In a previous article, quite a long time ago now, I classified the place bells of Cambridge Maximus as "normal" (containing a set of places) and "exceptional" (2nd, 3rd and 5th place bells). The idea is that if both of your bells are ringing normal place bells, then there is a pattern that depends on which position you are in (coursing, 3-4 etc) but is somewhat independent of which lead you are ringing within that position. If one of your bells is ringing an exceptional place bell, then you don't have the benefit of a standard pattern, but it doesn't matter too much because the exceptional place bells are well known and have simple regular work of their own. Ringing two exceptional place bells, which happens in the 3-4 and coursing positions, is also relatively straightforward.

We had a handbell day yesterday (more about that later) and before it we had a Friday evening Cambridge Maximus practice. That's prompted me to finish discussing the positions, as I only looked at coursing and 3-4 previously.

The 9-10 position can't ring two exceptional place bells simultaneously, so there are 6 leads that combine an exceptional place bell with a normal place bell. Here they are.

The remaining leads fall into a further two groups. Three of them have some coursing below the treble.

Finally, the first and last leads of the course are less regular.