The Weekly Journal for No. 5286 August 17, 2012 Price £1.95 Church Bell Ringers since 1911 Editor: Robert Lewis Women’s peal at St Paul’s Cathedral by Phil Rogers

Non Association City of , St Paul’s Cathedral Sun Aug 5 2012 3h57 (61) 5007 Stedman Cinques Comp. S Coaker 1 Susan L Apter (C) 2 Ann White 3 Elizabeth A Orme 4 Shirley E McGill 5 Mary E Holden 6 Catherine N Merlane 7 Gwen Rogers 8 Eleanor J Linford 9 Rebecca J Cox 10 Gabrielle L Cowcill 11 Claire F Roulstone Pauline C Champion 12 } Margaret Whiteley Rung during the women’s Olympic marathon. In loving memory of Alison Regan who was due to ring in this peal.

The peal band in order of ringing, clockwise from bottom right: Susan Apter (C), Ann White, Liz Orme, Shirley McGill, Mary Holden, Cath Merlane, Gwen Rogers, Eleanor Linford, Beccy Cox, Gaby Cowcill, Claire Roulstone, Pauline Champion and Margaret Whiteley

he first ever peal to be rung by a band of One of these was a peal at St Paul’s Tladies took place almost exactly 100 years Cathedral by an all female band. The first ago on 20th July 1912. The Ringing World at women to ring a peal at St Paul’s were Jill the time enthused about the performance and Staniforth and Joan Summerhayes on 27th reported proudly that “Lady ringers can now, May 1972. During the following 40 years we believe, be numbered in scores”. At the many peals contained women ringers, but time there must have been tens of thousands always as part of mixed bands. of male ringers. The St Paul’s Cathedral Guild had been How times change. In the intervening period looking for an opportunity to arrange an all the number of women ringers has increased female peal for some time. The idea was put enormously and they may well now outnumber to the former Dean, Graeme Knowles, two their male counterparts. In terms of years ago. He gave agreement in principle but accomplishment, they have achieved pretty well indicated that it would be nice to find an everything which ringing has to offer. However, appropriate special occasion for the attempt to The north west tower and dome of St Paul’s there remain a few unconquered peaks. take place. When it was subsequently agreed (Photo by the Editor) 870 – The Ringing World August 17, 2012

