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ANNUAL REPORT AND NEWSLETTER OF THE

ANCIENT SOCIETY OF

COLLEGE YOUTHS

MAY 2012

UK11 tourists at Hereford Cathedral: (l to r) Ross Finbow, Ander Holroyd, Rusty Walters, Duncan Large, Tim Barnes, Eddie

Martin, Ann Martin, Chris Jarman, Mary Clark, Cecily Rock, Rick DuPuy, Mike Harrison, Eric Trumpler, Quilla Roth, Greg

Russell, David Ockwell, Eve Munns, Simon Linford, Mae Ellis, Alan Ellis, Peter Brown, Justin Read.

The last year has been an eventful one for the Society. Last

year’s Newsletter reported on the highly successful tour of

Australia, led by the Master, Phil Goodyer. Once back in the United Kingdom, Phil’s energy continued to manifest

itself in a variety of ways, taking us through to the 374th

Anniversary Dinner. His peal ringing travels took him to

the ‘best’ ring of 12 in England (did he mean Bolton?),

Scotland, Wales, Ireland, the USA and Canada, drawing

together locally-based members and visitors. At the same

time, he ensured that there was a strong focus and good

ringing and fellowship at our weekly practices in London.

The Country Meeting is an important event in the annual

calendar. In August, the Society was welcomed to

Sheffield in grand style by Simon Reading and his team. The focal point of the weekend was the dinner in Cutlers

Hall, with specially brewed beers, attended by over 120

members and friends. General ringing took place at both

cathedrals in Sheffield, and eight peals were scored over

the weekend.

Over the two weeks before the Country Meeting, the third

of Simon Linford’s tours for overseas members took place.

UK11 attracted over thirty members from Australasia,

North America and continental Europe. The group

convened in Exeter, and moved gently through the

Cotswolds to Birmingham, where there was a pause for the

Evesham Cup competition. This took place at Aston Parish

Church, where an International ASCY band competed

against ASCY bands from London, Birmingham, York,

Towcester and Hampshire. The complicated contest –

with heats, semi-finals and a final – was eventually won by

the York band, mainly because they had drunk less beer than Birmingham. UK11 then went on towards Sheffield,

taking one day out for a day trip to London, before joining

the Country Meeting for a final weekend. Like its

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predecessors, the tour was an excellent chance for

members to renew and strengthen friendships with

colleagues from across the world. It was also successful in

extending opportunities for advanced ringing. As Quilla

Roth summed it up in her elegant report, “As we return

home and share what we’ve learned, the impact of the

Society’s outreach is felt literally around the world.” The good news is that Simon is already hatching plans for the

next tour, to be held in August 2014.

The final of the National Twelve Bell Contest was held at

Leeds Parish Church, a noble heavy twelve which pose a

challenge even to the strongest of bands. For the third year

in a row, the Society’s band achieved third place, close

behind outstanding performances by Birmingham and

York. Pudsey Surprise Maximus was quietly dropped from

our repertoire as soon as the contest had taken place. The

2012 final will take place at Melbourne (Derbyshire) in

June, but for the first time in many years there will be no ASCY band taking part. An under-par performance in the

eliminator contest at Aston in March left the Society’s

band trailing behind good pieces of ringing by Bristol,

Leeds and Exeter, and rather wishing they had managed to

take up the offer of a practice visit to Aston before the

contest.

The Society was also placed third in the London Twelve

Bell competition, having won the previous two in fine

style. The departure of a large number of regular members

for a glittering wedding in Cambridge may have had something to do with this.

There were 221 successful peal attempts in the year from

November 2010 to November 2011, with over 450

members taking part. 22 of these peals were on Peal

Weekend in mid-September. Full details of these are set

out on pages 6 and 7. Highlights included the first peal of

Spliced 16 on a cyclic plan, peals in Australia and the USA

for peal day by largely or wholly resident bands, and the

two simultaneous peals of 23 Spliced Surprise Major to

mark composer Stephen Chandler’s 60th birthday. More recently, there was a double peal (10560 changes) of

Bristol Surprise 16 in January, and the first peal of Cyclic

16 with all the work for each of the 16 bells (a 16-part

composition with the first part-end of

890ETABCD1234567). The fact that the long peal of

Bristol 16 was also Paul Mounsey’s 1000th peal with the

Society was a happy coincidence.

The 374th Anniversary Dinner took place at the Guoman

Tower Hotel on November 5th, and this brought together

352 members and guests for an excellent evening. The

Dean of Westminster, in his excellent speech as our principal guest, wondered why the dinner started so early,

but soon saw that the emphasis on conviviality required

the formal proceedings to finish promptly, and the bar to

remain open late. The toast to the Society was proposed

by the Honourable David Bleby, a Society member for 46

years. David’s heavy responsibilities as a Justice of the

Supreme Court for South Australia and as Chancellor of

the Diocese of Adelaide have never prevented him from

playing a leading role in Adelaide ringing, and welcoming

many UK ringers to his city. This was his first opportunity

to attend our annual dinner, and we enjoyed his well-

judged speech. Making his last speech as Secretary, John

Hughes-D’Aeth played up to his nickname as The

Headmaster (reflecting his warm and patient motivational

style), and reported on the Society’s activities during the

previous year. He concluded with words of advice to his successor, set to music, with accompaniment from Chris

Kippin at the keyboard (see page 14).

A few days after the dinner came the November business

meeting, when there were major changes to the makeup of

the top table. David Maynard succeeded Phil Goodyer as

Master, having served as Junior and Senior Steward in the

previous two years. Graham Bradshaw was duly elected

Senior Steward, and Simon Meyer won a closely contested

election for the post of Junior Steward. John Hughes-

D’Aeth retired from the role of Secretary after seven

hugely successful years, and was replaced by David House. John will doubtless become an active member of

the past-secretaries club, which is ever present at our

business meetings! Chris Ridley handed over the role of

Librarian to Dickon Love after a seven year period of

office during which he had overseen the move of the

library from St Paul’s Cathedral to St Sepulchre, and

significantly overhauled it. Paul Mounsey was elected

Trustee to fill the vacancy left by David House.

Phil Goodyer’s year in office was full of excitement, with

trips to Australia, the USA and Canada, as well as Dublin, Edinburgh and Barrow-upon-Humber. At the same time,

he managed Tuesday practices with aplomb and was a

calm chair of our business meetings, and we owe him a

debt of gratitude. His successor, David Maynard, has

begun to build upon Phil’s legacy, and his aspirations for

his year as Master are set out elsewhere in this Newsletter.

David House

John Hughes-D’Aeth joins the past secretaries’ club

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MASTER’S MESSAGE 2012 by David Maynard

David Maynard is installed as Master by Philip Goodyer

Years later, as the Master's badge was placed around my neck, I remembered the day my father first took me to see

London. I had been particularly interested, even then, in

seeing the places where the Society practiced, and vividly

recall my feelings of wonder to be standing outside the

very tower doors through which the great and the good

disappeared to perform their magic. I had stood there and

marvelled, and wondered if I would ever have the privilege

to become a member myself and ascend those hallowed and well-worn stairs. Some time passed, and once again I

experienced that same feeling of awe and proximity to the

great and the historic when I eventually ascended the stairs

at Cornhill to attend my election meeting practice, and

later that same evening when I was ushered forward

between rows of expectant faces to shake the Master’s

hand. One of the great things about the Society is that it

means different things to different people, and accommodates and welcomes a rich variety of

perspectives, approaches and ideas. This is often a fluid

and deeply personal concept, difficult to put into words or

convey effectively in all its nuance and subtlety to other

people. When I accepted the responsibility of leading the

Society for a year, a responsibility so perfectly represented

by the physical weight of the Master’s badge, I drew a

deep breath, reflected on the confidence which the membership had placed in me, and attempted to explain

what the Society meant to me. For me the Society is about

excellence and about opportunity and has a long and noble

tradition of both.

The institution of Tuesday night London practices is

crucial to this, and lies at the heart of what the Society

does. It is a platform for the pursuit of excellence, and an opportunity for members to hone their skills, inspire and

be inspired. Inspiration feeds aspiration, and the regular

quest for first class ringing can fire the imagination of the

next generation of members. As everyone who has ever

run a practice will know, this is not an easy balancing act,

and there is no such thing as a magic bullet to deliver top

quality ringing and provide opportunities for progression. From this perspective, almost halfway through the year, I

would say that this focus on and approach to Tuesdays is

bearing fruit. Practices have been consistently well

attended, and the quality of ringing has been (with a very

few exceptions) good or very good. The range of practice

night methods has grown to include Zanussi, Ariel and the

occasional foray into the wilds of Orion Maximus (the

principle), as well as the established repertoire of Bristol, Stedman and ORABS. Each practice, I have tried to put

on a showcase touch to demonstrate what we are all

aiming for, as well as providing opportunities for less

experienced members to benefit from developmental

touches. One particularly pleasing phenomenon has been

the large number of members who have made the effort to

learn new methods and have acquitted themselves well in

ringing new things to a high standard. I have and intend to continue to consolidate this through a structured

programme of special practices and peals.

November 2012 will see the Society celebrating 375 years.

