Peal Secretary 2017

Peal Secretary’s Report 2017

The number of peals rung for the Association was up by 50% in 2017, rising from 81 in 2016 to 122. Tower bell peals rose from 60 to 79 and handbell peals from 21 to 43. A number of these peals were spliced major or minor, showing that ringing at the top is in a healthy state, but, for the first time that I can remember, no-one resident in the Diocese rang their first peal, only one person rang their first on 8 and no-one rang their first peal of Surprise Major. We need new peal ringers to come through and progress to keep peal ringing in a healthy state. So I am making the same plea as last year for anyone who would like to ring a first peal or first in method, or who would like to get back into peal ringing, to contact me or their district Ringing Master. I would like 2018 to see a significant increase in the number of ‘firsts’ at all levels.

The leading peal ringer in 2017 was Paul Seaman with 49 (26 of which were in hand), followed by Michael Purday (42, 28 in hand), Alan Winter (27, 21 in hand), Gareth Davies, (25, 23 in hand) and Jonathan Agg (21, 19 in hand) and June Mackay (21).

The leading conductor was Michael Purday (37) followed by Paul Seaman (17).

The leading tower was once again Meldreth with 15 and Mawson Road, Cambridge the leading handbell venue (33).

The breakdown of peals is as follows:

Tower Hand Total

Minimus 0 0

Doubles 1 1

Minor 17 17

Triples 1 1

Major 55 26 81

Caters 2 1 3

Royal 2 15 17

Maximus 1 1 2

Total 79 43 122

From the Footnotes:

Peals were rung in memory of John Gipson (Meldreth, Mawson Rd Cambridge, Godmanchester Old Post Office, Aspenden and Melbourn), Brian Threlfall (Great St Mary) and Joy Noon of Surfleet (Godmanchester Old Post Office), and the four members of the Ickleton band who were killed during 1918 while on active service. A peal at Godmanchester marked 60 years of ringing at that tower by Paul Wells, Phillip George celebrated the 50th anniversary of his first peal with another one at the same tower (Caxton) and the 400th anniversary of the fall of Cottenham steeple was also marked by a peal.

Personal Milestones

• 1st peal…………………………..Jude Coulter (Northants)

• 1st Handbell peal……………….Peter Rogers, Richard C Smith

• 1st as conductor………………..James Hayden

• 50th peal………………………...Stephen Haynes, Iain Hayden

• 50th for the Association……… Vanessa Webster

• 200th for the Association………Gareth Davies, Edith Robinson

• 250th peal……………………… James Hills

• 250th for the Association………Barry Johnson

• 250th as conductor……………..Paul Seaman

• 300th handbell peal…………… Michael Purday

• 300th for the Association………Phillip George

• 500th for the Association………Michael Purday, Michael O’Callaghan

• 750th peal………………………Graham Hall

Finally, the usual plea for peal fees to be paid by the end of January following the year in which they were rung, preferably by BACS. Account details from the Treasure or from me. Please email me if you make a BACS payment.

Sue Marsden

Hand bell Peals which have been rung during the year:

• Cambridge, 102 Mawson Road 142 (33)

• Godmanchester, Old Post Office 27 (8)

• Reach, Gable Farm Cottage 52 (2)

Peals rung outside of the Diocese during the year:

• • Aspenden 10 (5)

  • Barkway 11 (1)

  • Benington 2 (1)

  • Eaton Socon 37 (1)

  • Elveden 6 (2)

  • Great Baddow 2 (2)

  • Gressenhall 4 (1)

  • Hitchin 1 (1)

  • Horringer 2 (1)

  • Lavenham 6 (1)

  • Peterborough St John 6 (1)

  • Peterborough St Mary 5 (1)

  • Old Hill 1 (1)

  • Saham Toney 2 (1)

  • St Albans, St Peter 3 (1)

  • Tostock 2 (1)

Statistics and details from Peals.co.uk, bb.ringingworld.co.uk and pealbase.co.uk with thanks.