PEAL RECORDER’S REPORT

I wish to thank all those conductors who send the details of the peal, figures of the composition, and fees without the need to be reminded, and I would like to thank Andrew Craddock particularly, for sharing the statistics generated by his computer database, allowing me to cross-check the Guild records. I wish you all the best of luck with your attempts in 2009.

Tower Bell Peals

The year has shown a continued fall in the number of tower bell peals, with 115 compared to 2008’s 122 and 2007’s 144. Roy LeMarechal regains his place at the head of the Leading Ringers list after losing it to Edward Colliss last year. Roy continues as the leading conductor of tower bell peals for the Guild during 2009. Bishopstoke, however, loses its position at the top of the Leading Towers table, which for 2009, is headed by The Clock House at Awbridge, despite its late start in July!

On behalf of the Guild’s officers, I would like to congratulate the five members who succeeded in achieving their first peal during the year. They were Dan Ruszczyk, Charlotte G E Meader, Jonathan P Daniels, Thomas J Pelham and Weihong Pan. Charlotte and Jonathan rang their first peals together at their home-tower of Romsey Abbey, both ringing inside bells to Cambridge Surprise Major; quite a challenge for a first peal! Congratulations also to Andrew J Dodd and Kenneth A Warner who both scored their first peal as conductor. As usual, many personal milestones were passed during the year. The most notable of these was John Colliss’ 2000th peal. John Dodd completed 700 peals, Graham Wright and James Croft, 600, and Peter Hill, 500. Janet Morris and Edward Colliss both reached their 400th peals, Anne Anthony, her 300th, and Sarah Hutchinson rang her 200th. Graham Wright rang his 200th peal at Bishopstoke during 2009, and Benjamin Constant completed his 100th peal as conductor. Ben Carey rang his 150th Guild peal, and Peter Sheppard scored his 100th for the Guild.

During the year, many other notable events took place. The first peals were rung on the bells at Herriard, Awbridge, Holybourne, the six bells at Nether Wallop, and on Jimmy Hodkin’s portable ring (believed to be the lightest ring of bells yet rung to a peal). The first peal following rehanging of the bells was rung at Ellisfield, and the last peal before restoration was rung at Bishop’s Waltham. A peal was rung at Hinton Admiral to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the casting of the bells, the 50th peal on the bells at St Mary’s, Liss was rung, and a Guild peal was rung at Lancaster Cathedral to mark the 150th anniversary of its dedication. The Sundayservice ringers at Catherington should be congratulated on scoring a peal of 8-Spliced Surprise Major at their home tower, and a peal was rung on the chromatic six at Bitterne Park (this incorporated a bell hung for slow swinging but rung full-circle, and is believed to be the first chromatic tower bell peal). Peals were also rung in memory of Jessie Kippin, Fred Mouland, Joseph Cripps, Paul Armitage, Pat Cannon and Ruth Cooper.

Handbell Peals

Hand bell ringing has seen a fantastic increase this year, with 62 peals rung for the Guild compared to only 26 in 2008. With an increase in the number of ringers involved being only three, this reflects proliferation in the activities of relatively few ringers. Thomas Hinks retains his place at the head of the Leading Conductors table, more than doubling his 2008 total of peals conducted in hand. Likewise, James Croft continues to head the Leading Ringers list, not quite doubling his 2008 total. One 2009 event in particular boosted the Guild’s hand bell totals, with ten peals being rung during a four-day period organised by James Croft. During this event, many opportunities were provided for ringers to attempt something new. Of particular note is the series of Cambridge peals from Minor through to Maximus rung in one day, in which James and William Croft, and Thomas Hinks each rang in all four peals. Thomas Hinks should be congratulated for having rung in all ten peals across the four day event.

It is interesting to note that despite the significant rise in the number of hand bell peals there were fewer peals of Maximus compared to 2008’s five peals on twelve. The increase, then, can attributed to peals of Minor and Major; 2008 witnessed only seven peals of Minor and five peals of Major. This year there were no peals in oddbell methods. Congratulations to Thomas Hinks and Edward Hughes D’Aeth who both reached their 20th peal with a hand bell performance, and to James Croft who completed his 50th hand bell peal. Well done also to Lizzie Hough for ringing her first hand bell peal. I hope the growth in hand bell ringing within the Guild continues through 2009, and wish all bands the best of luck in their attempts.

Jonathan C Hetherington