While this isn’t as significant an anniversary as the 350th

or the equidistant 400th anniversary, it is a particular

honour to lead the Society in this anniversary year. It is

intended that the anniversary dinner will be something a little more special than usual, while falling short of the

major celebration intended for 2037. I appreciate that

London in November is perhaps not a very attractive

prospect for some of our members, but it would be fitting

if this anniversary dinner could be marked with a

particularly strong attendance. 2012 is also a special year

for London, and the Society will be playing a leading role

in the ringing to mark the Diamond Jubilee of HM The Queen in June, with ringing taking place at Society towers

and on board a specially constructed barge that will lead

the river procession. The Society is at the forefront of the

planning and preparation for ringing to mark the Olympic

and Paralympic Games. Peals will be rung at Society

towers for each of the marathons and for other significant

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events. As well as marking these significant occasions, this will hopefully showcase ringing to a huge

international audience, and raise the profile of what we do.

Too often ringing is heard and not seen, and most people

are unaware of what we do. Television coverage of

ringing for major national and international events is a key

way to raise awareness of the continuing relevance of our

ancient art.

The summer will also see the Society hold a Country

Meeting in York, with the usual peals, general ringing,

socialising and a dinner in the elegant and recently

restored De Grey Rooms. A full programme has been

planned by the York members and I would encourage as

many members as possible to come and join us for what

will be an excellent weekend. An Informal Dinner, and an event with “the other Society” are both planned for

May, so it promises to be a busy and eventful summer!

375 years have seen significant change for the Society, but

it has also stood for continuity and remained true to

tradition amidst the turmoil of a rapidly changing world.

One particularly pleasing development has been the strong

membership profile from outside London and beyond the UK. I am sorry not to be able to follow in the footsteps of

many recent intrepid Masters and visit as many members

around the world during the year, but I intend to continue

to visit members within the UK and extend a very warm

invitation to all members to get involved in some sort of

Society activity, however small, to celebrate 375 years of

excellence and opportunity.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS AND INFORMATION FOR MEMBERS

COUNTRY MEETING

This year's Country Meeting is to be held on Saturday 21

July in York. Our thanks to the York ringers for inviting

us and to Peter Sanderson who has been busy making all

the local arrangements. As is now customary, a

programme of peals is being arranged around York over

the weekend, with attempts planned on the Thursday,

Friday and Sunday. If you would like to take part, please

contact the Junior Steward, Simon Meyer (junior.steward@ascy.org.uk). On the Saturday there will

be general ringing at various towers around York,

including The Minster. Full details of the weekend can be

found on the Society's Web Site.

RINGING FOR THE OLYMPICS

As reported in a previous newsletter, the society is

coordinating the ringing of peals along the route through The City of London of the marathon on the three Sundays

when they will be run (5 and 12 August and 9 September).

The Society is providing a band on each of these occasions

(St Magnus, Bow & St Vedast respectively) and other

bands have been arranged to cover the other attempts with

many members either involved in or arranging these

attempts. This idea seems to have been greeted with

enthusiasm and most of the arrangements are now in place.

It is pleasing to see so many members wishing to be

involved. We hope for some sparkling ringing as it will be

broadcast across the world.

We are also producing what we hope will be interesting

information on the bells, ringers and attempts to give to

broadcasters to enable them to provide meaningful

commentary on what we will be doing.

If there is anyone who would like to be involved in an

attempt who is not already then please contact the Junior

Steward as soon as possible so that he can try to include

you.

PEAL WEEKEND

We designate the third weekend of September as peal

weekend, which this year falls on 14, 15 and 16

September. Last year, we managed to ring 22 peals, and

suffered one or two slightly embarrassing losses. Our

Junior Steward, Simon Meyer, will shortly be contacting

those who have organised attempts in recent years, trying

to make sure that we have a good range of attempts

arranged throughout the UK and abroad. If you are planning to organize an attempt, please let Simon know.

He will be pleased to try to broker arrangements between

organisers and those who would like to be placed in an

attempt (junior.steward@ascy.org). Even if you are not a

regular and enthusiastic peal ringer, this is the weekend to

make an exception.

OUT OF TOWN PRACTICE As in recent years, we are intending to hold one of our

Tuesday night practices outside our usual stamping ground

of the City of London and Southwark. This will be at St

Alban’s Abbey on Tuesday 31 July from 7pm to 9pm. The

details will appear on the web site as soon as they are

agreed, and there will be a reminder in the Secretary’s

monthly e-mail to members.

375th ANNIVERSARY DINNER

The Society's 375th Anniversary Dinner will take place on

Saturday 3th November. It will again be held at the

Guoman Tower Hotel, close to Tower Bridge. Tickets

may be purchased using the enclosed order form. The

seating plan will consist of round tables of 10. Members

are invited to make up tables and to encourage

“occasional” and prospective new members to join them.

Accommodation at the Tower and other hotels in the area

is available at competitive rates through Reservations

2000. For details please contact them on 020 8547 0601, quoting the Society, or obtain an online booking form by

e-mail (res2000@res2000.co.uk) or from the Web Site.

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SUPPORTING THE BELL FUND

The Ancient Society of College Youths Bell Restoration Fund, to give it its full title, is a registered charity with the

number 282626. It was set up under the auspices of the

then Society Treasurer, Air Commodore J S (Stan) Mason

and registered on 1 July 1981. Its objects are “to advance

the Christian religion by providing assistance to Churches

where [the Society] has a major interest, for the purpose of

maintaining and improving their bell installations by

making grants to them”. The term “major interest” is open to interpretation but it clearly implies a close past, present

and/or anticipated future connection with the tower

concerned. It has generally been taken to apply mainly to

those churches in Central London where the Society

practices plus, occasionally, others where there is a

particularly strong link. An example of the latter is

Brereton in Cheshire, family seat of the Society’s first

Master, William Lord Brereton.

In its early days the Fund was largely concerned with

raising money for the restored and augmented ring of bells

at St Sepulchre, Holborn Viaduct, which was successfully

installed in 1985. More recently, major projects have

included donations of £15,000 for the sharp second at St

Giles Cripplegate, £30,000 towards the new ring at St

Magnus-the-Martyr and £14,000 to buy the 11th bell at St Michael, Cornhill. Smaller donations have been given to

St Katharine Cree, St Sepulchre and St Lawrence Jewry.

The fund has accepted responsibility for financing “routine

non-faculty maintenance” at Cornhill and St Giles,

Cripplegate, in return for collecting tower donations at

these churches. On average this costs the Fund about

£1,000 per tower annually, partially or entirely funded by

donations.

The Fund’s principal source of regular income, about

£3,000 per annum, is the Friends of the Bell Fund Scheme,

whereby Members donate an annual sum (minimum £40)

to the Fund. UK tax payers can boost the sum donated by

giving under the Gift Aid Scheme. Friends of the Fund are

excused steepleage when they attend the Society’s

practices in London. Most of the Friends are London “Tuesday Nighters” but donations are also received from

Members based away from London. One particularly

generous Member has donated £500 per annum in recent

years but smaller gifts are also very welcome. Other

sources of income are the pence box circulated at Society

Meetings and tower donations. In the late 1990’s an

initiative was launched by Past Master David Hilling and

SRCY Past Master Alan Regin to sell prints and Christmas cards of the H E Tidmarsh picture “Oranges and Lemons”.

The Society’s BRF benefited from half the proceeds, over

£12,000. .

Possible future projects include major work at St Giles,

Cripplegate to correct the difficult go of the bells and a

contribution to the planned re-hang of the bells at

Southwark Cathedral. If any Member would like to support the Fund’s work they are invited to contact the

Treasurer, Phil Rogers (treasurer@ascy.or.uk, or 0208 778

6308).

MEMBERSHIP PROPOSALS

The Society is committed to the pursuit of excellence, and

welcomes proposals for new members who share that commitment, either in person at a business meeting or by

letter or e-mail to the Secretary. In each case, a proposer

and seconder are required. Proposals should be

accompanied by the full postal address (including post

code) of the candidate, and should set out clearly the

rationale for the proposal, which will normally include an

account of the candidate’s ringing career to date and an

assessment of their future potential. The future of the

Society depends upon the recruitment of good new

members, and we strongly encourage existing members to

seek out suitable potential recruits.

Membership proposals are considered carefully and

critically at our business meetings, where all members

attending have a vote on each proposal. The fact that

proposals are made at one meeting, while the actual

election takes place at the next or a subsequent meeting,

allowing members time for reflection, demonstrates the

importance the Society attaches to the election process.

The Society chooses not to set out detailed criteria for

membership in its rules. (The requirement to have rung at

least a quarter peal is a longstanding requirement to make it clear that the Society does not elect non-ringing

honorary members, and is not an indicator of the level of

experience or expertise we seek).There is nevertheless a

common understanding that we are seeking to attract the

best ringers of each generation. Membership of the Society

is rightly seen as a privilege accorded only to ringers who

have reached an excellent standard or who otherwise

command respect in their local area. This obviously

means excellent striking, and the determination to avoid

mistakes. Most of those elected will be familiar with the

standard surprise repertoire, and many will be comfortable with ringing on higher numbers of bells where their local

opportunities permit this. The primary requirement,

though, is not the ability to ring methods of great

complexity, but to reach and maintain high standards of

striking and method ringing. We also want those elected as

members to enjoy and contribute to the fellowship which

the Society offers.

Members planning to propose candidates are welcome to

contact the Secretary for an informal discussion. It is in

any event useful to have advance notice of membership

proposals. Ideally at least one of the sponsors should be a long-standing and active member of the Society.

