374th Anniversary Dinner
5th November 2011

(Report by John Thurman, photographs by Dickon Love and the Webmaster)

My memories of the 2010 College Youths Dinner are of feeling a slight sense of apprehension all weekend as I was starting a new job on the Monday immediately following. As I caught the 1033 from Halifax on Friday 4th November this year the main thought going through my mind was "blimey, is it really a year since last time?".

Well, yes it is. And, if you believe the Hon Sec's speech, it has been a very busy year for members of the Ancient Society. However, we'll come to that later.

The Anniversary Dinner is, for me and for many other College Youths, one of the highlights of the ringing calendar. Since moving back "up north" 18 months or so ago, I have not been able to join in with regular Society activities, certainly not the London-based ones that I used to take for granted, so the Dinner weekend has taken on a greater significance in terms of still feeling like an active member of the Society.

Everyone knows that going to the College Youths Dinner is "gonna cost you!". Train fares, accommodation, the Dinner ticket itself, as well as food and drink for the rest of the weekend can make it a bit economically challenging event. In spite of all this, no less than 352 members, family and friends managed to make it to the Tower Hotel from all corners of the globe on the Saturday evening for the Dinner itself.

The trend, in recent years at least, seems to be to "make a weekend of it". A number of peal attempts organised in- and around the City on Friday evening provided opportunity for the really keen members to get some serious bell ringing in before a pleasant informal social gathering at the Duke and Duchess, Creed Lane. An event which became all the more enjoyable when the staff finally agreed to turn off the juke box, and some of the more outspoken voices in the room could then really make themselves heard!

Saturday saw a full programme of activity. Morning peals were attempted with varying degrees of success. One of the privileges of ASCY membership is the opportunity to meet and ring with other members from all over the world with the common bond of fellowship which is part and parcel of membership of the Society.

Over lunchtime there was yet another social gathering in the Chamberlain Hotel, Minories. More familiar faces to catch up with, conversations of the "where have you been ringing this morning?" variety and in some cases the "who's fault was it?" variety, although not many of the latter I'm pleased to report.

Saturday afternoon presented an opportunity to have a ring on the new bells at St Michael, Cornhill, and the restored six at St Catherine Cree, Leadenhall Street. Following the open ringing at Cornhill, bands from London and Birmingham competed for The Cornhill Trophy, kindly donated by Phil and Gwen Rogers, made from one of the old Cornhill clappers. The test piece was 588 Spliced Bristol Surprise Maximus and Stedman Cinques and judged by Chris Kippin and David Brown, who would deliver their verdict during the Dinner. Each team appeared to have made their usual preparations for the contest but the Churchyard Judges remained, as ever, teetering on the fence as to which way the decision would go.

It was now time for the main business of the weekend. Time for members and guests to don their finery and make their way to the Tower Hotel and join the queue for a pre-dinner drink. As ever, a deal had been struck with the Hotel to provide some very good (and reasonably priced) Fullers London Pride, and once the bar staff had managed to get it flowing, the assembled College Youths visibly relaxed into a convivial evening.

As is customary, Philip Rogers, ASCY Treasurer, capably assumed his alter-ego of Toastmaster, called the assembled company to order and introduced the Society's Guests. This year we were pleased to welcome The Very Revd Dr John Hall, Dean of Westminster, along with other members of the Clergy representing Churches with which the Society has close links and Mrs Shirley McGill, Master of the Society of Royal Cumberland Youths The traditional slow hand clap welcomed the guests, followed by the Master, Philip Goodyer, escorted by the Stewards to complete the top table.

Following a few words of welcome from the Master, he handed over to Revd James Croft to say Grace, which was taken to a new level- no more "For what we are about to receive" for the College Youths! Finally, Dinner was served!

It used to be a common saying "never go hungry to the College Youths Dinner!" Those who were there in years past know what I mean. Not so these days. Warm smoked haddock and spinach tart was followed by rosettes of pork fillet and rounded of with lemon and lime cheesecake. All served in an efficient and timely manner which has become standard at the Tower. No mean feat considering there were no less than 352 diners.

Dining over, it was now time for the Toasts. The Master began proceedings by proposing the Loyal Toast. After a short break it was time for the Master to propose the Church and Clergy guests. The Master followed the theme of ringing bells for baptisms, weddings and funerals- with the Dean of Westminster present there was an opportunity to reflect on a very special and well publicised service held at the Abbey earlier in the year which had attracted endless media attention and whipped the Great British Public into frenzy. He was referring, of course, to the service held to mark the Centenary of the Ringing World.

The Master talked about the ringing achievements of the Society during the year, and let us in on his practice of keeping detailed statistics on what had be rung, and by whom, at each Tuesday practice- clearly no "I've not rung that before" type excuses in London CY circles these days.

