1999 - Archive started at the suggestion of Colin Turner.

On Tuesday, Feb 9th a peal of 5088 Ealing Surprise Major in 1h46 called by Brian Mountjoy here at Pig-le-Tower in my absence! He reported by phone that the replacement ringer had proved more than adequate and I might henceforth be redundant! Bugger, not again. (MRTH and I were in Capheaton, Northumberland).

We had a disaster at Wedmore this Thursday, Feb 11th. 3 Spliced Plain Major fell to bits in the 4th part. Just one of those evening peals when everyones day has been a bit too full..

Two peal day in Devon on Saturday, Feb 13th. Unfortunately the Superlative S8 at Chagford in the morning was stood up by the conductor at halfway. Glorious bells but very unrewarding to ring. Chagford is a superb, untouched small town nestling on the eastern side of Dartmoor. Lunch in the Seven Stars at South Tawton has to be experienced to be believed, a touch of genius by Rob Brown. Bow was the venue for the afternoon attempt and we rang 5040 Minor (12m) in 2h50 called by Rob. 50% success, but I think most were satisfied

Sunday, Feb 14th is St Valentine's Day - This was celebrated with a peal of 5088 Yorkshire Surprise Major in 1h58 called by Tom. The rest of the band consisted of females - Helen Hunt, Cherril Thompson, Jenny Taylor, Margaret, Ali Caton, Susan Field and Pauline Champion. Also in mind at this time were Wendy Bishop, Ceri Dodd and Vivien Cunnington. After tea we rang another peal for Cherril - you can't come down from Suffolk for just one can you? - 5088 Superlative Surprise Major in 1h46 called by Matthew Higby. Another 2 peal day at Pig-le-Tower which was enjoyed by all including Sophie who listened to both peals

St Leonard, Marston Bigot on Monday, Feb 15th. A peal of 5040 Cambridge Surprise Minor in 2h27 called by David Massey. This was rung in memory of Hilda, George Wareham's wife who died on Feb 3rd aged 71 years. We are glad to report that George is OK and coping well. Apart from farming their lives have revolved around ringing and are regarded by all as good people.

We understand that the attempt for 13 atw Spliced Surprise Major here on Wed, Feb 17th failed in the second part. Some frustrated ringers here last night I would guess. For our part we had a super day in Wiltshire, no ringing but then some days are like that!

Wedmore, The Laurels, Thursday, Feb 18th. 5088 Kent T B Major in 2h10 called by Tom. We had sat down in our usual positions when Barrie said - I'm knackered Tom, you call it - so I said - Just move the pairs round anticlock then - We ended up ringing a good peal, even Nelson enjoyed it! Mind you it was a poor second to Brahms.

Saturday, Feb 20th. Ilton for 5040 Surprise Minor (7m) in 2h58 called by Rob Brown. This was a very good peal but the atmosphere was ruined by the local running a Dutch auction on the rope fee. Barrie Hendry as arranger compromised and we settled for ?4 a rope. What do you think the correct amount should be? It would be pleasing to have some feedback. After lunch at Hatch Beauchamp, we rang a middling peal of Doubles (6m) in 2h40 again called by Rob at West Hatch - this front five of a six was interesting but most were glad to see the finish.

Crowthorne on Sunday, Feb 21st for 5088 Aldenham Surprise Major in 1h43 called by Tom. The peal was good and accomplished without real incident. It would have been better but I think people suffer from the surfeit of good food supplied prior to the attempt! Today we had a superb roast lamb dinner to which we did great justice. Again good grub, good company, good ringing. Great!

Monday, Feb 22nd. - Wanstrow - 5040 Surprise Minor (7m) in 2h28 called by David Massey. People have a go at me for ringing small bells and handbells, they somehow think its easier than in the tower? Well, for this peal even Margaret turned out. She maintains it was a special occasion as the Rector asked for it. The peal I mean!

Wednesday, Feb 24th - Pig-le-Tower - 5088 Yorkshire Surprise Major in 1h41 called by James Hodkin. A good peal with no major incidents and a spanking speed. This was Jim's first in the method as conductor. This was George Massey's 100th peal on the bells, the fourth person to accomplish this feat of endurance. Tom recorded his 200th peal on small bells with this performance. Well, its easy, ennit?

