Peal Weekend 2023

Peals rung for 2023 Peal Weekend

The third weekend in November continues to be a highlight in the SRCY calendar, presenting an opportunity for many members to ring a society peal across the country.

This year there were 27 peals involving 158 ringers. Peals were rung across the country, from Kent to Northumberland, and in the USA as well. Highlights included peals of Spliced Surprise Maximus, and a peal of Smiths 23 spliced to celebrate 40 years since the iconic composition was first pealed by the society.

Peals were also rung to mark the passing of friends, to celebrate significant birthdays, while several bands complimented Tom Mack & Louise Flower on the birth of George Francis Mack.

Thank you to our conductors and organisers this year, especially Matthew Durham and Jack Page who coordinated multiple attempts each.

I’d like to encourage as many members as possible to ring a society peal next year. The peal weekend often provides the best opportunity; if you’re not sure how to get involved, please speak to the Stewards, who I’m sure will help to make the event as inclusive as possible.

Edward Mack

List of SRCY Peal Weekend peals, on bellboard

27 (24 Tower and 3 Handbell) peals so far have been rung for Society peal weekend.

20 different methods, 24 different towers by 158 ringers 22 as conductor.

31 attempts 4 unsuccessful (3 tower 1 handbell) a total of 174 ringers took part.

Leading ringers

Alan Regin 4
Paul M Mason 4 (1 as C)
Roger S Riley 4
Ruth Curtis 4
Paul F Curtis 4
Anthony P Cotton 3
Ian G Campbell 3
Jack E Page 3 (3 as C)
Andrew J Cairns 3 (1 as C)
John P Loveless 3 (3 as C)

Leading conductors

Jack E Page 3
John P Loveless 3
Matthew J L Durham 2

Almondsbury, Gloucestershire
St Mary the Virgin
Sunday, 19 November 2023 in 3hrs 7mins (20-2-13 in D)
5056 Lessness Surprise Major
Composed by A J Cox

  1. Anthony M Bulteel
  2. Annabelle F Frost
  3. Jack D Aylward
  4. Alison E Leach
  5. Jonathan C Adkins
  6. Anthony J Cox (C)
  7. Rebecca J Cox
  8. Matthew C Frost

For the SRCY Peal Weekend

Ardleigh, Essex
St Mary the Virgin
Sunday, 19 November 2023 in 3hrs 2mins (13-1-2 in F#)
5088 Bristol Surprise Major
Composed by Donald F Morrison (No 55)

  1. Christina D A Brewster
  2. Gillian M Sparling
  3. Yvonne A Towler
  4. Paul A Cammiade
  5. James L Towler
  6. David L Sparling
  7. John P Loveless (C)
  8. Simon A Rudd

Specially arranged and rung as an 80th birthday compliment to David E Culham today. David is a ringer at Ardleigh and a member of this Society. 1500th peal together for Jim and Yvonne Towler.

Faversham, Kent
St Mary of Charity
Sunday, 19 November 2023 in 3hrs 5mins (16-0-3 in E)
5100 Stedman Caters
Composed by M R Eccleston

  1. Stephanie J Pattenden
  2. Shirley E McGill
  3. Adam S Greenley
  4. Catherine N Merlane
  5. David C Bath
  6. Jack E Page (C)
  7. James W Belshaw
  8. Samuel C Cave
  9. Benjamin D Constant
  10. Lloyd S Cartwright

With compliments to Tom Mack and Louise Flower on the birth of George Francis Mack.
For Society peal weekend.

Felmingham, Norfolk
St Andrew
Sunday, 19 November 2023 in 3hrs 3mins (15-3-26)
5088 Superlative Surprise Major
Composed by Nathan J Pitstow

  1. Ben Trent
  2. Faith J Pearce (C)
  3. Nikki R Thomas
  4. Jon M Spreadbury
  5. Guy W Morton
  6. David R Carter
  7. Frank W Rivett
  8. Anthony P Cotton

Rung for the society's annual peal weekend and to welcome George Francis Mack, born 18th November to Tom Mack and Louise Flower and grandson of Barry and Judith Mack.

Grundisburgh, Suffolk
St Mary the Virgin
Sunday, 19 November 2023 in 2hrs 59mins (9-2-24 in G)
5080 Yorkshire Surprise Royal
Composed by S D Pettman

  1. Stephen D Pettman (C)
  2. Joan Garrett
  3. Ruth Suggett
  4. Clare L Veal
  5. Thomas G Scase
  6. Mary E Dunbavin
  7. Timothy P Hart
  8. Julian Colman
  9. Brian E Whiting
  10. Rowan P Wilson

A Suffolk Cumberland band sends their best wishes to fellow member David Culham on the occasion of his 80th birthday, despite him coming from the wrong side of the River Stour!
For the Society's peal weekend.

