundation, has worked with the President to develop plans for specific work on the recruitment, training and retention of ringers which will be presented to members at the Hull meeting.

July meeting: The additional July meeting of the Committee discussed many of the issues and concerns relating to the Council’s own organisation which had been raised at previous regional seminars. The Committee decided to revise the regular programme of committee review and to engage its elected members with this (see Appendix). Specific proposals have been prepared on the date and format of the Council meeting; a motion appears on the agenda and a background paper has been circulated. The committee elections procedure is again under review with a view to bringing to the 2016 meeting a specific proposal on advance nominations, increased committee sizes and triennial elections, aimed at avoiding or reducing the need for time-consuming committee elections. The President circulated a note to members by email on 25 July which summarised the deliberations of this meeting; this also appeared in The Ringing World.

Other matters considered by the Committee included:

Council Finances: The General Fund for the current year (2014) and next year (2015) was reviewed at both meetings, considering income levels and planned expenditure. Although the 2014 Roadshow generated a surplus, the Council anticipates a deficit again in 2015. The Committee decided not to proceed at present with suggestions for changing the basis of the affiliation fee but to prepare detailed forward expenditure plans for several years to enable affiliated societies to plan themselves for regular staged increases in the fee.

Church Buildings Council (formerly Council for the Care of Churches) & English Heritage: A meeting was held on 17 June 2014, attended additionally by the chairman of the Committee for Redundant Bells and the chairman and secretary of the Towers & Belfries Committee. The main topic for discussion continued to be the problems of bells in closed or closing churches. CCCBR reported on the Bell Restoration Committee’s initiative to invite representatives from parishes with unringable bells to the Newbury Roadshow. CBC reported on faculty simplification and on their intention to consult the CCCBR when their bells sub-committee membership is renewed in 2016. A project to develop expertise in bellframe recording may be prepared. The next meeting will be held on 16 June 2015. The 2015 DAC bell advisers’ conference will be held in Winchester.

Ecclesiastical Insurance Group (EIG): The next meeting with EIG to discuss matters of mutual interest will be held in June. The minutes will be published in The Ringing World.

Central Council 125th Anniversary: In 2016 the Council celebrates 125 years since its first meeting and this is to be marked by a “Heywood Weekend” based around Duffield, the home of its first President, Sir Arthur Heywood. The Council and Derby Diocesan Association are working together on a programme for a social and celebratory occasion over 23rd/24th April.

Ex officio:
CHRIS MEW (President)
CHRISTOPHER O’MAHONY (Vice-President)
ANDREW TAYLOR (Treasurer)
MARY BONE (Secretary)
CAROL FRANKLIN (Assistant Secretary)
ELVA AINSWORTH (Ringing Trends)
RICHARD ALLTON (Peal Records)
STELLA BIANCO (Library)
TIMOTHY COLLINS (Towers and Belfries)
BOB COOLES (Redundant Bells)
JOHN COUPERTHWAITE (Publications)
ERNIE DE LEGH-RUNCIMAN (Tower Stewardship)
KATE FLAVELL (Public Relations)
PAUL FLAVELL (Compositions)
JOHN HARRISON (Biographies)
NORMAN MATTINGLEY (Ringing Centres)
BRIAN MEADS (The Ringing Foundation)
PETER NIBLETT (Methods)
NIGEL ORCHARD (The Ringing World)
PETER TROTMAN (Information and Communications Technology)
DUNCAN WALKER (Education)
PETER WILKINSON (Bell Restoration)
Elected members:
FRED BONE
MIKE CHESTER
MICHAEL CHURCH
DAVID KIRKCALDY
ROBERT LEWIS
ANGELA NEWING
DEREK SIBSON
TONY SMITH
HELEN UDAL
ANDREW WILBY
JANE WILKINSON

Appendix:
Review of Central Council Committee Work

At its October 2014 meeting the Administrative Committee considered proposals regarding the ongoing review of the work of the Council’s respective specialist committees. Hitherto each committee was invited on a rotating basis to present an update to the Administrative Committee at which questions could be raised and clarification sought. The number of committees involved meant that each would only present an update once every 7 or 8 years, especially as pressure of other business meant that this item was often held over from one meeting to the next. In order to give these committees a better opportunity to highlight their activities and for the Administrative Committee to monitor progress between Council meetings the following proposal was made. The proposal was formally endorsed at the subsequent Administrative Committee meeting in March 2015 and will be implemented with effect from the October meeting 2015. The formal committee reports to Council each May, currently contained in the Central Council Supplement to The Ringing World, are not affected by this arrangement.

The proposal is for the 12 elected members of the Administrative Committee to undertake the function of reviewing and examining the meeting notes, reports and plans of the committees on a more frequent cycle, reporting their findings to the Administrative Committee. Elected members would be divided into groups of 3 or 4 and allocated to look at similarly grouped committees.

Appendix
Guidance for Central Council members in managing actual, potential or perceptions of conflicts of interest

Conflicts of interest can arise, or be perceived to exist, where members have a financial or other business interest in an organisation that operates within the arena of bellringing, hanging, manufacturing, restoration or maintenance of towers and bells, as well as other areas such as publishing or IT, referred to here as bell-related trades.

A business interest of this sort does not preclude Societies or the Council from electing such members to represent them or to hold office within the Council. However, for the avoidance of any possible misunderstanding, members are asked to follow this guidance.

  1. The Council shall maintain a Register of Members Interests. All Council members shall advise the Hon Secretary of any financial or other business interest they have in any bell-related trades. In the event of uncertainty as to whether disclosure is needed, disclosure shall be made.

  2. The Hon Secretary shall circulate the Register of Members Interests to the Council Officers and Committee Chairmen.

  3. During the conduct of Council business, such as (but not limited to) the Council’s annual meeting or committee meetings, members with such interests shall always declare any relevant interest in any proceedings.

  4. Any concern arising from an interest not being declared shall be referred to either the President or the Vice-President who shall resolve the matter taking such advice as they consider necessary.

The Ringing World, April 24, 2015, page 432

Methods Committee

At the 2014 Council Meeting, the Committee was asked to “begin work on consultation about, and on developing the principles and fundamental requirements of, a possible new or revised set of Decisions concerning Peal Ringing, Methods and Calls”.

The Committee published a consultation paper in March, seeking to gain the views of ringers on the reason for having the Decisions in the first place, and to understand better the reasons why people feel changes are needed. We acknowledge that it took a while to prepare this paper, and would like to apologise for that delay. The resulting timescale gave some people the impression that we were trying to rush the process, leading them to question the genuineness of the consultation. Again we are sorry if we gave that impression. In a letter to The Ringing World (p.279) we subsequently pointed out that the paper was only intended as an initial part of the process.

We received a number of responses to the paper and these are summarised in this report. We would like to thank those who sent them; they were Andrew Johnson, Chris Frye, Chris Turner, Daniel Brady, David Smith, Derek Williams, Don Morrison, Iain Anderson, Jonathan Frye, John Harrison, Luke Daniel, Martin Pearson, Philip Saddleton, Richard Johnson, Roddy Horton, Richard P J Carter, Sam Austin, Tony Cox, Tony Smith, and Vernon Bedford, Philip Earis, Graham Lay and Graham John.

Why have Decisions at all?

We started by asking about the reasons for having Decisions in the first place. It is important that we achieve a level of consensus on what the Decisions should be for, and indeed whether we need any “rules” at all, before getting into the details of what they should say or not say.

In order to structure this part of the discussion we started with a list of things that are done by the current Decisions, as a way of testing reaction to them.

  1. Providing an objective standard definition for peals.

  2. Providing a framework for describing, naming and classifying methods, and a way of allocating names to new methods.

  3. Stating requirements on how peals are to be reported.

  4. Providing additional rules for Record-Length peals.

We make no apology for using this is a starting point of the discussion. It does not imply that we see no need for any change.

The results are summarised in Figure 1:

Figure 1: Purpose of the Decisions
bar chart

The four rows in Figure 1 show the responses received (positive at left, negative at right). Before we read too much into the results, we should make a few points:

i) The number of people replying to the survey (20) is very small in comparison to the total number of ringers.

ii) Several of the replies that we received didn’t respond to these specific questions.

Rather than trying to infer an opinion from their other comments we have shown them using white bars.

iii) When people answered yes, they were responding to the principle - they weren’t necessarily saying that they agree with everything the current Decisions say.

Having said that, the responses show reasonable agreement on the second and third points but highlight a difference of opinions on the first and last questions. The views of those who answered No are summed up by the following comment from Don Morrison:

“There seems possibly to be some implicit belief that it is obvious that we need an objective standard definition for peals. It is not at all obvious to me. Why do we need such a thing? We get on just fine without one for quarters. People keep totals, personal, association and tower, of quarters just as they do for peals. And no problems seem to result. Indeed, the quarter peal community seems healthier and more vibrant than the peal community, as more ringers ring quarters than peals, more quarters are rung than peals, and more quarters are rung at towers by their local bands than are peals.

Far better, I think, would be to start from the position, which seems to work well for quarters, of simply accepting that what ringers submit to Bellboard or the RW as a peal is a peal. If there are cases where this leads to difficulty (there are none I know of for quarters), then perhaps we need whatever minimal decisions will solve those problems, but we certainly do not need the enormous apparatus we have today.”

Scope of the Decisions

We also asked people to comment on what else (if anything) the Decisions be for. We asked some specific questions, but again these were to facilitate the discussion rather than proposals from the Methods Committee:

  1. Would there be any value in introducing two categories of peal, one for peals that comply strictly with the Decisions, and one for peals that comply only with a smaller subset of the Decisions?

  2. Should the Decisions state requirements for quarter peals?

  3. Should they be extended to define what we mean by Change Ringing in general (rather than just talking about Peals and Methods)?

  4. Should they define a standard set of terms to be used to express ringing concepts?

Figure 2 - Further scope questions
bar chart

There was a fairly clear negative response to the first of these, and a split response to the question about quarter peals.

Four people said that we need a more precise definition of ringing terms (e.g. “rounds”, “change”, “row”), but most of them felt that this was something that should be provided separately from the Decisions themselves.

Comments on the details

Although it’s important, as we have said, to reach agreement on the high-level scope and objectives questions first, we also asked for views on specific issues. We received a fair number of detailed comments, but in the interest of brevity we will mention here only the most commonly raised points.

Several of the comments concerned points of substance:

It should be noted that not everyone agreed with these points, and in many cases there were one or two people stating the opposite.

We also received some general comments relating to the overall tone and presentation of the current Decisions, principally that they are too long and complex and that their tone suggests a desire to dictate to ringers what they are allowed to ring.

Next Steps

While we have gained some very useful insights from this process, we are conscious that we have only received 20 replies and would like to get the views of a wider range of ringers, in particular from affiliated societies. We are also aware that several people said that they would have preferred to have had more time, and the timescale and wording of the original paper might have deterred some people from replying. We therefore intend to continue the process, but focus it initially more closely on Aims and Objectives, in particular the question around the need for a standardised definition of a peal. We propose two initial next steps:

i) Re-issue the consultation paper with that change of focus, and factoring in what we have learned from the responses that we have received so far. We will set a cut-off for replies to be at the end of August.

ii) Arrange a special open meeting in the autumn to review the responses and see if we can resolve outstanding issues on the objectives.

Based on that we will be in a position to work on some concrete proposals, but will do this in consultation with a wide range of interested parties.

Other Committee Work

The consultation has taken up a fair amount of the Committee’s time, however there are some other things that we do. As in previous years, we have worked with the Compositions Committee to make corrections and revisions to the methods and compositions pages of the Ringing World Diary. This year we have continued the practice of including a page of Date Touches, and hope that readers find that useful.

We have answered enquiries about method names, extensions, CC Decisions and other matters received on the Committee’s email address: methods@cccbr.org.uk. We have also restarted work on revising the Collection of Doubles Methods, which will include a detailed section on composing spliced Doubles. Going forwards we would hope that the Committee could have more time to spend on things that further the theoretical side of ringing.

The Committee has been somewhat depleted in numbers this year, as several former members have left the Council. In particular Philip Saddleton and Richard Edwards have served on the Committee for a number of years, and we would like to thank them for their work.

Finally we would like to thank Tony Smith, once again, for the assistance he has given the Committee by maintaining the online method collections, which can be found at http://methods.org.uk. Even the most ardent critics of the Methods Committee acknowledge that they are a valuable ringing resource, and we are very grateful to Tony for the work he does each week in keeping them up to date.

