Lincoln Diocesan Guild and associated societies

Lincoln Diocesan Guild

The Guild was made up from four Guilds which already covered the area of the Diocese of Lincoln, which is the same as Lincolnshire as it was before boundary changes in 1974. The South Lincolnshire Association was founded on 12 August 1879, the East Lincolnshire Association was founded on 4 October 1994. Also in 1884 the Eastern Counties Association was formed as was the North Lincolnshire Association. These four groups became the Lincoln Diocesan Guild in 1899. Rev. H Law James was instrumental in bringing this about. [Research by John Harrison.]

The Belfry Reform movement had led to the setting up of many early territorial societies. These included the South Lincolnshire Association on 12th August 1879, East Lincolnshire Association on 21st June 1884, Eastern Counties Guild on 2nd July 1884 and North Lincolnshire Association on 4th July 1884. Representatives from these existing societies met in the Chapter House of Lincoln Cathedral on 29th April 1899 to discuss the possibility of forming a single united society. This followed a resolution passed by each of the societies the previous year to explore the possibility on the understanding that each of the societies would retain their own authority over local ringing. This led to the establishment of a committee to take the proposal forward. For further background see the Bell News (13th May 1899), Ringing World (23rd April 1999 page 380) and the publication Ring in the True: the History of the first hundred years of the Lincoln Diocesan Guild of Church Bellringers by Denis Frith (1999). [Research and observations associated with the Council Library Certificates Collection by Chris Ridley.]

founded 1899 Formerly: Eastern Counties Guild (1884 to 1899)
North Lincolnshire Association (1884 to 1899)
South Lincolnshire Association (1879 to 1899) [Research and observations associated with the Council Library Badge Collection by Chris Ridley.]

1899