BellBoard

First time for at least 20 years that the New Year has been rung in at Swaffham Prior.

Also present - John Chalmers.

Circled the tower to Quarter Peals - 1

6 - First Bob Minor as conductor

Arranged as a birthday tribute to Dave Richards. First Royal as C.

For New Year.

Circled tower to Peals 6 (in six peals).

Rung for the Epiphany Service and Marion's birthday.

700th 1/4 as C.

1st minimus: 3-4

Many congratulations to Geoff who is celebrating his 60th anniversary in learning to ring. Geoff started at Saffron Walden Essex in January 1964.

90th Quarter Peal on the bells - 7

To celebrate Geoff's 60th anniversary of learning to bellring.

First Plain Bob Minor Inside 4.

Rung ahead of Plough Sunday service. Rung on the back 6 - front 2 bells currently out of service.

First quarter at first attempt for 6. First quarter as conductor - 4.

Believed to be the first Quarter Peal on the bells since 2017 following the recent refurbishment

3 - First as conductor in minor method

1st in m: 5

1st on a mini- ring: 2

Celebrating 60 years as a ringer 2.

Completes his triple by ringing the tenor behind, trebling and plain bob triples inside within a year of 1st learning to handle a bell (1/2/23) 7.

The bells were rung to celebrate the life of Dick Saw. Dick was a dedicated member of our band, who sadly passed away on 7th January 2024. He was a true gentleman and will be greatly missed by us all. Rest in peace Dick

1st Peal 1

1st Peal as Conductor 3

First quarter peal at first attempt (6)

For Evensong.

Rung for University Sermon

Completes the 'Triple Triples' (treble, inside, covering to quarters of Triples) for treble ringer within a year of first bell-handling lesson.

Many congratulations to Jon Benstead who has taken early retirement today

The bells were rung to celebrate the life of Phil Baines.

Phil was an enthusiastic and dedicated member of our band until his illness prevented him from ringing. Phil sadly passed away on 19th January 2024.

He will be greatly missed by us all.

Rest in peace Phil

Rung in thanksgiving for the life of DJ Steve Wright, who brought so much joy to so many, who sadly died this week.

Rung as a thanksgiving for the life of Linda Reed, wife of the late Geoff Reed, who was a ringer here for many years, prior to her funeral service. After the service, Maggie, Jo, Dee and Sheila tolled the tenor.

To celebrate the conductors significant birthday.

First in m: 2 and 4.

Rung in memory of Andrew Johnson

First major as conductor

70th Birthday compliment to Philip R Wild, Brother to 1

To celebrate a significant birthday of the conductor and to celebrate the life of Kath Moore - Mother-in- law of 2.

For evensong.

First inside to triples: 2.

Rung in memory of Maureen Collison, former ringer at Tilney All Saints who sadly passed away on February 13th aged 77 years

40th Birthday celebration quarter peal (6)

First quarter peal conducted (5)

Rung to bid a fond farewell to our vicar Simon and his wife Sallie. We wish them all the best for the future.

Rung to welcome Maisy Hope Chatwin (22/2/24) and Polly June Worthington (25/2/24). Maisy is the grand-daughter of Mandy and Phil Kingsmill. Polly is the grand-daughter of Janet and James Willmott. Mandy, Phil and Janet are all ringers at Swaffham Prior. With congratulations to both families from all the band.

First in Method St Martins and St Simons - 3

175 QP as Conductor - 5

1200th QP 2, 150th together 2 & 4

Rung to remember Adrian Berrisford, whose memorial at St Ivo School was on Thursday 7th March and whose 53rd birthday would have been on Saturday 9th March, as well as to celebrate International Women's Day.

First Major as conductor.

For Mothering Sunday.

First back 8 Sunday Service ring for 2 & 3.

Rung Before the main sunday service on Mothering Sunday to thank all mothers for their service and dedication. Also remembering those people who can not be mothers who struggle on this occassion.

First Peal of Spliced - 2.

Remembering Francis Brooke, brother of 8, who died 28 years ago this week.

Rung to open Daffodil weekend 2024

First 520 called by 3.

Rung before a thanksgiving service in remembrance of Maggie Richardson, 1940 to 2024, a Local Preacher amongst many other achievements, in the Methodist Church.