PETER NIBLETT (Chairman)
STEPHEN JONES
LEIGH SIMPSON
ROBIN WOOLLEY

Peals Records Committee

The Peals Analysis

We have recorded a total of 4,738 peals rung in 2014 and published in The Ringing World up to February 27th, of which 3,969 were on tower bells and 769 on handbells. The revised total for 2013 is 5,024, an increase of 30. Full details are included in the methods table that accompanies this report. While the handbell total shows a decrease of 24 (3%) on the revised 2013 total, the tower bell total is 262 (6.1%) lower than that in 2013. The reduction in numbers is seen at almost every stage, both tower and hand bells. The Yorkshire Association is again the leading society with 339 peals, 82 more than the second place Oxford Diocesan Guild with 257, the gap having widened as the Yorkshire Association rang 15 more and the Oxford D.G. rang 16 fewer than in 2013. The leading society for handbell peals is shared this year between the Chester Guild and the Oxford D.G. both with 103. Fifteen affiliated societies rang 100 or more peals in 2014, two fewer than the last two years. Please see separate tables for details of peals rung for each society and by method / method type.

There are a number of peals known to have been rung but not yet published in The Ringing World including some from the first half of the year. We would encourage the organisers and conductors of peals to submit their peals for publication promptly, and then ensure that they are printed as expected.

Record peals

There were five record peals rung in 2014, four on tower bells and one on handbells. The record peals are detailed in the Records table on p.426.

Peals not complying with the Decisions on Peal Ringing

All the peals rung in 2014 which were published in The Ringing World up to 27th February, 2015 complied with the Central Council Decisions on Peal Ringing. There was also a performance on a simulator that was sent up as a Miscellaneous performance, and as such is not included in the analysis.

Leading Towers

The following 70 towers had 10 or more peals in 2014: (75 in 2013):-

65Thorverton
47Ipswich (Old Stoke, The Wolery)
42Leeds, W Yorks (St Anne)
39Loughborough (Bell Foundry)
38Portsmouth (St Agatha)
37City of London (St. Magnus the Martyr, Lower Thames Street)
33Dordrecht (’t Klockhuys)
32Marston Bigot (Pig le Tower), Milton
31Meldreth
29Maidstone (All Saints)
28Huntsham, Awbridge (Clock House Bells)
27Keele (Woodlands)
24Sheffield (Dore)
23City of London (St James, Garlickhythe), Shoreditch
22Inworth
21East Huntspill (Little Orchard Tower), Sproxton, York (St Lawrence)
20Hughenden, Lundy Island, Shepton Beauchamp
19Spitalfields, Thatcham
18Blankney, Burnley
16Bishopstoke, Wedmore (The Bakery Tower)
15City of London (St. Mary le Bow, Cheapside), Church Lawford (The Plantagenet Ring), Maidstone (St Michael)
14Burton Latimer, Longcot, Rotherham (All Saints), Worcester (All Saints)
13Amersham, City of London (St Michael Cornhill), Chilcompton, Oxford (St Thomas), Stepney (St George in the East)
12Barrow Gurney, Bishopsteignton (Bishops Ting Tong), Bushey, Cambridge (Trumpington), Farnworth and Kearsley, Hanbury (Worcs), City of London (St Dunstan in the West, Fleet Street), Middleton (Gtr Man), New York, Worcester (St. Martin in the Cornmarket)
11Birmingham (Cathedral), Bristol (Cathedral), Cambridge (Great St Mary), East Ilsley, Exeter (Pinhoe), Knottingley, Marston Bigot (St Leonard)
10Birmingham (St Paul), Bradford Peverell, Burghill, Daresbury, Exeter (St Mark), Exmouth (Withycombe Raleigh), Kirby Hill, Liverpool (Garston), Mistley, Northallerton, Tulloch (Ringing Centre)

There were also 23 handbell venues where 10 or more peals were rung in 2014.

First pealers and firsts as conductor

There remains a steady decline in the number of first pealers, down to 132 in 2014, the lowest number for a very long time. 25 years ago over 500 first pealers were recorded; a reduction from 500 to 132 is a serious decline. Hopefully FirstPeal2015 will stimulate a rise in first pealers in 2015 and the early signs are that this is indeed happening. The FirstPeal2015 initiative is a modest one - 300 first pealers - so let’s really go for it. (It should be noted that another 7 ringers probably rang their first peal in 2014, bringing the total up to 139, but these peals have yet to appear in The Ringing World and so cannot be counted in this formal Analysis.) 29 ringers conducted a peal for the first time in 2014, and this is the average number for the last five years.

Corrections to the 2013 Analysis

There are a number of alterations to the 2013 Analysis owing to late publication which are detailed below. Corrections relate to tower bells except where specified.

Ancient Society of College YouthsMajor +1
ANZABMaximus +1
Bath & WellsMinor +2
BedfordshireMajor +1, Caters +1
Cambridge UniversityMinor +1 (handbells)
DevonshireMajor +1
DorsetMinor +1
KentMinor +1, Maximus +1
LancashireMajor +4
Middlesex & LondonMajor +3 (handbells)
NorwichMinor +1
Oxford DioceseMinor +1
SalisburyMinor +1
Southwell & NottinghamMinor +1
Winchester & PortsmouthMajor +1
YorkshireMinor +3 (1 on handbells)
Non-AssociationRoyal +1
Non-AffiliatedMajor +1, Royal +1, Maximus +1

The amended methods analysis for 2013 is shown in the 2014 methods table, which forms part of this report. Revised totals for 2013 are: tower bells 4,231, handbells 793, total 5,024.

The Felstead Project

During the year the work of maintaining the accuracy of the Felstead database has continued. Some 64 previously unrecorded peals have been added and corrections made to a number of others due to John Eisel continuing to search a number of eighteenth and nineteenth century newspapers as they become available on line. There are almost certainly others still to be discovered by searching through local newspapers not available on line. Details supplied by other ringers - a good number by Alison Brittliff from the Lancashire Association records - have resulted in a further ten peals being added and corrections being made to some 43 others. Alan Glover has once again been very helpful in answering a number of queries by reference to materials in the library; this has enabled a number of corrections to be made and the committee is grateful to all who have in any way contributed to the accuracy of the database.

Andrew Craddock continues to be responsible for all the data for post-1989 peals and downloads the data regularly from The Ringing World, BellBoard and Campanophile websites; the Committee wishes to thank him for doing this important work.

RICHARD ALLTON (Chairman)
ALAN BALDOCK
ANDREW BARNSDALE
MARK BELL
ALISON BRITTLIFF
ADAM CROCKER
GRAHAM (BEN) DUKE
DEREK SIBSON
CHRISTOPHER TURNER
First peals in methods rung on Tower Bells
January
17500Merton College A MajorOxford S
25023Brecon Castle S MajorDorset CA
25040Aonach Beag S RoyalDevonshire G
45100Ffestiniog A MajorLincoln DG
85152Jarrow D MajorLincoln DG
95092Tresco Abbey S MajorDorset CA
125088Ljubljana D MajorBath & Wells DA
135056Brushfield S MajorNon-A
195040Venetia A MajorS&N DG
205088Enfield D MajorSt James G
205088Priors Marston TB MajorCoventry DG
225152Stanedge Pole S MajorYorks A
225100Whitley Bay A MajorLincoln DG
235040Aonach Mor D RoyalDevonshire G
235056North Dean D MajorAmersham G
265180Nethermost Pike A RoyalLancs A
265000Baldrick Diff LB CinquesAbraham Lincoln S
285016Dorrington A RoyalS&N DG
305040Ben Lawers D RoyalDevonshire G
February
45040Jasper’s Green S MinorSuffolk G
135152Fernham D MajorG&B DA
155056Z Battery Battersea Park S MajorSurrey A
155088Magna Carta D MajorGuildford DG
175060Ratby S MajorLeicester DG
175088Quasimodo TB MajorCoventry DG
235056Esk Pike A RoyalLancs A
265056Zyzzyva S MajorSuffolk G
285040Pattiswick S MinorW&P DG
March
15152FILO S MajorSussex CA
15040St David’s Cathedral S RoyalNon-A
45088Shrove D MajorYorks A
55040Monk Bretton TB MinorEly DA
95280Callington A MajorBath & Wells DA
115058Elmley Lovett S MajorV Evesham S
125152Stairway to Heaven D MajorYorks A
145152Hawthorn Leslie S MajorD&N
145152Kopke D MajorCEA
175088Pailton TB MajorCoventry DG
195024Nobby D MajorScottish A
195040Glaswegian A MajorLancs A
205024Castor D MajorLincoln DG
215088Gav D MajorDevonshire G
255088Highweek Dragon D MajorDevonshire G
255120Hanami D MajorKent CA
265120Poolsbrook D MajorS&N DG
275025Chirk Castle S MajorDorset CA
275040Derry Cairngorm D RoyalDevonshire G
295088Mells D MajorBath & Wells DA
295040Market Deeping A MajorLincoln DG
April
15040Xylocopa S MinorSuffolk G
15040Great Orchard S RoyalBath & Wells DA
35040Mullach Clach a Bhlair D RoyalDevonshire G
45024Glaston S MajorEly DA
95040Unacceptable S MinorSuffolk G
105040Victoria Street S MinorScottish A
105088Kintbury D MajorG&B DA
115152Cassiopium S MajorG&B DA
135088Athens D MajorBath & Wells DA
215040Munnings Little D MajorSuffolk G
225090Koppa A RoyalS&N DG
235152Higger Tor S MajorYorks A
245040Beinn a’Bhuird S RoyalDevonshire G
245152Naphill S MajorAmersham G
285152Ashurst S MajorSt James G
285040Tomandjen A MajorCoventry DG
305040Capercaillie Bob TriplesSuffolk G
May
25024Harringworth S MajorEly DA
35056Dyke Fen S MajorLincoln DG
65152Dark Skies S MajorYorks A
65012Justicetown A MajorS&N DG
75040Amy A MajorLincoln DG
85027Farleigh Castle S MajorDorset CA
85124Tribute A MajorLancs A
105152No Alibis S MajorIrish A
115088Sofia D MajorBath & Wells DA
145096Ribblesdale A MajorLincoln DG
155096Beagle 2 A MajorG&B DA
195056Aston S MajorSt James G
215152Cos Hill D MajorW&P DG
215152Sin Hill S MajorYorks A
225040Grand Western Canal A MajorDorset CA
245124Catchester A MajorBath & Wells DA
275152Chicksand S MajorSt James G
275024Ingham A RoyalS&N DG
285100Old Somerby A MajorLincoln DG
315024Witney D MajorG&B DA
June
45068Sheffield A MajorYorks A
55040Beinn Bhrotain D RoyalDevonshire G
65184Not A Block MajorBath & Wells DA
115152Menzies S MajorAmersham G
115152Dunsby Fen D MajorLincoln DG
145040Percy’s Tea Strainer TP MaximusFriends of Percy
165012Ashcombe A MajorDorset CA
195088Three Counties D MajorHereford DG
195100Troyte A MajorBath & Wells DA
215100Crowland A MajorLincoln DG
245040Votta S RoyalW&P DG
255152Carl Wark D MajorYorks A
265029No. 5029 Nunney Castle S MajorDevonshire G
265024Cryers Hill S MajorAmersham G
285068Thackeray A MajorYorks A
305104Devil’s Bit A MajorDevonshire G
July
15096Kirktown A MajorS&N DG
25152Vulgate S MajorSuffolk G
45040Silverstone S RoyalPeterboro DG
55040Dordrecht B TriplesYorks A
85040Most LB MajorD&N
95100Freasley A MajorLincoln DG
105030Shirburn Castle S MajorDorset CA
115136Capey Little S MajorD&N
205175Rebel A MaximusRebel A
265040Pertmeister’s A MajorASCY
275088Sumorsaete Ealle D MajorSRCY
305120Burbage Moor S MajorYorks A
August
45100Remembrance A MajorDorset CA
75040Beinn Mheadhoin S RoyalDevonshire G
85040Glapthorn S RoyalPeterboro DG
95040Shildon A MajorLincoln DG
105120Belgrade D MajorBath & Wells DA
215100St Symphorien S MajorMiddx & London DG
215012Otter A MajorLancs A
235152Shackleton S MajorDevonshire G
235160Kilburn A MajorLincoln DG
275184Peano D MajorYorks A
285031Totnes Castle S MajorDorset CA
285040Carn Eighe D RoyalDevonshire G
September
45040No. 5040 Stokesay Castle S MajorDorset CA
45040Stob Choire Chlaurigh S RoyalDevonshire G
65024Scrumpy and Western S MajorYorks A
75088Littlewood Lane D MajorU London S
75100Cheshire Regiment A MajorChester DG
85152Four Score S MajorLancs A
95012Kettering A MajorPeterboro DG
105152Spinal Tap D MajorYorks A
125040Barrow Gurney A MajorBath & Wells DA
145004Castle Rock A RoyalS&N DG
155024Botley S MajorSt James G
225040Malham Cove D RoyalLundy IS
245056Basingstoke D MajorYorks A
245040Benwell A MajorLincoln DG
305040Jersey Farm S RoyalV Evesham S
October
35040Thornhaugh S RoyalPeterboro DG
85040Edenham A MajorLincoln DG
115184Arksey S MajorYorks A
115024Ethelfleda’s D MajorCoventry DG
125184Podgorica D MajorBath & Wells DA
135096Southam Mop A MajorCoventry DG
175088Old Chopper S MajorDorset CA
185184Mop Fair S MajorG&B DA
185040Brians’ D RoyalNon-A
205152Buntingford S MajorSt James G
215024Barton D MajorSRCY
235041Tiverton Castle S MajorDorset CA
235040Ben More S RoyalDevonshire G
235056Quainton D MajorAmersham G
245152Wild Country S MajorBath & Wells DA
285000Smythson D RoyalS&N DG
295040Egret Bob TriplesSuffolk G
295040Jarrow A MajorLincoln DG
November
75040Ragsdale A RoyalPeterboro DG
85042Evesham Abbey S MaximusDorset CA
95184Kishinev D MajorBath & Wells DA
95152Louisiana D MajorSt James G
115088Colombia S MajorYorks A
115120Texas S MajorSt James G
115012Ozone A MajorPeterboro DG
135068Nightjar A MajorLancs A
135056Arkansas S MajorSt James G
155088Alabama S MajorSt James G
165152Cobb County S MajorSt James G
175152Quarry Hill S MajorFreehold S
175088Ullenhall TB MajorCoventry DG
185024Georgia S MajorSt James G
195152Ton S MajorYorks A
195152North Carolina S MajorSt James G
205088Virginstow S MajorDorset CA
205040Stob Binnein D RoyalDevonshire G
215040Ben Avon S RoyalDevonshire G
225088Gimperial D MajorU London S
265040Wendy’s D RoyalDevonshire G
265040Gibside A MajorLincoln DG
275040Monadh Mor S RoyalDevonshire G
285152Yanley S MajorBath & Wells DA
295184Operation Market Garden S MajorCEA
295040Grassmoor S RoyalASCY
December
35152Oliver D MajorYorks A
45088Quothquan S MajorYorks A
55040Cotterstock S RoyalPeterboro DG
55152City of Culture D MajorIrish A
65024Friends Reunited S MajorF Reunited
85088Very Easy TB MajorCoventry DG
115056Chew Stoke D MajorBath & Wells DA
135376Long Lawford D MajorCoventry DG
155600Puckeridge S MajorSt James G
175152Jonathan D MajorYorks A
185042Winchester Castle S MajorDorset CA
185040Heatherbell D RoyalDevonshire G
185040Oxford Block MinimusSuffolk G
255040Quissmass Day S MinorSuffolk G
255056Ba Humbug! S MajorBath & Wells DA
295088Turgid S MajorNon-A
2910080Knapps Farm S RoyalBath & Wells DA
305040Childswickham S MinorW&P DG
305040Minehead S MinorW&P DG
315100Sempringham A MajorLincoln DG
First peals in methods rung on Handbells
January
85040Quaternion D MajorLeicester DG
February
35040Allendale S RoyalLeicester DG
265040Vespasian D MaximusLeicester DG
March
125040Thames Valley S RoyalOxford DG
315152Japanese D MajorDerby DA
April
95040Iona S RoyalLeicester DG
May
55040Finlay D MajorLeicester DG
145040Dorking S RoyalOxford DG
285152Underbarrow D MajorLeicester DG
June
165040Gordon Road D MajorLeicester DG
September
85152Xenia D MajorLeicester DG
245056Deva S MajorOxford DG
245152Coromandel D MajorLeicester DG
295152Remiremont D MajorLeicester DG
December
15040Jena S MaximusLeicester DG
105088Leatherhead S MaximusOxford DG
155040Fryerning S RoyalLeicester DG
Record Peals on Towerbells
April
1920160Pudsey S MajorW&P DG
October
410080Heptonstall D MajorLancs A
November
2228512Bristol S MajorW&P DG
December
2910080Knapps Farm D RoyalBath & Wells DA
Record Peals on Handbells
November
3010080Plain Bob TriplesASCY

