Back in February this year, towards the end of one of our Wednesday evening Practices, Thurcaston Tower Captain Peter Hunt mused (I paraphrase) “wouldn’t it good to ring a “Local Band” Peal for the Coronation of King Charles III & Queen Camilla?, & Howell, could you call it?”
My reply was “What could we ring?”. This triggered a discussion of “potential methods V’s likelihood of success” – with varying degrees of (dis)agreement! Peter wanted it to be an 8-Bell Peal attempt, but it was acknowledged that some of those we would want to be in the Band for this Peal attempt were very inexperienced at ringing Triples (let alone Major) &/or had not yet even rung an 8-Bell Quarter-Peal… It was clear we would need some serious Practicing to get us into shape to attempt a Full Peal!
[Typical across the ringing fraternity?] Thurcaston Practices are lucky to be regularly (& irregularly!) supported by a small number of ringers who “officially” ring elsewhere – we consider these ringers to be part of our “extended family” & they often “fill-in” when we’re short (Services/Weddings). This would widen the possible “Local Band” pool to draw from, & would also strengthen it…
On 28th February, Peter circulated an email to identify who would be willing/interested in being part of the Band, on the understanding that they would commit (as far as possible) to attend all pre-Peal-attempt Weekly & additional Peal-Band-only Practices (to be held “outside” of our normal Weekly Practices as most of the time at the Weekly Practices needs to be taken up with our Learners ringing (Rounds & Call Changes/Plain Hunt 5 & 7/Plain Bob & Grandsire Doubles etc.).
Numerous further emails/messages flew back & forth, & a “What’s App” Group was set up for the Peal-Band – trying to finalise dates/times for additional Peal-Band-only Practices. Anyone who has tried to arrange ringing activities knows that it’s “like trying to herd cats” to get everyone together in the same place at the same time (we all have “busy lives”…).
In short, at these Practices (at which we intended to try & ring a Quarter-Peal, but…) we determined (more by what DIDN’T “work”) that we would settle on the Peal attempt being of Plain Bob Triples. Not [then] being used to ringing Major at Thurcaston we couldn’t “get” a Major method ringing rhythm, never mind actually ringing Plain or Little Bob Major, & I reasoned that Grandsire would be “low likelihood of success” with a number of the Band being particularly inexperienced at ringing Grandsire Triples…
Whilst practising Plain Bob Triples, we held numerous “ad hoc training sessions” e.g. What to do IF a “Single” is called, How you ring it, What to do immediately afterwards & the next lead’s tasks, & we rang touches that included numerous Singles so as to practice them.
Eventually the Peal attempt date was set as being Mon 8th May a.m. – but we still hadn’t actually yet rung even a Quarter-Peal!…
The beginning of the week that would end with the Coronation Service finally arrived, to find I & (son) Morgan struck down by a “fluey virus” that pole-axed us. No problem, plenty of time to recover…
Thurcaston Peal attempt (No. 1 – as it became…): Come Monday morning (8th May), the date for the Thurcaston Peal attempt, whilst I felt “OK-ish”, I wasn’t convinced Morgan & I were fit enough to ring a Full Peal. We explained this to the rest of the Band on meeting (who were very sympathetic), offering we could attempt a Quarter-Peal as Practice instead. I’d already chosen a 6-part Peal Composition that allowed for it to be called round after 2 parts for a (True!) 1/3 of a Peal – so in the event we duly rang a “long Quarter-Peal” of 1680 Plain Bob Triples (see RW/Bellboard: https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=1622424) – this at least “ticked off” two issues, 1: 1st Quarter-Peal on 8 (for those who had yet to ring one) & 2: “practicing” the actual peal composition (with Singles as/when!).
Obviously we were disappointed we hadn’t been able to ring a Peal that day, so we resolved to reschedule for “when better”… Ultimately it transpired that, due to Holidays & other “unavailability” (as a Band) we were unable to re-meet until 23rd Aug…
Thurcaston Peal attempt (No. 2): – Peter had been experiencing an “issue” with one of his toes (that of itself would not stop him from ringing a Peal) – but over the intervening time this had gradually developed into a much bigger problem affecting his leg such that he could not stand on it for any length of time (thankfully fully recovered since). This meant that Peter was no longer able to take part, & the Band was grateful that David Carling agreed to stand-in at short notice for Peter…
All ringing is a Team Effort (unless it’s “just you & your computer”) – that’s part of what we love about ringing! Yes we “may have struggled a bit at times”, but we doggedly persevered in the heat (the electric fan combined with “part-open stairs trapdoor & open small window allowed a needed thru-draft). So we (eventually!) achieved ringing a Peal for the Coronation – 5040 Plain Bob Triples in 2h49 (see RW/Bellboard: https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=1655879) – the ringing standard overall was reasonable, & a great achievement bearing in mind it included three “first-pealers” – Tim Holland (3rd), Harry Longman (5th – Cossington Tower Captain) & Dexter Deackes (Tenor – 12 yo) – well done all!!
Peter took the attached photo of the Band immediately after completing the Peal & standing in order (L to R), & has since agreed with the Church that a Peal Board will be created to record this Coronation Peal & associating Peter with the Peal – to be paid for between PCC & Band… A big “Thankyou” also to Mick Angrave who is to provide a frame & install this Peal Board – that will sit nicely in the Tower alongside a previous “Local-Band” Peal 25th Nov 2000 – rung to celebrate the refurbishment of the Bells, conducted by Roland H Cook. – 5056 Plain Bob Major in 2h46.
Band Photo – by courtesy of Peter Hunt – L to R:
Treble: Morgan F Williams [Thurcaston]
2: Kathryn E Mobbs [Thurcaston]
3: Tim Holland [Thurcaston]
4: David G Carling [Cathedral]
5: Harry Longman [Cossington]
6: Christopher H Robbins [Cathedral]
7: Howell J Williams (C) [Thurcaston]
Tenor: Dexter Deackes (12 yo) [Thurcaston]
Howell Williams
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