SHEFFIELD DISTRICT SOCIETY AGM
RANMOOR.
Ringing World Vol 4, Iss 113, p330,
Saturday 10 May 1913
SHEFFIELD DISTRICT SOCIETY.
A SUCCESSFUL YEAR. (Extract)
The annual meeting of the Sheffield District and Old East
Derbyshire
Amalgamated Society was held on Saturday week at Ranmoor, Sheffield,
and proved very successful. Unfortunately the weather turned out very
bad after a beautiful morning, but nevertheless about 80 ringers turned
up from Anston, Bolsover, Bolsterstone, Chesterfield, Doncaster, Dore,
Dronfield, Ecclesfield, Eckington, Gainsboro’, Killamarsh, North
Wingfield, Norton, Nottingham, Ranmoor, Rotherham, Sheffield Parish
Church and St. Maries (R.C.), Staveley, Treeton, and Worksop.
Ranmoor is,
perhaps, the most beautiful of the many pleasant suburbs
for which Sheffield is justly noted, and its crowning glory is
undoubtedly the magnificent Church of St. John the Evangelist, probably
one of the most beautiful modern ecclesiastical buildings in the
country. Surrounded by many palatial residential houses, and lying over
300 feet above, and about three miles away from the centre of the city,
the church has escaped the usual covering of grime with which the
majority of the Sheffield Churches are coated, and its many fine
architectural points were greatly admired by those present. The
original building was erected in the seventies by Mr. John Newton
Mappin, of the famous firm of Mappin and Webb. It was, however, with
the exception of the tower and spire entirely destroyed by fire
one
Sunday a few years later, and within a year the present splendid
building was erected in its place, and one can quite credit the report
(which the writer has not verified) that upwards of £35,000 was
spent on its erection. One of its most interesting features is a very
fine carved oak chancel screen and Communion table recently placed
there to the memory of the late Sir Frederick and Lady Mappin.
The tower contains a musical ring of eight bells (tenor 15
cwt.), by
Barwell, of Birmingham. These were raised about 3.45 p.m., on the
occasion of the meeting, and were kept going at intervals till 9 p.m.,
some good striking being heard. The methods rung included Cambridge,
New Cambridge and Superlative Surprise, Double Norwich, Kent
Treble Bob, and Plain Bob Major, Stedman Triples and Oxford Treble Bob
Minor. A pleasing innovation was the presence of a lady change
ringer (Miss Evelyn Steel, of Bedford), who performed with much credit
in several touches including Cambridge Surprise. In view of recent
discussions on the subject, it might be of interest to state that all
the louvres in the bell chamber are bricked up, and that three
felt-lined shutters are provided, which, when closed, give the bells a
subdued and pleasing tone close at hand, and cause no annoyance
whatever to those near by.
A substantial tea was provided in the Schools about 5 p.m., by
Mr.
Morrison (churchwarden) and the local company, and ample justice was
done to it by those present. The tables were very tastefully decorated
with flowers, and the kindness of the lady helpers was much
appreciated.
The business meeting was subsequently held, and was presided
over by
the Rev. T. Torrens, supported by Mr. Morrison (churchwarden), M r G.
Halksworth (Doncaster), president, the vice-presidents, treasurer,
secretary and auditors. The balance sheet, showing a balance of
£12 10s. 8d. in hand on the capital account, was presented and adopted.
THE ADVANTAGES OF MONTHLY MEETINGS.
The hon. secretary’s report followed, and showed a pleasing year
of
progress. It stated that there were 19 affiliated towers, and a
membership of 226, made up of honorary members, 3; life members, 16;
attached to various affiliated towers, 164; unattached, 43. Compared
with last year, this showed an increase of 39 members, including one
honorary, 21 attached, and 17 unattached members. Two new sixbell
towers in Dronfield and Beighton had joined the society, and one in
Treeton had dropped out.
