Society of Royal Cumberland Youths

Peals rung for 2019 "Show of Strength" 50th anniversary

Original "Show of Strength" peals

Bristol Surprise Maximus 50th anniversary celebration

On Saturday 31st May 1969, 24 members of the Society of Royal Cumberland Youths gathered to ring two simultaneous peals of Bristol Surprise Maximus. In the present day, this seems no great feat; the method is now a staple of the repertoire in centres of 12-bell ringing, and enduringly popular due to a relatively interesting blue line and even distribution of music throughout the entire course. It’s easy to overlook the familiarity offered by current day opportunities, but these were only the 6th and 7th peals ever rung in the method. The Cumberlands had rung one previous peal of Bristol Max (the 5th peal in the method) in December of 1968.

The two simultaneous attempts were arranged and conducted by the Master and Secretary at the time, Dennis Beresford and Derek Sibson. In a very understated paragraph about the achievement in the “Belfry Gossip” column of The Ringing World from 13th June 1969, it was announced that, “The Society of Royal Cumberland Youths are very proud of scoring peals of Bristol Surprise Maximus at St. Martin-in-the-Fields and St. Leonard’s, Shoreditch, at the same time and using the same composition.”

And so we fast forward nearly 50 years to October 2018 when Simon Humphrey, who had taken part in the peal at Shoreditch, emailed Benjamin Constant, the current Master, drawing his attention to the forthcoming anniversary of this historic “show of strength” by the SRCY. An attempt had already been arranged at Shoreditch for December 2018 to mark 50 years since the Society’s first peal in the method, and Simon enquired whether it may be possible to pay homage to the two simultaneous peals in a similar way, perhaps even extending this to include some additional attempts.

The challenge was set! Ben decided that three simultaneous peals in London ought to be possible and booked the bells at Shoreditch, St Martin-in-the-Fields and St Magnus the Martyr. St Martin’s unfortunately had to pull out and St Sepulchre, Holborn, were booked in their place. He also contacted regional organisers to enable many of our non-London based members to take part. Additional attempts were arranged in Bristol, South Petherton, Stockton on Tees, and Leicester, as well as an attempt on handbells on the Friday – the actual anniversary.

The weekend arrived, and by mid-afternoon on Friday news came through that the handbell peal had been successful. Interestingly, after a little research and double checking, it transpired that this was the first peal of Surprise Maximus on handbells for the Cumberlands. A good start to the weekend and the pressure was now on! For the Master, 36 ringers had to arrive without issues with trains, at the correct tower, at the correct time and with no scope for illness. Access had to be gained to three towers and in all around 10.5 hours of Bristol Maximus would have to be rung to a good standard.

Unlike 50 years ago, news of success was shared by text as ringers turned their phones back on after the peal attempts. The London ringers met for beer and lunch in the Walrus and Carpenter, where a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon (and evening for some) was spent celebrating the occasion. Reports arrived that the peals at Stockton and Leicester had been scored and later on – due to lunchtime starts – the peals at South Petherton and St Stephen’s, Bristol. A 100% success rate with every attempt scored. Thanks must go to Benjamin Constant for masterminding the event as well as Sally Brown, Jennie Town, David Warwick and Rebecca Cox for arranging the regional attempts.

A few noteworthy points from the peals:-

• Seven peals of Bristol Maximus in a single day beats the previous record of four, making this the most changes of the method rung in a single day.
• Simon Humphrey scored his 50th of Bristol Surprise Maximus in the handbell peal in Birmingham, on the 50th anniversary of his first in the method.
• The peal at South Petherton included David Warwick and his daughter Lucy, the Grandson and Great Granddaughter of Shirley Burton who rang in the first peal of Bristol Surprise Maximus at Leicester Cathedral on 22nd May 1950.
• The peals included a total of 87 members of the Cumberlands, both long serving (Stan Jenner having clocked up 60 years membership) as well as more recent members with Chris Mansfield, who was elected in March, ringing his first in the method and first for the Society.

List of performances, on bellboard

8 (7 Tower and 1 Handbell) peals so far have been rung.

7 different towers by 87 ringers 8 as conductors.