Bell-Ringing Feat

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 74, 28 March 1936, Page 3

Bell-Ringing Feat

PEAL OF 5056 CHANGES A TEAM OF VETERANS Some of the oldest and most experienced bellringers in England gathered at St. Olave’s Church, Hart Street, E.C.3, in February to ring a Cambridge Surprise Major peal. It was said to be the first time that men who had rung over 1000 peals each had met together in one band. It is remarkable for a ringer to have accomplished 1000 peals, and only one or two of the ringers who took part had less than 50 years of ringing to his credit. The oldest member of the band was Mr James George, of Birmingham, who is over SO years of age, and the others were but, a few years younger.

The ringers travelled to London from different parts of the country and met at St. Olave’s early in the afternoon. The signal to start was given by the leader, Mr George Tye, of Romford, at 3.10 p.m., and as spectators loft tVj tower —for the slightest interruption might ruin a peal—the treble bell was struck. Rapidly the other chimes ran through the sequence of the change until tho tenor bell was reached and the second sequence begun. Subsequently each sequence was varied in conformity with the rules of tho peal until 5056 changes had been rung. Few people, apart from those who had gathered in the churchyard to listen, realised that an extraordinary bell-ringing performance was taking place. The bells had been muffled owing to the death of King George, and this, added to tho deadening effect of the fog, prevented the sounds from carrying a great distance. Experts who attended tho performance expressed tho opinion that the band was one of the best ever brought together. The ringers came from Romford, Southampton, Brighton, Guildford, "Walworth, Birmingham and Slough.