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<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>The issue that David is highlighting is no=
t so much=20
one of accuracy - though I agree entirely that "Dove" will be of diminished=
=20
value if demonstrably inaccurate data is included - as one of editorial=20
responsibility. Ron Dove made no pretence of consultation. In his=20
inimitable manner, he made the decisions based on the best evidence availab=
le to=20
him - and took responsibility (and I suspect enjoyed the scuffle!) if peopl=
e=20
objected. This is what the present compilers seem so very reluctant t=
o=20
do.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Over time, I have become very clear on one=
thing -=20
there is no such thing (in reality) as an EXACT weight for a bell. </FONT><=
FONT=20
face=3DArial size=3D2>There are RECORDED weights and ESTIMATED weights.&nbs=
p;=20
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Where a recorded weight is quoted, it shou=
ld be the=20
latest weighing. Ideally, estimated weights should be determined usin=
g a=20
consistent formula - and expressed as approximations (i.e. nearest quarter =
cwt).=20
There will be occasions when recorded weights have to revert to estimates (=
e.g.=20
removal of canons after weighing).</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Surely this provides a more robust basis f=
or=20
evaluation than any form of consultation with locals or others? If this&nbs=
p;way=20
of looking at weights is accepted at a philosophical level, then Ron Johnso=
n's=20
concern that "all knowledge is provisional" is of less importance - and it=
=20
becomes easier for the compilers to arbitrate, since the determining criter=
ion=20
is "evidence" (rather than "accuracy"). I'm not sure Ron Dove would h=
ave=20
put it quite like this, but I'm pretty sure that this IS how he did=20
it.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Is this, Andrew W, something like a pragma=
tic way=20
of working for the future? Evidence-based entries, and editorial=20
responsibility based on the reliability of evidence?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Barry Pickup is right about Frome - though=
it's=20
interesting that the bell has since been weighed in the tower and found to =
be=20
very close to 27-2-22. But it wasn't the date Ron Dove visited, it wa=
s=20
when the redoubtable James H. Shepherd of Swindon - the great tower grabber=
and=20
tenor measurer! - went to Frome. A lot of Dove's earlier estimated=20
weights came from JHS's notebooks. Now, of course, so many more bells =
have=20
been weighed in the course of subsequent restoration. But we mustn't underv=
alue=20
that initial work by JHS and RHD that led to the first edition of "Dove" an=
d=20
still underpins the work.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Ron, incidentally, had a long-standing feu=
d with=20
the late William A. Stote of Coventry - a rather prickly and dogmatic chara=
cter=20
who used to submit "corrections" based on "I've rung it, and it goes like 1=
7cwt=20
and not 13-1-11". I do share David B's concerns that deference to local opi=
nion=20
- and I think it's stretching it to claim that this equates to keeping cust=
omers=20
sweet - will only take us back down this route</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>C.J.P. Anorak</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>