BellBoard

Rung either side of the midnight hour to welcome in the new year to Woolton.

“Ring out the old, ring in the new,

Ring happy bells, across the snow:

The year is going, let him go,

Ring out the false, ring in the true”

- Alfred Lord Tennyson

The first ring of 2026.

First QP: 6

First of the "150 firsts" for the 150th anniversary of the Lancashire Association.

First quarter inside - 5

Arranged and rung in memory of Ashley B Wilson. Burnley was his leading tower for peals and Bristol S Royal was his leading method.

With grateful thanks to John and Joan Thorley, who are no longer able to ring with us, but are still active members of this church.

A favourite method of the late father of ringer 5.

First in method for 3 and 5.

We note the peaceful passing of John Thorley this afternoon - 12 January - with great sadness and fond memories and feeling privileged to have known and rung with him.

First in the method - 2,3,4 & 5.

The band would like to associate Owen Battye with this quarter.

Rung for Choral Evensong.

First of Stedman Caters - 4 & 6.

Circled the tower - 1.

Birthday compliment to 9.

Compliment to the Dean of Manchester, the Very Rev Rogers Govender MBE, on the 20th anniversary of his installation.

Farewell compliment to Freja, moving from Manchester to Hull shortly to pursue her PhD studies.

In loving memory of Fred Davies (1931-2025), resident of the parish.

First as conductor of Cambridge - 6

First Cambridge surprise minor inside - 4

First treble bob - 1

First on 10 as conductor

First of Major - 1

First of Plain Bob Major - 4

25th Quarter Peal - 3 and 4

Birthday compliments to Robin who turn another year older tomorrow!

Rung during practice night on the conductor's 55th birthday.

Also for National Rubber Ducky Day.

In memoriam John Thorley - May 1940 to January 2026; Tower Captain of St Thomas, Milnthorpe for at least 25 years.

This quarter was rung in celebration of the life of our well-loved and respected friend. Graceful, kind and incredibly knowledgeable. We will never forget you John.

1 John Chapter 5 v 10 "He who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in his own heart".

Happy birthday, Ray.

Pilar's first complete solo course of Stedman Triples without mistake.

First blows in the method for all. Believed to be the first recorded performance in the method: -18.12.1238.12.1238.12.1238.12.1238.12.1238-18-12

Rung to mark 50 years since "Bohemian Rhapsody" was number 1 in the UK singles chart (23 Nov 75 - 24 Jan 76).

50th quarter: 3.

For practice.

First Bob Cinques: 6, 8

1 : First quarter

3 & 5 : First of Grandsire

Alison's first course of Plain Bob Minor.

Laura's first touch of April Day Doubles.

Happy birthday, Gary.

On the Birthday of Franz Schubert & Franklin D. Roosevelt

First 11m/v/p as conductor

First 11m/v/p - 1, 2, 5

Best wishes to the car of the 2nd

First in method as conductor

First surprise - 3

Didn't quite manage to get the quarter

Blackburn Branch Monthly Practice.

First rounds and call changes on 10 for Janet (Waddington St Helen)

First Plain Hunt on 10 for James and Debbie (Clitheroe St Mary).

Sam's first course of Stedman Caters.

First on 8 handbells: 5-6

First Major away from tenors: 1-2

First of Primrose: 2, 3 & 4.

Lucy's first solo rounds and call changes.

First attempt at Plain Bob Triples for Isaac

First 7 spliced: 3, 7.

Rung as a birthday compliment for today to Philip Chandler and Hannah Baker.

First Surprise Major - 6.

22nd birthday compliment to the Bakes for last Tuesday.

A Flakes and Bakes production (#1).

First Plain hunt on 9 - 1

First as cover on 10 -10

Rung during the joint Liverpool and Wigan Branch 10 bell Practice

First treble to Caters 1

Rung During the joint Liverpool and Wigan Branch 10 Bell Practice

First in method: 2, 3 and 9.

Happy birthday, Ian.

