The Ancient
Society of
College
Youths
Est. 1637

376th Anniversary Dinner
2nd November 2013

(Report by Richard Carter. Pictures by the Webmaster)

On Saturday, November 2nd, the 376th Anniversary Feast of the Ancient Society of College Youths took place at the Guoman Hotel, next to Tower Bridge, London. Some 300 members and guests sat down together for the Annual Dinner. We then clapped in the Officers and their guests. Grace was then said by The Reverend Brian Harris and we were then served with our food.

The Master accompanied by his Stewards.

During the feast, the Master invited various groups of guests to take wine with him — members who had reached 50 and 60 Years membership, those who had taken part in the society's peal weekend and the extent of major in 1963 amongst others. There was one very elite group called to take wine — being the rest of the band in the Master's first peal — 11 minimus methods in 210 extents with 220 changes of method back in 1984. From humble beginnings...

Following the meal, toasts were made. The Queen was proposed by the Master and followed by a toast to the Church. In his proposal, the Master reminded us of some fine ecclesiastical images and the role that the church continues to play in our lives today. He believed that the finest image of the church rising above our lives today is shown in the famous 1940 photograph of the dome of St Paul's rising from the smoke of the Blitz. The Very Reverend Dr. David Ison, Dean of St. Paul's responded on behalf of the church. Introducing him, the Treasurer in his role as toastmaster recounted a tale of 17th century choirboys peeing in the side aisles of St Paul's in times past in order to provided skating rinks! The Dean confirmed that this would no longer be a problem as there was grating for said liquids to pass through! He assured us that this was the choir boys and not the ringers. He then moved on to how the Bible reminds us of bellringers, "I hear but know not from whence it came." He reflected that bells are formed of complex sounds formed by the complex art of bell founding; and for these bells to ring harmoniously together they need to be well lubricated as do the ringers who ring them. I don't know what he meant!

Having settled back down into our seats we were then entertained with the dinner handbell touch. There seemed to be some concern that the Earis' absence may have some adverse effect. However we didn't need to worry. Paul Mounsey (1–2), Tom Hinks (3–4), David Pipe (5–-6), John Hughes D'Aeth (7–8), Graham Firman (9–10) and Paul Carless (11–12) ably entertained us with a sparkling touch of spliced — Chaldini, Phobos, Demos, Ariel and Maypole. This was received with an extended round of applause with one or two giving a standing ovation — although they might have been just stretching their legs!

The handbell touch.

We were then regally entertained by Eleanor Linford's speech proposing the Society. She remembered her time in London, speaking warmly about the St. Paul's Cathedral Guild, of which she is still a regular member. She also fondly recalled the amount and quality of ringing going on in London and took the opportunity to thank Gwen Rogers for all the hard work that she did and continued to do for the Society and London ringing in general. This was warmly acknowledged by the assembled company.

David House, ASCY Secretary, then gave the response. The toastmaster, by way of introduction, recalled the end of a convivial evening meal during this year's Society trip to the USA, when David was asked if he would like a 'doggy bag'. "Do I look like the man who likes eating cold fish out of a cardboard box?" was the alleged reply. Well no! David reported that the Society is in good shape. The trip to New York was well attended and was a resounding success. He was pleased to see representation from many areas of the UK and from North America at the dinner, including Norwich (where London College Youths claim the second ever true peal was rung) and South West England ("...a part of the country cut off from the rest of England on three sides by water, and on the fourth by First Great Western..."). Tuesday practice nights had been well attended this year and the Society had rung around 250 peals during the Master's year of office, all of which indicated the good heart in which the Society stands.

The formal part of the evening then finished off with the silent toasts to the Masters of 100, 200 and 300 hundred years ago, coupled this year with a toast to the memory of Fabian Stedman, Master in 1682, who died exactly 300 years ago. Upon conclusion of this, the officers retired and the evening continued with what ringers to best!

As a provincial and irregular attendee I must say what a wonderful evening was had by all. The service was smooth, seamless and efficient; the food rich, well presented and quickly served; the speeches witty, relevant and highly entertaining. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and I'm sure all those who also attended would wish me to thank all those who were involved in the organisation of the Annual Dinner.

  • The Master presents 50 year membership certificates.

  • The Master with John Fielden, a member for 50 years.

  • Derek Hammond, Adrienne Sharp, Jenny Thompson, and David Stanford.

  • The Secretary with Eleanor Linford.

  • Becca Cullen, Ryan Noble, and Jonathan Slack.

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