Here is a summary of handbell ringing activity for February 2014, based on performances published on Bell Board. In doing the roundup I look at all lengths, since for any growing handbell band, peals only tell a small part of the story.
First some significant milestones.....
- John Jelley has had a good start to 2013 - he conducted 500 handbell peals and rung 1200 of them.
- Ian W Taylor has rung 350 handbell peals
We also say 'well done' to....
- Peter Blight, who has rung his first Bristol Royal .
- Andrew Hills for ringing his first spliced.
- Benjamin Meyer's first handbell peal.
- Maureen Hanney and Sam Shead have some firsts as conductors.
- David Huxford has left the shelter of the trebles, as has Jill Wigney (not before time Jill!).
- Rebecca Melen for her first major in hand.
- young Charlotte Sorell (age 9) has rung her first touch.
and special congratulations to Alison J Lucas on her first peal.
Some other developments and special mentions.....
Last summer I asked Mark Ecclestone what on earth he and his Stedman band would tackle next, now that they had finished the Landmark Stedman series. The next step is clearly to ring the same series silent and non-conducted, and they are well on their way.
Have handbells will travel - some Russian ringing and some landmarks on Lundy.
And finally our featured performance for February 2014....
There was an excellent peal of Cambridge S Major (for which we saw the build up last month) by the Guild of Devonshire Ringers, which featured several firsts. And really I thought I had my candidate until Henry Pipe pulled off his first peal as Conductor whilst on holiday. Pretty swish work, boys:
Society of Cambridge Youths
Weybourne, Norfolk
Pebble Beach Cottage
Sunday, 16 February 2014 in 1h49 (7 in D)
5040 Plain Bob Minor
Composed by Trad.
1–2 Alfred G W Pipe
3–4 David J Pipe
5–6 Henry J W Pipe (C)
First as conductor.
11th birthday compliment to the conductor who wanted to ring this yesterday but was banned by his Mum who thought he should be having fun instead. Whatever.