During the year, there have been many special occasions on which to ring quarter peals. In April there was the death of Pope John Paul II, and the wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles. In July the country was asked to commemorate the end of World War II, the Liberation of the Channel Islands from enemy forces and, in November, the “Nelson 200” celebrations.
Fewer quarters were rung than in 2004 (although only seven less), but this is the fourth consecutive year that the total has fallen, the overall reduction being 25% during this period. Thirteen towers have not had been quartered during the last two years, and another eighteen for three or more years.
The table below shows each District’s figures as extracted from The Ringing World during 2005.
| District | Total | (+/-2004) | per tower* | Leading towers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alton and Petersfield | 60 | (-4) | 3.53 | East Meon | 13 |
| Andover | 32 | (-11) | 2.67 | Whitchurch | 7 |
| Basingstoke | 55 | (+8) | 4.58 | Basingstoke, St Michael | 13 |
| Channel Islands | 110 | (+13) | 15.71 | Guernsey, Vale | 34 |
| Chrischurch and Southampton | 81 | (+1) | 5.40 | Southampton, Bitterne Park | 15 |
| Isle of Wight | 30 | (+13) | 2.73 | Arreton | 13 |
| Portsmouth | 54 | (-26) | 4.15 | Portsea | 9 |
| Winchester | 71 | (-1) | 5.92 | New Alresford | 16 |
[* including only the towers at which one or more quarters have been rung]
Data provided by Alan A J Buswell