Statements of support for the candidate from other

members in the local area may also be helpful. Candidates

and their sponsors are encouraged to be present at their

election meeting if possible, but we recognise that distance

will rule this out in some cases.

Every new member is entitled to receive a copy of the

Society’s History on his/her election. The membership fee

is a (once only) amount of £40, payable on election.

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THE 221 PEALS RUNG IN 2010/2011 compiled by Richard Allton, Peal Recorder

Date Tower Method Cond

10/11/10 Birmingham, S Paul 5040 Spliced TP Minor (56m) JSW 13/11/10 London, S Magnus the Martyr 5016 Spliced Maximus (6m) JNH-D 13/11/10 Painswick, S Mary V 5040 Swindon S Maximus JC

16/11/10 Bishopstoke, S Mary 5057 Littleport Little S Royal RL 19/11/10 Whitley Bay, S Paul 5152 Yorkshire S Major AMB

20/11/10 Westminster, S Martin-in-the-Fields 5016 Spliced Maximus (2m) BJC 26/11/10 Burnley, S Peter 5000 Bristol S Royal RL 27/11/10 Manchester, Cathedral 5040 Triton D Royal BJC

27/11/10 Leyland, S Andrew 5040 Spliced S Royal (4m) EPDC 28/11/10 Tamworth, S Editha 5000 Bristol S Royal RL 04/12/10 Chipping Sodbury, S John Bapt 5088 Lessness S Major JRR

04/12/10 Birmingham, Parish of S Martin 5040 Cyclic Spl.d Sixteen (6m) DJP 07/12/10 Bishopstoke, S Mary 5040 Bristol S Royal EPDC 11/12/10 Ripon, Cathedral 5042 Spliced TD Maximus (5m) DJP

12/12/10 Luton, S Mary 5042 Cambridge S Maximus RL 18/12/10 London, S Magnus the Martyr 5042 Rigel S Maximus PNM 23/12/10 Bishopstoke, S Mary 5040 Spliced S Royal (5m) RL

23/12/10 (H) Little Milton, Boundary House 5040 Stedman Doubles JNH-D 28/12/10 Ross On Wye, S Mary the Virgin 5152 Spliced S Major (23m) ALM 29/12/10 City of London, S Lawrence, Jewry 5024 Spliced S Major (10m) AJG

01/01/11 London, S Magnus the Martyr 5042 Cambridge S Maximus SAC 07/01/11 South Petherton, SS Peter & Paul 5040 Stedman Triples APB

09/01/11 (H) Longthorpe, Vicarage 5088 Bristol S Major WSC 20/01/11 South Croydon, S Peter 5055 Stedman Caters TFL 23/01/11 (H) Longthorpe, Vicarage 5120 Spliced S Major (8m) WSC

29/01/11 City of London, S Michael, Cornhill 5100 Cambridge S Maximus JNH-D 29/01/11 Worcester Cathedral 5042 Cambridge S Maximus PJS 30/01/11 (H) Godmanchester, Old Post Office 5088 Bristol S Major MGP

30/01/11 Huntsham, All Saints 5376 Ulceby S Major FMSS 01/02/11 Bishopstoke, S Mary 5040 Spliced S Royal (6m) RL 06/02/11 Kingston Upon Thames, All Saints 5042 Bristol S Maximus AJG

06/02/11 (H) Longthorpe, Vicarage 5120 Spliced S Major (3m) WSC 12/02/11 London, S Magnus the Martyr 5090 Spliced Maximus (5m) SC 13/02/11 Cheapside, S Mary-le-Bow 5055 Stedman Caters SC

13/02/11 Goulburn, S Saviour 5040 Cambridge S Maximus JC 14/02/11 Brisbane, Cathedral 5042 Yorkshire S Maximus PR 15/02/11 Brisbane, Cathedral 5040 Bristol S Maximus JNH-D

15/02/11 Wagga Wagga, S John 5056 Superlative S Major RL 17/02/11 Geelong, S Paul 5088 London S Major WNGH 17/02/11 Melbourne, Cathedral 5042 Cambridge S Maximus JNH-D

18/02/11 Hobart, Cathedral 5040 Cambridge S Royal BHT 19/02/11 Goulburn, S Saviour 5060 Stedman Cinques JNH-D

20/02/11 Sydney, S Philip,Church Hill 5088 Bristol S Major TMP 20/02/11 Sydney, S James 5088 Cambridge S Major AWRW 20/02/11 Sydney, S Benedict 5040 S Minor (8m) RL

21/02/11 Sydney, S Mark,Darling Point 5056 Yorkshire S Major PR 21/02/11 (H) Chesterfield, The Vicarage 5056 Yorkshire S Major TJH 21/02/11 Sydney, the Basilica of St Mary 5042 Cambridge S Maximus JNH-D

22/02/11 (H) Sydney, St Andrew's Cathedral 5058 Yorkshire S Major JNH-D 22/02/11 Sydney, Cathedral of S Andrew 5007 Stedman Cinques MJU 22/02/11 Sydney, S Paul 5058 Lincolnshire S Major PR

23/02/11 Sydney, S James 5184 Turramurra S Major JAA 27/02/11 Adelaide, the Town Hall 5152 Spliced S Major (4m) PR 28/02/11 Walkerville, S Andrew 5040 Minor (7m) RL

28/02/11 Adelaide, SFX 5040 Cambridge S Maximus RCK 01/03/11 Prospect, S Cuthbert 5088 London S Major DEH 01/03/11 Adelaide Cathedral 5056 Yorkshire S Major JNH-D

03/03/11 Claremont, Christ Church 5040 S Minor (7m) IPH 03/03/11 Mandurah, Christ's Church 5088 Bristol S Major NB

03/03/11 Perth, Swan Tower 5042 Cambridge S Maximus DEH 04/03/11 Perth, Swan Tower 5058 Yorkshire S Sixteen JNH-D 12/03/11 Liverpool, Pierhead 5026 Spliced Cinques / Max (2m) MRE

18/03/11 Ellisfield, S Martin 5040 Stedman Doubles TA 21/03/11 Swanage, S Mary V 5120 Spliced S Major (4m) TFC 21/03/11 Cheapside, S Mary-le-Bow 5021 Stedman Cinques PNM

03/04/11 (H) Longthorpe, Vicarage 5120 Spliced S Major (8m) WSC 04/04/11 (H) City of London, St Magnus 5088 Yorkshire S Major DGM 07/04/11 Burghill, S Mary 5152 London S Major FS

09/04/11 Saffron Walden, S Mary V 5009 Stedman Cinques MJU 09/04/11 Cheapside, S Mary-le-Bow 5040 Cambridge S Minor MAB 09/04/11 London, S Magnus the Martyr 5007 Spliced Cinques / Max (2m) MJC

11/04/11 (H) City of London, Jewry, Church 5024 Kent TB Major DGM 13/04/11 Towcester, S Lawrence 5042 Cambridge S Maximus RIA 16/04/11 Moulton, SS Peter and Paul 5040 Bristol S Maximus BJC

16/04/11 London, S Magnus the Martyr 5400 Stedman Cinques PNM 16/04/11 Lockington, S Nicholas 5040 Yorkshire S Maximus RL

16/04/11 Chelsea, Old Church 5024 Spliced S Major (8m) DCB 16/04/11 Oxford, S Thomas the Martyr 5076 Stedman Caters MAB 17/04/11 Nottingham, S Mary V 5040 Cambridge S Maximus EPDC

18/04/11 Cheapside, S Mary-le-Bow 5053 Spliced Cinques / Max (2m) JNH-D 26/04/11 Bishopstoke, S Mary 5000 Spliced S Royal (8m) RL 29/04/11 Westminster Abbey 5040 Spliced S Royal (2m) DPH

30/04/11 Exeter Cathedral 5019 Stedman Cinques PDH 30/04/11 Cardiff, S John the Baptist 5120 Bristol S Royal RL 01/05/11 Abergavenny, S Mary 5120 Spliced S Royal (5m) PR

02/05/11 Llandaff, Cathedral 5040 Bristol S Maximus AJG 07/05/11 Cheapside, S Mary-le-Bow 5090 Bristol S Maximus JHP 12/05/11 Downham Market, S Edmund K&M 5056 Yorkshire S Major AHS

12/05/11 (H) City of London, Jewry, Church 5056 Cambridge S Major DGM 21/05/11 Newport, Cathedral 5042 Cambridge S Maximus PR 22/05/11 Cheapside, S Mary-le-Bow 5042 Pudsey S Maximus PRG

28/05/11 Ipswich, S Mary-le-Tower 5009 Stedman Cinques MJC 29/05/11 Norwich, S Peter Mancroft 5040 Bristol S Maximus AJG 30/05/11 Southwell, Cathedral 5009 Stedman Cinques MRE

30/05/11 Grundisburgh, S Mary V 5040 Cambridge S Maximus DGM 30/05/11 Chelmsford Cathedral 5040 Barford S Maximus RL

04/06/11 Knottingley, S Botolph 5031 Stedman Caters AMM 20/06/11 Cheapside, S Mary-le-Bow 5040 Spliced S Maximus (2m) PNM 22/06/11 (H) The Rising Sun,Carter Lane 5007 Stedman Cinques DCB

