Peal Weekend Report 2022
The Society’s annual Peal Weekend is usually held on the third weekend of November. However, some recent peal weekends have been subject to “Government restrictions”, or in the case of this year, the potential for transport strikes. Fortunately, the latter seemed to have occurred earlier in November so the weekend went by largely unhindered.
In some years a theme has been adopted for the weekend (e.g. a peal in every county), however with 2022 being the Society’s 275th anniversary year, the overall aim was to attempt to have 275 individual members ring at least one peal during the year. Peal weekend seemed to give that ambition a considerable boost, with 152 members ringing in an attempt. For those of us interested in statistics, there were a total of 26 attempts across the weekend with 22 (19 on tower bells and 3 on handbells) being successful, across 19 different towers and 18 different methods ranging from Surprise Minor to Surprise Maximus, as well as some peals of spliced.
Thanks to all of the organisers and those members who took part, and to the Senior Steward, Jack Page, for co-ordinating the weekend.
On another note, 29 November 2023 marks the fortieth anniversary of the first peal of Norman Smith’s composition of 23 Spliced Surprise Major for the Society – something to consider for 2023 peal weekend perhaps?
David C. Bath
Peals rung for 2022 Peal Weekend
List of SRCY Peal Weekend peals, on bellboard
22 (19 Tower and 3 Handbell) peals so far have been rung for Society peal weekend.
18 different methods, 19 different towers by 127 ringers 18 as conductor.
26 attempts 4 unsuccessful (4 tower) a total of 152 ringers took part.
Leading ringers
Jack E Page 5 (3 as C)Anne L Rueff 4
Paul M Mason 4 (1 as C)
Paul F Curtis 4
Alan Regin 3
Ruth Curtis 3
Benjamin D Constant 3
David C Bath 3
Shirley E McGill 3
Matthew J L Durham 3 (1 as C)
Leading conductors
Jack E Page 3Brian E Whiting 2
R Philip Graves 2
Allestree, Derbyshire
The Green Ring
Monday, 21 November 2022 in 1hr 55mins (13lb 14oz in D)
5040 Treble Dodging Minor (4m)
1 extent each Kent and Oxford Treble Bob, 2 extents Norwich Surprise, 2160 Cambridge Surprise.
- Jane E Boden
- Pamela J Timms
- C Luke Heaton
- Anthony P Cotton
- Ian S Bennett
- John E Hawes (C)
Rung by a resident Derbyshire band.
Dorking, Surrey
St Martin
Sunday, 20 November 2022 in 3hrs 18mins (18-1-18 in E)
5120 Spliced Treble Dodging Royal (5m)
Composed by M B Davies
5 methods: 1120 each Bristol Surprise, Sgurr A'Chaorachain Surprise; 960 each Cambridge Surprise, Superlative No.2 Surprise, Triton Delight. 109 changes of method, all the work.
- Anne L Rueff
- Shirley E McGill
- Adam S Greenley
- David C Bath
- Jack E Page (C)
- Luke G Groom
- Nicholas M W Haggett
- Ruth E R Corney
- Benjamin D Constant
- Jack L Edwards
Length-appropriate birthday compliments today from the Society to Daniel J Page.
Rung for Society Peal Weekend.
Durham, Durham
St Oswald
Sunday, 20 November 2022 in 2hrs 43mins (12-3-6 in F#)
5056 Bristol Surprise Major
Composed by Donald F Morrison (no.7619)
- Christopher M Mansfield
- Paul M Mason
- Karen P McCleave
- Rachel C Wells
- Andrew J Cairns
- Christopher H Enzor
- Kristopher King (C)
- Paul F Curtis
Rung for Society Peal Weekend.
Inworth, Essex
All Saints
Sunday, 20 November 2022 in 2hrs 32mins (5-1-2 in B)
5040 Cambridge Surprise Minor
Composed by CFC after DGS (or DGS no.23!)
- Yvonne A Towler
- Paul A Cammiade
- James L Towler
- Vicki L Chapman
- Christina D A Brewster
- Colin F Chapman (C)
For the society’s peal weekend to celebrate the 275th anniversary of the society.
