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North American Guild
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North American Guild
Although there have been change ringing bells hung in North America since 1744, and bands of change ringers have been active in locations as far apart as Quebec, South Carolina, Illinois, and British Columbia at various times since then, by the middle of the 20th century, change ringing on tower bells had nearly died out on the continent and records of change ringing on handbells are correspondingly scanty. In the early 1960's, there were only seven active towers: In the USA at schools in Kent, Groton, and Chicago and in Canada at churches in Calgary, Mission, Vancouver, and Victoria. Excitement about the installation in 1963 of change ringing bells at the new National Cathedral in Washington, DC, however, energized ringers around the continent and discussions about forming a guild to support, improve, and extend change ringing in North America began. In late 1968 a peal was rung at the Groton School that the ringers present considered to have been the nascent event of the North American Guild. The official founding of the Guild did not occur, however, until the ratification of the constitution in the autumn of 1972 at which time 141 ringers became members. At that time there were 11 active towers in North America concentrated in the southwestern quadrant of Canada and the northeastern quadrant of the USA. Details of this history can be found in There Was Life Before NAG by J. Michael Simpson. [Research and observations associated with the Council Library Certificates Collection by Chris Ridley.]
founded 1972 [Research and observations associated with the Council Library Badge Collection by Chris Ridley.]
The Official Journal of the North American Guild of Change Ringers 'The Clapper' Vol 1 No 1 (Dec 1973) - Vol 47 No 4 (Oct 2020) Vol 48, No 1 (Jan 2021) - Vol 50, No 3 (Summer 2023)
1291
1980/1-1987, 1988-2016, 2017 - 2022
1356
Ringing elementary minor methods on handbells
Frank H King
1974, Aug
1367
Ringing elementary minor methods on handbells
Frank H King
1974, Aug
2788
There was Life before NAG
J. Michael Simpson (editor)
1997
illustrated
2409
Change Ringing
n.d.
Recruiting leaflets - Foolscap sheet folded to give eight sides
1354
Change Ringing
n.d.
Recruiting leaflets
1355
Letters relating to the formation of the North American Guild
1966-70
Photocopies: 1) R S Dirksen - circular letter to tower captains and masters in North America 27.x.1966 2) Newsletter from the Tower of Washington Cathedral Jan 1967 3) R S Dirksen to Frank (C Price) enclosing report for presentation to 1870 CC meeting
1324
Bells of North America Vol 1
n.d.
Fifteen towers plus one handbell track Explanatory leaflet
1084
Accounts of the lives of members (Navigation at foot of page)
Place of Birth: Tadcaster Began ringing at: Hatfield, South Yorkshire First peal tower: Campsall Towers: Oxford towers while he was at the University, Kingston upon Thames, Cookham, Prestbury (Cheshire), Wilmslow and St. Peter Mancroft, Norwich. Location mentioned in obituary: Norwich
Place of Birth: Islington Began ringing at: Portsmouth Cathedral First peal tower: St. Paul, Salisbury. Towers: Subsequently he was attached to all four Salisbury towers, then to St. Mary's Holloway. Later he was unattached for at least 25 years. Location mentioned in obituary: London
Ancient Society of College Youths Antient Free and Accepted Masons of England
Place of Birth: Whittier, California Began ringing at: Marietta First peal tower: St. Martin in the Fields, Philadelphia Towers: Washington 2012 Location mentioned in obituary: Marietta
Although there have been change ringing bells hung in North America since 1744, and bands of change ringers have been active in locations as far apart as Quebec, South Carolina, Illinois, and British Columbia at various times since then, by the middle of the 20th century, change ringing on tower bells had nearly died out on the continent and records of change ringing on handbells are correspondingly scanty. In the early 1960's, there were only seven active towers: In the USA at schools in Kent, Groton, and Chicago and in Canada at churches in Calgary, Mission, Vancouver, and Victoria. Excitement about the installation in 1963 of change ringing bells at the new National Cathedral in Washington, DC, however, energized ringers around the continent and discussions about forming a guild to support, improve, and extend change ringing in North America began. In late 1968 a peal was rung at the Groton School that the ringers present considered to have been the nascent event of the North American Guild. The official founding of the Guild did not occur, however, until the ratification of the constitution in the autumn of 1972 at which time 141 ringers became members. At that time there were 11 active towers in North America concentrated in the southwestern quadrant of Canada and the northeastern quadrant of the USA. Details of this history can be found in There Was Life Before NAG by J. Michael Simpson. [Research and observations associated with the Council Library Certificates Collection by Chris Ridley.]
founded 1972 [Research and observations associated with the Council Library Badge Collection by Chris Ridley.]
The Official Journal of the North American Guild of Change Ringers 'The Clapper' Vol 1 No 1 (Dec 1973) - Vol 47 No 4 (Oct 2020) Vol 48, No 1 (Jan 2021) - Vol 50, No 3 (Summer 2023)
1291
1980/1-1987, 1988-2016, 2017 - 2022
1356
Ringing elementary minor methods on handbells
Frank H King
1974, Aug
1367
Ringing elementary minor methods on handbells
Frank H King
1974, Aug
2788
There was Life before NAG
J. Michael Simpson (editor)
1997
illustrated
2409
Change Ringing
n.d.
Recruiting leaflets - Foolscap sheet folded to give eight sides
1354
Change Ringing
n.d.
Recruiting leaflets
1355
Letters relating to the formation of the North American Guild
1966-70
Photocopies: 1) R S Dirksen - circular letter to tower captains and masters in North America 27.x.1966 2) Newsletter from the Tower of Washington Cathedral Jan 1967 3) R S Dirksen to Frank (C Price) enclosing report for presentation to 1870 CC meeting
1324
Bells of North America Vol 1
n.d.
Fifteen towers plus one handbell track Explanatory leaflet
1084
Accounts of the lives of members (Navigation at foot of page)
Place of Birth: Tadcaster Began ringing at: Hatfield, South Yorkshire First peal tower: Campsall Towers: Oxford towers while he was at the University, Kingston upon Thames, Cookham, Prestbury (Cheshire), Wilmslow and St. Peter Mancroft, Norwich. Location mentioned in obituary: Norwich
Place of Birth: Islington Began ringing at: Portsmouth Cathedral First peal tower: St. Paul, Salisbury. Towers: Subsequently he was attached to all four Salisbury towers, then to St. Mary's Holloway. Later he was unattached for at least 25 years. Location mentioned in obituary: London
Ancient Society of College Youths Antient Free and Accepted Masons of England
Place of Birth: Whittier, California Began ringing at: Marietta First peal tower: St. Martin in the Fields, Philadelphia Towers: Washington 2012 Location mentioned in obituary: Marietta