26/06/11 (H) Longthorpe, Vicarage 5040 Yorkshire S Royal WSC 28/06/11 London, S Magnus the Martyr 5040 Cambridge S Royal DRL 02/07/11 Edinburgh Cathedral 5040 Cambridge S Maximus JNH-D

02/07/11 London, S Sepulchre 5016 Spliced Maximus (6m) DEH 02/07/11 Oxford, S Mary Magdalen 5088 Stedman Caters MRE 02/07/11 Oxford, S Thomas the Martyr 5076 Spliced Caters / Royal (2m) RL

04/07/11 (H) Balmoral Estate, Alltnaguibhsaich Ldge 5056 Plain B Major JNH-D 05/07/11 Bishopstoke, S Mary 5000 London No.3 S Royal RL 05/07/11 Callington, S Mary V 5040 Stedman Triples JP

Date Tower Method Cond

06/07/11 St Stephen In Brannell, S Stephen 5040 Stedman Triples JP 09/07/11 Inveraray, All Saints 5000 Triton D Royal AJG 10/07/11 Carisbrooke, S Mary V 5000 Bristol S Royal BJC

12/07/11 Holborn, S Andrew 5056 Bristol S Major DEH 13/07/11 (H) Reading, 18 Sandhills Way,Calcot 5184 Maypole A Royal GACJ

16/07/11 Chipping Sodbury, S John the Baptist 5152 Spliced S Major (23m) DCB 16/07/11 Wotton Under Edge, S Mary the Virgin 5152 Spliced S Major (23m) SJLL 20/07/11 (H) Cornhill Vestry 5007 Stedman Cinques TJH

21/07/11 South Croydon, S Peter 5103 Stedman Caters REJD 25/07/11 Bishopstoke, S Mary 5040 Cambridge S Royal EPDC 30/07/11 Southwark, Cathedral 5042 Cambridge S Maximus DGM

31/07/11 Huntsham, All Saints 5088 Thorverton S Major FMSS 31/07/11 Escrick, S Helen 5007 Stedman Cinques PABS 02/08/11 Brighouse, S Martin 5184 Palgrave S Major ALM

04/08/11 Harrogate, S Wilfrid 5056 Cassiobury S Major PCR 04/08/11 (H) City of London, St Magnus R Chamber 5152 Lincolnshire S Major DCB 05/08/11 Drighlington, S Paul 5026 Bristol S Major JWH

11/08/11 (H) City of London, Jewry, Church 5184 Littleport Little S Maximus TJH 13/08/11 Trusham, S Michael 5040 S Minor (7m) TFC 13/08/11 Chiddingfold, S Mary 5024 Bristol S Major RHB

19/08/11 Birmingham, S Paul 5040 Cambridge S Royal JC 21/08/11 City of London, S Michael, Cornhill 5088 Bristol S Maximus DEH

23/08/11 (H) Chesterfield, The Vicarage 5184 Cambridge S Major WSC 23/08/11 (H) Chesterfield, The Vicarage 5040 Yorkshire S Royal WSC 24/08/11 Aston, SS Peter and Paul 5042 Cambridge S Maximus SJLL

24/08/11 Kidderminster, S Mary & All Saints 5007 Stedman Cinques RCK 24/08/11 Edgbaston, S Bartholomew, 5056 Spliced S Major (8m) MRE 24/08/11 Sheffield Cathedral 5024 Rivelin S Major AGR

25/08/11 (H) Chesterfield, The Vicarage 5088 Bristol S Major MGP 25/08/11 Harthill, All Hallows 5024 Uxbridge S Major AGR 25/08/11 Rawmarsh, S Mary 5024 Spliced S Major (8m) RL

25/08/11 Chesterfield, S Mary & All Saints 5120 Spliced S Royal (4m) AGR 26/08/11 (H) Chesterfield, The Vicarage 5120 Superlative S Major BHT 26/08/11 Thorne, S Nicholas 5088 London S Major JAA

26/08/11 Dore, Christ Church 5152 Superlative S Major SJFM 26/08/11 Conisbrough, S Peter 5024 Bristol S Major AGR 26/08/11 Sprotbrough, S Mary the Virgin 5024 Spliced S Major (4m) JNH-D

27/08/11 Rotherham, All Saints 5042 Bristol S Maximus SJLL 28/08/11 Peel, Cathedral Church of S German 5040 Stedman Triples JP 28/08/11 Huddersfield, S Peter 5040 Cambridge S Royal PR

29/08/11 Chester Cathedral 5040 Bristol S Maximus RL 01/09/11 (H) City of London, St Magnus R Chamber 5026 Bristol S Major TJH

03/09/11 Worcester Cathedral 5040 Cambridge S Maximus MR 03/09/11 London, S Magnus the Martyr 5042 Bristol S Maximus SC 03/09/11 London, S Sepulchre 5010 Spliced Maximus (12m) JNH-D

13/09/11 Bermondsey, S James 5024 Spliced S Major (6m) PR 16/09/11 Wapley, S Peter 5040 Minor (3m) MPT 16/09/11 Hurstbourne Priors, S Andrew 5152 Yorkshire S Major RL

16/09/11 Thorverton, S Thomas of Canterbury 5184 Bristol S Major PJP 17/09/11 Salford Priors, S Matthew 5152 Yorkshire S Major MC 17/09/11 East Meon, All Saints 5080 Isleworth S Royal RL

17/09/11 Bishopstoke, S Mary 5003 Grandsire Caters RL 17/09/11 New York, Trinity, Wall St 5007 Stedman Cinques EJF 17/09/11 Cirencester, Holy Trinity 5040 Stedman Triples JRR

17/09/11 Liverpool, Pierhead 5040 Barford S Maximus SMA 17/09/11 Ticknall, S George 5184 Yorkshire S Major PAJ 17/09/11 Lincoln, S Giles 5184 Superlative S Major CCPW

17/09/11 Worcester Cathedral 5006 Spliced Maximus (9m) SJLL 17/09/11 Guildford Cathedral 5007 Stedman Cinques CHR

17/09/11 Mosman Park, S Hilda of Whitby 5184 Yorkshire S Major IDH 17/09/11 Northallerton, All Saints 5040 Yorkshire S Royal JWH 17/09/11 Exeter, S Mark 5000 London No.3 S Royal MJH

18/09/11 Winford, Blessed Virgin Mary & S Peter 5024 Yorkshire S Major AGR 18/09/11 Southampton, Ascension 5042 Cambridge S Maximus RL 18/09/11 Braintree, S Michael the Archangel 5040 Cambridge S Royal DER

18/09/11 Mottram-in-Longdendale, St Michael 5024 Bristol S Major JB 18/09/11 Moretonhampstead, S Andrew 5120 Cambridge S Major MECM 19/09/11 Cheapside, S Mary-le-Bow 5001 Spliced Cinques / Max (2m) SAC

19/09/11 Maidstone, All Saints 5050 Stedman Caters MJU 24/09/11 Accrington, S James 5040 Yorkshire S Maximus RIA 24/09/11 Southwark, Cathedral 5050 Uphill A Maximus SC

24/09/11 Bolton, S Peter 5031 Stedman Cinques MRE 24/09/11 Exeter Cathedral 5005 Stedman Cinques TFC 25/09/11 (H) Longthorpe, Vicarage 5056 Bristol S Major WSC

25/09/11 Oldham, S Mary the Virgin 5040 Bristol S Maximus PCR 25/09/11 Littleham, SS Margaret & Andrew 5024 Spliced S Major (8m) TFC

01/10/11 Beverley, S Mary 5040 Swindon S Royal PJS 01/10/11 Dublin, S Patrick 5036 Spliced Cinques / Max (2m) MRE 01/10/11 Cambridge, GSM 5088 Spliced S Maximus (4m) JNH-D

04/10/11 Bishopstoke, S Mary 5120 Spliced S Royal (4m) EPDC 06/10/11 South Croydon, S Peter 5050 Stedman Cinques MJU 08/10/11 Cork, Cathedral 5040 Bristol S Maximus JNH-D

09/10/11 Birmingham, Parish of S Martin 5024 Spliced S Sixteen (2m) SJLL 11/10/11 Limehouse, S Anne 5036 Spliced Caters/ Royal (2m) DEH 14/10/11 Reading, S Laurence 5060 Stedman Cinques MJH

17/10/11 Cheapside, S Mary-le-Bow 5088 Barford S Maximus DGM 19/10/11 (H) Cornhill Vestry 5053 Stedman Caters PNM 22/10/11 Warwick, S Mary 5000 Bristol S Royal RL

22/10/11 Coleshill, SS Peter & Paul 5000 Triton D Royal RL 22/10/11 Cambridge, S Andrew 5040 S Minor (7m) PABS 23/10/11 New York, Trinity, Wall St 5050 Stedman Cinques PNM

28/10/11 New York, Trinity, Wall St 5040 Bristol S Maximus TJB 29/10/11 New York, Trinity, Wall St 5004 Stedman Cinques JNH-D 29/10/11 Westbury, All Saints 5040 Stedman Triples PSS

30/10/11 Huntsham, All Saints 5088 Yorkshire S Major FMSS 30/10/11 Oldham, S Mary the Virgin 5002 Bristol S Royal PCR

31/10/11 Toronto, Cathedral 5042 Cambridge S Maximus BHT 04/11/11 Bow, S Mary atte Bow 5152 Spliced S Major (4m) PR 04/11/11 Cripplegate, S Giles 5056 Spliced S Major (4m) AJG

