The Council
The Council is the representative body for all who ring bells in the English tradition with rope and wheel, the majority of whom practise the art of change ringing. Founded in 1891, the Council today represents 65 affiliated societies, which cover all parts of the British Isles as well as centres of ringing in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the USA, South Africa and Italy. These societies in turn comprise the members of the local companies of ringers in their areas.
The Council's members comprise: Representative Members elected by the affiliated Societies for a three year period; Additional Members elected by the Council for a three year period; and Life Members elected by the Council by reason of their services to the art of change ringing.
The officers and committee members are elected by the Council at the annual meeting (see Annual Meetings below) at the start of each triennium.
The Aims and Objects of the Council are included in the Rules, and motions passed by the Council on: the installation and preservation of bells; recommendations to associations; Rolls of Honour; peal ringing; methods and calls; compositions; and method extension are recorded in the Decisions.
Annual Meetings
The Council meets each year on Spring Bank Holiday Monday.
The Minutes of all meetings from 1891 through 2011 are viewable in Tony Smith's archives, as are the Annual Reports (including those of the Committees) from 1996 through 2010.
Invitations have been accepted from the following societies to host future meetings:
- 2012: Chester Diocesan Guild (on Monday 4 June)
- 2013: Guildford Diocesan Guild
- 2014: Kent County Association *
- 2016: Winchester & Portsmouth Diocesan Guild
* Start of a new triennium