Newton Hall, Northumberland
St James, Mowden Hall School
Sunday, 19 November 2023 in 2hrs 33mins (6-3-1 in B)
5024 Causey Arch Delight Major
Composed by Robert DS Brown

  1. Karen P McCleave
  2. Harry Z Helyer
  3. Simon J Plackett
  4. Kristopher King
  5. Jennifer A Town
  6. Matthew S Pearson
  7. Alexander T G Pym
  8. Andrew J Cairns (C)

With compliments to Tom Mack and Louise Flower on the birth of George Francis Mack.

Northampton, MA, USA
Bixby Court
Sunday, 19 November 2023 in 3hrs 27mins (11 in G)
5088 Spliced Maximus (2m)
Composed by Donald F Morrison
4800 Kent Treble Bob; 288 Kent Little Bob

  1. 1–2Bryn Marie Reimer
  2. 3–4Cally D Perry
  3. 5–6Elaine M Hansen
  4. 7–8Leland Paul Reimer (C)
  5. 9–10Myles Louis Dakan
  6. 11–12John E Schreiner

Birthday compliments to Marie Evans, grandmother of the 1-2.
First on 12 and for the Society: 9-0.

Walkden, Greater Manchester
St Paul
Sunday, 19 November 2023 in 3hrs 12mins (18-2-1 in E)
5056 Cambridge Surprise Major
Composed by C. Middleton (arr. Johnson)

  1. Elizabeth A Hibbert
  2. David A Horne
  3. Jane Owen
  4. Raymond A Hutchings
  5. Stephen R Aldridge
  6. Mungo B Stacy
  7. Brian J Owen
  8. Julia R Cater (C)

Rung during SRCY peal weekend on the occasion of the 175th anniversary of the dedication of this church.

Amersham, Buckinghamshire
St Mary the Virgin
Saturday, 18 November 2023 in 3hrs 5mins (19-0-6 in E)
5007 Stedman Caters
Composed by A S Hudson

  1. Claire F Roulstone (C)
  2. June D Wells
  3. Beryl R Norris
  4. Patricia M Newton
  5. Kenneth J Darvill
  6. Douglas J Beaumont
  7. Ian Roulstone
  8. Stephen A Rossiter
  9. Colin M Lee
  10. Edward J W Manley

For Society peal weekend. The band would like to associate Ann Davies and Janet Menhinick with this peal, both of whom were prevented from ringing by illness.

Breadsall, Derbyshire
All Saints
Saturday, 18 November 2023 in 2hrs 53mins (13-3-21 in F#)
5024 Spliced Surprise Major (8m)
Composed by Neil R Aspland
8 Methods: 736 London; 640 Cambridge, Pudsey, Superlative; 608 Bristol, Rutland; 576 Lincolnshire, Yorkshire; 132 com; atw

  1. Alison J Molyneux
  2. C Frederick C Pearson
  3. Frances E Haynes
  4. Simon Humphrey
  5. C Luke Heaton
  6. Roy A Meads
  7. Margaret Whiteley
  8. R Philip Graves (C)

Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
Cathedral Church of St James and St Edmund
Saturday, 18 November 2023 in 3hrs 25mins (27-2-5 in C#)
5040 Cambridge Surprise Royal
Composed by Brian E Whiting no 2

  1. Brian E Whiting (C)
  2. Amanda M Richmond
  3. Clare L Veal
  4. Joan Garrett
  5. Simon A Rudd
  6. Julian Colman
  7. Anthony P Cotton
  8. Frank W Rivett
  9. Rowan P Wilson
  10. Thomas G Scase

For the Society’s Peal Weekend

Essendon, Hertfordshire
St Mary the Virgin
Saturday, 18 November 2023 in 2hrs 59mins (15-0-13 in F)
5120 Cambridge Surprise Major
Composed by Stephen J Ivin

  1. Brian C Watson
  2. John J Ford
  3. Penelope J V Sharpe
  4. Fiona M Wheeler
  5. Stephen J Crawley
  6. Russell A Brown
  7. Stephen A Wheeler (C)
  8. Mary E Holden

Rung for SRCY peal weekend

Haslemere, Surrey
St Bartholomew
Saturday, 18 November 2023 in 3hrs 6mins (13-0-6 in F#)
5039 Grandsire Caters
Composed by Simon A Bond