04/11/11 London, S Magnus the Martyr 5040 Swindon S Maximus JC 05/11/11 Sunbury On Thames, S Mary 5024 Spliced S Major (10m) DCB 05/11/11 South Croydon, S Peter 5050 Stedman Caters TFL

05/11/11 Twickenham, All Hallows 5040 Yorkshire S Royal TFC 05/11/11 Stepney, S George-in-the-East 5056 Bristol S Major LTWS 05/11/11 Highgate, S Anne 5024 Lincolnshire S Major SC

05/11/11 Limehouse, S Anne 5040 Bristol S Royal MJC 05/11/11 City of London, S Lawrence, Jewry 5184 Spliced S Major (8m) FS 05/11/11 London, S Magnus the Martyr 5136 Bristol S Maximus JHP

Page 7

Date Tower Method Cond

05/11/11 Spitalfields, Christ Church 5056 Bristol S Major SCWH 05/11/11 Cripplegate, S Giles 5088 Spliced Maximus (8m) JNH-D

05/11/11 Stepney, S Dunstan 5040 Cambridge S Royal CJP 05/11/11 Hampstead, Christ Church 5024 Bristol S Major RHB 08/11/11 Cripplegate, S Giles 5079 Stedman Cinques DEH

Year to November:

2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002

Sixteen 3 1 2 2 1 6 2

Septuples 1 2 3

Septuples & 16 1

Fourteen 1 1

Sextuples 1 2

Maximus 54 48 46 44 51 62 49 50 67 57

Cinques & Max 5 3 2 1 4 7 1 1 1 2

Cinques 19 13 16 20 23 32 25 20 25 22

Royal 33 40 65 57 50 43 33 30 28 29

Caters & Royal 2 1 2 1 1 1

Caters 9 18 16 14 18 14 13 9 9 12

Major 56 56 79 79 91 79 84 37 43 52

Triples & Major 4

Triples 6 6 6 10 8 9 14 5 4 7

Minor 8 10 14 13 15 18 15 6 8 5

Doubles 1 2 1 1

Total Tower 196 194 251 240 263 271 239 164 193 188

Sixteen

Fourteen 1

Maximus 1 1 2

Cinques 2 2 4 4 10 4 7 9 12 7

Royal 3 2 3 3 1 1 3 4

Caters 1 1 2 2 2 2 3 3 3

Major 17 1 4 6 4 3 3 3 3 2

Triples 1 2 1 1

Minor 3 6 13 9 21 15 1

Doubles 1 2

Total Hand 25 9 10 22 35 19 36 30 24 18

Total 221 203 261 262 295 290 275 194 217 206

FFFFF455 Members took part, led by

Total Tower Hand

rung cond r c r c

46 23 46 23 Roy LeMarechal

44 44 Graham M Bradshaw

44 44 R Mark Esbester

35 1 35 1 Philip R Goodyer

33 6 25 3 8 3 David G Maynard

31 19 28 16 3 3 John N Hughes-D'Aeth

30 9 30 9 Philip Rogers

25 25 Gwen Rogers

24 1 24 1 David E Rothera

24 24 John P Colliss

23 7 23 7 David E House

23 6 18 6 5 Andrew J Graham

23 5 23 5 Edward P D Colliss

23 2 23 2 Martin J Cansdale

23 1 23 1 Andrew W R Wilby

22 6 18 5 4 1 Paul N Mounsey

22 22 Paul J Tiebout

20 1 16 1 4 Stephen J F Mitchell

18 4 18 4 Michael J Uphill

18 16 2 Katherine L Town

17 4 17 4 Benjamin J Carey

17 1 17 1 Ian P Hill

17 17 Lizzie J Hough

17 17 Malcolm S Turner

16 2 16 2 J Alan Ainsworth

16 1 16 1 Christopher H Rogers

16 16 David I Bassford

16 16 Ian J Carey

15 12 3 Christopher M Bennett

Peals rung at 143 Towers, led by:

London, S Magnus the Martyr 10

Bishopstoke, S Mary 9

Cheapside, S Mary-le-Bow 9

South Croydon, S Peter 4

New York, Trinity, Wall St 4

Huntsham, All Saints 3

Worcester Cathedral 3

Cripplegate, S Giles 3

and 11 Handbell venues, led by:

Longthorpe, Vicarage 6

Chesterfield, The Vicarage 5

City of London, St Magnus Ringing Chamber 3

City of London, Jewry, Church 3

Cornhill Vestry 2

The most popular methods were:

Stedman Cinques 21

Cambridge S Maximus 19

Bristol S Major 16

Bristol S Maximus 14

Yorkshire S Major 13

Stedman Caters 9

Bristol S Royal 8

Cambridge S Royal 7

Spliced S Major (8m) 7

Stedman Triples 6

Spliced S Major (4m) 5

Spliced Cinques and Maximus (2m) 5

London S Major 4

Cambridge S Major 4

The first peal of Cyclic 16 on 4 December 2010.

Front row (l to r) David Dearnley, Jennie Butler, Alex Byrne, Paul

Mounsey, Middle row (r to l) Tessa Beadman, Mark Bell, Chris Poole,

Tony Kench, Graham Firman, Philip Earis Back row (l to r) David Pipe,

David House, Paul Bibilo, John Hughes-D’Aeth, Paul Carless, Simon

Linford.

Page 8

REFLECTIONS ON 1000 SOCIETY PEALS

Paul Mounsey has recently become the first person to

complete 1000 peals with the Society. Here, he reflects on

some of the themes and highlights.

When I joined the Society in 1973 I was already a keen

peal ringer, but at the time there were relatively few “1000

pealers” overall, so the thought that I might one day ring a thousand with the College Youths was not one I

entertained. However, nearly forty years on, through a

mixture of good fortune and dedication, I have passed that

milestone, the first to do so.

This is a short resume of some of the highlights of those

1000 peals – the threads that weave through them, the

towers and methods, and some of the more memorable

performances.

My first peal with the Society was on the 7th at Cornhill in 1974, for the City of London Festival. In those days you

went in through the little porch at the south side of the

west end of the church (where the new vestry now is), and

I remember Jack Phillips sitting outside the door and

accosting me with something like “and who are you,

mister?” and when I told him my name “oh you’re

Mounsey are you?” A young Jim Phillips rang the tenor

behind and the band included Phil Corby, Rodney

Meadows and John Chilcott.

I moved to London in 1976 and a lot of my peals over the next year or two were on handbells (organized by Eddie

Futcher), including two long lengths – 12345 Stedman

Cinques and 14144 London S Major – both still standing

records on handbells.

Another theme of the early years was silent and non-

conducted ringing, particularly Stedman Triples, including

the first double peal – 10080 – rung at Meldreth using the

difficult compositions by Noonan and Slack. It’s a while

since I last rang a silent peal but they were quite in fashion

in the 1980’s and early 90’s, with the Kippin Spliced

Surprise Royal and Pitman Spliced Surprise Major series both featuring, as well as various one-offs including

several of Stedman Cinques and notably RABS at

Leighton Buzzard. There was one peal we rang at

Spitalfields which was totally “silent” in that all the

arrangements were made by letter (no email or text in

those days) and the band were forbidden to talk to each

other beforehand and until we were out of the tower

afterwards. I recall the silence extending until we got to

the pub as the organizer had not given instructions as to

when conversation could begin.

The longest running thread is the handbell band organized

by Michael Moreton, with most of the peals being rung in

the Vestry at Cornhill. My first there was in 1977 and the

band is still going strong, with many members having

enjoyed the “Cornhill Vestry experience”. Indeed that

could be the subject of a newsletter item in its own right.

The other main thread lies in Tony Kench’s “first

Saturday” peals – mostly at St Sepulchre’s – which have

provided a marvellous opportunity to explore and expand

the possibilities of spliced maximus, with new methods

designed to exploit and maximize the musical possibilities

of runs and tittums music in cyclical multi-part

compositions.

Many of my Society peals have been in City of London

towers, though it is interesting that in the 70’s and early

80’s there were far fewer options than today. Cripplegate became closed for peals shortly after I was elected – a

situation that persisted for more or less twenty-five years,

Bow were notoriously difficult to ring and attempts were

few, as they were at Cornhill, St Sepulchre’s were an

unringable ten and there were no bells at St Magnus. As a

result of much hard work and determination by Society

members all these towers now have fine twelves, readily

available for peals. I rang in the first peal at St

Sepulchre’s, the first on the new bells at Cornhill and the

first at St Magnus although that wasn’t a Society peal. I’ve

also rung several at St Paul’s and Southwark Cathedrals. The first peal I rang at Bow was memorable in that it was

half-muffled and very slow. It was also the only one I rang

with Jim Pipe.

A couple of unusual towers – both fives – are Brereton, the

home of the Society’s first Master, and Raleigh, North

Carolina, where on a tour of the USA in 1992 the party

included 5 CYs and 5 Cumberlands. We rang a peal of

Stedman Doubles, they rang Grandsire and found that

much harder.

A number of my peals have been overseas, including on a tour of Canada in 2000 and various other trips to the USA.

The Society rang the first peal on the twelve at Trinity

Church, Wall Street, New York. Dill Faulkes the donor

had each bell cast with the name of its ringer in the first

peal in the inscription. I’ve had few more nerve-racking

conducting experiences. This was the first of many Society

peals I have enjoyed at Trinity.

