The total number of peals rung for the Guild in 2024 was 101, a slight decrease from the 111 peals rung in 2023. This involved 137 Guild members and included 4 ringers who rang their first peal. In comparison with the other 123 recognised societies the Guild again finished in the top ten in terms of overall peal totals. Handbell peals accounted for 38% of the total, thus maintaining the strength and momentum that handbell ringing has achieved in recent years.
I would again like to thank Andrew Craddock for sharing statistics generated by Pealbase which now has complete records extending back to 1900, a year in which just 41 peals were rung for the Guild comprising entirely of tower bell peals. Thanks also to Tony Smith whose comprehensive database of compositions rung by the Guild now has over 2,500 compositions recorded. Both these databases continue to be a great source of statistical information to the general ringing community.
Finally a reminder that peal fees are due within one month of the peal being rung and can be paid electronically using details found on the Guild website. My thanks to all conductors/organisers who regularly make payment on time.
There were 63 tower bell peals rung for the Guild in 2024 involving 95 ringers compared with 154 ringers in 2023. Roy LeMarechal once again was at the top of the leader board with 37 peals and was again the leading conductor with 20 peals. Bishopstoke was the leading tower with 11 peals and Awbridge and Portsmouth St Agatha’s tied in 2nd place, both with 9 peals.
The Guild officers would like to congratulate the following ringers who rang their first peal in 2024:-
Katherine Wilkins
Oliver Maddams
Michelle McHugh
Charlie Barrett
Other notable peal milestones included:-
250th - Philip Moyse
450th - Maureen Hanney
500th - Kathryn Arkless
600th - David Bath
700th - Peter Sheppard
1,100th - James Hodkin
3,000th - Shirley McGill
George Vant conducted his first peal and Edward Colliss conducted his 500th.
Congratulations to all other ringers who achieved a ‘first’ during 2024.
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Handbell ringing within the Guild continues at a strong pace with the venues at Micheldever, Portsmouth and Bosham accounting for over 80% of the peals rung in 2024. John Croft and his band have continued to push the number of Plain Spliced Major methods rung for the Guild to 21 methods and Benjamin Carey with his winter and autumn handbell program has enabled many of the less experienced handbell ringers to make significant progress.
Needless to say, John Croft was the leading handbell ringer in 2024 with 26 peals, closely followed by Ian Redway with 21 peals. The leading conductor was closely contested with John Croft (11) just pipping Benjamin Carey (10).
Kent TB Major was the leading method (8) although the 21 Spliced Plain Major and Sgurr A’ Chaorachain Surprise Royal are two other notable Guild performances.
Congratulations to Stephen Russ and Caroline Fairley who both rang their first handbell peal in 2024 and to Edward Colliss who conducted his first handbell peal and also to Maureen Hanney who rang her 200th handbell peal.
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Ian Carey