  1. Jenny M Heyworth
  2. Jonathan H B Deane
  3. Nicholas M W Haggett
  4. Sally A Schupke
  5. Mark E R Gill
  6. Julian Morgan (C)
  7. Anne L Rueff
  8. Anne M Anthony
  9. Peter W Emery
  10. David G Pearson

Lydney, Gloucestershire
St Mary the Virgin
Saturday, 18 November 2023 in 3hrs 12mins (13-2-7 in F)
5040 Yorkshire Surprise Royal
Composed by Daniel Brady

  1. Deborah M Talbott
  2. Helen Phillips
  3. Richard J Clements
  4. Stuart P B Talbott
  5. Donald B Carter
  6. Anthony J Cox
  7. Michael R Spencer
  8. Rebecca J Cox
  9. Joseph St J Beaumont (C)
  10. Clifford R Nicholls

Rung for the SRCY peal weekend.

Northallerton, North Yorkshire
All Saints
Saturday, 18 November 2023 in 3hrs 4mins (17-2-15 in E)
5000 Cambridge Surprise Royal
Composed by J W Holdsworth

  1. Simon J Plackett
  2. Jennifer A Town
  3. Matthew S Pearson (C)
  4. Eleanor C Mack
  5. Roger S Riley
  6. Joseph E T Waters
  7. Ian G Campbell
  8. Harry Z Helyer
  9. Edward R Mack
  10. Alan Regin

First for the Society: 8.

Ponteland, Northumberland
St Mary the Virgin
Saturday, 18 November 2023 in 2hrs 40mins (6-3-4 in B)
5024 Bristol Surprise Major
Composed by D F Morrison

  1. Ruth Curtis
  2. Andrew J Cairns
  3. Paul M Mason
  4. Barbara Davies
  5. Clive R Moon
  6. Karen P McCleave
  7. Kristopher King (C)
  8. Paul F Curtis

Ringwood, Hampshire
St Peter and St Paul
Saturday, 18 November 2023 in 3hrs 3mins (17-2-18 in E)
5088 Spliced Surprise Major (8m)
Composed by Noel J Diserens
736 Superlative; 704 each London, Rutland; 608 each Cambridge, Pudsey, Lincolnshire; 576 Bristol; 544 Yorkshire; 120 com, atw

  1. Patricia M Hitchins
  2. Felicity S Warwick
  3. Graham A Duke
  4. Hannah E L Read
  5. Angela M E Jasper
  6. David A Warwick (C)
  7. Adam W Kilgour
  8. Nigel R Woodruff

60th birthday compliment to Nigel Woodruff.

Stockton on Tees, Durham
Parish Church
Saturday, 18 November 2023 in 3hrs 23mins (21-0-11 in Eb)
5053 Spliced Cinques and Maximus (2m)
Composed by David G Hull
2365 Stedman Cinques, 2688 Bristol Surprise Maximus, 5 changes of method.

  1. Ruth Curtis
  2. Rachel C Wells
  3. G Jessica Durham
  4. Alexander T G Pym
  5. Paul M Mason
  6. Matthew J L Durham (C)
  7. Matthew S Pearson
  8. Christopher M Mansfield
  9. Paul F Curtis
  10. Alan Regin
  11. Matthew D Hetherington
  12. Roger S Riley

For Society Peal Weekend.
1st cinques and maximus: 2,4,8,9.

Whetstone, Leicestershire
St Peter
Saturday, 18 November 2023 in 2hrs 46mins (8-0-23 in A)
5040 Whetstone Alliance Major
Composed by Ian Butters no 865

  1. Sally A Brown
  2. Ian N Robinson
  3. Andrew J Preston
  4. Michael Angrave
  5. Mark J Pendery
  6. Stephen R Aldridge
  7. Timothy J Peverett
  8. Ian Butters (C)

In thanksgiving for the lives of John and Mary Kinchin, and remembering their generosity in improving this ring of bells.

Brancepeth, Durham
St Brandon
Friday, 17 November 2023 in 2hrs 46mins (14-1-13 in F#)
5120 Oakenshaw Surprise Major
Composed by Paul M Mason (No.341)

  1. Ian G Campbell
  2. Paul M Mason (C)
  3. Ruth Curtis
  4. J James G Morgan
  5. Christopher M Mansfield
  6. Roger S Riley
  7. Paul F Curtis
  8. Alan Regin

Rung on Society Peal Weekend.
First peal in the method.
Oakenshaw Surprise Major:
e -3-456-56-6-2-2345-56-1 lh12

City of London,
St Magnus the Martyr, London Bridge
Friday, 17 November 2023 in 3hrs 30mins (26-3-9 in D)
5088 Spliced Surprise Maximus (3m)
Composed by R A Pearce
Contains 1824 Zanussi; 1728 Bristol; 1536 Orion; 89 com; atw.

