BellBoard
SS Peter and Paul
Monday, 12 January 1981 in 2h 43 (8–3–0 in A)
5040 Eminent Nick Lawrence Surprise Minor
Composed by Roger Bailey (3-part)
1 Andrew D Carton
2 Richard H Sams
3 Robert D McGowan
4 Nicholas M White
5 John G Reynolds
6 R Nicholas Lawrence (C)
First Peal in the method: CC No.764: -36-1456-56-36.12-14-56 le12
Farewell compliment to Nick Lawrence, posted to Germany.
Explanatory note:
At the time, the RW letters page was being swamped by correspondents claiming to have rung courses of hitherto un-named minor methods during their practice nights, and giving the methods names of their choice, with no documentary evidence thereof.
RNL therefore wrote to RW, criticising certain "eminent" ringers, and suggesting that the names should be withdrawn unless the methods had been rung to at least an extent, and as part of a peal. This resulted in further correspondence, and the accolade "eminent" came into frequent use.
The W&P D-Band (not good enough for RLM's A-Band) had already named a method https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=1186236, and had selected an un-named method, for this particular attempt, but had not chosen a name by the time the band had assembled, rung-up and the ropes adjusted! In the light of the naming controversy, and as a Parthian Shot at those who were still submitting unsubstantiated namings, the D-Band jester, RHS (RiP), suggested this name, and the band agreed, so with some embarrassment RNL conducted it (and has been embarrassed ever since).
RNL, 8th October 2017