The 100th peal on these bells, cast by Gillett and Johnston in 1928.

First of Surprise Royal: 3

First of Cambridge S Royal: 4, and as cond.

Rung following Evening Prayer, and with birthday compliments for today to Emily Hirst and 19th Feb to Chris Silkstone

Ringing before and after the funeral service of Mike Moore, a fellow Halewood ringer, who will be much missed by family and friends.

1st 120 - 6

On practice night

75th Peal: 4.

50th Peal: 6.

First of Minor: 1 and 3.

Rung to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Lancashire Association of Change Ringers.

This peal replicates a peal rung at this tower 50 years ago to this day for the 100th anniversary of the LACR.

Rung before the Institution and Induction of Revd Craig Abbott as Vicar of this Parish.

First quarter on 8: 8.

First of Grandsire Triples: 5.

Circled tower to quarters 3 times: 3.

Dedicated to the memory of Peter H Gardner of Ambleside.

In memory of Peter H Gardner, of Ambleside, who was a longstanding supporter of ringing at Kendal.

Hilary Atkinson, Jill Sherry and Jane Markby wish to be associated with this QP.

Rung to celebrate the life of Herbert Boyes, father of the treble ringer, on what would have been his 100th birthday.

First of Major as C.

Birthday compliments to Eileen Fellows - mother of 6. In memoriam Peter H Gardner - who was due to ring with us today. Get well wishes and birthday compliments to Jane Markby.

1 - First touch of Plain Bob

First of Yorkshire: 4.

First time ringing a method for Sunday service for Anne-Marie Kinsella-Calverley and Moira Rawcliffe.

The 5th was rung by Fr Eddie Carr of Rishton on the first lot of ringing and Jack Rawcliffe on the second lot.

First time as conductor- Fr Eddie Carr for the first session and Tony Mcaleese for the second session.

Jack and Moira belong to Waddington and the Liz to Clitheroe.

Rung to celebrate International Women's Day and for Choral Evensong.

Rang before the Memorial Service for the 80th Anniversary of the Burnden Park Disaster when 33 people lost their lives when Bolton Wanderers played Stoke City in the F.A. Cup 6th Round on Saturday 9th March 1946.

Rung half-muffled in memory of those 33 lives lost in the Burnden Park Football Stadium disaster on the 9th March 1946, in commemoration of the 80th Anniversary. Burnden Park was the previous home of Bolton Wanderers Football Club.

General ringing at practice night, in memory of Peter H. Gardner, dedicated and much loved tower captain here at Ambleside for many years.

The following ringers wish to be associated with this performance: Michael Beverly, Martin Mullis, Jan Rose, Caitlin Routledge.

First time ringing Grandsire Triples 3

First quarter of St Clements: 2,3,4&5.

Birthday compliments to Sarah Daw, daughter of 6.

Nieve's first time ringing solo without anyone standing beside her.

Rung for the service of celebration and thanksgiving for the life of John Bertalot Organist Emeritas at Blackburn Cathedral, who was Director of Music from 1964 to 1983

First blows in the method: 4, 5, 7

First in the method: 2

Rung for Evensong on Mothering Sunday

Happy birthday, Brenda. With the Cathedral Band's best wishes.

In memory of Peter Gardner, a regular member of the Accrington Tuesday peal band for a number of years. Peter rang a total of 59 peals on these bells, including his last peal, Yorkshire Surprise Royal, just 4 weeks ago.

Other regular members of the group wish to be associated with today's peal, including Jeff Brannan, Nina Brannan, Peter Randall, Len Mitchell, Ray Hutchings, Alan Trebble, Jane Owen.

To celebrate the 65th wedding anniversary of George and Esther Webster parents of the ringer of the second.

1st QP inside Sam Escott

Wishing a Happy Birthday to Giles Blundell.

First in method (3).

Rung for Evensong.

Remembering Derek Sibson, rung on the first anniversary of his death.

First blows in method for 2 and 5.

