PEAL RECORDER’S REPORT

Tower Bell Peals

The tower bell peal total for 2001 is 70. This is a dramatic decrease on the 2000 total of 96. Out of the 70 peals rung, 58 were rung at 35 different towers within the Guild. Despite the large drop in the number of peals rung, there has been a slight increase in the number of peals of Royal whereas peals of Minor and Major have shown a significant decrease.

Bishopstoke regains the position at the top of the leading tower list with a margin of 10 more peals than any other tower. The peal rung there on February 6th is believed to be the fastest peal on ten church bells. The local band scored a peal of Yorkshire Surprise Major at the end of the year. Sadly this year saw the loss of Tom Chapman, a great friend to many but especially the ringers at Bishopstoke. Tom’s last peal on the bells was in June where he rang the tenor to Grandsire Caters and so circled the tower to peals. A peal was rung at Bishopstoke in August by current and past members of the local band in his memory, the band included five people that Tom had taught to ring.

Two peals were rung to mark the 100th anniversary of the first peal of Bristol Surprise Major on March 22nd 1901 in Brighton. The peal that was rung at Petersfield to mark this event is believed to be the first peal of Bristol Surprise Major by a resident Alton and Petersfield District band.

A peal was rung at Newport, I.O.W to mark the 250th anniversary of the first performance of Holt’s Original at St Margaret’s Westminster on July 7th 1751.

Peals at Haslemere (once a member of the Winchester Guild), Bramshott and Lymington have been rung to celebrate the centenary of the first peals on these bells respectively.

More peals have been rung on the Isle of Wight than last year. The peal at Godshill on May 19th must deserve a mention for being the first peal for two of the band and also because it was jointly conducted by Kate Kay (her first peal) and Michael Marlow (first peal as conductor). The peals at Bishopstoke on July 17th, Ringwood on October 6th and Lymington on December 27th should also be noted for the number of “firsts” they contained. Richard Harrison, Joseph Cripps and Ian Patridge were successful in conducting their first peal and a total of eleven people rang their first peal during the year. They are Malcolm T Cooper, Paul Rampton, Morag Ryder, Kate Kay, Peter Taylor, Susan E Davey, Andrew Barker, Katharine A Hill, Toby J Gordon-Smith, Christopher Blaney and Brigit R Lyne.

The peal rung at Haslemere on September 18th 2001 is subject to acceptance by the Guild at the AGM in July 2002.

Handbell Peals

The handbell peal total for 2001 is 6, a small decrease of 2 from the previous year. All the peals except one were of Major. There has been a big increase in the number of people ringing handbell peals, last year 8 peals were rung with 9 people involved whereas in 2001 15 people were involved in the 6 peals rung.

Ceri J Dodd