Note:

There are three further methods that have been rung but not yet published in The Ringing World. Additionally it is noted that the peal rung of Cumbria Place Triples was first pealed as Aberdare St Elvan Place Triples in 2011.

2014TOWERHAND
Society455/6677/8899/10101111/12121416Tower
total
56789101111/121214Hand
Total
Society
Total
Ancient Society of College Youths0201810064424011253012070111034201022229
Australia & New Zealand Association000130710110000140101000000216
Barrow & District Society1601000300000000200000000000020
Bath & Wells Diocesan Association070224091002240110016102040000006167
Bedfordshire Association0000301610100000210000000000021
Beverley & District Society010800200100000120000000000012
Birmingham University Society0002000000000002000000000002
Bristol University Society0102004001001009000000000009
Cambridge University Guild0001002001001005030000000038
Carlisle Diocesan Guild0002302000000007000100000018
Central Council0000002000000002000000000002
Chester Diocesan Guild01011602810210200520230350390060103155
Coventry Diocesan Guild0109003910300100540302000000559
Derby Diocesan Association01080013105006003400090610001650
Devonshire Guild031571181514721170021701060000007224
Dorset County Association01045203100000100800000000000080
Durham & Newcastle Diocesan Association0008002020110100330000000000033
Durham University Society0000003000000003000000000003
Ely Diocesan Association11019305300000000770202005001028105
Essex Association03047102620410000840000000000084
Four Shires Guild0100000000000001000000000001
Gloucester & Bristol Diocesan Association1701150713081020010900020100003112
Guild of St Agatha0000100000000001000000000001
Guildford Diocesan Guild0002501820930500440105020000852
Hereford Diocesan Guild0180134032104000007212090200001486
Hertford County Association010272015202201005201802807000053105
Irish Association000500500200100130000000000013
Kent County Association01023504990191010010800000000000108
Ladies’ Guild0100000000000001000000000001
Lancashire Association02018407600260020012800000000000128
Leeds University Society0000000001000001000000000001
Leicester Diocesan Guild01030011103101002101002401800205475
Lichfield & Walsall Archdeaconries Society02017101410200100380304000000745
Lincoln Diocesan Guild0104310524041000010606024117100049155
Liverpool Universities Society0000001000100002000000000002
Llandaff & Monmouth Diocesan Association080710111043020037000101100201451
London University Society000000900120000120003020000517
Middlesex County Association & London Diocesan Guild002341173001000031010410400004677
National Guild of Police Ringers0000101000000002000000000002
North American Guild000020820000000120000000000012
North Staffordshire Association00017101600000000340000000000034
North Wales Association0002002000000004000000000004
Norwich Diocesan Association02024501350210000520800000000860
Oxford Diocesan Guild0302780774029204001540002603901352103257
Oxford Society000110550220200180100000000119
Oxford University Society0001003000000004000000000004
Peterborough Diocesan Guild0202101920810100360000000000036
Salisbury Diocesan Guild0208301100310100290000000000029
Scottish Association0007101410200400290105010010837
Shropshire Association030500500020000150000000000015
Society of Royal Cumberland Youths0211310104502620210017501070000008183
Southwell & Nottingham Diocesan Guild030261033201100300790000000000079
St Martin’s Guild for the Diocese of Birmingham00027044052160031001500000001546
Suffolk Guild1804830532013000011900000000000119
Surrey Association080700700110000240000000000024
Sussex County Association000230294040000042000100100001153
Swansea & Brecon Diocesan Guild0303003000000009000000000009
Truro Diocesan Guild0501190520010200350000000000035
Winchester & Portsmouth Diocesan Guild03020706562121013101310204113001048179
Worcestershire & Districts Association000420710100000150000000000015
Yorkshire Association02059181144404240221029701202802000042339
Sub-total - Affiliated41174721153314969453636041892132171102163556154414926903907
Non Association01043707013142176600026000020100104264
Non-Affiliated060904029211057812201492103612502001075567
GRAND TOTALS41244854164318581186462851127122396911138173826157415127694738

Analysis of Peals by method and change on year

TOWERHANDTOTAL
20142013+/-20142013+/-20142013+/-
Sixteen20+200020+2
Septuples01-100001-1
Fourteen24-220+2440
Sextuples000000000
TOTAL ON 13+ BELLS45-120+2651
 
Maximus
Spliced S2918+111110+14028+12
Other Spliced4936+1325-35141+10
Bristol Surprise6575-10710-37285-13
Cambridge Surprise4761-1454+15265-13
Yorkshire Surprise4249-776+14955-6
Other Single Surprise3436-21213-14649-3
Other521-16710-31231-19
TOTAL MAXIMUS271296-255158-7322354-32
 
CINQUES/MAXIMUS118+311129+3
 
Cinques
Stedman7092-2247-37499-25
Other1511+4001511+4
TOTAL CINQUES85103-1847-389110-21
 
Royal
Spliced Surprise4037+33215+177252+20
Other Spliced43+132+175+2
Kent Treble Bob Royal01-11728-111729-12
Cambridge Surprise787802138-1799116-17
Yorkshire Surprise64640918-97382-9
Bristol Surprise5791-34138+57099-29
London No.3 Surprise3836+276+14542+3
Lincolnshire Surprise1916+3199+103825+13
Swindon Surprise2115+6112216+6
Other Surprise9790+72321+2120111+9
Single Delight2429-523-12632-6
Other2027-71014-43041-11
TOTAL ROYAL462487-25157163-6619650-31
 
CATERS/ROYAL61+501+162+4
 
Caters
Grandsire5960-112-16061-1
Stedman5670-14556175-14
Other36-30036-3
TOTAL CATERS118136-1867-1124143-19
 
Major
Spliced Surprise337330+76672-6403402+1
Other Spliced912-31417-32329-6
Bristol Surprise213231-183424+10247255-8
Yorkshire Surprise167174-74649-3213223-10
Cambridge Surprise105125-202520+5130145-15
London Surprise565601523-87179-8
Lincolnshire Surprise4339+416165955+4
Superlative Surprise4051-111014-45065-15
Lessness Surprise4547-254+15051-1
Rutland Surprise3440-6118+34548-3
Glasgow Surprise2422+201-12423+1
Uxbridge Surprise1715+232+12017+3
Pudsey Surprise1516-147-31923-4
Cornwall Surprise1320-702-21322-9
Dereham Surprise1013-30001013-3
Other Surprise448453-51410+4462463-1
Single Delight132157-2594+5141161-20
Plain Bob3348-156653+1399101-2
Double Norwich Court Bob3436-23303739-2
Kent Treble Bob26-43330+33536-1
Other8267+15814-69081+9
TOTAL MAJOR18591958-99382373+922412331-90
 
TRIPLES/MAJOR30+300030+3
 
Triples
Stedman9182+91621-5107103+4
Grandsire4860-1202-24862-14
Plain Bob1016-60001016-6
Other1513+210+11613+3
TOTAL TRIPLES164171-71723-6181194-13
 
Minor
8+ Methods
Spliced surprise130134-41620-4146154-8
Spliced other2515+1042+22917+12
Surprise6156+5189+97965+14
Other1121-1038-51429-15
7 Methods
    Surprise324335-113534+1359369-10
    Other10297+5710-3109107+2
2-6 Methods
    Surprise2921+8918-93839-1
    Other6569-42013+78582+3
    Plain Bob Minor2936-71121-104057-17
    Cambridge Surprise5068-1853+25571-16
Other
    Surprise2231-9713-62944-15
    Other67-131+298+1
TOTAL MINOR854890-36138152-149921042-50
 
DOUBLES/MINOR43+10043+1
 
Doubles
2+ Methods89115-26108+299123-24
Grandsire1410+410+11510+5
Stedman1019-90001019-9
Other1110+10001110+1
TOTAL DOUBLES124154-30118+3135162-27
 
MINIMUS/DOUBLES03-300003-3
 
MINIMUS416-12000416-12
 
Grand Total39694231-262769793-2447385024-286

Public Relations Committee

This year we were pleased to welcome Giles Blundell, Kate Flavell and Rosalind Martin as new members of the Committee, although we were disappointed that we were not able to find a twelfth committee member to help with our heavy workload. We express our grateful thanks to retiring members Helen Udal, James Forster, Nick Jones and Emma St John Smith. Jackie Roberts was a consultant to the Committee over much of the year in her rôle as Roadshow organiser. Kate Flavell was elected Chairman at the first meeting and expressed her great thanks and appreciation to her two predecessors as chairmen during the previous year, Barrie Dove and John Harrison, who had worked hard for the Committee, particularly in getting arrangements for the Roadshow up and running. Lynne Hughes was elected Secretary and thanks were recorded to Helen Udal for her time as secretary.

