St Mary the Virgin
Saturday, 8 November 1997 in 2h 54 (16–2–4)
5088 London Surprise Major
Composed by J. W. Washbrook of Arklow
1 John E Hearn
2 Ian C Moore
3 Dickon R Love
4 David J Baverstock
5 J Roderick N Lebon
6 Rev Fr David Gibbons
7 Robert C Kippin
8 Christopher J Cooper (C)
First peal in the method and as Conductor and first in the method on the bells.
First in method: 2
This was intended to be a peal with the Ancient Society of College Youths, but the ringer of 2nd was not a member at that date (Elected subsequently; some three years later).
Especially arranged by the Conductor and rung to celebrate Godfrey F. Gray Esq completing 35 years as Tower Captain.
Final peal on the bells prior to removing the Ringing Room to the former 'Trinity House Pilot's Gallery', and tuning and so profoundly altering the tone of the back seven bells here, all 1724 Knight, said to be 'maiden', so that future Dovorians could not hear the same tones which had sounded across their town for the prior 276 years.
The first known peal ever to be rung in the County of Kent was rung here in 1732, which included tonally unaltered as at the date of this peal, this Knight back 7. The peal of 1732 was rung with The Society of College Youths, and further details of that Society visit to Kent and across the English Channel can be found in the late W.T. Cook's Society History.