The monthly meetings had on the whole been well attended, and
the
standard of ringing had been high. The attendances had averaged about
25, which, while an improvement on some previous years, was with a
membership of well over 200 capable of improvement. Three meetings had
unfortunately had to be postponed or cancelled. The desirability of
attending as many of these meetings as possible was impressed upon the
members. In addition to the fact that they provided a pleasant source
of social intercourse amongst ringers, these meetings are capable of
doing very great good in raising the standard of ringing in the
district, both as regards striking and methods rung.
There was always encouragement for the learner; and, for those
more
advanced in the Art, there was the opportunity of taking part in
methods which, perhaps, a member might not have a chance of practising
at his own tower. Everyone would be pleased that the Eckington bells
were now being restored, and were nearing completion, and some good
meetings there were looked forward to.
The society's silver cup and framed certificate for the best
Sunday
ringing attendances for the year ending March 31st, 1913, had been won
by the Worksop company with 98.55 per cent., followed by Dore with
96.41 per cent., Ranmoor with 96.01 per cent., and Doncaster with 94.83
per cent. The Worksop company were deserving of much congratulation on
their good record, especially as this was their first year as members
of the society. The secretary was glad to be able to say that this
competition was now being taken up much more seriously by affiliated
companies, as it deserves to be, and the entries for the coming twelve
months were a great improvement on some previous years, though there
was still room for improvement. The secretary was also glad to be able
to say that the society was still in a sound financial position, though
the income for the present year had again only just covered the
expenditure. He was glad to note an improvement in the payment of
subscriptions, the majority of member’s having been prompt with them,
which was all for the good of the society.
The peals rung during 1912 numbered 26, and the standard was
very high
indeed, indeed it was doubtful if it could be surpassed in any part of
the country. It would be noted that there were 11 Surprise Major peals,
including two of London and one peal of Surprise Minor. Grandsire
Triples and Plain Bob did not appear, another sign of the high standard
maintained. Mr. B. A. Knights headed the list of conductors with seven
peals to his credit, Mr. J. Flint being a good second with six, Mr. Sam
Thomas third with five, followed by Messsrs. A. Knights and A. Craven
with two apiece, and Messrs. G. Hollis, G. Lewis and W. Wallace with
one each. Mr. J. Flint was to be congratulated upon ringing his 300th
peal, and Mr. W. Gosling, of Mansfield, upon ringing a peal in his 86th
year.
The Hon. Secretary added that he thought the proposed division
of the
Yorkshire Association into districts ought to receive the very careful
consideration of members of the Sheffield Society, who belonged to that
association, as these proposals might very seriously affect their
society. He expressed his thanks again to the majority of the
committeemen and secretaries, who have promptly and courteously replied
to all enquiries on his part. To a small minority he would say, as last
year, that a few words on a postcard should not be a great deal of
trouble, and would much facilitate his work.
THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF RINGERS.
The Hon. Secretary welcomed the Rev. T. Torrens and Mr. Morrison
(one
of the churchwardens) to the meeting, because it showed that they took
some interest in the ringers. A little kindly interest and
encouragement went a long way at times, and ringers were not any less
appreciative than, say, the choir. The layman scarcely realised the
amount of hard work and perseverance which went to make a good ringer,
and gave the ringer very little credit for his efforts as a rule. In
conclusion, he added that the society was on the up grade. They were
doing a good work in promoting change ringing, with its attendant
advantages of orderliness and decent behaviour in belfries, and in so
doing, they merited the support and interest of all church authorities
who possessed peals of bells, and of all ringers. It was one of the
aims of the society to avoid all friction and ill-feeling in connection
with the art of change ringing, and he appealed to all members to do
all in their power to carry out this object, and to continue to set a
good example in their dealings with Church authorities and others. In
that case, he believed there was a big future in front of the society,
and that they would continue to make good progress in every sense of
the word.
The whole of the officers were unanimously re-elected for the
ensuing
year, viz.: Mr. G. Halksworth (Doncaster), president; Messrs. J. P.
Tarlton (North Wingfield) and A. Knight (Chesterfield),
vice-presidents; Mr. David Brearley (Bolsterstone), hon. treasurer; Mr.
