PEAL RECORDER’S REPORT

There were 190 peals rung for the Guild during 2014, which is a significant increase on 2013 and the highest total for at least 18 years. This is a magnificent achievement for the Guild and one which I very much hope we can maintain. I must thank Andrew Craddock for sharing the statistics generated by PealBase, allowing me to cross-check the Guild’s records. Finally I would like to thank all those conductors and organisers who submit details, compositions and fees within the one month deadline specified by the Guild rules. Please could I also remind conductors that we do require all compositions in full whether or not they have been rung for the Guild previously.

Tower Bell Peals

There were 141 tower bell peals rung for the Guild in 2014, 18 more than the previous year and the highest total since the 144 in 2007. 231 ringers rang a peal for the Guild during the year which is somewhat unexpectedly 15 fewer than 2013 and goes against the general rise from the past few years. However I am happy to report that this number did include 10 ringers achieving their first peal compared to 2013’s sole first pealer. The Guild Officers would like to extend their congratulations to Bradley R Lewis, Lin M Rogers, Kevin F Rogers, John A Simpson, Adam M Pym, Jill Burry, Liz South, Kaylee South (16), Matthew D Morris (10) and Alexander V Morris (8) on scoring their first peals and wish them well in their future peal ringing careers.

2nd May 2015 marks the 300th anniversary of the first known true peal, Plain Bob Triples at St Peter Mancroft, Norwich. As part of the celebration to mark this date in ringing history the Central Council are running a year long initiative called FirstPeal2015 with the aim to get at least 300 ringers to score their first peal. It would be marvellous if the W&P could play its part in this initiative and next year I could report that even more than 10 achieved a first peal in 2015. Please think about any ringer who may be interested in being part of it.

The prolific ringers list remains similar to 2013 with Edd Colliss and Jim Hodkin retaining the top two positions, Ben Carey and Graham Nobbs also join the list for 2014. As might be expected with a rise in Guild peal total and a fall in ringers taking part the individual ringers show a rise their own totals from previous year. 22 fewer ringers rang a single peal for the Guild in 2014 compared to 2013.

Edd Colliss, Roy LeMarechal and Ben Carey retain their positions at the top of the list of conductors. In general the list of conductors is very similar to that of 2013 in terms of both numbers and personnel. 34 different conductors called a peal for the Guild during 2014 and it is pleasing to note that this number has returned to similar levels to 2012 after a drop last year. I also offer my congratulations to Simon E Lipscombe who scored his first peal as conductor during 2014.

Portsmouth St Agatha further extended its lead at the head of the leading towers list with 40 peals, 15 more than 2013. Awbridge and Bishopstoke once again follow St Agatha’s although in reverse order with Awbridge increasing its total and Bishopstoke showing a small decrease. In total 51 towers were pealed by the Guild in 2014, 3 fewer than 2013. The first peals following augmentation were rung at Minstead and Selborne, the latter also being Roger Barber’s 100th peal as conductor.

There were a large number of personal footnotes during 2014 and I congratulate Ben Constant on his 750th peal, Jim Hodkin and Toby Arkless their 700th, Steve Russ his 400th, Alan Elsmore his 250th, Ann Le Marechal her 200th and Philip Moyse his 50th. Several ringers also reached a milestone for the Guild; Graham Wright 500, Malcolm Powell, Jim Hodkin and Edd Colliss 400, Graham Nobbs 300 and Andrew Barnsdale 200. Edd Colliss also scored his 150th peal as Conductor.

Two guild members achieved their 1000th peals during year, both ringing them for the Guild. Ian Carey reached the milestone with a peal of Bristol Surprise Maximus at Portsmouth Cathedral in April, this was also his 100th as Conductor. John Dodd chose to ring 23,000 extra changes for his 1000th peal, being 28,512 Bristol Surprise Major in 13 hours 6 minutes at Awbridge in November. This peal has been recognised as the record length in the method, is the longest peal for the Guild and 4th longest tower bell peal ever. I offer my congratulations to both Ian and John, and also the whole band at Awbridge.

One further long length was rung for the Guild, also at Awbridge, being 20,160 Pudsey Surprise Major in 9 hours 15 minutes. This is now also the record length in the method.

Peals were rung in memory of Leonard Perrins, Alan Flood, Roland Jackson and Barbara Skilleter during 2014.

A double handed peal was rung at St Agatha Portsmouth to mark the 50th anniversary of the first double handed peal of Major rung on tower bells.

Handbell Peals

The 49 handbell peals rung during 2014 is more than double the total for 2013 and is also the highest for 5 years, although 4 fewer ringers took part in a handbell peal during 2014. This strange statistic mirrors that of tower bell peals showing that it appears more peal ringing is happening but it is being done by fewer ringers. Ian Redway is once again the Guild’s most prolific hand bell peal ringer. 6 ringers called a handbell peal during 2014, the same as 2013 and the 4 leading conductors remain the same and in the same order as 2013 with Frank Morton heading the list. During 2014 Frank recorded his 950th handbell peal as conductor. I also offer my congratulations to Ian Redway on his 100th handbell peal and Maureen Hanney for her 50th in hand. Maureen, along with Jim Hodkin, also both scored their first on 10 and 12 handbells.

Edd Colliss