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Ringing Societies

Hereford Diocesan Guild

This page combines information from several sources and also indicates how the society has evolved over time.

Society NameDescriptionsFrom (year)To (year)Web site

Hereford Diocesan Guild

In the period up to 1886 ringing in the Diocese was limited. Little change ringing took place and the behaviour of the ringers was seen to be poor with much cider drunk in the belfry. This position together with the Belfry Reform Movement underway at the time led to the establishment of the Guild.
In February 1886 the Revd G M Custance, Rector of Colwall and himself a change ringer, circularised many people in the Diocese about the possibility of starting an Association of Change Ringers. A meeting took place on 2nd March at the hall of the College of Vicars Choral, Hereford where it was agreed to set up the Guild with the Revd. Custance as Secretary. It initially just appointed instructors to visit towers and help teach change ringing, but from 1888 the Guild held an annual festival. It was not until 1898 that the members started to elect Guild officers. A fuller history can be found in Ringing World (28th February 1986, pages 178 to 179) and the publication The Hereford Diocesan Guild of Bellringers 1886 to 1986: The History of the First Hundred Years by John Eisel (The Whiting Society of Ringers 2013). [Research and observations associated with the Council Library Certificates Collection by Chris Ridley.]

founded 1886 [Research and observations associated with the Council Library Badge Collection by Chris Ridley.]

1886

https://hdgb.org/
 

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Books in the Council Library

Total records: 3
TitleAuthorDateNotesAcquisition Number
Ringers' Office (Revised)1979 1044
Annual Reports 1886-92 (photocopies), 1893, 1894-2019, 20&21, 2022,682
The Hereford Diocesan Guild of Bellringers. Record of, 3 or more bells (Excludes Chiming) (sic)Mark Pugh (Compiler)2007, Oct 3232
 

Accounts of the lives of society members

Records 1 to 10, of 113 
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NamePlace(s)Other societiesDate of death
Corporal George Dunbar Acton Roll of Honour tower: Ludlow15/08/1917
Gunner Francis Henry Anthony Roll of Honour tower: Clyro12/09/1917
Fred Arrowsmith Location mentioned in obituary: Lugwardine08/02/1976
Leonard George Attwood Roll of Honour tower: Sutton (St Nicholas)09/06/1944
Frederick James Bassett Roll of Honour tower: Leominster12/05/1944
F John Bedford Location mentioned in obituary: Bredenbury24/03/1979
Alfred Benbow Location mentioned in obituary: Cound29/11/1976
Private Thomas William Bengough Roll of Honour tower: Almeley23/04/1917
Rev Preb Edward Geoffrey Benson Place of Birth: Hornsey, London
Began ringing at: Gt. St. Mary's Cambridge
First peal tower: Handbells at Trinity College, Cambridge
Towers: Berkhamsted, Herts (1921-1924); Tewksbury, Glos (1928-32); Bridgnorth, St. Leonard's, Salop (1933-6); Burghill, Heref. (1936-50); Presteign, Rad. (1950-)
Location mentioned in obituary: Presteign
05/08/1961
D A Biggs Roll of Honour tower: Fownhope 
 

Central Council Reps

Records 1 to 10, of 131 
◁◁▶▶ 
YearCC Reps
1890 John Gordon Buchanan, John Golding Wall
1891 Thomas James Bratton, John Gordon Buchanan, John Golding Wall
1892 John Gordon Buchanan, Thomas James Bratton, John Golding Wall
1893 Thomas James Bratton, John Gordon Buchanan, Revd T Hughes, John Golding Wall
1894 Thomas James Bratton, John Golding Wall
1895 Thomas James Bratton, John Golding Wall
1896 Thomas James Bratton, John Golding Wall
1897 Thomas James Bratton, John Golding Wall
1898 Thomas James Bratton
1899 Thomas James Bratton
 

Peal board photos

Total records: 3

Bridgnorth (St Leonard), Shropshire 04/02/1901

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Bridgnorth (St Leonard), Shropshire 05/09/1908

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Bridgnorth (St Leonard), Shropshire 06/11/1909

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Peals

For those who have a pealbase login, the society analysis has totals since 1910.