Central Council Officers: Andrew Taylor (Hon. Treasurer), Christopher O’Mahony (Vice-President), Mary Bone (Hon. Secretary), Chris Mew (President) and Carol Franklin (Hon. Asst. Secretary)
group of people

The Committee has met at Wellesbourne three times during the year and will meet again in Hull over the Council meeting weekend in May. We have handled our usual collection of ongoing and regular work as well as some specific time-limited projects.

At its meeting in 2014 the Council created the rôle of Public Relations Officer, recognising its need for someone in this rôle. We advertised widely and spoke to several possible candidates but so far have not managed to find the right person. We continue to search and are hopeful of success.

Specific Projects

Roadshow

logo

Jackie was an exceptional choice as Roadshow organiser and deserving of the great thanks and appreciation given to her by this Committee and the whole Council. Council members will be aware that the day was a great success, enjoyed by all who attended. The only criticism we received related to the catering, which was not within our control and which has always been tricky at Roadshows. All major areas of the Exercise and bell ringing trade were represented and Council committees worked hard to demonstrate to all ringers the scope and breadth of help and support to ringing the Council gives. It is impossible to guess accurately how many people will come so the fact that the budget returned a surplus for the Council was a great relief to many.

Sallies on one of the stands at the 2014 Roadshow
sallies

We are keen to book the date for another Roadshow and look forward to working with the Council officers to agree when this might take place.

Magna Carta

logo

We are making a big push for ringing to take place at 3pm on the Grand Ringing Day to mark Magna Carta 800 (Sunday, 14th June 2015). This links well with the Parliament-sponsored LiberTeas, an encouragement to the whole country to hold a tea party to celebrate, debate and reflect on our freedoms and rights. We hope this combination will provide a good basis for publicity for ringing and that ringers will take it up and engender much local publicity and possible recruitment.

FirstPeal2015

logo

2015 is the 300th anniversary of what is believed to be the first recorded true peal (though there may have been earlier ones). We felt this was worthy of wide celebration by the whole ringing community - ringing around the date of the centenary and getting 300 ringers through their first peal (as opposed to around 160 normally). We are planning significant publicity as part of this project. We liaised closely with the Mancroft ringers to ensure that our publicity complemented theirs. We have a logo and are working on FirstPeal certificates with this logo that can be automatically printed from BellBoard, with the Council’s congratulations.

Branding for ringing

logo

There is strong feeling among ringers everywhere, that was confirmed by the regional meetings on the future of ringing, that ringing needs better branding and brand recognition. We have been talking and working with people who might be able to help us on this, running into some difficulty because there is no budget for it. We are hopeful of a satisfactory outcome, recognising that it will take time to get it right.

More general projects

Completed and ongoing work:

The future

The only major anniversaries to focus on during 2016 are the Queen’s 90th birthday in April, which will doubtless be a cause for much ringing and some publicity, and the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, just two days later. We propose to aim more at the annual events during 2016, in particular St George’s Day and the Heritage Open Days, to encourage ringers to open their towers to explain ringing to the world at large and to attract recruits.

We will also be continuing with our work on branding. And we will continue with our general projects listed above.

KATE FLAVELL (Chairman)
JOHN HARRISON (Chairman to July)
GILES BLUNDELL
BRUCE BUTLER
ERNIE DE LEGH-RUNCIMAN
BARRIE DOVE
BEVERLY FABER
LYNNE HUGHES (Secretary)
ROSALIND MARTIN (to February 2015)
MICHAEL ORME
MATTHEW SORELL

The Ringing World, April 24, 2015, pages 433 to 439, corrections October 2, 2015, page 982

International Reports
Australian and New Zealand Association of Bellringers

ANZAB has had a busy year, with new bells opened in Bowral (6, 2-3-0) and others in the pipeline for 2015. The recent strength of the Australian dollar has made a number of projects viable, and we are continuing to see growth in the number of new and refurbished towers in Australia and New Zealand.

Christchurch Transitional Cathedral
building

The bells of Christchurch Cathedral returned from Taylor’s, and fundraising efforts are now underway to build a transitional tower, with the light 6 bells hung for ringing, using shipping containers which have become a popular material as the city continues to rebuild after the devastating 2011 earthquake. Gift Aid donations can be made through the Central Council.

Handbells for the UN International Day of Peace
group of people

In September, Matthew Sorell and Thomas Perrins joined the United Nations Association of Australia to ring handbells on the International Day of Peace atop the Sydney Harbour Bridge with Olympic Champion Sally Pearson.

In October, Adelaide and Wellington each hosted Pip Penney and Gill Hughes for the Integrated Teacher Training Scheme, which proved to be so popular that St Cuthbert’s, Prospect, had to be reconfigured with simulated sound so that a second parallel course could be run in conjunction with the Adelaide Ringing Centre. 10% of ANZAB members have now attended ITTS training days, demonstrating a strong commitment to the sustainable growth of ringing in Australia and New Zealand.

MATTHEW SORELL
President ANZAB

Central European Association

The Central European Association has had a busy and successful 2014 and is looking forward to continued success in 2015 and beyond! There are currently 27 resident members - a mix of local ringers and expatriates - encompassing 7 countries to date, namely The Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland, Norway and most recently Poland! Because we are somewhat geographically challenged, ringing is organized by way of a few weekend gatherings during the year where ringing and socialising takes place in equal measure! Tower ringing mostly takes place at our home base at ’t Klockhuys in Dordrecht, NL, but also on occasions at Die Glockli mini ring at ModautalBrandau in Germany. We are also fortunate to have an experienced and active handbell band based in Germany who have enjoyed considerable success this year ringing advanced methods and training new recruits. We regularly welcome visiting bands from the UK and we are delighted to maintain that connection with the ringing community as a whole and are grateful to them for their help and encouragement. Visiting bands make a huge contribution to our continuing success! We suspect that our visitors enjoy their visits as many of them return again - and again! - enjoying a customary Dordrecht welcome involving not just good ringing but good food, wine and company, not to mention the well established tradition of taking a glass (or several) of Kopke port with the President.

’t Klockhuys bells, Dordrecht
bells

Here are a few highlights of the year:

During 2014 43 peals and 21 quarter peals were rung by the CEA on tower and handbells and it has been a pleasure to watch the progress of our youngest ringers in this regard. Harm Jan de Kok continues to make fantastic progress in both tower and handbell ringing and regularly features in the peal columns ringing peals both in Europe and the UK. He has now confidently conducted 3 peals of Surprise Major (Cambridge, Superlative and Lessness) and we are all looking forward to seeing what he achieves in 2015! Cathy Ockwell rang an excellent peal of 8-Spliced Surprise Major in November 2014, this being only her second peal! Thirza de Kok aged 14 is our youngest ringer and has rung 4 quarter peals for the CEA during 2014, ringing her first in method of Lincolnshire, Cambridge and Yorkshire S. Major. She is steadily working her way through the standard surprise methods! The CEA is proud to have 3 super keen young ringers who have all learnt to ring at Dordrecht and see them make such fantastic progress. Our handbell ringers have also had a productive and exciting year having rung 11 peals including 8-Spliced Surprise Major, 20 Spliced S. Minor and Cambridge Royal. Of particular note was Lorenz Halbeisen’s first peal which was of Double Norwich C.B. Major rung on handbells at Winterthur, Switzerland. Lorenz is a native of Switzerland and he is to be congratulated on his success!

The 8-Spliced Surprise Major peal band, 29th November 2014 (l-r); Margaret Gamble, Paul de Kok, Alban Forster, Harm Jan de Kok, Clive Smith, Cathy Ockwell, Mike Trimm and Rodney Yates
group of people

The CEA also went ‘on tour’ to the UK for some 10 bell ringing focus! In March peals of Yorkshire Royal and Grandsire Caters were rung at Benenden and Maidstone, Kent, followed by a highly successful tour to Scotland in July where a peal of Grandsire Caters was rung at Inverary and 8 Spliced S. Major at Tulloch.

The AGM is always the high point of the CEA calendar and takes place in Dordrecht over the long Ascension Day holiday weekend in May. The 4-day holiday not only enables considerable ringing focus for everyone but also provides for some serious partying at ’t Klockhuys late into the evening with the inevitable beer, wine, port and vast quantities of Dutch cheese on tap until the early hours … this year was no exception and we had a thoroughly enjoyable time! On a more sombre note, however, we were aware that 2014 marked the 70th anniversary of Operation Market Garden during WWII. A group of CEA members took some time out and visited the Oosterbeek War Cemetery near Arnhem where many of the thousands of Allied troops who lost their lives in the ill fated operation are buried. It is known that 3 ringers from the UK are buried here and, using information provided by Alan Regin, the graves were located and handbells were rung at each graveside along with the laying of flowers as a mark of respect. Later in the year a peal was also rung at Dordrecht to commemorate the Anniversary: 5184 Operation Market Garden Surprise Major, 29th November 2014, conducted by Brian Diserens.

For those wanting to know more about the CEA we have a new website up and running - www.change-ringers.eu - and you can also find us on Facebook. Please take a look and “like” our Facebook page: Central European Association! Contact details can be found on the website.

If you are planning on working/studying/ living in Europe and would like to do some ringing - or indeed if you are already here and we don’t know about you - please get in touch! No matter what level of experience you have you will receive a very warm welcome.

MARGARET GAMBLE

North American Guild of Change Ringers

2014 was another busy and productive year for the North American Guild. Annual events included the Quarter Peal Weekend, Vernal Equinox, Seven Towers Festival, Kalamazoo Ringing Weekends, Quebec Ringing Weekend, Illinois Tower Bash, Seattle Anniversary Weekend, Philadelphia’s Birthday BBQ Bash, the NAGCR AGM held this year in Washington, New Castle’s Annual Dinner, Victoria Day and Orleans Ringing as well as many others. These events were held and supplemented by Ring Around Charleston, Toronto’s Ringing Festival and several milestones. Washington’s National Cathedral’s bells 50th anniversary was held in May over the Memorial Day weekend. St Michael’s, Charleston celebrated 250 years of ringing. This meant that there was a lot of traveling for dedicated and enthusiastic ringers. Boston’s Advent rang its 250th peal.

ITTS Course in Philadelphia with Bruce Butler, Michael Tartell, and Paul Heinsdorf
group of people

The first North American Integrated Teacher Training Scheme Module 1 course was held in Philadelphia in July. It was presented by Bruce Butler and Tony Furnivall. There were participants from Shreveport, Chicago, Virginia Theological Seminary and Philadelphia. The usual training courses were held at the Seven Towers Festival and Pittsburgh’s Ringing Course.

Sadly, the NAGCR mourns the deaths of several notable members including Founding and Honorary Life Member Jeff White, from Vancouver; Kathryn Tucker, Marietta/DC, Central Council Representative 2008-2010; Conrad Bratton, Abilene; and Carroll Lentz (Roll of Honor), Princess Anne. Both Conrad and Carroll were influential in the installation of their towers. They and others will be missed greatly.

The Virginia Theological Seminary, in Alexandria, VA, has become our newest tower and we look forward to ringing there and in Rochester, NY, when work on both towers and sound control is complete. An appeal was launched for Nashotah House Theological Seminary, Illinois, to house the bells donated by Mr. Roland Perschon. We also congratulate Toronto on the Smoke Ring, a very ringable mini-ring and the last one cast by Richard Bowditch.

The Guild also expressed its thanks to Madeleine Cheesman at the AGM for her work as President over the past three years and to Theresa Rice, Peal Secretary since 2003.

Please do look at our website for information about up-coming events: nagcr.org and plan a trip to one of more of our towers. We love to have overseas visitors!

BRUCE BUTLER
President, North American Guild

South African Guild

Recently the national news ran a short piece on Bob Cater’s visiting band of ringers. It was the doing of the small band of Cape Town ringers, and was at least a little bit of exposure. There have been reports in the local newspapers too, all toward the same end. The band did score one quarter up here at St. Peter’s School, but lost attempts at the other towers, mainly due to the heat.

Ringing in general is continuing, though here in Johannesburg our numbers are dwindling as yet another couple have retired and moved away. Our loss, however, has been Durban’s gain and they are doing well with their numbers. We still manage to maintain practice and Sunday service ringing, as do all the other towers, but during holiday periods, we may be reduced to 5 at times. This is the same in Cape Town, but again, they soldier on and have made contact with at least one lapsed ringer, which is a bonus. The formation of the South African Guild as an umbrella body with towers being affiliated has worked well, with all except Grahamstown having made an effort to form their local Guilds. In early December, a business meeting was held at short notice in Durban to attend to pressing matters and over a lovely open-air breakfast, the Committee was retained for another year. The 2nd at St. Mary’s, Greyville in Durban has been rehung, after the headstock broke a couple of years ago, and we hope that the treble will also be rehung shortly.