He also made of special mention of the contribution of the Secretary over the past seven years- when John steps down it will be the end of an era, but every departure signifies a new beginning and, in the Master's opinion, the future of the Society is as safe as Houses!

It was now the turn of Revd Dr John Hall to respond. He began by musing as to why the Dinner started so early. He could only conclude that there were a number of Members who wished to get away early. He told stories of his youth at Eltham and offered the remarkable theory that bell ringing helps to maintain youth. He urged ringers to not lose sense of who we are, and emphasised the evangelistic message of bells, which form an intrinsic part of our national culture. The task which faces us is to preserve this. He concluded by thanking us for all that we do as part of Church life.

There was now an interval in the speeches- not for a quick comfort break or to nip to the bar- it was now the time for the handbells. This year's touch, in deference to the Master's Australian roots, was three leads of 88 Alliance Maximus, first rung to mark the Bicentenary of the first fleet landing in Australia. The method choice had added significance as it was devised by the late Rod Pipe- a fitting tribute to a truly Great ringer that one of his methods should be performed at the College Youths dinner. And performed it was, in fine style by:-

1-2	Paul Mounsey
3-4	John Hughes-D'Aeth
5-6	David Brown
7-8	Tom Hinks
9-10	Graham John
11-12	Paul Carless

Before the speeches resumed, it was time for the Master to present the Cornhill Trophy- with absolutely no further ado, Judge Chris Kippin announced that, following a closely fought contest, he and David Brown had decided that the Birmingham band had produced the best ringing. Michael Wilby received the Trophy on behalf of the Birmingham band, to what can only be described as a fairly unsporting response.

In proposing the Ancient Society of College Youths, the Honourable Justice David Bleby continued the Australian connection. As a Judge, it was expected that David would have made a pretty careful study of the Society rulebook and this proved to be the case. Attending the Dinner for the first time in 46 years of membership, David recalled fondly a visit to London in 1975 and the welcome extended to him by Wilfred Williams, who took him along to his first Society practice. Hospitality is the key to change ringing and the College Youths, as one of the few true international ringing Societies, is at the forefront of this. David remarked how the visits of the ASCY and SRCY to Adelaide this year have helped to revitalise ringing in the city, and proposed a toast to the Society and to excellence.

It was now the turn of the Secretary to respond. The Secretary's speech usually takes the form of a review of the Society's activities during the year- so the busier the year, the longer the speech. Judging by the length of time John was on his feet, the Society has had a pretty hectic year! He began by expressing thanks to David Bleby not just for his speech, but for the hospitality which David and his wife Elizabeth showed to the tourists earlier in the year, where a BBQ for 130 people was laid on at their home. John's thanks were heartily endorsed by the many in the room to have enjoyed the famous Bleby hospitality over the years.

The main part of the speech took the form of a school report, delivered in a headmaster's cap and gown (a long running in-joke amongst some of the London- based members which is, I'm sure, very funny to the people who are "in" on it).

A whirlwind tour through peals, trips to Australia, the USA and Canada, Country meetings, UK11, 12 bell contests and the regular weekly activities of the Society.

All present stood in silence to remember the 30 members who have sadly passed away in the last year, although it is encouraging to note the 30 new members have been elected also. On a happier note, there was applause for Robin Churchill, Tony Clayton, Michael Coleman, Anthony Davidson, Raymond Haines, David Hilling, David Purnell, Bob Smith and Andrew Stubbs who were invited to receive certificates from the Master to mark 50 years membership.

As this was John's final Dinner as Secretary, he concluded by offering some words of advice to his successor. Accompanied by Chris Kippin, John delivered his wisdom to the tune of Bunthorne's Song by Gilbert and Sullivan.

To conclude, John thanked all those who have helped him over the past seven years, with particular mention for Andrew Stubbs and Phil Rogers, and most particularly to John's wife Cathy for her help and tolerance.

And so the formal part of the evening was over. Plenty of time for catching up with friends, quite a few of whom we all only see once a year, before heading off for some well earned sleep. No stories of any misbehaviour this year, unless it's just that no- one has told me about it!

Sunday morning saw ringing at a variety of City towers, with some time to read the various banners outside St Paul's, followed by a convivial lunchtime in the Blackfriar (if you've never been to this remarkable pub, I suggest you make time to go- the beer is pretty decent as well). All too soon it was time to head off to catch the train back to the North and reality. The weekend over all too soon as they usually are when you're having such a good time. Thanks once again to the officers and all who help to organise the Dinner. Did we enjoy ourselves? Of course we did. Will we be back next year? You bet we will.