The history of bellringers & bellringing - Ringing Societies

A precursor of the Oxford Diocesan Guild, which became one of its founding branches in 1881 [Research by John Harrison.]

In the south of the Diocese of Oxford ringers from Slough had been attracted to join the West Middlesex Association formed in 1874. The East Berks and South Bucks Society was formed in 1879 and there was the Sonning Deanery Society dating from May 1880.
At the Diocesan Conference held in Oxford on 8th October 1880 the Revd. Dolben Paul presented a paper and asked permission to form a Diocesan Guild of Ringers. Church Bells, a prominent newspaper at the time, reported a few weeks later that a meeting was to be held in Reading on 13th November to which all ringers in the Diocese were invited. It promised an exhibition of change ringing under Revd. F E Robinson's conductorship, with a shilling (5p) tea to follow! At the meeting it was agreed to form the Guild and an inaugural general meeting followed in Oxford on 17th January 1881.
For further details see the Ringing World (16th January 1981, pages 4548) and the publication 100 Years of the Oxford Diocesan Guild by William Butler (1981). [Research and observations associated with the Council Library Certificates Collection by Chris Ridley.]

founded 1881 [Research and observations associated with the Council Library Badge Collection by Chris Ridley.]