The Transvaal Society is now a Branch of the SAG and will no longer report separately.

RICHARD ROBERTS
Master, South African Guild

Zimbabwe Guild

I cannot comment on ringing in Kwekwe; however we were reminded during 2014 of how cyclical life is when The Ringing World published an article “50 years ago” from the then Salisbury ringers. The basic message was commitment.

In 2015 it seems little has changed: ringers not coming to practice so that the Tower Captain, Teddy Kabwemba, and his 10 year old son who is learning plus 1 or 2 others were the only people there. The situation has not been helped by 2 of the more committed ringers being out of action during the last 2 months of 2014 and into 2015 or by not being advised of other functions making the ringing of tower bells inadvisable. This makes it very difficult for the 2 new learners to progress past Bastow and Plain Bob Minimus or for those who are fairly competent on 6 bells to become practised at Plain Bob Minor, let alone ringing anything more advanced. Nevertheless we have continued to practise on most Sundays and to ring for service on the first Sunday of the month when ringers with other commitments make sure they are available. The Guild Master was in Grahamstown during the 2015 visiting Bob Cater tour and we are looking forward to hosting them here from 1st-3rd February. We would encourage any individuals, families or groups who want to visit Zimbabwe to contact us - we consider this to be a very safe tourist destination and often visit places of interest.

LINDA M. HARWIN

Unpublished

Publications Committee

One new publication, CC Rules and Decisions (2013), was produced during the year.

Six titles were reprinted: The Beginner Handbook, Ringing Circles, Listen to Ringing CD 1, Listen to Ringing CD 2, Teaching Tips and A Schedule of Regular Maintenance.

The following eighteen titles are currently available for download free of charge: Triples and Major for Beginners, Learning Methods, Method Splicing - Practical Hints, Understanding Place Notation, Conducting Stedman, Tower Captain’s Handbook, One way to Teach Bell Handling, Teaching Beyond Bell Handling, Getting it Right - Guidance for Officers of Ringing Societies, CC Rules and Decisions (2013), Giants of the Exercise Vol 2, A J Pitman Biography, Collection of Plain Minor Methods, Treble Dodging Minor Methods, Handbook of Composition, Collection of Grandsire Compositions, Collection of Ten Bell Compositions, Collection of Twelve Bell Compositions. Others will follow.

The New Ringer’s Book, Ringing Circles and Teaching Tips again continued to sell well, and annual sales of all three rose. Sales of Dove’s Guide 10th Edition rose slightly to 250 and the remaining stock is now just under 300 copies.

Three Committee meetings were held during the year, and the usual large number of telephone and e-mail conversations took place. Bulk discounts were offered in March and advertisements were again placed in a number of association reports.

The income from sales rose to £14,800 from £12,150 in 2013, and income exceeded expenditure by £500 after a £1,000 write off of several titles with negligible sales which are now available for free download. At year end the value of stock held was £5,600 and the total cash available was £20,000 after a transfer of £5,000 to the General Fund in respect of Dove’s Guide 10th Edition sales. The fund remains at a level sufficient to finance expected future work. New titles would be particularly welcome as only two small books have been introduced in the last two years.

Excluding the £3,000 cash sales at the 2014 Roadshow, cash sales accounted for about 50% of receipts, BACS transfers about 33% and PayPal transactions (since May) about 17% at year end. However, the volume of PayPal sales steadily increased as more people became aware of the new facility. The introduction of our PayPal facility has proved to be trouble free and a great success. On current trends the percentage of total receipts from PayPal is expected to rise significantly in 2015.

Derek Jones has again been closely involved with our work in a consultative capacity, and we thank him for his contributions.

JOHN COUPERTHWAITE (Chairman)
PHILIP GREEN
PETER MACKIE
BERYL NORRIS
BARBARA WHEELER
JAN WYATT

Stocklist at December 31st 2014

TitleSales to
31 Dec 2014
Stock at
31 Dec 2014
New Ringers Book524288
Beginners Handbook113250
Towards Better Striking405
Raising and Lowering8317
Ringing Jargon Made Easy3012
Beginners Grandsire10995
Beginners Plain Bob138130
Doubles and Minor for Beginners399
Triples and Major for Beginners2532
Ringing Circles501337
Ringing Basics for Beginners38127
The Learning Curve Vol 11827
The Learning Curve Vol 217161
The Learning Curve Vol 314152
The Learning Curve Vol 415181
Listen to Ringing CD 1/CD241/4220/13
Beginners Guide to Change Ringing on Handbells23123
Change Ringing on Handbells2191
Learning Methods02
Standard Eight Surprise Major3815
Method Splicing714
Understanding Place Notation210
Will You Call a Touch Please, Bob?50141
Service Touches57222
Conducting Stedman2856
A Tutors Handbook13146
Tower Captains Handbook50
One Way to Teach Handling932
Teaching Beyond Bell Handling16154
Teaching from Rounds to Bob Doubles974
Kaleidoscope Ringing7391
Teaching Unravelled2295
Starting a New Band850
Teaching Tips652502
Towers and Bells Handbook12115
Schedule of Regular Maintenance81258
D-I-Y Guidelines5141
Organising a Bell Restoration Project9831
Sound Management766
Splicing Bellropes5770
Change Ringing History Vol 1/Vol37/7143/158
Centenary History of the Central Council172
Giants of the Exercise Vol1/Vol23/5156/33
A J Pitman Biography5117
Dove’s Guide 10250295
Belfry Offices544
Organising an Outing822
Belfry Warning Notices135
Church Towers and Bells527
CC Rules and Decisions 2013026
Getting it Right6113
Judging Striking Competitions6919
Stedman Compositions410
DVDs1017

The following titles are available for download free of charge: Triples and Major for Beginners, Learning Methods, Method Splicing - Practical Hints, Understanding Place Notation, Conducting Stedman, Tower Captain’s Handbook, One way to Teach Bell Handling, Teaching Beyond Bell Handling, Getting it Right - Guidance for Officers of Ringing Societies, CC Rules and Decisions (2013), Giants of the Exercise Vol 2, A J Pitman Biography, Collection of Plain Minor Methods, Treble Dodging Minor Methods, Handbook of Composition, Collection of Grandsire Compositions, Collection of Ten Bell Compositions, Collection of Twelve Bell Compositions.

Committee for Redundant Bells

Achieving a happy result with regard to redundant bells seemingly requires ever increasing amounts of patience, both in respect of individual schemes and more so in respect of the administrative and statutory procedures concerning redundant churches and, consequently, redundant bells. The momentum previously achieved with the Church Buildings Council and the Church Commissioners has stalled principally because the staff with whom we had previously dealt, who had considerable sympathy with bell projects, have moved on and cuts in staffing have meant that it has been difficult to maintain progress in negotiations and discussions. However, we press on in the hope that there might be sudden achievement.

Our hope of achieving precedents whereby a ring of bells may be removed to another church from one facing redundancy - without having to wait until the church is closed and the redundancy scheme formalised - remain in being and negotiations continue in respect of two rings of bells jointly with the Keltek Trust which may achieve the revival of this precedent.

The Committee has had 37 cases under active consideration during the year. Some are of long standing - such as Hanley where the plans to enable the bells to be rung again as a ringing centre are still active and being pursued but dependent on funding and battling through lots of red tape. In other cases, the prospect of rings falling silent through the churches becoming redundant has faded as change of personnel mean that the drive towards redundancy abates and the church continues in use. In other cases a church has been declared redundant and fortunately a suitable alternate use has been found - usually with some sort of church dimension - and ringing can continue albeit on a limited basis.

There are still a couple of churches that are likely to go to residential use with the bells still at the church and the Committee is endeavouring to keep a close watch on these cases to try and ensure that the bells remain available to be rung.

Finally, there has been a success or two in enabling bells housed in a closed redundant church where the future of the church still remains uncertain to continue to be rung during the redundancy.

The Committee has been able, particularly through the good offices of Tim Jackson, to be able to keep track of developments at all the redundancy cases that have rings of bells and it is to be hoped that, in conjunction with the Keltek Trust, cases where bells are bricked up in redundant churches and are unable to be rung will be avoided.

The Committee had two further meetings during the year and met informally and by ‘virtual’ meetings.

ROBERT COOLES (Chairman)
TIM JACKSON
JULIAN NEWMAN
HELEN WEBB
DAVID WESTERMAN
ROBERT WOOD

Ringing Centres Committee

Last year our report indicated the proposals of the Committee to fulfil its new terms of reference. A small amount of progress has been made in this but much further work is needed.

Last year, we mentioned work undertaken by guilds and associations around the country which was largely unacknowledged other than within their own territorial areas. We are happy to advise when requested of the effectiveness and format of courses and training days at all levels even if run at a very low level and information about the frequency and level of all courses would be useful information for us to hold together with an assessment of their ultimate benefit. We continue to invite such enquiries and information.

Confirmation of Safeguarding and Health and Safety policies are now part of our formal requirements for recognition. We now seek details of insurance cover for both students and teachers. We have not developed any system for assessing each centre in a way acceptable to ourselves which is accurate, fair and avoids centres filing returns and creating unnecessary administration both for the centres and ourselves. Visits by Committee members for assessment purposes have been seen as very expensive and not necessarily giving a true indication of the merits of a centre where students and tutors alike can change from week to week. However, we feel that some ability to judge the effectiveness of a centre would be beneficial to the centre and possibly to intended students.

The annual returns were sent out at the beginning of 2014 and follow up contacts were made where forms were undelivered or returned being the result of changes in personnel not being forwarded to ourselves. Amendments were made as necessary to our data base as a result with other amendments as notification has been received.

The News Sheets intended to be issued have not been produced as planned due to other commitments and a need for interesting items. We seek to put this right with new members after the 2015 Council meeting. We still see communication between centres as an important part of our work even though centres are, more than before, communicating directly with each other and frequently have other contact via ART. Two of our members are very involved with ART and ITTS. We do not have any formal relationship with either ART or ITTS but receive feedback and, within the limits of our terms of reference, are willing to help when requested.

The review of web-pages is an on-going matter. Not only do we wish to ensure that our own pages are up-to-date but also those of the various centres with their own pages do not contain old or inaccurate information. We are reliant on centres dealing with their own pages and as we do not always know when some of the details for a centre changes, we can only remind centres to look at their own position.

One new innovation from the Committee was the introduction of Facebook pages in the summer of 2014 which obtained a membership of nearly 100 in a matter of weeks. It continues to provide a means of support, help and communication between individuals concerned or interested in teaching.

We had a small presence at the Roadshow in Newbury which was useful in a number of enquiries concerning possible new centres being made with us and suggestions being made by us as to their implementation and also giving us the opportunity for us to meet with a number of individuals otherwise unknown to many of us, who presently run centres.

A Ringing Centre ‘Toolbox’ is intended to be developed to assist in the establishment and running of centres made up of individual sections dealing with different aspects which can be added to the box when completed. There has been little progress on it since that time but it is still on the agenda needing attention. In addition, we feel that it is important to develop the ability of young ringers to teach in centres and we need to encourage centres to encourage young ringers to come forward for this and for centres to use them for their courses with a view to them taking greater responsibility for future courses and the management of centres. However we do not hold details as to the tutors used in many of the centres and at present have no ability to monitor any changes in this.

We have not met in person as a Committee other than briefly before the Council Meeting in 2014 and have relied on Skype as a means of getting together. The Committee members are spread over a large area and travelling costs for a meeting somewhere midway would be large, even if arranged when our one overseas member was somewhere nearby. However it appears that not all Committee members have access to Skype and those that do are not always available for meetings. We plan to meet immediately before the 2015 Council meeting but would also need to meet afterwards if possible to agree a means of meeting with any new members of the Committee.

NORMAN MATTINGLEY (Chairman)
PHILIP BAILEY
ALAN BENTLEY
LESLIE BOYCE
ROBERT BROWN
PAUL MARSHALL
ROBERT RICHARD NEWMAN
PIP PENNEY
MATTHEW SORELL

Ringing Trends Committee

ELVA AINSWORTH (Chairman)
MARK AINSWORTH
TONY FURNIVALL
DAVID GRIMWOOD
TIM PETT
DEBORAH THORLEY
ANDREW WILBY (co-opted)
Consultant:
JENNIFER HOLDEN

Towers and Belfries Committee

Three meetings were held during 2014: two at Evesham and one at Leamington. Our thanks go to those members and organisations who/which have provided facilities for us. At the 2014 Central Council meeting Peter Bennett and Mike Banks were no longer members of Council. Tim Collins and David Kirkcaldy retired by rotation. Tim Collins, Alison Hodge, David Kirkcaldy and Colin Ward were proposed and elected to fill the vacancies. We place on record our thanks to Peter and Mike for their work whilst members of the Committee and for their continued support during the past twelve months.