place in SW1. Only time will tell. For the time being, this band went off to the pub feeling justifiably pleased with themselves. One even persuaded the old man to lay off the beer and drive home, so there’s another first! P.R. (Founded by John S Goldsmith) Official Journal of the The other peals rung in the City Central Council of Church Bell Ringers during the Olympic Women’s Marathon Editor: Robert A Lewis 35A High Street, Andover, SP10 1LJ Ancient Society of Sussex C.A. Telephone: 01264 366 620 Fax: 01264 360 594 College Youths E-mail addresses – editorial & production: , [email protected] City of London, EC3, St Katharine Cree [email protected] St Magnus the Martyr Sun Aug 5 2012 2h41 (10) [email protected] Sun Aug 5 2012 3h13 (27) 5040 Cambridge S Minor [email protected] 5040 Bristol S Maximus Comp. Revd E Bankes James [email protected] Comp. J N Hughes-D’Aeth 1 Jennifer A Dearie [email protected] 1 Joanna M Ainsworth 2 Jacqueline M Barlow [email protected] 2 Nigel C Smith 3 Marisa A Hayes E-mail addresses – administrative support: 3 James A Smith 4 Thomas M Barlow [email protected] 4 Dickon R Love 5 Alan R Baldock (C) [email protected] 5 Andrew J Graham (C) 6 Stephen J Beckingham [email protected] 6 Katherine L Town Rung during the Olympic Online-only Subscription 7 Adam A Brady Ladies’ Marathon. available worldwide 8 Tessa K Beadman 100th peal together: 5 & 6. 12 months, by UK Direct Debit £42.00 9 William J Dawson 12 months, paid by other means £45.00 The north west tower which houses 10 Philip Rogers Yorkshire Association POSTAL SUBSCRIPTION RATES: the 62cwt Taylor twelve (Photo by the Editor) 11 Jonathan H Potter One copy, 3 months £20.00 12 Simon S Meyer City of London, EC2, One copy, 6 months £34.00 Rung during the Ladies’ St Mary-le-Bow One copy, 12 months £63.00 that peals at the Cathedral would be attempted Marathon of the London Sun Aug 5 2012 3h37 (42) One copy, 12 months, by Direct Debit £59.00 on the days of the Olympic marathons, which Olympic Games. 5076 Grandsire Caters Overseas were to pass the Cathedral west front, we had Circled tower: 11. Comp. R W Lee Western Europe (incl. Eire) £89.00 our occasion. The day of the women’s 1 Tina A Walker Rest of World (Surface) £79.00 2 Alice A Longden Rest of World (Air Mail) £116.00 marathon was booked and a band assembled. Society of Royal Cumberland Youths 3 Martin J Whiteley Remittances, payable to The Ringing World, It was agreed that the band would be 4 James A Sanderson should be addressed to the RW office. comprised of St Paul’s Guild members plus City of London, EC2, 5 Matthew J Jones (tno) The Ringing World Bankers: CAF Bank suitably experienced ringers from elsewhere. St Vedast, Foster Lane 6 Robert W Lee (C) Sort Code 40-52-40. Account No. 00095085 Sun Aug 5 2012 3h13 (16) 7 David G Maynard A strong squad was assembled but everyone 5040 Surprise Minor 8 Peter J Sanderson Copyright felt that a practice quarter peal for Evensong (1 ext each Annable’s London, 9 Timothy P Bradley Registered as a newspaper at the Post Office. one Sunday would be helpful to get the Norfolk, London, Westminster, 10 David A Leese Published by The Ringing World Ltd. © The Bourne, Norwich, Cambridge) Rung during the women’s Ringing World Ltd. 2012. All Rights Reserved. The measure of these challenging bells. A date was 1 Simon Read Olympic marathon. copyright in this newspaper may not be used, arranged but misfortune struck when Alison 2 Janet E Menhinick sold, transferred, copied or reproduced in whole Regan, who was to ring the 11th, was taken ill 3 John J Ford or in part in any manner or form or in or on any 4 Patrick J S Albon media to any person without the prior written and continued when the 3rd clapper parted 5 Richard M Hobbs consent of the publisher. Photographs and company with its headstock during morning 6 John P Loveless (C) manuscripts submitted to the newspaper are lent Rung during the London 2012 at the owner’s risk; neither the publisher nor its ringing. With no replacement clapper agents accept liability for any loss or damage. available, the quarter had to be changed from Women’s Olympic Marathon. Cinques to Caters, omitting bells 3 and 6. This The Ringing World Limited went well and everyone felt they were ready Univ. of London Society Use Registered Office: 35A High Street, Andover, SP10 1LJ for the big day. City of London, Directors: Misfortune turned to tragedy when a few BellBoard W N G Herriott (Chairman) days later Alison died. This hit everyone very Sun Aug 5 2012 3h10 (25) Pencae, Mill Lane, Romsey, SO51 8EQ 5120 Bristol S Major to submit F J P Bone, J E Earis, W A Hibbert, hard but stiffened resolution to ring the peal in Comp. J H Fielden C F Mew, A R Udal, R J Wallis her memory. Elizabeth Orme stepped into the 1 Ryan S Noble performances Company Secretary: breach to complete the band and Claire 2 Heather M Forster to the RW Ian H Oram, The Cottage, School Hill, Roulstone took on the 44cwt 11th, never 3 Peter M Jasper Warnham, Horsham RH12 3QN 4 Charles W G Herriott (C) and achieve [email protected] before pealed by a woman. 5 Benjamin J Meyer Registered in England Co. Number 1722963 On the day everything went smoothly. 6 Andrew P F Bradford immediate Registered as a Charity in London under No.287182 Feared transport difficulties failed to 7 Andrew M Hills publication materialise, everyone was there in good time, 8 Oliver D Cross Rung during the Women’s online the peal started 8 minutes early and came Olympic Marathon, which RW sponsors round 3 hours and 57 minutes later to a burst passed by the church. Details of our sponsors, Whitechapel, of cheering from the Churchyard, led by the Taylors, Nicholsons and Whites appear ‘WAG’s who were around to lend their this week on p.891 support. The peal was expertly conducted by SECOND-HAND BELLS WANTED Swaz Apter, who admitted afterwards to We have a large number of enquiries for single feeling very emotional in the last few courses bells for augmentations, for complete rings of Officers of the Central Council of bells and small bells for chiming Church Bell Ringers thinking about Alison. Claire rang the 11th President: Kate Flavell without apparent difficulty and the team of Please contact: Pauline Champion and Margaret Whiteley The Secretary, Keltek Trust, The Kloof, Vice-President: Chris Mew Lower Kingsdown Road, Kingsdown, Corsham, Hon. Treasurer: Derek Harbottle kept a good steady beat on the tenor. There Wiltshire SN13 8BG Hon. Secretary: Mary Bone, were no mistakes worth mentioning and email: [email protected] 11 Bullfields, Sawbridgeworth CM21 9DB everyone remembered the golden rule at St web site: http://www.keltektrust.org.uk (01279 726159) [email protected] Paul’s – keep pulling! Registered Charity No. 1061224 Hon. Assistant Secretary: Robin Walker So, another peak climbed. What next? Keltek Trust – helping Christian churches world-wide Website address: www. cccbr.org.uk to acquire second-hand bells Liverpool Cathedral perhaps or even a certain