The history of bellringers & bellringing - Ringing Societies

These watch chain medals had been introduced by 1906. To be eligible members had to demonstrate the ability 'to ring by method each of the working bells in 120 half-pull changes.' This was the next stage on from the Certificate of Merit, which could be earned by ringing any 'Changing Tower Bell' to a 'peal' of 120 changes.
'Fifty Silver Medals £7 14s 2d' Truro Diocesan Guild Report 1906
'Cornwall was a county where prize ringing once used to flourish, but the efforts of the Guild to extinguish this form of competition has practically put it to an end. On the other hand, to promote genuine effort in acquiring the art of change-ringing, the Guild offers the encouragement of certificates of merit and silver medals to those who reach a certain standard of proficiency, and while there are still many affiliated towers where change ringing is not yet regularly practised, there are a considerable number of members who have qualified for and hold the medal.' 'The Ringing World' 18. ii.1916 p73
'Madron. - Of our ringers, all with the exception of two, have won their medals for change ringing. These two have their certificates for proficiency in round ringing. The only method is Grandsire Doubles. Four of our younger ringers - medallists - have gone to America, and we feel their loss very much. 'The Ringing World' 29. viii.1924 p553
In the Truro Diocesan Guild Report to August 1915 the award of six new medals was recorded, bringing the total to over one hundred. If a member could not be assessed in his own tower, arrangements could be made for this to be done at the Guild Festivals. The example illustrated was assayed in Birmingham in 1934 and was made by either Charles Westwood & Sons of Birmingham or C Weeden & Sons of London. It is believed it is one of a set presented by Lt Col C F Jerram to the band when he conducted the local ringers in the first peal on the bells of Manaccan on 22nd May 1935. This was rung for the Silver Jubilee of George V and was Jerram's first peal as conductor and the first peal for the other members of the band.
After the Mid-Cornwall Association joined the TDG in 1935, similar medals, to be worn as buttonhole badges were awarded to members who could 'on six bells rise and fall any bell the Judge decides, ring efficiently in Rounds and call a touch of 30 changes from Rounds to Rounds without a card.' The idea of the scheme was to offer an alternative to prize-ringing for money prizes.
'A proposal to redraft the rule concerning the awards of medals and certificates was referred to the Standing Committee.'
Truro Diocesan Guild Report 1936
'It was decided to hold the diocesan festival at Lanivet on Saturday, July 20th, and that if possible membership badges should be issued again and silver medals.' 'The Ringing World' 15. iii.1946 p121
'The evening concluded most appropriately with 120 Grandsire Doubles on handbells; for it was with this method that change ringing was introduced to Cornish ringers, and a silver medal used to be given to those who could ring in turn each of the four inside bells to any calling.' 'The Ringing World' 31. i.1958 p81