James Clarke had previously indicated that he wished to stand down as Committee chairman. At our first Committee meeting following the Council AGM, Tim Collins was elected to serve as chairman assisted by Bernard Stone who agreed to act as Committee secretary.

During the year the Committee provided maintenance courses for the Hertfordshire Association and the Bedfordshire Association. Our thanks go to the local ringers who helped set these up, and to George, Adrian and Bernard, who gave instruction. We were also present at the Newbury Ringing Roadshow with a useful display of items that created a useful talking point. As a consequence of the display we were able to provide advice on various subjects raised during the day.

We gave advice or guidance to a number of towers during the year; some by correspondence and some following a site visit. Two of the enquiries were from Australia. The subjects covered included tower stability, internal and external sound control, electrical safety, correcting odd-struckness, augmentation and rehanging.

At the first of our meetings at Evesham we were joined by Chris Mew and at Leamington we were joined by David Beacham who had indicated that he wished to place his mechanical tower movement sensor (Wobblemeter) into the hands of the Committee for safe keeping. The Wobblemeter, complete with a fitted case, was duly presented and Chris Povey was appointed as the custodian. We were also pleased to welcome Andrew Preston to this meeting.

David Beacham at Leamington with his ‘Wobblemeter’
man

Our new Maintenance Handbook is proving to be a major undertaking and is still work in progress. We are also working on additional information sheets for various subjects: bird exclusion, staircase handrails, ringing room lighting, power and heating, bell and clock chamber lighting and power, and contract management. It became apparent that following changes to Health and Safety requirements a revision was required to some of the information displayed on the Committee website and this is now in hand. Our series of occasional maintenance hints entitled “When did you last do it?” have now been placed on our website and we are working to expand the content to cover additional items.

It is with deep regret that we have to record the passing of Adrian Semken. His work for the Central Council and in particular this Committee was of the highest order and he will be sadly missed.

At the 2015 Council meeting we have a total of four vacancies, following the death of Adrian Semken and with three of our members retiring by rotation. We are always keen to recruit suitably qualified new members who have personal experience of bellhanging and maintenance or with engineering or architectural qualifications and experience. With this in mind we draw Council members’ attention to the Committee’s wish to recruit members from the north of England. We have none from anywhere north of Nottingham.

TIM COLLINS (Chairman)
ROLAND BACKHURST
JAMES CLARKE
GEORGE DAWSON
ALAN FROST
ALISON HODGE
DAVID KIRKCALDY
CHRIS POVEY
DAVID ROSKELLY
ADRIAN SEMKEN
BERNARD STONE (Secretary)
COLIN WARD
Consultant: GORDON BREEZE

Tower Stewardship Committee

Introduction

Throughout the past year, the Tower Stewardship Committee has continued to offer lay guidance in the general areas of tower management within the wider community. This report gives brief details of activities undertaken over the past twelve months. The Committee meets at least once per year, and conducts the majority of its business by electronic communications.

Safeguarding

With the help of Chris Mew (President, CCCBR), the Committee keeps abreast of developments in the area of safeguarding. Close liaison is maintained with the safeguarding authorities of the Church of England. The Church of England is in the process of publishing a two page summary document “Safeguarding in Towers”. This will be a joint document by the Church and the CCCBR. It is also noted that our Guidance Note 3 has been reviewed, and is up to date, and available on our website. This document includes a statement regarding the rehabilitation of ex-offenders.

The Committee, with major help from Chris Mew, continues to be on the front foot in this area, seeking clarifications from central government and the House of Bishops, which are then articulated clearly to ringers through The Ringing World. Associations and towers have also been given assistance with queries about local safeguarding requirements and interpretation.

The Committee has offered advice in a number of areas, both to towers and associations. It has been noted that not all associations have appointed a Safeguarding Officer. This is an important function, and those associations which do not have such an officer are strongly encouraged to appoint one.

Insurance and Ringing

The Committee has responded to a variety of queries related to insurance and ringing over the past twelve months. These include questions about coverage of bellringers by churches’ insurance policies, as well as association public liability and personal accident cover. We can comment generally although we cannot give legal advice. In many cases, our ongoing dialogue with Ecclesiastical Insurance Group informs our advice, and enables us to feedback concerns, as that group is the insurer for the great majority of churches with bells, and a number of associations. Guidance Note 1 is currently being revised.

Tower Safety and Risk Assessment

While there have been no regulatory changes noted in the past 12 months, we have been reviewing our Guidance Note 4 to ensure it reflects the up-to-date state of regulations.

The Committee maintains regular contact with Ecclesiastical Insurance Group. This proactive communication helps ensure a commonsense approach to tower safety. The very low incidence of claims involving bells and bellringers not only helps to keep insurance premiums down, but is also a testament to a very positive culture of safety awareness among the ringing community. Some welcome news from Ecclesiastical is a significant reduction in metal thefts from churches.

Noise, the Law and the Environmental Health Officer

Last year the CCCBR Noise Complaints service acted on a number of occasions. It was noted that most of these requests for help involved church clocks, rather than change ringing bells. Alan Chantler continues to provide a rapid and effective response service for towers receiving complaints.

Data Protection

The Committee have now published Guidance Note 8 Data Protection and Bell Ringing. All associations should be aware of the requirements of data protection, as it applies to the personal data they hold. All ringing associations should familiarize themselves with the principles and rules summarized within this Guidance note.

Website

Peter Trotman assists in keeping an up-to-date and fresh look for the Committee’s work. All Guidance Notes can be found there, along with any supporting documents and guidelines; all reports to Council are there, and contact details of all Committee members. Cross-referenced links are good, enabling visitors to find our material through a variety of links.

Guidance Notes

A key aspect of the Committee’s remit is the production and review of a set of Guidance Notes. These are reviewed annually, and are available via the Central Council website, as follows:

https://cccbr.org.uk/towerstewardship/

Conclusion

The Committee is well served by the wide range of skills, qualifications and experience brought by members. The Tower Stewardship Committee is very open to suggestions and recommendations from all areas of the Central Council regarding our remit, our communication methods and any other component of our work.

ERNIE DE LEGH-RUNCIMAN (Chairman)
ALAN CHANTLER
PETER KEMP
CHRISTOPHER O’MAHONY
JAMES SMITH

Bell Restoration Committee

Meetings

The Committee met three times in 2014: in London in February, briefly at Headcorn in May during the Council weekend, and in London in October.

Events

Newbury - Peter Wilkinson introduces the seminar
group of people

The highlight of 2014 was undoubtedly the Ringing Roadshow on 6th September. Good contacts were made and have been followed up. All the new jigsaw puzzles were sold, together with all the reprints. This was very encouraging as the profit goes to the CCCBR Bell Restoration Fund. John Barnes’s seminar for representatives of PCCs with unringable bells or those planning restoration was very successful with over 25 attendees. Advice has been given on several of the projects represented. For full details please see John’s report in The Ringing World of 5th December 2014 on pages 1232/3.

Newbury - on the BRC stand (l-r): Ian Oram, Peter Wilkinson, Pat Albon and John Barnes
group of people

Whilst in Hereford in October, John Barnes arranged a meeting for local PCC representatives. With an attendance of 22 it was useful for all the parishes and Hereford Guild members represented.

Grants

No grants were made from the CCCBR BRF in 2014 due to the lack of funds, but £10,000 of the donations held for Christchurch, New Zealand, has been paid to Taylors. A legacy has now been received so grants will be made in 2015.

The Fred Dukes Fund made 2 grants in 2014: £2,600 to Camden, NSW, and £400 to Chicago (Riverside). One application has been received for 2015.

Advice to parishes

The Ffoenix software is very out of date and cannot be updated so other methods of searching for funds are being investigated. John Barnes has again been very active providing fund raising assistance and ideas to parishes.

Membership

John Barnes, Ken Davenport and Chris Rogers will stand down as the 2015 rotation and will be available for re-election. The Committee still has a vacancy and it is hoped that we can recruit someone with experience/ skill in the areas of charities and Gift Aid.

Terms of Reference

The Committee’s Terms of Reference have been discussed and members are satisfied that the current Terms do not need expanding to cover other areas.

Future work

Work planned includes a regional seminar on bell restoration, to be held in Somerset in September. A survey of association/guild bell restoration funds was suggested and has been discussed at length in Committee. It was felt that no useful purpose would be served by conducting such a survey at this stage as there is no evidence to suggest that available funds are not being used. The Committee would be one of those involved in the proposal for the Top 100 Restorations, a project similar to the English Heritage “100 Treasures” initiative, targeting 100 projects to restore significant unringable peals of bells.

PETER WILKINSON (Chairman)
JAY BUNYAN (Secretary)
PAT ALBON
JOHN BARNES
KEN DAVENPORT
PETER KIRBY
IAN ORAM
CHRIS ROGERS

Criteria for allocating CCBRF grants and loans

1.0 Applications will be considered for the following:

1.1 Restoration or augmentation work to existing bell installations, or the provision of new bell installations, in any country in the World where the bells are, or are to be, hung for full circle ringing.

1.2 Costs of structural and other ancillary work integral to the bell installation will be considered when these are in addition to work on the bell installation.

1.3 Loans or guarantees (when funds allow) to the bell restoration funds (BRFs) of societies affiliated to the Central Council, where the trustees may wish to make offers or promises of future grants in excess of the money currently available in their funds.

2.0 Offers of grants, loans or guarantees will normally be made from the Fund only if:

2.1 Support and approval for the project are to be given by the local ringing society, and

2.2 Support and approval for the project are given by the PCC or other appropriate authority, and

2.3 There is in place an existing band of ringers or the project plans include a firm commitment to recruit and train a band, and

2.4 Consideration has been given to the need to include any form of sound control within the project specification.

Priorities

3.0 Priority will normally be given to applications as follows:

3.1 High priority will be given where there is an existing band of ringers and the bells are in imminent danger of becoming unringable.

3.2 For augmentations priority will be given to projects to restore or provide a ring of 5 or 6 bells.

3.3 Projects with a total cost of less than £5,000 will have low priority.

Administration and Operation

4.0 The Bell Restoration Committee (BRC) will be responsible for administering the Fund. It will normally operate as follows:

4.1 Grants, loans and guarantees will be allocated after advertising in The Ringing World, and elsewhere if appropriate, for applications to be made. Offers will be made and will remain open for two years and then lapse. No payment of a grant will be made until the work has been carried out satisfactorily and the bill presented. The intention is for money in the fund to be used rather than accumulated, but no offers of grants, loans or guarantees will be made if no suitable applications are received.

4.2 As far as possible a balance will be struck so that grants, loans and guarantees are spread geographically and socially, and in proportion to the types of applications received, spread of centres of ringing and any other relevant factors. Also a balance will be struck among grants, loans and guarantees in approximate proportion to the requests received, but with each batch of applications assessed on their own merits.

4.3 Loans or guarantees will be subject to written agreements, with repayments unlikely to be over a greater period than two years, although shorter periods will be encouraged. The BRF’s ability to repay will be assessed before any loans or guarantees are offered. It is not intended that interest will be charged.

4.4 The BRC may consult as necessary before offering any grant, loan or guarantee, including inviting comment from other parties, such as the local society affiliated to the Central Council.

4.5 Appeals against decisions of the Bell Restoration Committee will be determined by the Trustees of the Central Council. Such appeals must be made in writing to the Secretary of the Central Council within 3 months of the initial decision being made and the Trustees will then consider the application afresh.

Biographies Committee

The Committee met at Bearsted in May and at Radley in September. Wendy Graham, Henry Coggill and Bill Butler stood down in May and David Jones and Deborah Thorley were elected as new members. Bill Butler was subsequently appointed a consultant.

Work continued to put more biographic records on line. Thirty two were added during 2014 bringing the total on the website at the year end to 903. More will be added early in 2015. Stuart Piper of the ICT Committee supports us by managing all aspects related to the website. In due course, all records available to the Exercise on the web will also have an archival paper copy.

We conducted a survey of the additional information held in envelopes attached to the historic paper records.

The first twenty articles in Bill Butler’s Prolific Peal Ringers series are now on the website. More will be added after they appear in The Ringing World (twenty three were published by the year end). We have begun creating records of early ringers based on the material in John Eisel’s books Giants of the Exercise, which will extend the time span of the record collection much earlier than the formation of the Council. The first of these will be added in 2015.

