The history of bellringers & bellringing - Ringing Societies

The Guild is concerned with ringers who practise change ringing (scientific). [Research by John Harrison.]

One of the earliest societies established under the belfry reform movement, the Guild of Devonshire Ringers, held its inaugural meeting at St Andrews Plymouth on 15th June 1875. The flyers issued to advertise the event included free 3rd Class railway tickets if attending, a lunch at the Royal Hotel, a peal by the Ancient Society of College Youths (ASCY) to open the newly augmented ring of bells at St Andrews, change ringing and handbell ringing elsewhere in Plymouth, in addition to the first AGM. This meeting followed an earlier gathering more than a year previously on 21st March 1874 to consider the founding of a Guild. Also see the Ringing World (22nd March 1974, pages 233 to 235).
(Trewman's Exeter Flying Post, Wed. 17 June 1874; long reports Exeter and Plymouth Gazette and Western Times, both Fri. 19 June 1874. All reports record the presence of Mr. 'Prockter,' who had travelled from Bennington, Herts, to be present):
The Guild of Devonshire Ringers is a society formed through the instrumentality of the Rev. J. L. L. Fulford, of Woodbury, and Mr. C. A. W. Troyte, for the purpose of organising change ringing throughout the county and of improving the state of affairs in Church towers on occasions of ringing. The inauguration of the Guild was at Plymouth on Monday, when they rang the bells of St. Andrew's Church. The proceedings were commenced by divine service. The prayers and lessons were read by the Rev. J. L. L. Fulford; and the Rev. J. E. Risk preached an appropriate sermon from the third chapter of Colossians, verses 23 and 24. The bells were afterwards rung to the gratification of groups of listeners. Two new bells have been recently added to those in the tower of St. Andrew's Church, but though the sound of the new ones was distinguishable from the others, they harmonised well with the old bells. The ringers were the members of the Ancient Society of College Youths-professionals from London-composed of Messrs. Haworth, Cooter, Wood, Ferris, Pettit, Mushett [sic], Greenleaf, Jones, and Tanner. The changes then rung were 395 grandsire caters, 432 Steadman's caters, 216 Steadman's caters, 3 leads of Kent, and 120 treble Bob Royal. They were all most excellently performed. At one o'clock a company of over one hundred sat down to dinner at the Royal Hotel, under the presidency of Mr. Troyte. There were many clergymen and laymen present from all parts of Devon and Cornwall. The loyal and constitutional toasts were given; and then the Rev. J. L. L. Fulford read the annexed report:-"Seeing that the Guild of Devonshire Ringers dates its existence from the 21st of March last, it cannot be expected that the report of your committee should be a long one, but we feel sure that it will be found as satisfactory as even the most sanguine member of the guild could expect. [Research and observations associated with the Council Library Certificates Collection by Chris Ridley.]

Founded 1874 [Research and observations associated with the Council Library Badge Collection by Chris Ridley.]