For LACR 150 'firsts' in the 150th anniversary year.

6 : First Quarter Peal attempt

Rung on the front six

In memory of Peter Gardner

First in method for all.

First of surprise major and first blows in method: 2.

First in method: 4 & 7.

67th quarter: 4.

Best wishes and get well soon to Rob Chapman.

Rung half-muffled after Evensong for Palm Sunday.

In memory of Saskia van Ool.

Finally circled all 13 bells to quarters: 2#!

First of Bristol - 3, 6

In memory of Peter H Gardner, tower captain at Ambleside, who passed away on the 3rd March 2026.

First QP at first attempt 1,2 and 6

Rung for Choral Evensong on Easter Sunday.

For morning service on Easter Sunday

First in the method: 3, 5

First peal at first attempt 4 and 5. For Easter by a Rochdale Branch band.

First Spliced Surprise Major - 2 and 4

First peal as conductor

3. First 4-spliced.

First inside - 5

Most methods to a peal - 2

Birthday compliments to 6.

First blows in method for Sam

First of Stedman together 2 and 4 - daughter and father.

Belated diamond wedding anniversary compliment to David and Jennifer Friend.

First triples as conductor

60th QP - 7

First Bob Minor for Lou

Rung in memory of Peter H Gardner, long time tower captain at this church and stalwart of ringing in Cumbria.

The band would like to associate this quarter with Kevin Mayfield and Jill Sherry who were unable to ring at the last minute. With thanks to Nigel and Carolina for stepping in to ring.

First plain hunt on 8 - 1 & 2

First time running a practice for Sam, Also his First Blows in St Simon's and Cloister and first touch of St Martin's.

First touch of spliced minor in hand 1-2,3-4,5-6

ReWelcoming Dale to LUSCR

First time plain hunting the treble to method by Marianne

First 120 of PB Double affected by calls for Flor called from outside the circle by Bryan McCahey

First peal - 6

First Surprise Major inside - 4

Rung in memory of Owen Battye who passed away on the 15th April 2026.

Remembering Owen Battye.

Helen Forshaw and Malcolm Murphy are also associated with this quarter.

Wishing Briony Davies a very happy Birthday.

Remembering R Owen Battye

Rung on St George's Day in thanksgiving for the life of Gillian Jamieson, a Church Warden of this Church, who passed away recently. RIP.

For St George's Day.

First time leading at ringing down in peal for Mark Lane.

Alison's first time calling the changes.

First quarter: 1, 6

Rung to celebrate the church's 200th anniversary

Rung in memory of John Thorley, former tower captain.

Most methods in a peal, and first of Bourne, Beverley, Surfleet and Norwich: 4.

2, 3 & 5 : most methods in a quarter

4 : most methods as conductor

Rung a day after what would have been John Collins 80th birthday, father of Angela.

Rung to celebrate the upcoming 150th anniversary of the Lancashire Association.

This was the 14th peal on the bells, cast by Thomas Mears in 1793, and the first since 1996.

Adrian's first touch of April Day Doubles.

Adrian's first touch of Plain Bob Doubles with singles.

Colton's first time ringing for a Wedding

The last peal on the 10 bells in their current configuration prior to rehanging and augmentation to 12.

First Plain Bob Caters-3

First rounds on 10 for Catherine Hartley and Kevin Lowcock

Rung in fond memory of Peter H Gardner by friends from Lancashire, Cumbria, Durham and Yorkshire.

First of major - 3

First of major as conductor

Bell 4 & 5 are recent new ringers

First time cover on bell 6 for Anne-Marie Kinsella-Calverley

First of Treble Bob: 1

Peter's first solo touch of anything as conductor.

Remembering R Owen Battye.

Jane Owen wishes to be associated with this peal.

Rung on the 50th anniversary of Lorraine's first peal, 8th May 1976, at Holme on Spalding Moor.

To celebrate the 100th birthday today of Sir David Attenborough.

First in method for all.

