The history of bellringers & bellringing - Ringing Societies

Covers the area within a 12 mile radius of St. Mary's Parish Church, Barnsley [Research by John Harrison.]

After a preliminary meeting in December 1908, the first meeting of the Society was held at the Windmill Inn in Shambles Street, Barnsley, on Saturday 9th January 1909. It was reported that around 50 individuals were present at the meeting and the accounts show that 37 subscriptions at 1/- were taken at the meeting.
A 'West Yorkshire Society appears to have previously flourished in the Barnsley area but declined after the formation of the Yorkshire Association in 1875. The Barnsley ringers felt that they had limited opportunities within the new territorial society to practice their Minor ringing and this led to them forming a separate local society to meet this need. Further background can be found in Ringing World (26th December 1958, page 841). [Research and observations associated with the Council Library Certificates Collection by Chris Ridley.]

Founded 1909 [Research and observations associated with the Council Library Badge Collection by Chris Ridley.]