Ipswich, Suffolk
St Margaret
Sunday, 20 November 2022 in 3hrs 12mins (14-0-11 in F)
5275 Double Norwich Court Bob Major
Composed by Brian E Whiting
- Joan Garrett
- Mary S Garner
- Mary E Dunbavin
- Louise R Whitehead
- Thomas G Scase
- Timothy P Hart
- Rowan P Wilson
- Brian E Whiting (C)
For the society’s peal weekend to celebrate the 275th anniversary of the society by resident Suffolk members on St Edmund Day, patron saint of Suffolk
500th peal : 2
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
Cathedral Church of St James and St Edmund (the Norman Tower)
Saturday, 19 November 2022 in 3hrs 35mins (27-2-5 in C#)
5275 Yorkshire Surprise Royal
Composed by Brian E Whiting
- Brian E Whiting (C)
- Joan Garrett
- Christine A Knight
- Clare L Veal
- Nigel F C Gale
- Amanda M Richmond
- Katharine J Salter
- Julian Colman
- Thomas G Scase
- Rowan P Wilson
For the society’s peal weekend to celebrate the 275th anniversary of the society by resident Suffolk members on St Edmund Eve, patron saint of Suffolk
Duffield, Derbyshire
St Alkmund
Saturday, 19 November 2022 in 3hrs 13mins (17-2-11 in E)
5040 Lincolnshire Surprise Royal
Composed by R Philip Graves
- Margaret Whiteley
- Frances E Haynes
- Pamela J Timms
- Simon Humphrey
- Alison J Molyneux
- C Luke Heaton
- Roy A Meads
- R Philip Graves (C)
- Timothy J Peverett
- Christian M Peckham
Hursley, Hampshire
All Saints
Saturday, 19 November 2022 in 3hrs 18mins (13-3-26 in F#)
5184 Zanussi Surprise Maximus
Composed by E G A Hull
- Anne L Rueff
- Thomas B Mack
- David C Bath
- Shirley E McGill
- Jack E Page (C)
- Michael R Crockett
- Catherine N Merlane
- Luke G Groom
- Nicholas M W Haggett
- Jack L Edwards
- Adam S Greenley
- Benjamin D Constant
Rung for Society Peal Weekend.
Lanchester, Durham
All Saints
Saturday, 19 November 2022 in 2hrs 34mins (9-1-6 in A)
5152 Northfield Delight Major
Composed by Paul M Mason (No.198)
- Ian G Campbell
- Paul M Mason (C)
- Karen P McCleave
- Ruth Curtis
- G Jessica Durham
- Alexander T G Pym
- Alan Regin
- Paul F Curtis
150th peal: 3.
Completes the Delight Major alphabet as conductor: 2.
Rung for Society Peal Weekend.
Leicester, Leicestershire
St Mary de Castro
Saturday, 19 November 2022 in 3hrs 11mins (15-3-3 in E)
5080 Yorkshire Surprise Royal
Composed by Mark A Boylan
- Sally A Brown
- Nicola Carling
- Lewis D Benfield
- Mark J Pendery
- Alistair M Donaldson
- Ian N Robinson
- Andrew J Preston
- Michael Angrave
- Andrew W Gordon
- Mark A Boylan (C)
Rung for the Society Peal Weekend
First Yorkshire Royal 3.
Melbourne, Derbyshire
Church House
Saturday, 19 November 2022 in 2hrs 15mins (10 in A)
5088 Kent Treble Bob Major
Composed by W Hudson
- 1–2Christian M Peckham
- 3–4Alison M Godfrey
- 5–6Timothy J Peverett
- 7–8R Philip Graves (C)
First of major on handbells - 3-4. First in the method on handbells - 7-8.
Northallerton, North Yorkshire
All Saints
Saturday, 19 November 2022 in 3hrs 5mins (17-2-15 in E)
5040 Yorkshire Surprise Royal
Composed by B D Constant
- Jennifer A Town
- Matthew S Pearson (C)
- Dorothy J Salmon
- Simon J Plackett
- Joseph E T Waters
- Eleanor C Mack
- Martin S Davies
- Simon D Ogier
- Matthew J L Durham
- Edward R Mack
Rung for Society Peal Weekend.
Reepham, Norfolk
St Michael and All Angels, Whitwell
Saturday, 19 November 2022 in 2hrs 37mins (8-3-22 in A)
5088 Yorkshire Surprise Major
Composed by Simon Humphrey
- David R Carter
- Rosalind J Burrough
- Rev Richard A Turk
- Faith J Pearce
- Stephen J Day
- Nikki R Thomas (C)
- Anthony P Cotton
- Julia R Cater
First peal as conductor.
Roker, Tyne and Wear
St Andrew
Saturday, 19 November 2022 in 3hrs 6mins (22-2-26 in E)
5000 London No. 3 Surprise Royal
Composed by David G Hull
- Ruth Curtis
- Paul M Mason
- Christine Richardson
- Rachel C Wells
- J James G Morgan
- Matthew J L Durham (C)
- Christopher M Mansfield
- Paul F Curtis
- Alan Regin
- Matthew D Hetherington
50th peal:5
Thatcham, Berkshire
St Mary
Saturday, 19 November 2022 in 3hrs 2mins (13-0-23 in F)
5040 Ardessie Surprise Royal
Composed by J W Holdsworth
- Edward J W Manley
- Geraldine R Forster
- Beryl R Norris
- Janet E Menhinick
- Patricia M Newton
- Kenneth J Darvill
- Colin M Lee
- Douglas J Beaumont
- Ian Roulstone
- Claire F Roulstone (C)
For Society peal weekend.