Remembering Owen Battye. Owen rang 34 peals on these bells and was part of the team that worked on their rehanging in 2012.

For the Baptism tomorrow of Tobias James Wormleighton (son of 1 ad 2) and to celebrate the birth of Matilda Rose Marr on 24/04/2026 to Emma Phillips and Vinny Marr.

Retirement compliment to the incumbent, the Rev. Kate Burgess.

Rung after her final service at St Matthew's.

Wendy Lee is also associated with this quarter.

To celebrate Bell Sunday

First Bob Triples inside- 3

First of Minor: 1

In memory of John Wynne, Liz's uncle, rung on the day of his funeral.

Stephanie's first rounds and call changes.

Mark Thornley's first rounds and call changes.

Peter's first course of Grandsire Triples.

Rung to mark 100 years since the birth of Eric Bartholomew (Eric Morecambe)

Previous attempts had all the right notes, not necessarily in the right order!

First in method for all (and last for the foreseeable future)

In affectionate memory of our dear friend Owen Battye, rung on the morning of his funeral service, which took place in this church immediately afterwards.

Remembering R Owen Battye.

Remembering R Owen Battye, the day after his funeral. Owen rang the last of his 683 peals here.

4,6: 600th together.

For morning service

First Norwich 3 and 5

First ringing on half-muffled bells, 2,4 & 5.

First ringing of whole-pull Plain Hunt on 5 bells, 2,4 & 5.

Conducted from outside the circle.

First peal in the method

Cheadle Alliance Major: -3-456-256-6.34-2.3.6.7 lh 12 (d)

Happy birthday, Pilar.

Rung for Evensong on the Feast of Pentecost.

Birthday compliments to Pilar Holt.

First in method as Conductor.

First in method - 9

First of Caters - 6

4 : First quarter of triples

3 : First quarter for over 25 years

First Stedman Alliance Minimus: 1 & 3.

Rung in fond memory of Edmund J Crighton of Liverpool and Blaenau Ffestiniog who departed this life on 17th May 2026

1st quarter on eight - 8.

For practice.

With deepest sympathy to "Danny" on the loss of his illegally placed clamp. Destroyed in a lay-by unceremoniously 12:30am Wednesday 3rd June

First in method: 3,4,5,6

A 1st for Anne-Marie Kinsella-Calverley. A 1st for Miora Rawcliffe. Rung to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the LACR on the 10th June 2026

Rung in memory of Michael Garret after his funeral

90 on thirds 1, +3 X 90 changes of Pain hunt/Plain Bob

Ringers 1-3 carers of Mr. Garret

With special thanks to Jo for stepping in at the last minute.

Rung to celebrate the life of Rev J Michael Stephens, ringer at Kirbymoorside and father of the rector of St Michael's Macclesfield.

First on 12 (1), first of Surprise Max (9), first of Cambridge Surprise Max (8).

Rung in celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the Lancashire Association of Change Ringers.

Rung for Rochdale Branch Quarter Peal week & as part of the LACR 150th Anniversary

2: First Caters inside

9: First Caters as conductor

10: First on 10 Bells

Rung for the Rochdale Branch Quarter Peal week & as part of the LACR 150th Anniversary

1: First Treble Bob

First Quarter - 1

First in method - 4

Rung to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Lancashire Association of Change Ringers.

Rung in celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the Lancashire Association of Change Ringers.

Firsts in plain hunt on 7 - Sara (1), Stefka (1), Julie (2), Martin (4).

First inside to a touch of plain bob minor - Lynne (2).

Rung prior to the celebratory dinner for the 150th Anniversary of the Lancashire Association.

Rung for Rochdale Branch quarter peal week and the LACR 150th anniversary.

1 : First on eight

We would like to dedicate this performance in memory of Alan Holt (father of Jacqui) who sadly passed away yesterday morning, aged 93.

Rung for the LACR 150th anniversary as part of Rochdale Branch quarter peal week

3 : first inside

Rung by a complete Middleton band for Rochdale Branch quarter peal week.