There are many more statistics I could cite but I’d like to

mention just two other areas of achievement – eighteen

peals of over 10,000 changes including six of Stedman Cinques and the first long length on sixteen, and about

twenty peals on more than twelve including ones at the

three 16-bell towers and several on handbells.

My 1000 peals cover a period of great change and

enormous progress, reflected in the Society’s peal records.

The number of peals rung annually has increased markedly

in the last ten years, the range and difficulty of methods

rung has expanded, and there are many more good towers

we can regularly ring at. The enthusiasm for peals amongst

members of all ages shows no sign of diminishing and I

look forward to many more years of effort and reward, although another 1000 is unlikely.

PNM

Page 9

THE ARTISTIC YOUTHS

Chris Ridley

It was not until around 1754 that the Society decided to

formally record peals rung by members. This may explain

why the first peal book only starts with the 1724/5

performance at St Brides, Fleet Street and why only those

peals captured in newspaper reports at the time appear in

the peal book. This work was entrusted to James Albion,

who although a member of the Union Scholars rather than

the College Youths, was an excellent calligrapher who had

already written up a number of other London based society

records. Shortly after commencing the work he relocated

to Bath and took the peal book with him, possibly because

he had not been paid following the split of the Society into

the Ancient and Junior factions. Bill Cook’s history of the

Society explains that he subsequently sold the book

containing details of peals rung between 1725 and 1753 to

Samuel Blackwell of Ampney Park, near Cirencester.

Samuel Blackwell was a keen ringer and he held on to the

peal book until his library was sold in 1839. The peal

book was eventually purchased by Edward John Osborn in

1841, a prolific early ringing historian who did so much to

preserve the records of early London ringing societies and

whose papers are now in the British Library, who returned

it to the Society.

The Junior Society made a number of significant additions

to the property shortly after the split in the Society. The

Mace Head was acquired in 1762, the original dinner ticket

engraved by Thomas Kitchin is known to have been used

as early as 1763, and in 1773 they acquired a new peal and

name book. It was described as being handsomely gilt and

bound in morocco with a silver plate on the front inscribed

‘This Book Belonging to the Society of College Youths

London; Containing the Members Names, and a recital of

the several Performances completed by them since the year

1757 was procured by the Voluntary Subscription of the

Members at large in the year 1773’.

Writing up the new book was entrusted this time to a

member of the Society, John Cadman, who had joined in

1768 and took part in at least four peals. The records show

he was resident in Reigate, Surrey at the time of his

election but may have moved to London shortly thereafter

taking up residence in Ludgate Street. The art work in the

peal book is very fine (see illustration) and he was paid 3/-

(15p) for each of the peals written up. He continued to

write up the peals until 1800. Other calligraphy work

undertaken by Cadman includes a watercolour of St Mary,

Battersea from 1797 which records five Society peals rung

there. This has been framed and is currently held in the

Library, although it has unfortunately suffered some water

damage in the distant past.

John Cadman is also thought to be responsible for

designing the title page for the Clavis Campanalogia first

published in 1788 and which ran to four editions (see

illustration). This book was co-authored by Thomas Jones,

John Reeves and Thomas Blakemore, all of whom were

members of the Society although Blakemore subsequently

left and joined the Cumberlands in 1787 as the result of

what appears to have been conductor rivalry with Reeves.

A full history of the Clavis Campanalogia can be found in

Page 10

an article by John Eisel (see Ringing World 2008, page

809 to 812, 852).

The story of the Cadman illuminated peal book does not

end there however. William Lyford had proposed that the

peal book with its silver ornaments and other Society

property, including the Mace Head and Sonning Cups,

should be sent to the British Museum for safe keeping.

His proposition was not adopted and it is subsequently

reported on the meeting night of 22 October 1832 that the

peal book had been stolen. A reward of £10 was offered

but nothing further was heard until a Clerkenwell ringer,

James Platt, came across pages from the peal book being

used to wrap goods in a butcher’s shop in Ray Street. He

immediately secured what pages remained and sold them

back to the Society. In 1836 Osborn, who was also a

skilled writer as well as historian, agreed to write up the

missing pages to produce what has become Volume 2

covering peals rung between 1754 and 1867.

The peal book volumes each exhibit the style of the time

and both the Victorian and 1930s periods have been

particularly influential. In 2011 Paul Mounsey kindly

donated what will become the Volume 8 Peal Book. The

calligraphy is being undertaken by Clare Griffiths, who as

a Society member is continuing a long tradition.

Page 11

ST DUNSTAN-IN-THE-WEST RETURNS TO RINGING

The handsome tower of St Dunstan-in-the-West on Fleet

Street now has a new ring of ten bells, tenor 10-3-23. The

church is at least the second on the site. The earlier church

jutted out into the busy street and had to be demolished in

order to allow better and smoother running of the traffic.

The tower of the old church contained a 20 cwt ring of

eight bells, cast in 1713 by Richard Phelps of Whitechapel,

just a year before he cast a similar ring for St Magnus the

Martyr. Records show that there was a fair amount of

ringing on these bells, and the peal record is dominated by the College Youths. Not only did they ring the first peal

on the bells in 1727 (Double Bob Major), it was heralded

as the first peal in a double method ever rung. The Society

then rang the second peal thirteen days later, St Dunstan’s

Triples. By the time the tower was demolished in 1829, of

the thirteen known peals, the College Youths rang six of

them and the Junior College Youths rang a further two.

There were six peal boards on the wall of the old tower,

four of which were Society ones, but alas, none of which

survive.

A new octagonal church was built with a tower standing

against the pavement of Fleet Street. The bells were recast

into a lighter octave, tenor 17-0-4, by Thomas Mears II of

Whitechapel. Twelve peals were rung on these bells

before they fell into disrepair at the turn of the twentieth

century. The first and last were rung by the Cumberlands

in 1833 and 1879 respectively (the only two Cumberland

peals known on the bells). The College Youths rang four

peals. These bells were utterly unringable throughout

most of the last century, and were finally removed in 1969,

leaving just a dirty empty ringing room and some old peal

boards (none of which are ASCY).

While the tower has never been recognised as having a

formal affiliation with any particular Society, the question

has been asked why the College Youths as a Society hasn’t

been given more involvement, particularly in the light of

the link contained in its peal history. Throughout and

following the restoration at St Magnus, I spent some time

engaging with members of St Dunstan’s church,

persuading them to allow a new ring of bells to be

installed, after which I led the fundraising and installation.

A trust was formed with two Society members as Chairman and Secretary (Paul Mounsey and me), with the

addition of Alan Regin from the Cumberlands, the St

Dunstan’s Churchwarden/Parish Clerk (who is Trustee

Treasurer) and the Church Scavenger. David Dearnley,

Michael Royalton-Kisch and Peter Vracas also joined the

fundraising team. Our fundraising strategy included an

approach to the three principal ringing societies in London.

There was immediate interest from the Cumberlands, who

not only readily pledged a grant from their BRF, but a

consortium of members agreed to fund one of the larger

bells. The Middlesex too pledged enough to fund one bell

from their bell fund, and another bell from its members. During the same narrow window I also discussed St

Dunstan’s with our own Secretary and Treasurer.

At that time news had just been received that the faculty

for the new bells at Cornhill had been received and that the

BRF was likely to be expected to help meet the shortfall in

the funding for this project. The advice was therefore to

delay any formal approach to a business meeting until it

was clearer what the position would be following the

Cornhill requirements. The project at St Dunstan’s was

therefore introduced to the Society at a business meeting

without making a formal application for funding. Even

then the response was good and a number of private

donations were received. Graham Bradshaw (now Senior

Steward) volunteered to act as Independent Examiner to the Trust and a bell was donated by a Society member in

memory of another Society member.

Then the Fundraising Committee met with a stroke of

good fortune in winning a £200k grant from Viridor

Credits, a landfill charity. This meant that the offers of

funding from the ringing Societies could be given back for

other projects, and that a formal approach to the ASCY

was no longer required.

An important consideration when discussing a new ring of bells with a church is what is going to happen with the

stewardship of the tower and its future ringing

requirements. Since St Dunstan’s is not a parish church (it

is a Guild Church), there are very few services, and most

of the time it is used by the Romanian Orthodox Church

by agreement. The service ringing requirement is

therefore very light. However I was keen to see a secure

future for the tower under the regulated guardianship of a

single society that works so well for the ASCY, and this is

something that the church was keen to see too. The project

was therefore launched with the recommendation put to

the church that the SRCY ultimately provides a secretary and steeplekeeper to maintain the ringing and the

installation. So I look forward to the nomination of a

couple of candidates from the SRCY who, Guild Church

Council willing, will take formal responsibility after the

Dedication Service in the autumn. It is likely that the

finances will continue to be maintained by the Trust.

Without doubt, the new bells at St Dunstan’s will be

enjoyed by members of all the societies in London and I

am sure that it will not be beset with the inter-society

politics that some towers have experienced in the past. I am very grateful for all the support given by members of

the ASCY, and it is great to see the future of ringing

assured at a tower that was once dominated by the our

early membership.

