This page combines information from several sources and also indicates how the society has evolved over time.
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Ely Diocesan Association
The bells of St Mary's Ely were restored and re-dedicated on 29th May 1882. The event attracted some 250 ringers from as far as Norwich and London. At a luncheon held in the Boy's Room of the National School, Gervas Holmes JP MA introduced the idea of forming an association in a speech which resulted in several ringers taking up the idea. Holmes himself had been a ringer at Great St Mary's when he was an undergraduate at Emmanuel College, Cambridge in the 1850s and had subsequently started a bell foundry at Harleston in Norfolk together with Captain A P Moore and H A O Mackenzie. A letter was circulated in December 1882 to canvass support and the Bishop afforded his patronage. A provisional committee was formed with Kenelm Smith acting as honorary secretary. By the following summer the committee was ready to act and held a ringing meeting in Cambridge on Bank Holiday Monday 6th August 1883. Following the day's ringing a dinner was held at the Alexandra Restaurant at which the proposal to form a 'Diocesan Association of Ringers' was carried unanimously. The early years of its existence however, raised difficulties with the newly formed Bedfordshire Association created for the Bedford Archdeaconry which was part of the Ely Diocesan. These difficulties perhaps led to the meeting held on 12th January 1897 at which the Ely Diocesan Association of Change Ringers was re-launched. It may further explain the temporary re-naming of the Association as the Ely and St Edmundsbury Diocesan Association (1919 to 1921). Further information is provided in the Ringing World (10th January 1997, pages 25, 26 and 29). [Research and observations associated with the Council Library Certificates Collection by Chris Ridley.]
founded 1897. Sometime: Ely & St Edmundsbury Diocesan Association (1919 to 1921) [Research and observations associated with the Council Library Badge Collection by Chris Ridley.]
Place of Birth: Newmarket Began ringing at: Fordham First peal tower: Swaffham Prior Location mentioned in obituary: Stansted Mountfitchet Location mentioned in obituary: Whitley Bay
Ancient Society of College Youths Central Council of Church Bellringers Durham and Newcastle Diocesan Association Essex Association