Researching and creating records continues as a core task, in support of which we maintain records of current and former Council members together with other salient information. Much of the information we hold is on paper but we increasingly receive digital information.

We had a (what we believe is our first) stand at the Roadshow, which generated significant interest and made useful contacts. We believe that for our work to support the Council’s objectives we need to go beyond merely creating and recording information and to be more proactive in bringing it to the notice of ringers and historians. Accordingly we reviewed our terms of reference and will propose a change to broaden them.

We have begun research on current and former ringing societies. In future we intend to provide lists of members who represented each, with links to their individual biographic records as an alternative way to access the records. Our aspiration to provide online submission and access to biographic information about ringers is still awaiting upgrade of the Council website.

Future plans include:

We are grateful to all those who have helped us by providing information and we look forward to working with other people who are interested in ringing history or researching the history of their societies or local ringers.

Members and former members of the Council who died in 2014 are:

JOHN HARRISON (Chairman)
RICHARD ANDREW
PATRICIA HALLS
PATRICK HICKEY
DAVID JONES
BOBBIE MAY
MARGARET ORAM
DEBORAH THORLEY
DAVID WILLIS

Compositions Committee

The Compositions Committee stand at the 2014 Roadshow (l-r): Paul Flavell, Tim Jackson and Richard Allton
group of people

The Compositions Committee hold regular conference calls and are in contact by email.

During the year, the following submissions were published in The Ringing World:

The Ringing World diary compositions were updated in conjunction with the Methods Committee and further reviews will be made for the 2016 diary.

The key work of the Committee is to maintain and update the web collection of peal (22,937 as at 22 Jan 2015) and quarter peal (1,597) compositions and to encourage new submissions, particularly from aspiring composers who we have tried to encourage as much as possible. Many thanks to all our contributors for their wide variety of compositions. We are now including date touches and touches of special length (e.g. 1,914-1,918, 2015, 2016) in the quarter peal collection, so this makes the web collection a valuable resource for ringers everywhere.

This means that over 1,900 peal

compositions and over 200 quarter peals were uploaded to the website in twelve months, meaning on average we process over 40 compositions per week. Our particular thanks go to Richard Allton and Don Morrison for undertaking this as compositions are submitted in a number of formats from spreadsheets to written paper and these have to be carefully entered and checked for accuracy and truth.

The web collection is a continually expanding database of all types of compositions, and the ICT Committee have instigated a formal back up of the data on to the CCCBR Amazon Web Services Account on a daily basis, with a separate snapshot stored on a monthly basis.

The easy access of online compositions means there now appears to be little demand for printed books. It is difficult to justify the work required to produce and publish new books of compositions.

It may be possible to produce pdfs of existing composition books or from the web collection and we will be looking into this.

Stephen Beckingham has written a paper on producing the best 1,280 and a website with the results http://bex280.x10.mx/ and is looking at ways of expanding the data.

The current goal of a small number of gifted composers is to produce methods and compositions that produce the maximum available runs of four or more bells, seemingly the more complex the better, whilst lesser mortals are content to provide compositions of standard methods and compositions for one off methods.

Breakthroughs in composition tend to be discussed on ringing theory chat lists, reducing the necessity for detailed reviews in The Ringing World. However, despite offers to The Ringing World by the Compositions Committee to check and prove compositions prior to publication, we are concerned that compositions that have not been checked or proved by us continue to appear in The Ringing World in letters or articles. We can therefore take no responsibility for compositions not supplied by the Committee.

Most composers appear to be self-taught. We met several composers at our Roadshow stand, shared with Peal Records and Byroc, in Newbury and offered encouragement and help to young aspiring composers including Andrew Rawlinson and George Salter.

Prior to his illness, Roger Bailey was collating a collection of handbell compositions for the Committee. Peter Blight has now taken on the responsibility to update and maintain this collection which can be found at http://www.ringing.info/handbell-collection/.

The Committee would like to welcome Stephen Beckingham and George Salter to the Committee.

Finally, to reiterate, we very much welcome submissions of new peal, quarter peal and special length compositions and these should be sent to compositions@cccbr.org.uk.

PAUL FLAVELL (Chairman)
RICHARD ALLTON
STEPHEN BECKINGHAM
FRED BONE
STUART HUTCHIESON
GEORGE SALTER

Education Committee

Since the Council meeting in 2014, the Committee has held two full meetings, being one face to face at Wellesbourne in Warwickshire, plus one by phone conference. This year we welcomed two new members: Tim Hine (North Staffordshire Association) and Lucy Hopkins Till (Oxford Diocesan Guild).

The Committee has continued with a range of initiatives, which includes some which are owned mainly within the Committee itself and an increasing number which involve liaising with other groups both inside and outside the Central Council, who are involved in ringing education and training in some form. That reflects the Committee’s new Terms of Reference, agreed at the last Council meeting.

The Committee continues to co-ordinate closely with the Association of Ringing Teachers (ART). Members of this Committee are involved as Mentors, Tutors and Management Committee members. In addition, some materials continue to be jointly developed between the two, including the further development of the Ringing Practice Toolkit.

We also liaise with a number of other groups, by our members being part of the Council’s committees for Ringing Centres, Public Relations, Ringing Trends, Towers and Belfries and the Change Ringing for the Future group, plus The Ringing Foundation and the Whiting Society. In addition, we co-ordinated with the Publications Committee on their initiative to make more publications available online. All these together inevitably mean some people are stretched, which is being considered going forward through the committee size.

We had a good presence at this year’s Ringing Roadshow, co-ordinating with ART on adjacent stands. We contributed both a Listening Seminar, plus a stand with a variety of features, including new videos and popular wallcharts for sale.

We have continued to develop and deliver the Listening Course, with new materials now incorporating both the Abel and Beltower software packages, plus the Central Council Listening CDs. We are underway with making this new course available in an easier to use package, so it can be downloaded and delivered locally, which we expect to be in place later this coming year.

The Conduct 5040 scheme (becoming support4u2conduct.org) continues with a modest number of new participants. In conjunction with this, ART have developed a new conducting training course, with help from a variety of prominent conductors, which it is hoped will provide more candidates for this mentoring scheme.

This year has been one of transition for the Committee, as we have seen a change of Secretary and Treasurer, with Lucy Hopkins Till and Susan Welch taking over for the coming year. A big thank you is recorded to Geoff Horritt and Brian Sanders, respectively, for their many years of work in these important posts.

Many people have assisted the Committee with its work and we extend our thanks to them all, particularly Frank Lewis for helping to maintain all the information on the Committee’s web pages, plus relatives and friends who helped at the Ringing Roadshow.

Looking forward, the Committee plans to put together a package of training on Leadership for Ringing (in conjunction with ART and other Council members) and to write a Teaching Manual in book form, plus further work on new ringing videos (liaising with a North America initiative).

DUNCAN WALKER (Chair)
GEOFF HORRITT (Secretary)
BRIAN SANDERS (Treasurer)
JAMES BLACKBURN
TONY FURNIVALL
TIM HINE
LUCY HOPKINS TILL
GILL HUGHES
CATHERINE LEWIS
PIP PENNEY
DAVID ROSKELLY
SUSAN WELCH

Information and Communications Technology Committee

The increase in the Committee’s membership in 2014 has allowed the rôle of Webmaster for the CCCBR website to be shared by Andrew Hall and Peter Trotman, removing its former sole dependency on Peter, and has also permitted them to start preparatory work on the migration of the website to the Joomla! Content Management System.

Further examples of the Committee’s work include:

We remain grateful to Aidan Hopkins for administering our website server, and to members of the Education, Library and Peal Records committees for the maintenance of their sections of the website.

Plans for the coming year:

PETER TROTMAN (Chairman)
FRED BONE
ALAN CHANTLER
ANDREW HALL (Co-opted)
PETER HARRISON
STEPHEN NASH
STUART PIPER
DAVID RICHARDS
LEIGH SIMPSON

Library Committee

logo

The Ringing World DVD 1971-2000: we hope this will be available for sale at the 2015 Council meeting. Thanks go to Paul Johnson for undertaking yet more work to complete the set. Earlier DVDs are advertised on the Library Publications page of the Council website (www.cccbr.org.uk/library/pubs/).

Order and Disorder publications: John Eisel has continued to research and collate newspaper reports from 1830 onwards. As the century proceeded there was an enormous increase in the number of reports of ringing, and this has caused logistical problems. The intention is that the third volume will cover the period 1830 to 1839, material for which has gone through a first editing stage. As more sources became available, it is inevitable that unpublished material from earlier times was discovered, and this will be included in two appendices. The next stage is for the book to be laid out, and when this has been done, quotes can be obtained for printing the volume. The previous volumes are still available and are listed on our Publications page.

Fabian Stedman: a new biography of Fabian Stedman was published by the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography on 25 September 2014, and this includes new material written by John Eisel. The Exercise is indebted to John for all his research that he shares with us and through The Ringing World.

The front and reverse of the bookmark produced last year
bookmark front bookmark reverse

Two Committee meetings were held in February and October and we met briefly at our sales table at the Maidstone Council meeting and the Ringing Roadshow where we ran a busy stand. Alan Glover sold the remaining duplicate books and Linda Foddering produced an attractive bookmark to draw attention to the services we offer. Meanwhile Paul Johnson demonstrated the Bell News and Ringing World DVDs on his laptop enabling people to see the products before buying.

At the Maidstone Council meeting the Committee size increased to six (plus the library steward) and we welcomed Sue Marsden (Ely Diocesan Guild and a professional librarian) to the Committee.

Sue is going to help with the online catalogue. Linda assists with administrative matters, such as minutes and the Friends Newsletter, and Jenny runs the packing and despatch department for Order and Disorder publications, promotes library matters on the Council’s Facebook page and is very useful at events like the Ringing Roadshow!

Collaboration with other committees: we work with the Biographies Committee on various practical matters and are planning a joint Outreach Day in February 2016. We liaise with Alan Baldock re the Felstead database.

We are grateful to the Friends of the Library for their subscriptions, which endorse the work the Library Committee undertakes. Also, nineteen people have taken up the offer of Life Membership. Ian Self is the Friends co-ordinator.

The accounts are submitted to the Council Hon Treasurer and, following checking by the independent examiners, appear in summary in the Council’s accounts. They are also published in the annual Newsletter for the Friends of the Library, whose subscriptions fund projects such as printed publications and DVDs. The annual grant received from the Council towards maintenance of the Library has been waived for 2014 only. This will be shown in the 2015 accounts and arises from the surplus made from selling duplicate copies of books. Copies of the accounts are available on request from Ian Self.

William Willans has kindly written an interesting Essay (No 22 in the series) entitled: “The Rambling Ringers Club, Nov 29 1733” to accompany the newsletter sent to the Friends. We are most grateful to John Eisel for writing twenty essays for us, which are available on our website.

2014 saw steady use of the library with eighteen items being borrowed and seventy-four queries dealt with by sending scans or written replies.

Last year the question of a secure home for the library’s second set of bound copies of The Ringing World was mentioned. This was solved with the help of Michael Williams, a former member of the Library Committee. The volumes are now safely ensconced in the Music Library in Oxford’s Bodleian Libraries. They can be consulted in Oxford, subject to the normal reader’s ticket requirements. It is hoped this location will be more convenient than Shropshire for some potential users.

During the year the John Taylor Bellfoundry Museum, and the Board of Bell Foundry Collections Ltd, decided to rebind their very nearly complete set of Church Bells,a church paper which ran from 1870 to 1906 and which always published some news of, and comment on, bells and bell ringing. Through the good offices of Chris Pickford, the Library Committee was given access to the disbound copies of the paper enabling good quality scans to be made of all the bell related material. These had to be made ‘in-house’ as the relevant material had to be identified within each issue. This varied in amount and layout from week to week and would have required a commercial scanner to scan the entire output. We contributed just over £1,000 to the cost of disbinding, resewing and rebinding the 37 volumes involved, the money coming from our Friends’ subscriptions. The scans are now available on our website at https://cccbr.org.uk/library/olpubs/.

We have made a little more progress in filling some of the gaps in our archive of annual reports. Helen Foster, Charles Reede, Imelda Byrne and the Taylor Foundry archive are among those who have provided very useful reports. Many guilds and associations send a copy of their annual reports to the Library as a matter of course, and to these we are grateful. Other secretaries or report editors are not so helpful and an increasing amount of time is spent pursuing and purchasing these important links in our contemporary archive.

The Librarian has made a plea each year for help in locating some of the key missing reports, and each year some have been secured, so here is this year’s wish list.

Librarian’s wish list

We also have a large number of duplicate annual reports. If you need one or more to complete a set, it might be worth enquiring of the Librarian (librarysteward@cccbr.org.uk).

