Could you explain in a sentence what the Central Council does?

The Central Council has several objectives: it represents ringers on a bigger scale, it can provide assistance for ringers, and also it tries to spread good practice- for example, encourage people to achieve better striking and aim higher within ringing.

What does being President of the Central Council involve?

It involves lots of things! As with any organisation, the President is the public face of that society. As President of the Central Council, I meet with other organisations such as English Heritage and the Council for the Care of Churches, to discuss anything which may involve or concern ringing. My job also includes running the actual Central Council meeting. As well as this, I have to be aware of what the other committees are doing. If any larger projects are happening then I'll get involved in those too.

Do you enjoy it?

So far so good! Yes, it's quite fun.

How long have you held this position?

One year, the Vice President is elected for three years, and then they are generally elected President unopposed for a three years term. I have already served my term as Vice President, which I will hold for the next triennium. (The current Vice President is Derek Sibson, and he will become President after Michael Henshaw.)

What made you want to become President of the Central Council?

I have been a representative on the Central Council for 12 years, and I have also been on the Education Committee. I helped with the 'Ring in 2000' campaign, and that inspired me to become President.

To hold a position on the Central Council, you have to already be a representative for a Guild/Association. Which Guild/Association are you a representative for?

I am a representative for the Beverley and District Society.

Do you have any tips for future CC Presidents?

Try and enjoy it! As with any senior position in any society, you have to be dedicated and really enjoy the job. You also have to appreciate other ringers potential, for example targets that they are able to reach.

Where is your home tower?

I ring at All Saints, North Ferriby, in East Yorkshire. (An 8 cwt ring of 6.)

Is that where you learnt to ring?

No, I learnt to ring at St. Nicholas, Fyfield in Essex. (A 6 cwt ring of 6.)

Did you learn to ring as a young person?

Yes, I started when I was 12-13 years old.

What made you want to take up ringing?

I was coming out of church one day, when an old gentleman, Stan Clark, asked me if I would like to learn to ring. After I agreed, he and Roger Burberry taught me to ring. Stan Clark took me to different practice nights so I could progress further.

What is your favourite method?

I quite enjoy ringing Stedman, particularly Triples and Caters.

Where is your favourite ring of bells?

I like York Minster, because of their sound. (York Minster are a 59 cwt ring of 12.)

(Click here to listen to a clip of York Minster bells, and you will probably agree that they sound good!)

What did you ring for your first quarter peal and where did you ring it?

I rang the treble to Plain Bob Minor at Fyfield, and it was on Remembrance Sunday.

What did you ring for your first peal and where did you ring it?

I rang inside to Plain Bob Minor at Fyfield.

How many peals and quarter peals have you rung in total?

I have rung over 600 peals, and roughly 500 quarter peals.

Do you count towers? How many have you rung at?

Yes, I count towers, and I have rung in a round 1200.

Do any of your family members ring?

Yes, my wife rings, and so does my brother and his wife. Actually both my brother and I met our wives through ringing!

Which Guilds/Associations are you a member of?

I am a member of the Beverley and District Society, the Yorkshire Association, the Ancient Society of College Youths, and I am also a non-resident member of other societies through ringing peals.

Where is the heaviest bell you have rung?

The heaviest bell I have rung is the tenor at Beverley Minster, in Yorkshire. (It weighs over 41 cwt!)

What do you consider your greatest ringing achievement so far?

Being President of the Central Council is quite a big achievement, but in ringing terms, probably calling a peal of Pitman's 4 spliced. (This is a composition of 4 methods: Cambridge, Superlative, London and Bristol, and is quite difficult to conduct.)

Thank you Michael Henshaw for making time to be interviewed.

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This page was last updated on 6/6/03