BellBoard

This peal, the extent of Plain Bob Major, was rung by a relay of 14 men, but we do not know which bells they rang or for how long. The following newspaper report, kindly provided by John Eisel, gives a contemporary account.

LEEDS in KENT, April 10. On Tuesday, last the 7th Instant, being the Day of the Election for Members to represent this County in Parliament, when the Hon. Robert Fairfax, of Leeds, and Sir Wyndham Knatchbull, Bart. were chosen without Opposition, the Leeds Youths went off to ring the Peel [sic] of Bob-Majors, consisting of 40,320, being the whole Number of Changes upon Eight Bells; which was completed in 27 Hours, by 14 Men only, namely, James, Thomas, and Abraham Barham, Henry and William Tilby, Thomas Lacy, John Crisp, Richard Mastus, James Hampton, William Davis, Edward Cook, William Harwood, Stephen Bayly, and John Boorah. This peel was never rung, or even attempted to be rung, by any other Set of Ringers in this Kingdom: Whenever it is perform’d by any other Set, the above-named Youths are determined to maintain their Superiority to all others by ringing all the Changes upon ten Bells.

(Whitehall Evening Post, Or, London Intelligencer, Tues. 14 April - Thurs. 16 April 1761)

The band list recorded in Ernest Morris' History and Art of Change Ringing (p.134) is based on John Naunton's transcription of James Barham's peal book (given below), and it differs only in the spelling of some surnames. The assumption is that James Barham probably conducted the peal.

(April 7th and 8th, 1761).To the Honour of the Leeds Youths, They attempted that surprising undertaking to Ring the Whole Peal of BOB MAJOR Consisting of 40,320 Changes Being the Total Number of changes upon Eight Bells which was completed in 27 hours with only fourteen men viz; James, Thomas & Abraham Barham, William & Henry Tilly, William Davis, William Attwood, Thomas Lacey, John Crisp, Richard Masters, James Hampton, Edward Cook, Stephen Bayley and John Barah.