Ancient Society of College Youths


The Ancient Society of College Youths is a change ringing society, founded in 1637 and based in the City of London. The society played a leading role in the early development of change ringing, and today provides ringers for important events at St Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey. Although it is a non-territorial association, its importance is recognised through having four representatives on the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers.

History

The Society is said to be founded on 5 November 1637, although it is possible that it was actually in existence before this date. The first Master is noted as Lord William Brereton. The first ringing by the Society was recorded in c.1642 when it managed "a plain six-score on five bells". Robert Roan is said to have invented the ringing methods known as Grandsire Doubles and Plain Bob Minor, which are still rung today.
Fabian Stedman, the author of Campanalogia in 1677, also became steward to the College Youths in that year, and in 1682 he was elected Master of the College Youths.
Copies of historical documents of the society are held by the National Archives, British Library and London Metropolitan Archives.

Achievements

Some notable early achievements were:
The Society was also a pioneer in "long length" peals; the first of these long lengths took place on 18 May 1728, and consisted of 10,080 changes of Plain Bob Major. More recently, three members of the ASCY - Philip Earis, Andrew Tibbetts and David Pipe - have rung the longest peal ever, on handbells, consisting of 72,000 changes of Minor, ringing 100 different methods, all of which had to be memorised, and taking 24 hours and 9 minutes.
The Society also rang the 'extent' of Major - 40,320 changes, on 27 December 1977, taking 15 hours, 59 minutes to do so.

Belfry stewardship

The ASCY is responsible for the bells at:
Its members hold regular practices at these towers, as well as at St Paul's Cathedral, St Mary-le-Bow and Southwark Cathedral.