Dickon Love

Page 12

NEW MEMBERS

The following were elected and welcomed as new Members in the year to November 2011:

Alexander E Holroyd of Seattle

Sheila C Matthews of Timsbury

Rebecca M Shipley of Cardiff

Michael J Pointer of Melbourne

Michael J A Collinson of Perth

James W Perrins of Sydney

John E Snook of Hexham

Clare J Le Marie of Hexham

Duncan Large of New York

Graham Nobbs of Newport, IoW

David A Jackson of Hampton

Andrew N Tyler of Reading, Massachussets Harm Jan A De Kok of Dorcrecht

Maureen D Routh of Steep

Rachael C Smith of London

Daniel Jones of Bromyard

Andrew C Ogden of Rugeley

Laura M Davies of Welshpool

Michael Wilshaw of Tunstall

Rupert J Cheeseman of London

Robert A Convey of Bristol

Tina A Walker of York

Emma R Chapman of Nottingham

Jonathan A Ratcliffe of East Retford

Caroline C House of Brighton

Andrew J Goodyer of Sydney

Simon H Aves of Edinburgh Adam A Brady of Staplehurst

Frederick J Sage of Taunton

Carolyn Ormes of Washington, DC

Esther M Perrins of Sydney

OBITUARY

We paid tribute to the following Members at Society Business Meetings in the year to November 2011:

Arthur Newton of Hughenden, elected 1945

Rev Alan J Butler of Wimborne Minster, elected 1947

Peter E Baker of Bishop’s Cleeve (Glos), elected 1947

Alan J Hicks, formerly of Marhamchurch, elected 1948

William F Scudamore of Bristol, elected 1951

N David Lane of Wheatley, elected 1951

E Alan Jacques of Leicester, elected 1951 Robert G Field of Yeovil, elected 1951

Francis A White of Appleton, elected 1951

William J Ridgman of Arrington, elected 1955

Noel J Diserens of Wallingford, elected 1956

John Brain of Backwell, elected 1958

John M C Clark-Maxwell of Swallowfield, elected 1960

Canon Ernest G Orland of Market Deeping, elected 1960

Roderick W Pipe of Birmingham, elected 1960

Don C Exell of Isle of Wight, elected 1961

Michael J Medley of Crewkerne, elected 1961

Robin J Trebilcock of Swansea, elected 1961

Albert J Davey of Godmanchester, elected 1962

Gerald Penney of St Albans, elected 1962

Terence Barton of Tunstall, elected 1964 Percy Stone of Coventry, elected 1964

Andrew J Pearmain of Bournemouth, elected 1965

David G Franklin of Worcester, elected 1975

William Lampard of Warmley, elected 1975

Northleigh (Jim) Reeve of Christchurch (NZ), elected

1979.

Harry Winter of Oxford, elected 1985

Bob Whitworth of Rushden, elected 1990 Mark A S Jones of Beckenham, elected 1999

MILESTONES

We congratulate the following members who celebrated 50 years’ membership in 2011:

Hervey Bagot of Adelaide Alan Berry of Loughborough

Clive R Calton of Stockport

John N D Chaddock of Wigton

Robin R Churchill of Inchture

Anthony E Clayton of Nottingham

Michael W Coleman of Canterbury

Anthony J Davidson of Truro

Eric O Davies of Burton-on-Trent

Barry J Davis of Banbury

Bernard F L Groves of Reading

Barnaby Guthrie of Salt Spring Island, BC

Edward A Haines of Salisbury Raymond Haines of Midsomer Norton

David P Hilling of Eynsford

Malcolm G Hooton of Stoney Stratford

J Richard Hough of Huntingdon

Richard J W Housden of Milton Keynes Roy H Jones of Oxford

Andrew M Macvie of Budleigh Salterton

David C Manger of Headcorn

David J Marshall of Tollerton

John H Napper of Abingdon

David J Purnell of South Petherton

Richard A Shekelton of Altrincham

Clive Simpson of Fortrose

Robert B Smith of Melbourne

Andrew N Stubbs of Solihull

Maurice J Thurmott of Ramsey

Edward R Venn of Inverness Roger L K Whittell of Ipswich

Lionel S Woods of Corringham

Brian J Wylde of Bridgewater

Page 13

MILESTONES (Continued)

And we congratulate the following members who reached 60 years membership in 2011

Geoffrey C Bagley of Malvern Wells

William Butler of Thatcham

Alec Cairns of Stockport

L Michael Callow of Kenn

John E Cannell of West Wickham

Ronal A E Dunn of Auckland, NZ

Terry R Hampton of Barnstaple

Michael Hatchett of Bampton

John Hill of Wellington

Cyril E Lewington of Bucklebury

Norman Mallett of Plymstock

John Scott of Warrington

William J Southam of Colney Heath

Terence A Thornber of Leicester

Roy D Tomlin of Buxted

Gordon Walford of Leominster

Philip W Weeks of Ebbw Vale

Sadly, no fewer than five of our members elected in 1951 died during 2011, and are listed above in the obituary column, while

Peter Staniforth of Leicester and David Kingston of Bromley died in the early weeks of 2012, having completed their sixty

years of membership

LEADING PEAL RINGERS

Elsewhere in this issue, there is recognition of Paul Mounsey’s splendid achievement in completing 1000 peals with the

Society. These 1000 peals form part of his current peal total of 3850, of which he has conducted 1293.

There are a further eight members who have completed over 500 peals with the Society, led by Michael P Moreton (who

recently celebrated his 80th birthday) with 815. The others are David Dearnley (625), John Hughes-D’Aeth (605), Alan Flood

(572), David Brown (523), David House (521), Philip Rogers (518) and Challis F Winney (515).

This last name is intriguing, in that it is the only one on the list not currently active. Challis Winney was elected to the Society

in 1879, and died on 18 January 1940 at the age of 81. He was one of the most talented and prolific ringers of his generation,

taking part in a range of outstanding performance on both tower and handbells, including the Stedman Caters record of 21363

in 1922, and the famous false 12675 of Stedman Cinques at Southwark in 1923.

The task of modern peal recorders has been made much easier by Andrew Craddock’s excellent web site, Pealbase, which generates records and statistics within hours of peal being completed in some cases. However, this only goes back to 1951 so

far, and for records before that we rely on the Society’s own peal books and other records, the back issues of the Ringing

World and Bell News, and the skill of our current peal recorder, Richard Allton, and his predecessors as peal recorders and

librarians.

MARRIAGES

Recent months have brought forth more than their expected share of happy occasions. In October, two of our prominent

members – Philip Earis and Jennie Butler – were married at Great St Mary’s, Cambridge. Past Master and current webmaster

Martin Cansdale married the tower secretary at St Lawrence Jewry, Becky Cansdale,(at Jewry, of course) in January. The

month of May saw Dickon Love and Przemek Benonski celebrate their civil partnership with a service of blessing at St

Magnus and a party on the River Thames, to be followed by the wedding of Mark Humphreys and Miranda Green at Croydon

Minster, Andrew Bradford and Kate Gardner at Chelmsford Cathedral, and David Baverstock and Haley Barnett at Cheshunt,

where David is currently curate.

Page 14

ADVICE TO A NEW SECRETARY

(with apologies to W S Gilbert)

As sung by John Hughes-D’Aeth at the 374th anniversary dinner, accompanied by Chris Kippin.

If you're anxious for to shine in the Secretarial line as a man of style and wit

You must write up every Minute with a dash of humour in it - and not too full of sh... (mistakes)

You must organise each meeting - for the Dinner do the seating plan - try not to let it faze you

Then compile the practice rotas - write Newsletters - send death notices - get letters from Malaysia ...

And everyone will say - as you type and scribble each day - "If he can keep control of all those turbulent young Masters -

and the odd Past Secretary - Then what a very clever and manipulative Youth our Secretary must be."

Then a taste for Aussie wine - of the cheap and cheerful kind -

must excite your grumbling liver An attachment bibulique to a glass of Jacob's Creek -

or some jollop from Margaret River Though the Cumberlands may jostle -

you will rank as an apostle in the Secretarial band If you're spotted with a glass of Mr Earis' Shiraz in your viticultured hand

And everyone will say - as you sip your Chardonnay -

"If he can get his fill from a box of Blossom Hill - and not crave fine Burgundy -

Then what an oenologically tasteful Youth our Secretary must be."

Be eloquent in praise of the very dull old days before we changed Rule 1.1 And convince them - if you can do -

that in the days of Hon Sec Andrew - "men only" was much more fun! Then pour brimstone and damnation on each "Noughties" innovation -

with a passion as if you mean it

For it's all gone down the drain - since the cultivated reign - of Mr Secretary Kench (and Enid)

And everyone will say - as you pull the strings all day -

"If he thinks that Phil Rogers and that John H-D were bodgers - when they seemed OK to me -

Then what a very cultivated, stylish Youth our Secretary must be."

Page 15

THE ASCY DINNER AND THE QUEEN’S JUBILEE

The year 2012 marks both the 375th anniversary of the

Ancient Society of College Youths and the Diamond

Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second.

