PEAL RECORDER’S REPORT

Last year’s increase in the overall number of peals rung for the Guild set a trend that has continued through 2007. An extra 36 peals rung during the year lifted the 2006 total of 142 Guild peals to 178 in 2007. There was again a significant increase in the number of handbell performances, reflected by a greater breadth of methods rung to peals in hand. A good number of personal milestones were achieved during the year, both on tower bells and in hand, and many “firsts” were scored. As always, it is pleasing to see such a large number of different ringers involved in peal ringing across the Guild, and it is thanks to the organisers of peals that this year’s statistics tables look even more impressive than in other recent reports. I would especially thank those conductors who arrange for the details and fees to be sent to me promptly without the need for my chasing them. Such attention makes the administration less time-consuming. Thank you also to Andrew Craddock for making his computer database available for the purpose of data analysis. I wish all members the very best of luck with peal attempts in 2008, and I look forward to receiving the necessary fees and details within the one month deadline!

Tower Bell Peals

2007 saw 144 tower bell peals rung for the Guild, compared with only 126 in the previous twelve months. During 2007, numbers of peals of Minimus, Royal and Maximus all rose, but there were no peals of Cinques, Sextuples or Septuples. The increase of peals on twelve is partly due to the installation of the new twelve at Hursley before the end of the previous year. Again, the leading towers list is topped by Bishopstoke, but in second place this year is The Jack & Jill Campanile at Gosport, from which a small surge of peals emanated towards the very end of the year. Last year’s second place (Bitterne Park) is this year relegated to third position, but with the hanging of four trebles to augment to twelve in 2008, might make a comeback over the next year or so.

There have also been a greater number of peals rung for the Guild in towers outside of its boundaries. Several peals have been rung in Oxfordshire towers, and bands have also crossed the border into the Guildford Guild. One peal was rung at St David’s in Wales, one on the sixteen at Birmingham, and one on an island in the Bristol Channel. Several peals were rung in celebration of the Royal Diamond Wedding, and peals were rung at towers, recording restoration work that has been completed. The first peal was rung on the bells at Botley, and also on the new installation at All Saints’, Alton. A peal was rung at Bitterne Park marking the re-ordering of the bell-frame as part of an on-going project to augment the eight bells to twelve, and after major restoration work, re-tuning and re-hanging, the first peal was rung on the heavy eight at Romsey Abbey. This peal is only the sixth rung by a band made up entirely of Romsey Abbey ringers, and was the first peal of Surprise rung by an Abbey band. A peal in March was the last on the bells at Selborne before their augmentation to eight.

As always, footnotes recognised many births, anniversaries and weddings of Guild members and parishioners, and peals were also rung in memory of Keith Walpole. Congratulations to Adam Welch, Kieran Downer, Stephanie LeMarechal, Colin Sarchet, Paul Lawrence and Sue Park who all rang their first peal during 2007, and to Emma Pym who rang a peal of Minimus as her first peal as conductor. Roy LeMarechal and Barry Fry both reached their 2,200th peals, and Helen Piper scored her 1,500th. Colin Hares rang his 400th peal, and Adam Greenley and Benjamin Constant both succeeded in ringing their 350th peals in the same performance. Lee Pinnington achieved his 250th peal, Malcolm Powell, his 250th for the Guild, and Colin Butler reached 100 peals. Four ringers passed the 50th peal milestone and Andrew Palk scored his 50th peal of over ten thousand changes. Christine Hill rang her 150th peal as conductor, and Benjamin Carey, his 100th as conductor.

Congratulations to all who have taken part in successful attempts over the year, and to all who have helped ringers to achieve “firsts”. Look to, Treble’s going for 2008!

Handbell Peals

The number of performances on handbells more than doubled last year’s total, which was itself a significant rise from 2005. This year, 34 hand bell peals were recorded against the 2006 figure of 16. Thomas Hinks’ name again appears at the top of the leading ringers list, and along with James and John Croft, he has been responsible for the vast majority of 2007 peals. During the year, John Croft rang his 1,400th peal and James Croft, his 500th. Thomas Hinks rang his 50th peal and John Wells scored his 200th handbell peal. Particular congratulations should go to Katherine Hill on ringing her first peal in hand.

In May, a peal of Oxford Treble Bob Major was rung in memory of John Spice, on what would have been his eighty fifth birthday. Other peals have explored methods on higher numbers, with twelve peals of Royal and three of Maximus being rung, compared with only one of Royal and none of Maximus in the previous year. The first peals in hand for the Guild of Lincolnshire Surprise and Pudsey Surprise Royal were rung. One noteworthy performance was of Plain Bob Major, rung by a Sunday service band at Romsey Abbey, and performed in the bell chamber of the abbey whilst the bells were out of the tower.

It is very encouraging to see such a resurgence in handbell ringing across the Guild and I hope that this skill continues to be passed on, with an ever greater number of members becoming involved.

Jonathan C Hetherington