Rung for the Ringing demonstration and for the close of Daffodil Weekend 2024. Thank you to Jon Warbrick for leading the talk and demonstration.

Rung prior to the installation service of the newly appointed vicar of the Meridian Benefice the Rev'd Valmor Pimenta. The benefice includes the churches of Bluntisham, Holywell and Colne and this quarter peal was rung as a welcome to the benefice.

First in Method - 4

Getting closer. 3.

A 60th birthday compliment to Lynne. First peal at the address.

Remembering Joe E G Roast of Danbury, a Life Vice President of the Essex Association. Joe conducted the then record peal of Multi-Minor in 145 methods, rung by a resident Essex band in 1966.

Rung for Palm Sunday and in Celebration of the Christening on 2nd March of Isabella Dawn McCaig.

1st treble bob 1.

For Evensong.

First Treble Bob Major: 1

600th Quarter: 3

For Holy Week

Thinking about the people of Baltimore, USA

Circled the Calendar: 3.

Also Birthday Compliments to Gillian Malton, mother of Adrian, (94 today), Andy Marshall of Over (59 today) Braxton Marsden, Sue's grandson (1 on 22nd March) and Joan Browning of Hamilton, New Zealand, Sue's cousin (80 on 1st March), and for the engagement of Beth Marsden, Sue's daughter, and Trent Nisbett, of Tamahere, New Zealand.

First on a mini ring: 1, 2 and 4.

For Andy and Thomas's birthdays this week.

Rung in memory of Don Eggleston who died yesterday evening

For Easter; first peal in the method - 3; wishing Jeremy Spiller, who was due to ring in this peal, a full and speedy recovery

First of TB Royal: 3-4

First in Method - 2,4 and 6

25th Quarter on the Bells as Conductor - 5

First quarter peal on an inside bell: 2

100th QP - 4

60th QP on the bells - 4

Birthday Compliment to Nikki Masters, daughter to 4

Rung open to celebrate the life of Trevor Edwards 5th July 1928 to December 14th 2023. Father to Daren Edwards grandfather and great grandfather sadly missed.

First in Method - 3 & 5

Rung on behalf of the whole church to celebrate the 94th Birthday of Pat Carter, a longstanding and much loved member of our congregation

Rung in anticipation of the wedding of Juliet Braidwood and Alastair Simpson on Saturday 13th April.

To celebrate the Golden Wedding Anniversary of David and Monica Lilley.

First QP as a Cover Bell - 6

First in Method - 4

First quarter 1; first on Tenor 6. Rung to celebrate the birth of Rowan Christopher Byers Richards, grandson of 2.

Dedicated to Peter Beaman, eldest brother of the conductor, who died on this date one year ago.

In celebration of the life of Joanne Dyre who passed away on 18th March.

Birthday compliment to Steph McFarlane (Lucy’s Mum)

1st quarter at 1st attempt 6.

For Harry, England and St George!

For St. Georges Day.

For St George's Day. Belated 70th birthday congratulations to Peter (6) at 2nd attempt, and remembering Jon Reed whose 70th birthday would have been on 3rd April.

First in method: 3

First Quarter Peal as a Cover Bell - 5

First Quarter Peal of Minimus - 1

First Quarter Peal in Method - 2 & 4

First QP in Method - 4

Rung with best wishes to Heather Dobson (2) who will be celebrating her forthcoming 75th Birthday on Sunday

Dedicated to the memory of Teresa Thurston who passed away on 4th April 2024.

First QP of Grandsire on the bells - 2

First Quarter Peal at the first attempt: 6 (mother of the conductor)

50th Quarter Peal: 5

First Doubles and most methods as conductor.

Rung to celebrate the birth of Ruth, born in March, the first grandchild of Andrew and Mary Walls.

Rung to celebrate the Licensing and Installation of The Revd. Philip Howson as Priest-in-Charge of West Leightonstone Benefice by The Bishop of Huntingdon & Acting Bishop of Ely, The Rt. Revd. Dr. Dagmar Winter and The Archdeacon of Huntingdon and Wisbech, The Ven. Richard Harlow

First Minor: 1

First St Clement’s and first Spliced Minor: 6

First Spliced as Conductor.

Circled the tower to Quarter Peals: 2

First in method: 2

Rung for Bell Sunday and to wish Lt Colonel Chris Tidwell success on his posting to New Mexico, and every hope for his continued ringing career.

