Triennial Dinner 2025

Merton College, Oxford

Merton College Dining Hall
Merton College Dining Hall, Merton Street, Oxford, OX1 4JD

This year saw the SRCY descend on Oxford for the triennial dinner, with Merton College providing the amazing location.

The weekend started with a number of peals rung in and around Oxford, the highlight being a ladies’ peal at Christ Church. Congratulations to all those involved.

The evening started in the chapel with an organ recital by David Warwick, who had played the previous organ as a student and was looking forward to playing the Dobson organ installed in 2013 and one of three in the UK. David played a fine selection of pieces that demonstrated the versatility of the instrument, culminating in a moving and fabulous rendition of Finlandia by Jean Sibelius. Those who had assembled sat in the choir and marvelled at the organ and the ringing balcony way above us.

We then made our way to the marquee for pre-dinner drinks and socialising before entering the fine dining hall, where we were served with a splendid meal in grand surroundings.

During the course of the meal, Linda Garton, who had stepped in as Master of Ceremonies, invited a number of groups to drink wine with the Master and ensured the evening went smoothly. She followed the script, Sam!

David Warwick certainly earned his dinner, having also conducted a peal in the morning, was called upon to toast the church, and brought to life his time at Merton, especially the grace recited in Latin before formal dinners. The response was by Reverend Andy Ryder, who, having had an association with the Society, was able to respond in a thought-provoking way.

The Society was proposed by Jimmy Yeoman, with the Master, Jack Page, responding with a resume of the activities undertaken throughout the year before proposing the visitors.

Following the formal part of the evening, we retired back to the marquee for more drinks and further socialising before either heading off to a choice of accommodation, the local nightclub, or the piano bar for more cocktails.

Thanks, go to Penny Sharpe, who once again did a fantastic job in finding the venue and organising the dinner. It has set a high bar for 2028, but I am sure we can rise to the challenge.

Catherine N Merlane

View photos from this event in our gallery.

Peal details on Bellboard

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Peals rung for the Society Triennial Dinner

6 peals have been rung for the Society Triennial Dinner.

Oxford, Oxfordshire
St Mary Magdalen
Sunday, 14 September 2025 in 2hrs 47mins (7-1-12 in A)
5040 Yorkshire Surprise Royal
Composed by David B Wilson

  1. Catherine N Merlane
  2. Helen Phillips
  3. Lloyd S Cartwright
  4. Theo A Johnson
  5. Elizabeth A Hibbert
  6. Joanne P Druce
  7. Michael A Varney
  8. Claire F Roulstone
  9. Ian Roulstone
  10. Matthew L Dancy (C)

Rung for the society Triennial Dinner yesterday
First Yorkshire Royal - 4

Drayton, Oxfordshire
St Peter
Saturday, 13 September 2025 in 2hrs 51mins (9-1-20 in G)
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. Penelope J V Sharpe
  3. Elizabeth A Hibbert
  4. Graham A Duke
  5. Felicity S Warwick
  6. David A Warwick (C)
  7. Catherine N Merlane
  8. Ian Roulstone

Rung for the Society’s Triennial Dinner at Merton College, Oxford.

Oxford, Oxfordshire
Cathedral Church of Christ
Saturday, 13 September 2025 in 3hrs 25mins (31-0-23 in D)
5040 Bristol Surprise Maximus
Composed by J N Hughes-D'Aeth (Complib 39692)

  1. Ruth Curtis
  2. Heather Powers
  3. Geraldine R Forster
  4. Catherine E Morley
  5. Estella J Haynes
  6. Evie Newton
  7. Hazel M Rothera
  8. Annabelle F Frost
  9. Mary E Holden
  10. Claire F Roulstone (C)
  11. Ruth E R Corney
  12. Julia R Cater

Rung for the Society’s Triennial Dinner day at Merton College, Oxford

Guernsey, CI
Hazelton
Friday, 12 September 2025 in 1hr 38mins (8 in C)
5040 Spliced Surprise Minor (6m)
Composed by Albert G Driver
1512 Cambridge, 1008 Norfolk, 1008 Ipswich, 504 Hull, 504 Primrose, 504 Bourne, 188 c.o.m.

  1. 1–2Joseph Blake
  2. 3–4Donny Brock
  3. 5–6Duncan Loweth (C)

Rung to celebrate the graduation of William Firth
First for society: 1-2, 3-4
First of spliced surprise in hand: 3-4

Oxford, Oxfordshire
Lincoln College
Friday, 12 September 2025 in 2hrs 32mins (7-2-4 in Ab)
5024 Bristol Surprise Major
Composed by M P R H Woolley

  1. J Chapman Tone
  2. Elizabeth A Hibbert
  3. Penelope J V Sharpe
  4. Myles Louis Dakan
  5. Janet E Archibald
  6. Christopher E J Kilgour
  7. Catherine E Morley
  8. Jack E Page (C)

A triennial dinner peal.

Reading, Berkshire
26 Redlands Road
Thursday, 11 September 2025 in 2hrs 15mins (12 in F)
5056 Spliced Surprise Major (4m)
Composed by R D S Brown
4 methods: 1664 Rutland; 1280 Cambridge; 1216 Yorkshire; 896 Superlative; 123 com.

  1. 1–2Patricia M Newton
  2. 3–4Richard A Pearce
  3. 5–6Jack E Page (C)
  4. 7–8Colin M Lee

Rung in eager anticipation of the Society’s triennial dinner in Oxford.
First SRCY for all.