6 : First eight bell quarter

For Choral Evensong, in thanksgiving for the life of Eddie Crighton, former secretary of the Cathedral Guild and for Ellen Loudon on her last day as Liverpool Cathedral Canon Chancellor, with very best wishes of the Bellringers.

For the 150th Anniversary of the Lancashire Association.

First on 12 (8), first strapping tenor

Rung to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Lancashire Association. Burnley is the leading peal tower for the Association with 747 peals.

First of Cambridge Surprise Royal - 5 and 8.

Rung in celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the Lancashire Association of Change Ringers.

First time on Four-Freda Haynes

First time on four-Tora

First time on four-Ollie

First on five-Christine

At the end of the practice, all six bells were swing chimed over two sessions to mark Great Mytton's participation in the Lancashire Association of Change Ringers celebrations of the 150th anniversary of the association.

First swing chiming on six for Tora, Christine, Freda.

Remembering Gordon Rigby (husband of treble) who passed away on 12th January 2025, aged 74

Rung as part of Rochdale Branch quarter peal week

Rung to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Lancashire Association.

First on 8 inside: 6

Rung in celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the Lancashire Association of Change Ringers.

First in method - 1.

Rung in celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the Lancashire Association of Change Ringers.

Ringing to mark the 150th Anniversary of the LACR.

1st cover to Grandsire and Plain Bob Doubles : 1

4 : First major inside

Rung for the Archdeacons visitation as part of Rochdale branch quarter peal week and 150th anniversary of LACR

Ringing to mark the 150th Anniversary of the LACR.

First PH7 on bell 6 for Sandra.

A touch of Plain Hunt Doubles rung by the local band to mark the 150th anniversary of the Lancashire Association.

Rung to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Lancashire Association. Mark and Steph are ringers from Rishton.

Rung to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Lancashire Association.

5. First Yorkshire Royal.

Rung to mark the 150th anniversary of the formation of the Lancashire Association of Change Ringers on 10 June 1876.

Rung by the local band (except Carol Duerden, who rings at Clitheroe).

'Ribchester Plain Hunt' (as named by the Ribchester ringers!)- two blows in each place.

4&5 : First quarter of Surprise Major

8 : First Yorkshire as conductor

Rung on the date of the 150th anniversary of the founding of the LACR

Rung for the Rochdale branch quarter peal week

In memory of Edmund Crighton.

For the 150th Anniversary of the Lancashire Association.

First of Minor: 4.

First in Plain Hunt on 5 - Elizabeth on the treble and Marcus on the 4th.

Rung in celebration on the day of the 150th Anniversary of the Lancashire Association of Change Ringers.

First in method - 5

Rung for the 150th Anniversary of the LACR

8 : First Surprise Major as conductor

1 : First of treble Bob on eight

Rung as part of the Rochdale branch quarter peal week to mark the 150th anniversary of the LACR

First in Plain hunt on 7 - Malcolm on 2nd.

First trebling to Cloister doubles - Malcolm and Stefka.

Rung in celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the Lancashire Association of Change Ringers.

Rung for the Rochdale Branch Quarter Peal Week

4: First as Conductor of multiple method Quarter

5: First of St Martins inside

With Birthday Wishes to Helen Vyse (Mother of 4) whose birthday is today

Call changes, Plain Bob Minor, Plain Hunt Doubles

Rung to mark the 150th Anniversary of the Lancashire Association

Liz Evans would like to be associated with this performance.

2 : First Cambridge S Minor

Rung as part of the Rochdale branch quarter peal week

Call changes, Plain Hunt, St Simon's Doubles, Plain Bob Minor

Rung to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Lancashire Association.

Liz Evans would like to be associated with this performance.

Rung to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the founding of the LACR.

Derek Thomas wishes to be associated with this peal.

First in Rounds on 8 - Gemma (4) and Lee (5).

Rung in celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the Lancashire Association of Change Ringers.