William Wooding Starmer

[Bill Hibbert]

I was in the British Library the other day, reading 'How Coventry 
Bells were lost', as you do, and came across the following letter 
about WWS which, in the light of our discussions of a couple of weeks 
ago, I thought was interesting.

The letter was written by E. Alexander Young, who about two years 
before its date had taken a lead role in the court case to keep the 
old Coventry bells. WWS (who incidentally peddled a load of hokum in 
court) was one of the main proponents for the recasting. EAY's 
bitterness at failure has clearly not dimmed in two years.

(Incidentally, the book also includes a report from A.A.Hughes on the 
Coventry bells which is interesting and important in many ways . . .)

Bill H

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Reprinted from the 'Ringing World,' Nov. 25th, 1927.
THE LATE MR. W. WOODING STARMER

Dear Sir,-There has recently appeared in your 'Belfry Gossip' the 
statement that Mr. W. W. Starmer was the chief witness for the 
recasting of the Coventry bells, whilst in another column the 
services of the deceased were referred to in eulogistic terms as 
regards the Ringing Exercise. The report was that of the annual 
meeting of the Durham and Newcastle Association, and the speaker was 
a distinguished prelate. There has also appeared a long obituary 
notice in the 'Times' newspaper.

I observe that these statements partly conflict, and that they are 
partly erroneous. I would therefore ask you to allow me either to 
modify or restrict them, as may be deemed fair.

Mr. Starmer, who was a member of the Royal College of Music, was an 
organist and composer of some note; and, as a carillonneur and 
examiner at Mechlin, he was an authority upon carillons. As the 
latter generally exemplify 'Simpson' tuning, he was naturally a 
follower of the late Canon of that name. As far as we ringers are 
concerned, there he stops, for though, as a boy, he appears to have 
learnt to handle a bell, he had but an indifferent love for ringing 
as we know it. For instance, it will be remembered that at Coventry, 
when asked if he had ever rung a peal, he replied, 'No, and added the 
significant remark, 'I am glad to say.'

Mr. Starmer enjoyed what is called 'a good Press.' He was frequently 
referred to as doctor and professor, and it is remarkable that in the 
obituary notice which appeared in 'The Times' he is stated to have 
been Professor of Campanology at Birmingham University, when no such 
chair exists. Those who, like myself, attended the Coventry bells' 
hearing will remember the great play that was made with 'Dr. this and 
Professor the other,' little knowing at the time the actual facts. 
>From a recent letter in the 'Times,' I see that there never has been 
a professorship of campanology at Birmingham, and it is fair to 
assume that the other title is equally apocryphal.

If Mr. Starmer's efforts helped to introduce the carillon into 
England or America, we are both interested and gratified. Beyond 
this, however, I cannot see that we have much cause to congratulate 
ourselves upon the deceased gentleman's connection with the Ringing 
Exercise.-

Yours faithfully,
E. ALEX. YOUNG