Members will no doubt be involved in celebrating the

Jubilee in a variety of ways, including ringing on the barge preceding the Queen in the flotilla on 3 June. There may

well be mention of this as we gather for our annual dinner

in November. At this year’s dinner, we shall follow the

precedent established over the last year or two, and limit

the formal speeches to just four, rather than the six which

had previously been our well-established pattern. Our

appetite for listening to erudite speeches appears to have

been in decline over recent years

This is not the first time a Society milestone has coincided

with the Royal Jubilee. In 1887, the ASCY marked its

250th anniversary, just as Queen Victoria celebrated her Golden Jubilee. The Queen celebrated with a banquet to

which fifty kings and princes were invited. The following

day she took part in a procession that, in the words of

Mark Twain, "stretched to the limit of sight in both

directions" and attended a thanksgiving service in

Westminster Abbey. All rather like 2012, one might think.

There seemed less controversy then, mind. Whereas the

2012 Queen’s banquet was shunned by the Queen of Spain

(over Gibraltar), and the presence of the ruler of Bahrain

has caused concern (civil rights), the 1887 procession was

described by the Bell News (June 25, 1887, page 162) as ‘the procession … of a peaceful monarch of the greatest

empire, accompanied by a retinue of loving subjects from

all parts of the world, many of them scions of royal houses

and descendants of mighty and once powerful dynasties.’

But the College Youths dinner was quite different from its

modern successor. The Bell News (Nov 12, 1887, page

411) opened its report in grandiose style: “The

unparalleled success of the many rejoicings during the

Jubilee year will doubtless form an important epoch in the

nation’s history, for in every instance nothing but success has attended whatever has been attempted in this direction.

It will be allowed that within this Jubilee year of Her

majesty’s reign, it is a peculiar coincidence that one of our

most noted and oldest ringing societies should be enabled

to celebrate its firth Jubilee year after a long historical

record certainly not without its vicissitudes”.

The dinner took place at the Bridge House Hotel, London

Bridge, a venue which survived into the 1960s. Afternoon

ringing took place at Cornhill and St Magnus. The Master

for 1886/7, George McLaughlin, took the chair. He was a

ringer of some considerable ability, having taken part in a silent peal of Holt’s Original on handbells. Once the meal

had been served, a lengthy programme of toasts, speeches

and musical performances began. A ‘pianoforte selection’

was played by William Tyack, after which the Master

proposed the loyal toast. There followed two songs –

“Queen of my Heart” sung by Richard Woodley and “The

Tipperary Christening” sung by a Mr A Murphy. The

Master then proposed the health of the Society, listing the

outstanding ringing performances of the year (one peal of

Treble Bob Maximus, one of Stedman Cinques, two of

Double Norwich Royal, four of Stedman Caters, and

another fifty or so, with Grandsire and Stedman Triples

forming the majority), whereupon Mr S Joyce sang

“Dream of the Albert Hall”. James Haworth, at the time

the society’s oldest member, responded to the toast of the

society, and he was followed by Mr Making singing “The

Skipper”. A toast to the Master and Officers was followed by “Beautiful Isle of the Sea”, sung by William Greenleaf.

After a course of Stedman Triples on handbells, and a

further pianoforte selection, came a toast to the health of

the dinner committee. Mr W Porter then sang “Peggy

o’Yarmouth Town”, before George Mash rose to respond

on behalf of the dinner committee. A duet - “The Army

and Navy” was then performed by Messrs Judd and Tyack.

And so it went on; toasts and responses to the provincial

members, the London and Provincial Ringing Societies,

the Clergy, the Visitors, separated by eight more songs,

with titles including “I am waiting”, “The Hole in the Shutter” and “The Village Blacksmith”. A certain Mr

Jones, who had seen military service in 1853 and at other

periods, even ‘gave a few details of his connection with

the army, and how he was twice wounded and finally

invalided home.’ The formal proceedings concluded with

the singing of ‘Auld Lang Syne’ by the whole company.

It is indeed difficult to imagine the modern society

enduring a programme of speeches and formal

entertainment which must have lasted at least three hours,

with sixteen speeches and fifteen musical offerings. Indeed, after Mr W H Judd had sung ‘Ringing

Reminiscences’ with ‘a fluent and facetious style of

delivery’, he was rapturously applauded, and offered ‘The

raal old Irish gentleman’ by way of an encore.

ROYAL JUBILEE BELLS 2012

As this edition of the newsletter is being finalised, there is

a good deal of publicity for the Royal Jubilee Bells, a ring

of eight now installed on the barge which will lead the Thames flotilla on the afternoon of Sunday 3 June.

Although this is not a formal College Youths initiative,

Dickon Love – who was invited to manage the ringing

contribution by the pageant organisers – has selected a

wholly ASCY band, and the Society is receiving many

press and TV mentions and enquiries. This may well be

the best chance of drawing the art of change ringing to the

attention of the general public for a long time.

An initial practice on the barge has shown that good

ringing is possible – a full peal of Cambridge Major was

rung – but the wind and waves posed considerable challenges to the band, as did the inevitable immense

volume of sound (earplugs were issued to all). The band is

hoping for a dry and calm day on 3 June. As the flotilla

passes on its route, there will be ‘answering’ peals

attempted at St Mary-le-Bow, St Magnus the Martyr and

Southwark Cathedral.

Page 16

PRACTICE SCHEDULE 2012

The practice schedule as currently arranged is set out

below. Changes to this are posted on the Society’s website

and notified to members via the e-mail group. Business

meetings take place after the practice on the second

Tuesday of each month.

May 8 Cripplegate (Special practice: St Paul’s)

May 15 Cornhill

May 22 Bow

May 29 St Sepulchre

June 5 NO PRACTICE

June 12 St Magnus (Special practice: St Paul’s)

June 19 St Sepulchre

June 26 Southwark

July 3 Bow

July 10 Cornhill (Special practice: St Paul’s)

July 17 St Martin-in-the-Fields July 24 St Magnus

July 31 St Alban’s Abbey (7pm to 9pm))

Aug 7 Cripplegate

Aug 14 St Sepulchre (Special Practice: St Magnus)

Aug 21 St Paul’s Cathedral

Aug 28 Southwark

Sept 4 Cornhill

Sept 11 Bow (Special practice: Cripplegate)

Sept 18 St Paul’s Cathedral

Sep 25 St Magnus

Oct 2 St Sepulchre Oct 9 Cripplegate (Special practice: Cornhill)

Oct 16 Bow

Oct 23 Southwark

Oct 30 St Magnus

Nov 6 Cornhill

Nov 13 St Magnus (Specials at Bow and Jewry)

Nov 20 Cripplegate

Nov 27 Southwark

Dec 4 St Paul’s Cathedral

Dec 11 Cornhill (Special practice at St Magnus)

Dec 18 Bow

The normal venue for Business Meetings and post-practice

drinks (except when the practice is at Southwark) is The

Counting House, 50 Cornhill, London EC3.

SOCIETY OFFICERS AND OFFICIALS 2011/12

Master David G Maynard

Secretary David E House

Treasurer Philip Rogers Senior Steward Graham M Bradshaw

Junior Steward Simon S Meyer

Librarian Dickon R Love

Trustees Paul N Mounsey

Christopher H Rogers

Peal Recorder Richard I Allton

Webmaster Martin J Cansdale

TOWER SECRETARIES

St Giles Cripplegate: Gwen Rogers, 193 Lennard Road,

Beckenham, Kent BR3 1QN. Tel 020 8778 6308

E-mail: gbm.rogers@ntlworld.com

St Lawrence Jewry: Rebecca Cansdale, 5 Annette Court,

1a Annette Road, London N7 6PE. E-mail: jewry@ascy.org.uk

St Magnus the Martyr: Dickon Love, 10 Wharton Road,

Bromley, Kent BR1 3LF. Tel 020 8466 1953

E-mail: dickon@ascy.org.uk

St Sepulchre: Henry Coggill, 15d Gloucester Drive,

London, N4 2LE. Tel 07557 338309

E-mail: henry@coggill.com

St Michael’s Cornhill: Tony Kench, 75 Little Britain Apt

51, London EC1A 7BT. Tel 020 7796 2656

E-mail: tony.kench@btinternet.com

ASCY ON THE WEB The Society’s Web Site is at www.ascy.org.uk. The Web

Site contains regular updates on Society activities, pictures

of Society events, contact details for Members, Society

peals and much more information.

PEAL FEES

Peal fees (£1.50 per rope) and details should be forwarded

to the Treasurer within 2 months. Advance notice of peal

attempts is given at Society Meetings if advised in time.

CORRESPONDENCE

Please send to the Secretary, David E House, at 28

Waldegrave Road, Brighton, BN1 6GE (tel: 01273-

507077; e-mail: secretary@ascy.org.uk). Items for the

web site should be e-mailed to Martin Cansdale

(webmaster@ascy.org.uk).

SOCIETY E-MAIL NEWS SERVICE

The Society maintains an e-mail news service, which is

free to Members. Subscription is via the Web Site or by

sending an e-mail request to the Secretary or Webmaster. Members are encouraged to subscribe to the E-group and

to provide their e-mail address for inclusion on the

(hopefully spam-proof) web site list.

MAILING LIST If you know of any members who are no longer in touch

with the Society, please let us know. Thanks to all those

members who have sent us details of “lost members”.

NEWSLETTER FINANCE

This Newsletter is financed entirely by donations from Members. We are most grateful to those Members who

have contributed during 2011. Over 550 Members have

now elected to do receive the newsletter by e-mail, rather

than by a paper copy, which has led to a saving in

production and postage costs. However, postal charges

continue to rise, so we still need more of you to sign up.

Of course, we accept that it will not suit all members and

hard copies will continue to be available for those who

want them.