  1. Penelope J V Sharpe
  2. Jack E Page (C)
  3. David C Bath
  4. Stephen J Beckingham
  5. Mary E Holden
  6. Claire F Roulstone
  7. Ruth E R Corney
  8. Samuel C Cave
  9. Douglas J Beaumont
  10. Nicholas M W Haggett
  11. Daniel J Page
  12. Michael R Crockett

For Society peal weekend.
Rung by a Wednesday practice night band and friend.

Loughborough, Leicestershire
80 Leconfield Road
Friday, 17 November 2023 in 2hrs 7mins (6 in E)
5088 Kent Treble Bob Major
Composed by William Hudson

  1. 1–2Tim Peverett (C)
  2. 3–4Alison M Godfrey
  3. 5–6Robert P Watson
  4. 7–8Judith A Godfrey

1st in hand 5-6, 7-8 and for SRCY. 1st peal for 29.5 years 7-8. 2nd peal in 29 years 3-4.

Potton, Bedfordshire
St Mary the Virgin
Friday, 17 November 2023 in 2hrs 49mins (7-0-0 in A)
5040 Minor (7m)
One extent each of Westminster, Norwich and Cambridge Surprise, Kent, Oxford Treble Bob, St Clements and Plain Bob

  1. Christine A Williams
  2. Michael H D O'Callaghan
  3. Susan E Marsden
  4. John J Ford
  5. Clive J Dunbavin
  6. John P Loveless (C)

Remembering Wendy Piercy, a ringer at Eaton Socon for many years and a member of this Society, who died recently.

Tanfield, Durham
St Margaret
Friday, 17 November 2023 in 2hrs 49mins (10-3-19 in G)
5040 London No. 3 Surprise Royal
Composed by David G Hull

  1. Ruth Curtis
  2. Paul M Mason
  3. Clive R Moon
  4. Roger S Riley
  5. Andrew J Cairns
  6. Matthew J L Durham (C)
  7. Ian G Campbell
  8. Paul F Curtis
  9. Alan Regin
  10. Edward R Mack

First peal of Royal on the bells.
For SRCY Peal Weekend.

Bray, Berkshire
St Michael
Thursday, 16 November 2023 in 3hrs 13mins (24-3-27 in D)
5120 Bristol Surprise Major
Composed by A S Riley

  1. Shirley E McGill
  2. Lloyd S Cartwright
  3. Patricia M Newton
  4. Fraser A Storie
  5. Ian Roulstone
  6. Jack E Page (C)
  7. Daniel J Page
  8. Claire F Roulstone

Rung as an 80th birthday compliment to Paul Cartwright, father of the 2nd ringer.
For Society peal weekend.

Belper, Derbyshire
St Peter
Wednesday, 15 November 2023 in 2hrs 56mins (14-0-26 in F#)
5152 Spliced Surprise Major (23m)
Composed by N Smith
224 each Ashtead, Bristol, Cambridge, Cassiobury, Cornwall, Cray, Double Dublin, Glasgow, Ipswich, Jersey, Lincolnshire, Lindum, London, Preston, Pudsey, Rutland, Superlative, Tavistock, Uxbridge, Watford, Wembley, Whalley, Yorkshire, 160 changes of method, all the work.

  1. C Frederick C Pearson
  2. Alison J Molyneux
  3. C Luke Heaton
  4. Anthony P Cotton
  5. Margaret Whiteley
  6. John E Hawes (C)
  7. Roy A Meads
  8. R Philip Graves

By a resident Derbyshire band as a compliment to Janet S Foulds, long standing SRCY member on being awarded an honorary Master's degree from Derby University for services to social work in the region for many years. Also to mark the 40th anniversary of the first performance of this composition by the Society.

Campton, Bedfordshire
17 Gravenhurst Road
Wednesday, 15 November 2023 in 1hr 59mins (9)
5040 Minor (4m)
(4m: (1,2) Cambridge S (3) Kent TB (4,5) Oxford TB (6,7) Plain B)

  1. 1–2Linda M Garton
  2. 3–4Emma J Southerington
  3. 5–6John P Loveless (C)

Pre-empting Society Peal Weekend
In memory of Michael Moreton