The remaining contents of the Library were successfully transferred from Valerie Payne's home to the ringing chamber of St Giles in the Fields in the autumn of 2009.
It is my intention that most of the collection be available for loan to members as soon as possible.
Current work involves two major tasks: (1) fixing Library book plates and category labels (so we know where to put things!) to all the published stock which otherwise bears no mark of ownership, and (2) doing a stock-take. The catalogue is comprehensive and detailed, but has needed some rationalization and correction.
The following list shows the categories which were assigned by my predecessor and as work progresses we hope to create hyperlinks to PDF versions of the various sections of the catalogue.
1 Change ringing contains inter alia reprints of the early works, the well-known nineteenth- and twentieth-century classics, and several Central Council publications including method collections.
2 Handbell ringing (tunes); carillons, chimes etc; musical connections
3 Bells, buildings, founding, ringers
4 Middlesex Association Records. is a listing mainly of Association and District Minute Books, some of which are now in the London Metropolitan Archives.
5 Middlesex Association Annual Reports.
There are two sets of Reports, one complete and one nearly so.
The first set has been partially bound, and plans are in hand to bind some more years.
The second set is currently in the custody of the Librarian.
A fairly large collection of spare copies for recent years has been given to James White, who will be happy to fill gaps in a member's set.
6 Other Association / Guild Annual Reports This is a very patchy collection of reports from ringing societies all over the country.
It is my intention to offer at least the early ones either to the Central Council Library or to their appropriate homes.
7 Catalogues of other libraries
8 Periodicals on ringing. This includes a long run of the Ringing World, as well as some other titles, notably Church Bells and Bell News
9 Documents concerning Middlesex members and towers
10 Miscellaneous items
11 Churches in the Ringing World I am not certain yet whether this is an index of references or cuttings
12 Church guides (non-Middlesex)
13 Postcards This is a collection of about 1300 postcards assembled by Valerie Payne, mainly views of churches in all parts of the UK.
With the approval of her daughter Linda, the possibility of a sale for the benefit of the BRF is being investigated.
14 Parish literature
I shall email alerts on progress to the MCA&LDG mailing list from time to time.
Paul Norman
Librarian
MIDDLESEX