First quarter peal at first attempt: Tenor.

First blows in method for all.

Rung as a farewell compliment to the Tenor ringer as he prepares to depart for his new posting with the USAF in New Mexico.

All local ringers and regular practice support band would like to be associated with this quarter peal.

First in Method - 2,3,4,5,6,7

First Quarter Peal at first attempt - treble

For the feast of Pentecost; rung in celebration of the life of Sara Elisabeth Robert, sister of 3rd ringer, who died on 24th March 2024

Rung prior to Evensong and the 1st Quarter Peal on the augmented bells.

First in Method 2,3 and 4

Congratulations to Adrian Malton on his 65th Birthday today!

First QP on the treble - 1

Congratulations to Adrian Malton on his 65th Birthday today!

For evensong.

Remembering Landbeach ringer Margaret Butler.

Rung in memory of Dennis John Downham , father of 5. On what would have been his 96th birthday.

First in Method - 3

1st minor inside: 2.

1st quarter after fracturing shoulder in March: 4.

Rung for service and for the 80th Anniversary of D-Day this week.

Also to celebrate the 8th Birthday of Tilly, daughter of 1 and granddaughter of 2.

First in Method - 2

Rung to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the D Day landings - 6th June 1944

First in Method - 2,3 and 4

Rung to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the D Day Landings on 6th June 1944

First in Method 3,4 and 5

Rung to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the D Day landings on 6th June 1944

Rung to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day

1st in method 4

Tenor bell tolled this evening to 'Ring out peace' on this the 80th Anniversary of D-Day.

Rung to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the D Day Landings on 6th June 1944

Also to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the ordination of Canon Hugh Barker (Vicar of Wisbech St Mary 1961 - 1975 and father of the conductor) in St Paul's Cathedral London on 6th June 1944 which was also his 25th Birthday.

In addition, the band rang a further touch of 80 Grandsire Doubles in recognition and gratitude to all those involved in securing the liberation of Western Europe.

Rung to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D Day landing

Rung to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D Day Landings

3 Generations of the bell ringing Hardings.

First unassisted rounds for Jacky!

200th QP as Conductor - 6

Rung to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the D Day Landings on 6th June 1944

Also to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the ordination of Canon Hugh Barker (Rector of Walpole St Peter and Vicar of Walpole St Andrew 1975 - 1984, father of the conductor) in St Paul's Cathedral, London on 6th June 1944, which was also his 25th Birthday.

Rung for ‘ Ringing Out for Peace’- 80th Anniversary of the D-Day landings

Rung for ‘Ringing Out for Peace’ - 80th Anniversary of D-Day Landings

Rounds and call changes

Steeple Keeper Richard Swain

Rung on the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

Rung to Commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day landings

Rung for the D-day service

Rung prior to the lighting of the beacon

In commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings

Rung in commemoration of the D-Day landings on 6th June 1944

Ringing Out for Peace - 80th Anniversary of D-Day Landings

Ringing Out for Peace - 80th Anniversary of D-Day Landings

Ringing Out for Peace - 80th Anniversary of D-Day Landings

Ringing Out for Peace - 80th Anniversary of D-Day Landings

Louise Dobson (Home Tower) and friends ring to remember the D day landings.

Rung on practice night to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of D-Day.

First as cover: 6

Rung on practice night to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of D-Day.

First as cover:6

Ringing out for peace 80th D-Day anniversary. Also for the 15th wedding anniversary today of Louise & Graham Webber. National Fish & Chip day.

Ringing Out for Peace on the D-Day 80th Anniversary.

Young ringer Noam's first participation in ringing for a National Event.

Rounds and call changes

Ringing Out for Peace - 80th Anniversary of D-Day Landings

Rung to Commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day landings

Rung to Commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings and as part of 'Ringing Out for Peace'

Rung to Commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day landings

100th QP on the Bells of Wisbech St Peter and Paul - 6

Rung to commemorate to 80th Anniversary of the D Day Landings on 6th June 1944

A welcome return to Sue Marsden (4) with her first quarter following her recent hip replacement.

700th Quarter Peal - 5

Rung to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the D Day Landings on 6th June 1944

Rung to mark the 80th anniversary of the D Day landings.

