PEAL RECORDER’S REPORT

2006 has been another successful year for the Guild, seeing a further increase in the overall number of peals rung during the year. This slight increase can be attributed to a rise in the number of hand bell performances. There were 142 peals rung during the year compared to 137 in the previous twelve months, although the tower bell total dropped by 6 from the 2005 total. I would like to thank all conductors and organisers, who together with the ringers work to maintain the health of peal ringing throughout the Guild’s territory and beyond. It is fantastic to see so many firsts again in 2006, and also to see new methods and records achieved by Guild bands. Of particular note this year is the Guild’s 10,000th peal; a milestone that was passed in November. Along with those conductors who send details and fees promptly, I also need to record thanks to Andrew Craddock for his help in providing data which enables me to cross-check the Guild’s own records and complete the tables of analysis. I wish everyone the best of luck with all attempts in 2007, and look forward to receiving the details.

Tower Bell Peals

In 2006, 126 tower bell peals were successfully rung; a small decrease from the 2005 total of 132. The number of peals on six bells dropped again from last year’s impressive total of 38, but this fall was balanced by a matching increase in peals on eight. Peals on ten bells saw a decrease, but twelve bell performances rose to 4 in 2006 compared to last year’s one. The first peal on sixteen bells for the Guild was also accomplished this year. Once again Bishopstoke tops the list of leading towers, and for the second year running, Bitterne Park made it into second place.

Again, there were a number of peals rung outside the Guild, including three north of the Scottish border. Peals were also rung in Wales and Devon as well as in counties closer to our boundaries. Nine peals were rung to mark the eightieth birthday of HM Queen Elizabeth II, including the first peal to be rung by an Isle of Wight District ladies’ band at Arreton. This peal is also notable because it included two first pealers and was the conductor’s first as conductor. Congratulations to the whole band!

In April, a peal of Yorkshire Surprise Royal was rung by a Sunday service band as the last ringing at Hursley before the bells’ restoration and augmentation. Following the work, the local band rang the first peal of Maximus on the bells in November. The new twelve at Hursley should help to raise the level of twelve bell peal ringing in the Guild over the coming years. The last peal at Bitterne Park before rehanging in a new thirteen-bell frame with a circular rope-guide was rung in December, ending the run of people who have circled (or squared) the tower in recent peals. Also in December the first peal on the new Washroom Campanile in Brockenhurst was achieved. At 6½ ounces, the band believe this to be the lightest set of tower bells ever pealed, be it in a rather unorthodox manner! As a further record to the restoration work completed on Guild bell installations, the Christmas peal at Romsey Abbey is recorded as the last on the bells before the rehanging and renovation of the belfry. I hope it will not be long before this magnificent old-style eight is heard again above Romsey town centre.

Peals were rung in memory of George Evenden of Southampton, Jack Pryor, Beryl Cross of Bitterne Park. Leslie A Tremeer of New Alresford and Jersey, and John Huggins of Old Alresford.

Congratulations to the following ringers who scored their first peal in 2006: Lizzie Hough, Joyce Wise, Jessica Lloyd, Judy Walsby, Frederick Reeves, Michael Halsey and Jennifer James. Christopher Daniels achieved his first peal on tower bells. Rosemary Hill, Rebecca Noyes, Thomas Hinks, Stephen Borman and Clare Griffiths all conducted peals for the first time during the year. This is a very healthy sign for Guild ringing, since only one peal recorded a first as conductor in 2005. Well done to you all; I hope that you will continue to develop your peal-ringing skills in 2007.

The following personal milestones were noted: Steve Hough (50th peal), Benjamin Carey (200th peal), Benjamin Constant (300th peal), Ian Carey (500th peal), and John Colliss (1800th peal). Benjamin Constant and Peter Sheppard both rang their 50th peal as conductor. The Guild’s first 10,000 peals have taken slightly less than 125 years to achieve. At the current rate the next 10,000 should be completed in less than 80. What percentage at Bishopstoke I wonder?

Handbell Peals

There has been a substantial increase in hand bell performances during the last twelve months with 16 rung compared to only 5 in 2005. Thomas Hinks’ enthusiasm is reflected by his new position at the top of the list of leading ringers, however his conducting figures are doubled by the Guild Master who remains the leading conductor. In January, a hand bell peal was rung in the ringing chamber at St Michael the Archangel, Southampton in memory of George Evenden. A peal was also rung in memory of John Spice by friends.

A peal at Brighstone on the Isle of Wight is noteworthy due to the footnote that records firsts for all the band, including the first hand bell peal for the Isle of Wight District and for the county. Congratulations also to the band at Romsey who rang Yorkshire Surprise Major in February. This peal included several firsts of Surprise. Well done to Thomas Hinks on ringing his first handbell peal as conductor at Romsey in September. I am pleased to record this increased number of handbell performances for the year, and I hope that this growth in handbell peal ringing will continue to develop.

Jonathan C Hetherington