Doubles peals 1997

I have analysed the peals of Doubles rung during 1997 and published in The Ringing World to date. I found 148 peals; 33 in one method and 89 in from 2 to 123 methods. The remaining 26 contained variations and one did not conform with Decision (D) C.3. This was a peal in 6m/45v (not 51m/v as claimed) at Gotham on 29 December for the Southwell DG (97/88). Extents 19, 20, 27, 28, 35 and 42 each contained two or three variations with the same plain course, different singles but the same bob. Decision (D) C.3 says that where variations with the same plain course are included in an extent they must not have any calls in common. If Council decides to include this peal in the Analysis we recommend that they follow the precedent established at Wells in 1990 and accept these extents as containing just the methods used and not the variations. The peal would then be recorded as 6m/28v with the particular extents as follows: (19-20) Reverse Canterbury Pleasure Place (27-28) Plain Bob (35) St Martin's Bob (42) St Simon's Bob.

Moreover, the reports of the 2 peals listed in figure 1 did not conform with Decision (D) C.4 as they did not state the numbers of methods and variations separately; the correction column shows how they should have been reported.

One of the peals in figure 1 (marked *) and the peals listed in figure 2 claimed from 4 to 6 "variations" which use only standard calls for the parent methods and, in accordance with Decision (E) A.3, are not entitled to different names.

If any band is unsure how the numbers were arrived at for their peal, I will be pleased to provide details on receipt of a stamped addressed envelope.

I also noticed a minor discrepancy in the report of the peal at Harston on 20 December (98/107) which claimed 4m/6v but contained 11m.

ANTHONY P. SMITH
Chairman, Methods Committee

The Ringing World, May 8, 1998, page 470