First quarter peal at first attempt - Treble

First in method - 5

Birthday Compliment to Mum of the treble ringer.

80th Birthday Compliment to Chris Bell, a ringer at Fordham

Rung prior to the opening of Walpole St Andrew Summer Fair

Compliment to Billy Brooke and Karen Sejer Ravn on their forthcoming wedding.

First peal of spliced - 2.

On the 30th anniversary of the conductor's first handbell peal; 11th June 1994, Plain Bob Major, conducted by Paul S Seaman.

A post-exam celebration for Jadd and Andrew.

Congratulations to Val (4) on 50 years since her first Quarter Peal at Gedling, Notts

First Blows at Treble Bob Major - 1

First in Method - 2, 7 and 8

First in Method for 35 years - 6

1st QP at 1st attempt - 1

1st inside - 2

Rung to mark the Patronal Festival of St Peter and St Paul

Also rung for all individuals being ordained as either a Priest or deacon this weekend.

66th Birthday compliment to Canon Matthew Bradbury, Vicar of Wisbech.

Rung immediately prior to the service celebrating the retirement of Canon Matthew Bradbury, Vicar of Wisbech St Peter and Paul

Rung immediately after the service celebrating the retirement of Canon Matthew Bradbury, Vicar of Wisbech st Peter and Paul

Rung to Celebrate the Ordination of Reverend Virginia Moggridge as Priest at Ely Cathedral on Saturday 29th June 2024.

Rung by a band of Ely DA young ringers (Fen Tigers). Average age 14.7

First Quarter Peal inside - 4

First Quarter Peal as cover - 6

Rung to congratulate Brin on completing his GCSE exams.

Also rung as a birthday compliment to Rhyan Probert, father of 2.

First Kennington 2 and 3

First Triples as conductor.

Rung to wish Thomas and the rest of the Fen Tigers good luck at the RWNYC in London tomorrow.

Also rung as a belated wedding anniversary compliment to Vee and Simon.

Circled the tower to Quarter Peals - 2

Rung before the christening service of Harper Sylvia Ena Setter-Cain.

1st Quarter: 2

Rung in celebration of the lives of all Balsham children who have died and for the 44th birthday of Tristan Johnson

First Quarter Peal - 5

First in Method - 4

Congratulations to the England Football Team on reaching the final of the Euros

First in Method - 4

Sending a get well message to Jennifer Watts who was scheduled to ring and a big thank you to David Croxford for standing in at short notice.

First in Method (St Osmunds) and most methods - 3

First QP on 8 bells - 8

First Triples - 5

First Little Bob: 1, 6

Most Minor methods as conductor.

Celebrating the Fen Tigers’ joint 3rd and joint 8th place finishes in the 6 bell call change competition at the RWNYC in London last Saturday.

The first quarter peal at Alconbury for over 50 years, Following two decades of fund-raising fetes and events and two generous bequests, the bells were removed then refurbished by Taylors in 2022, re-hung by them in 2023 and now rededicated by Bishop Dagmar in a moving service attended by 110 people, including many bell ringers. Rung before the re-dedication service.

First Quarter 6.

General ringing before the service of re-dedication of the bells.

Including eight of the new ringers.

Remembering John Haas who died 8th June 2023. He was a mentor to Clare, treble ringer, when she started learning to ring and he would have been so pleased with her achievement.

With Best Wishes to the Peterborough DG on their Centenary

First in Method 3,4,6 and 7

Circled the tower to Quarter Peals 7 and 10

Rung in thanksgiving for the life of Michael Edwards 18/03/1935 - 13/07/2024, much loved great uncle of 5.

First in Method as Conductor - 6

Rung to remember three members of the congregation at Wisbech St Mary who sadly passed away in the last year.

Richard Gilbert - churchwarden at the time of his death earlier this year.

David Wheeler - Former churchwarden and stalwart supporter of the church who died in August 2023.

Lilian Brigden - Church Elder and Lay Reader who served the community at Wisbech St Mary for over 50 years who died in July 2023 and whose anniversary falls today.

Rest in Peace.

Rung in celebration and thanksgiving for the life of The Hon. Oliver Walston, farmer and lifelong resident of Thriplow, who sadly passed away this week.

First as Conductor of Plain Bob Doubles 5.

First quarter for Friday quarters @ Thriplow