J. E. L. Cockey (Ranmoor), hon. secretary; Mir. G. Hollis
(Chesterfield), assistant hon. secretary; and Messrs. G. W. Bemrose
(Bolsover) and W. Peabody (Chesterfield), auditors. The committee were
elected as last year, with the exception of Mr. G. Elliott, of Dore,
whose place was taken by Mr. G. M. Thorpe.—The cup competition
sub-committee were reelected, viz., the president, two vice-presidents,
hon. secretary and two trustees (Messrs. C. H. Hattersley and S.
Thomas).
RINGERS AS MUSIC-MASTERS.
The presentation of the society’s silver cup and framed
certificate to
the ringers of the Priory Church of St. Cuthbert, Worksop, for the best
attendance for Sunday service ringing next took place. The Rev. T.
Torrens, in making the presentation, gave an eloquent address to those
present. He extended a most hearty welcome to the society to Ranmoor,
referring to the sympathy of the Vicar (the Rev. J. Williams) with the
ringers, and the sympathy which he knew they all felt for him in his
sad illness. Personally, he always greatly appreciated the welcome of
the bells as he came to Sunday service. He referred to the splendid
ringing of the Ranmoor bells, and to the credit which it reflected on
those responsible for it. In filling the Sunday air with sweetness,
change ringers were doing great good to the community at large, in
reminding all within reach of the service of God. The music of the
bells entered many a sick room, uplifting the despondent heart and
cheering the weary ones. Change ringing, he thought, was a noble and
blessed work, and a public duty. Sweet bells and good ringers generally
went together. He believed that change ringing cultivated a taste for
music in those who heard it, and that where there are beautiful peals
of bells, there one wonld find the love of music more pronounced. In
fact, change ringers might in a sense be called the music-masters of
England. He once spent five weeks in the Lake district of Italy, and he
compared the choir and the ringers to the song of the nightingale and
of the blackbird which he once heard there, pouring forth beautiful
music to the glory of God. He expressed his pleasure at seeing a lady
present, extending a welcome to her, and referred to the refining and
ennobling influence which it should have on all present. It gave him
great pleasure to present the cup and certificate to the Worksop
company, and to congratulate them on their fine record.
Mr. H. Haigh, in receiving the cup and certificate on behalf of the
Worksop company, expressed his great pleasure in having won it.
When they decided to join the Sheffield District Society, he said, they
did so because they considered it the most up-to-date and progressive
society in the district. He was proud of the fact that of their company
of twelve, all were communicants and regular service goers, and he
referred to the fact that they rang three times every Sunday. He
believed that ringers were doing a great work in ringing to the honour
and glory of God, and in cases of national rejoicing or sorrow. They
realised the importance of Sunday ringing, in ministering to the
outside world, and to the old and infirm who could not attend the
services, and the importance of always giving their best ringing for
these occasions. He concluded by emphasising the necessity of regarding
ringers as real Church workers.
LADY RINGERS ELECTED.
Six new members were elected, including three ladies, viz., Miss
Evelyn
Steel (Bedford), Miss Jessie Wair (North Wingfield), and Miss W. Hague
(Rotherham), and Messrs. A. West (Eckington), W. Barton (North
Wingfield), and G. Holmes (Sheffield).
A hearty vote of sympathy was passed with the Vicar of Ranmoor
and his
family in connection with his illness.
In replying to a vote of. thanks to the churchwardens, Mr. Morrison
congratulated the society on the conduct of its business and upon its
performances, and expressed his sympathy with its aims. He believed
that at Ranmoor they possessed a church second to none in the county,
and he thought he was' not for wrong in saying that their bells and
their ringers were also second to none (applause). He was glad to note
that they had arranged a meeting at Ranmoor for next February, and lie
would be delighted to meet them again and give them all a welcome as he
did now.—A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the local company and
to the ladies, and was suitably responded to by Messrs. Frank and
Maurice Ward.—A very cordial vote of thanks to the Rev. T Torrens was
proposed by the Secretary, and seconded by Mr. S. Thomas, in a humorous
speech.—The Rev. T. Torrens suitably replied, and the meeting closed
with the Doxology."
Handbell ringing was indulged in by some of those present after
the
meeting.
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