Warnford, Hampshire
Our Lady of Warnford
Saturday, 19 November 2022 in 2hrs 52mins (12-2-10 in G)
5040 Spliced Surprise Minor (41m)
Composed by John S Warboys
41m: (1-3) Carlisle, Wooler, Whitley, Morpeth, Sandiacre, Canterbury, Chester, Northumberland, Munden, Newcastle, Alnwick, London, Kelso, Lincoln, Coldstream, Cunecastre, Wells; (4-7) Norwich, Bamborough, Westminster, Allendale, Wearmouth, Netherseale, Lightfoot, Warkworth, Stamford, Annable's London, Bacup, Rossendale, Cambridge, Ipswich, Bourne, Durham, York, Beverley, Primrose, Hull, Berwick, Norfolk, Hexham, Surfleet.
- Adam S Greenley
- Anne L Rueff
- Shirley E McGill
- Benjamin D Constant
- Luke G Groom (C)
- Jack E Page
200th together 1&6
Ponteland, Northumberland
St Mary the Virgin
Friday, 18 November 2022 in 2hrs 35mins (6-3-4 in B)
5120 Cornwall Surprise Major
Composed by RR Horton
- Ruth Curtis
- Roger S Riley
- Paul F Curtis
- Paul M Mason
- Matthew J L Durham
- Clive R Moon
- Alan Regin
- Andrew J Cairns (C)
For Society Peal Weekend.
Potton, Bedfordshire
St Mary the Virgin
Friday, 18 November 2022 in 2hrs 40mins (7-0-0)
5040 Surprise Minor (7m)
1 extent each; London, Cambridge, York, Ipswich, Bourne, Westminster, Norwich.
- Christine A Williams
- Philippa M Whittington
- James E Benner
- John J Ford
- Russell A Brown
- Frank W Rivett (C)
For Society peal weekend
Reading, Berkshire
26 Redlands Road
Friday, 18 November 2022 in 2hrs 20mins (12 in F)
5088 Yorkshire Surprise Major
Composed by Donald F Morrison
- 1–2Patricia M Newton
- 3–4June D Wells
- 5–6Jack E Page
- 7–8Stephen A Rossiter (C)
1st in hand as conductor.
Salford, Greater Manchester
Sacred Trinity (Ringing Room)
Friday, 18 November 2022 in 1hr 55mins (11 in G)
5040 Spliced Treble Dodging Minor (120m)
Composed by Arr. D J Pipe
Duke of Norfolk, Rochester, College Exercise, Ockley, Norbury, Drayton, Campanulla, British Scholars' Pleasure, Gladstone, Crofton, Hasley, Hemsworth, Barnsley, Stockbridge, South Kirkby, Havercroft, Berwyn, Felkirk, Westray, Mendip, Vatersay, Zugspitze, Taylor, Ullscarf TB; Old Oxford, Paddock, College Bob IV, Newdigate, Tuxford, Willesden, London, Darton Exercise, Disley, Hadfield, Conisborough, Europium, Staverton, Worcester, Nostell, York, Berrybrow, Queen Bess, Eyam, Burslem, Hoylandswaine, Wilmslow, Tulip, Bogedone, Rostherne, Poynton, Knutsford, Belvoir, Dunedin, Erbium, Boston, Barham, March, Selby, Rawmarsh, Staveley, Berkeley, Woodgrove, Pembroke, Oystermouth, Deepcar, Oxygen, Fluorine, Glastonbury, Neon, Peveril, Croome d'Abitot, Leasowe, Melandra, Natrium, Beeston, Kingsley, Chelsea, Beauchief, Combermere, Langsett, Vale Royal, Crowland, Canterbury, St Werburgh D; Luton, Royal Bob, Rhyl, Ripley, Bamborough, Thorne, Harwood, Linden, Unacceptable, Beighton, Cambridge, Appleby, Redcar, Coverleigh, Hatfield, Surfleet, Eastwood, Beverley, Bangor, Carlisle, Grantham, Sleaford, Osea, Chester-le-Street, Munden, Netherwood, Chester, Bakewell, Cunecastre, Minehead, Retford, Kelso, Spalding, Victoria Street, Brampton, Norwood Tunnel S.
- 1–2Jimmy L Yeoman
- 3–4Alex S Riley (C)
- 5–6Daniel J Page
Warnham, West Sussex
St Margaret
Friday, 18 November 2022 in 3hrs 3mins (14-2-11 in F)
5040 Yorkshire Surprise Royal
Composed by Robin Hall and Rob Lee
- Margaret E Oram
- Anne E Franklin
- Margaret L Sherwood
- Anne L Rueff
- Ian H Oram
- Marisa A Hayes
- Stephen J Beckingham (C)
- Nicholas Wilkins
- P Jonathan Franklin
- Stanley Jenner
Westminster, Greater London
St Clement Danes
Friday, 18 November 2022 in 3hrs 8mins (21-1-23 in E)
5120 Spliced Surprise Royal (4m)
Composed by J S Warboys
4 methods: 1520 London No. 3; 1200 Bristol, Cambridge, Yorkshire; 113 com; atw.
- Paul A Cammiade
- Anne M Anthony
- Penelope J V Sharpe
- Michael R A Shaw
- Geraldine R Forster
- David C Bath
- Mary E Holden
- Jack E Page (C)
- Douglas J Beaumont
- Michael R Crockett
Rung for Society Peal Weekend and in memory of Jean Jeffery, a member of this society.