The ringers of St Mary’s, Reigate, kindly offered the library a bound set of Campanology, an offer which was gratefully accepted. They are looking for a home for a few more items, in order to free up space and see the books in the hands of someone who will make use of them. They are:

  1. Church Bells 1871-1872 Two years’ bound copies of the publication. Damaged spine and loose front board

  2. Church Bells 1873-1874 As above, but in better condition.

  3. Church Bells 1872-1886 Selected copies only bound into a single volume. Front cover slightly damaged.

  4. The Bell News and Ringers’ Record 21.xii.1895 - 25.xii.1897. Two years’ bound copies.

If you are interested in any of these four items, please contact Ed Stonard directly at es@reigategrammar.org.

The Librarian’s current task is to update the catalogue to prepare it for going online. John Eisel’s 2002 catalogue and its 2007 update have served us well, but the time has come for a major revision, incorporating all the additions to the collection, including the non-book items. Many of the books do not fit easily into only one of the classes we have used, so these have been revised and more cross referencing between the classes introduced. Most of the basic work has been done and it is hoped that the catalogue will go online in an interim form early in 2015. This will probably consist of a series of searchable pdfs - one for each class. We will then invite corrections and suggestions for improvements before an online database is produced.

2015-16 Work Plan:

Two members of the Committee will be retiring at the Hull Council meeting.

STELLA BIANCO (Chairman)
ALAN GLOVER (Library Steward)
LINDA FODDERING
PAUL JOHNSON
JENNY LAWRENCE
SUSAN MARSDEN
IAN SELF

Report of the Stewards of the Carter Ringing Machine Collection

2014 has been an interesting year. As an experiment, we took out separate insurance for the Carter machine which allowed us full cover, not limited to the Taylor Museum as in previous years. This has enabled us to feel free to undertake visits and demonstrations at other locations. It also allowed us to bring the machine home for maintenance and training purposes. We propose to make this the standard approach for coming years.

James Blackburn has taken up his post as Steward and he has been enthusiastic to try out various other methods on the machine. This has proved fairly successful, and we have rung touches of a variety of methods. We have been able to overcome some of the problems we have had in the past, though it seems unlikely that the machine will ever reach a high level of reliability, given that some parts are showing slight signs of wear.

During the year we have undertaken three demonstrations. In June we took the machine to St Silin’s Church, Llansilin, where it was enthusiastically received, despite being unable to ring Grandsire on the day. About 30 people attended. In August the machine was taken to St John the Baptist church in Blisworth for the local Canal Festival. This was a two-day event during which occasional short demonstrations were given. Many of the visitors to the village for the Festival came into the church and a number were intrigued by the machine. The third outing was to the Ringing Roadshow at Newbury Racecourse. During the course of the day many people visited our stand and were delighted to see the machine ‘in the flesh’, having heard about it but never having had an opportunity to see it performing.

At all three outings the machine displayed its usual unpredictability, sometimes behaving really well, then for no apparent reasons being unable to perform correctly. At Newbury in particular it showed a tendency for the drive motor to overheat and require cooling-off periods. This is probably due to this being the one time when it was ringing continuously for long periods of time.

At all three outings we also displayed the Mark 16 Cummins Electronic Ringing Simulator. So far this has proved to be the only one of the Cummins machines in the collection to be operational. It always behaves well, and is a valuable fall-back when the Carter machine decides to misbehave. As we lack detailed documentation of the other machines it seems unlikely that these can be made to work without extensive work. Due to other commitments neither of the Stewards is likely to be able to devote the necessary time to undertake this in the foreseeable future.

For the future, we hope to be able to undertake a few outings in 2015. At the time of writing this report nothing has been arranged, but we are currently working on two minor projects: one is to arrange for the Cummins machine to operate the Carter bells, while the second is to use modern technology to arrange for the Carter machine to ring on the carillon at the Taylor Bell Foundry.

BILL PURVIS
JAMES BLACKBURN

Report of the Steward of the Rolls of Honour

The two original Memorial Books are kept in their display case at St Paul’s Cathedral along with the new Great War Roll of Honour; they are in good condition and the pages are regularly turned. The original Great War Book records 1207 names, the new Great War Book records 118, with 15 more soon to be added, and the WWII Book 300 names.

Now that the 3 books are stored in a display case originally designed to hold the two original books they are very tightly packed and I will be investigating what can be done to extend the display case over the coming months.

The digitisation project of Great War Rolls of Honour in their care undertaken by the authorities at St Paul’s Cathedral mentioned in my report last year has been completed and it is hoped that we will receive digital copies of the two Great War Rolls of Honour shortly. We plan to have this linked to the Rolls of Honour website.

There have been a number of corrections made to the entries on the Rolls of Honour website pages and the 15 recent new finds have now been added. Peter Trotman has continued his work on making these corrections and updates and I am most grateful to him for this.

The first of the “Rolls of Honour” commemorating those who fell from 26th August 1914 to 31st December 1914 appeared in The Ringing World dated 8th August 2014, with photographs of a number of ringers who died during the conflict. I am most grateful to Yvonne Cairns for supplying additional information about many of those listed and to Geoffrey Dorling for his work ensuring that the photographic images were of the highest standard.

Further “Rolls of Honour” have appeared in The Ringing World, one on 2nd January 2015 giving details of those who fell during January 1915, another on 6th March 2015 giving details of those who died during March 1915, and the most recent one, on 27th March 2015, giving details of those who died during April 1915. All articles included a number of photographs of individuals, graves and memorials. Future ones will appear over the coming months. In addition, where possible, I have contacted local ringers encouraging commemorative ringing, and am very pleased to be able to report that many have been commemorated on or very close to the centenary of their death, I am most grateful to all those ringers who have taken part. Some guilds and associations have coordinated efforts to assist with these commemorations and I would particularly like to thank Ellen Crabtree who is co-ordinating this for those who were Durham & Newcastle DA members. I hope ringers will continue these commemorations.

In addition, an article appeared in The Ringing World of 7th November 2014 which wrote about the 6 ringers commemorated in Vermelles British Cemetery, which is situated north west of Lens in Northern France.

Many towers commemorated the centenary of the start of the First World War and I am most grateful to those who contacted me about this ringing.

During July 2014 I was very pleased to travel with a group of College Youth members and friends to visit graves and view memorials where College Youths members are commemorated. During this visit Simon Meyer, College Youths Master, laid a wreath as part of the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ieper (Ypres). I was able to attend the commemoration service in Salisbury Cathedral arranged by the Salisbury Diocesan Guild. This was a very moving and well attended service at which the names and towers of all fallen SDG members were read out.

As always I am grateful to ringers and others for supplying information, particularly Robert Wellen from the Salisbury Guild who has done considerable research to identify more names from his area, Alan Seymour who continues to research those from Sussex, and to David Underdown for his continued work researching those who came from the Surrey Association area.

ALAN REGIN

Report of the Stewards of the Dove Database

If, as a Council member, you are wishing to quantify the demanding amount of work that the Dove Stewards undertook during the course of 2014 (in terms of effort constantly needing to be expended), it is quickly summed up as follows: 843 updates to the information that we show against a ‘Dove entry’, and 894 to the prototype-National Bell Register (pNBR) information. Moreover, those figures of course do not take into account work on amending the design of the underlying database as new requirements emerge.

The number of Dove entries, and the changes that occurred during 2014, are summarised as follows.

RingsUnringable
as at 1 Janas at 31 Decchangeas at 1 Janas at 31 Decchange
16s330000
14s220000
12s137138+1000
10s2742740220
9s110000
8s18861889+34039-1
6s29152922+786860
5s608605-3134140+6
4s319317-2151150-1
3s990985-55705700
Total71357136+1983987+4

The primary source for such information change is our ‘ringing public’ and we continue to be grateful to those who are vigilant and notify us when they spot some piece of information that they believe we should know about. It is even better when they also provide us with guidance as to their data source for that necessary change. We trust that such correspondents will feel that the service they receive - by way of acknowledgement and consequential updated entry - justifies the effort expended on their part. Some of them are regular, and some exceedingly vigilant, and both such groups rightly keep us on our toes!

This year we wish in particular to thank Alan Buswell for his ongoing work in supplying details of various Gillett and Johnston bell installations from their tuning records. Although this has proved to be a time-consuming exercise for all involved, particularly as some of the data are now over 100 years old, this has proved invaluable in allowing us to continue improving the coverage within the pNBR. We look forward to working with Alan in 2015 to continue with this exercise.

Notable developments during the year also saw us keeping abreast of Peter Dyson’s work on the identity and the working periods within the lists that we have for founders. Diocesan boundary changes in Yorkshire (Bradford, Ripon and Leeds, and Wakefield have all disappeared as distinct entities, and with a very few exceptions their parishes moved to the newly designated Diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales) had to be coped with in the early part of the year. Also John’s son (Sid) produced a second version of his excellent Dove’s Guide mobile app for iOS and which uses the ‘Dove data file’ which we update on an almost daily basis.

Taken together, all the above represents no small amount of work, and is - as all information shown on the internet exemplifies - only too prone to what one might refer to as ‘finger trouble’ (e.g., typos, careless errors, inconsistencies, lack of clarity). We divide the work between us roughly (but not rigidly) on the basis that John deals with the bulk of the e-mails and database content updates, while Tim is meticulous in checking everything for credibility and consistency - which is no small task.

We continue to provide access to the raw data that underpins the Dove database to those who request it. We are particularly pleased this year to report that these data are now also being used by BellBoard to facilitate consistent entry of place name, dedication, and tenor weight when submitting peal and quarter peal performances.

We are both fairly anxious to find successors in the role of Dove Steward and, as we have indicated on more than one occasion, time is running out and the urgency for new help really does grow greater every day. We make no apology for emphasising that the underlying database needs a complete revamp using a modern approach for it is surely only a matter of time (possibly measured in months rather than years) before the DOS-based product which is currently in use (DataEase) will cease to run on Microsoft Windows. MySQL would seem to offer a way ahead and we will happily liaise with, and do as much as we can to assist, anyone who feels that they have the necessary skills, time, and initiative to undertake this task … as well as maintaining the quality of data which has been paramount in our approach.

JOHN BALDWIN
TIM JACKSON

Rescue Fund for Redundant Bells

The full name of the charity is:- CENTRAL COUNCIL OF CHURCH BELL RINGERS RESCUE FUND FOR REDUNDANT BELLS

The charity is not incorporated. The constitution derives from rules adopted on the 29th May 1979 (amended on the 26th May 2008) and registered with the Charity Commission on the 22nd October 1979. The Charity’s registration number is 278816.

The principal address of the Charity is that of the secretary namely:- 8 LEBANON GARDENS, LONDON SW18 1RG.

The principal object of the Fund is to advance the Christian religion by the rescue of redundant bells for the purpose of their being rehoused elsewhere for ringing in churches.

The Trustees of the Fund are the members of the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers Committee for Redundant Bells namely:-

R. J. Cooles
T. Jackson
J. Newman
Miss Helen Webb
D. Westerman
R. Wood

The Honorary Secretary is: R. J. Cooles

The Honorary Treasurer is: Helen Webb

Annual Report: 2014

The Committee has not ‘rescued’ any rings of bells during the past year but has continued to use its own funds to assist the Keltek Trust Rescue Fund to enable the joint funding to finance the acquisition of bells otherwise at risk and for those bells to be reused elsewhere. As last year this has enabled the Trust funds to actually be used during the year for the rescue of various bells rather than just idling in a bank account.

It has therefore helped both organisations achieve their objectives.

It is some years since the Trust has had to request those ringers who are prepared to lend money to the Fund in case of need to support the work of the Trust. The Trust’s own finances have been sufficient to meet cases of need but the Committee remains grateful to those who continue to leave their offer on the table from year to year.

R. J. COOLES (Honorary Secretary)
HELEN WEBB (Honorary Treasurer)

Rescue Fund for Redundant Bells

Registered Charity No 278816

Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2014
2014 2013
Incoming resources
Interest receivable20.6728
Every Click (= donations from ringers)19.8282
Donations1,000.000
Refund040
Resources expended
Payments00


Net incoming resources1040.49150
Balances at 1 January 201413,721.0013,571
Balances at 31 December 201414,761.4913,721
Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2014
Current assets
Loan to Keltek Trust Rescue Fund8,500.008,500
Cash in bank and on deposit6,261.495,221


Total current assets14,761.4913,721
Current liabilities00


Net current assets14,761.4913,721
Funds
Unrestricted14,761.4913,721

HELEN WEBB
31 March 2015

The Ringing World, April 24, 2015, pages 439 to 448, corrections October 2, 2015, page 983

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