Thursday, Feb 25th. - Wedmore - 5088 Kent T B Major in hand in 2h05 called by Barrie Hendry. In the circumstances a good peal bearing in mind that the middle pairs were occupied by cold suffering ringers. I was at the shivery stage and kept my hat and coat on and Alex whilst coughing complained it was too fast but kept going. You have to see these things through, don't you??

Saturday, Feb 27th - Midsomer Norton - 5000 London Surprise Royal in 3h08 called by Joe Beaumont. A typical Norton peal! 'nuff said. We had to rush off afterwards for a hand bell peal at Micheldever - 5088 Kent T B Major called by Tom in 2h14 on Joyce's little bells. We had three starts at that - It was just one of those days. The journey home was good though. Marg did the driving and I did the snoozing.

Sunday, Feb 28th. A two peal Cambridge Surprise Day at Piglet - we rang 5040 Cambridge Surprise Minor in 1h39 called by Tom and lost 5056 Cambridge Surprise Major in the 3rd part called by Richard Newman. The front got out with the back and mayhem ensued. Richard called Stand.

Pig-le-Tower, Tuesday, March 2nd. 5040 Surprise Minor (7m) in 1h30 called by Brian Mountjoy. This peal was rung after meeting short for Superlative. Margaret stood down and we rang an absolutely spanking peal with the Devon boys. Every cloud has a silver lining. This also begs the question of the old saw - If the answer is Cock Robin - whats the question ? Answers in a plain thingy to the missing person.

Pig-le-Tower, Wednesday, March 3rd. 5120 Spliced Surprise Major (4m) in 1h44 called by Barrie Hendry. An enjoyable peal with few mistakes and a few ribald remarks thrown in along the way. We really needed 10 bells this evening as 2 people stood down. Its called arranging bands !!

The mandatory peal of 5088 Kent T B Major on handbells at Wedmore in 2h12 called by Barrie this Thursday, March 4th. But not before noticing in this weeks Ringing World that Tony Cox for his 50th birthday had a peal rung for him celebrating his Presidency of the Non-Association.

We note that dear old matey advertising in the RW for crumpet doesn't seem to be getting much joy. It must be over a months worth now? Probably acres of it just outside the front door. Best of luck, but don't set conditions next time - 40ish? They never learn - do they ??

Handbell two pealer - Saturday, March 6th. Micheldever. 5056 Plain Bob Major in 2h15 called by John Croft followed by 5040 Single Oxford Bob Minor in 1h 55 called by Tom. The Bob Major included Helen Winter who rang 3-4. Afterwards she admitted that it was over 25 years since her last peal on an inside pair. Didn't seem to make much difference - some have got it, some ain't!

Another handbell two pealer. This time at Weston super Mare. Sunday, March 7th. 5039 Grandsire Caters in 2h24 and 5040 Grandsire Triples in 2h10 both called by Tom. Once again the superb grub provided for lunch nearly wrecked the afternoon peal. We gritted our teeth and squirmed in our seats - too much liquid - fought against heavy eyelids and saw it through. You just can't beat days like this and a big thanks to Chris & Sue Field - not forgetting Sophie.

Pig-le-Tower, Monday, Feb 8th an attempt at 7 Minor - it never got off the ground. First method Primrose, its only 6th place Cambridge but it has a destructive power which seems to manifest itself and then hang over into the next method. Pure Charlie Rapp! Forget it, there's always tomorrow.

Tomorrow turned out to be Tuesday, Mar 9th. A quiet ride down to Bishopstoke and 5090 Littleport Little Surprise Royal in 2h57 called by Roy LeMarechal. Tricky 'ol stuff but very enjoyable. The peal was to celebrate the 90th birthday of Jessie M Kippin, and all the band at sometime came under her influence. To me - apart from being an excellent ringer - she was the World's best provider of Marmite crusts! We have heaps of good memories of Southampton ringing in the 50's and 60's. Happy Birthday Jessie.

Amazing, a phone call from John Hayter of Somerton - could I turn up at 2.00pm Wednesday, Mar 10th and call a peal for the funeral of George Jeanes. With a representative band we rang 5040 Grandsire Triples in 3h05 called by Tom. The Rector's wife supplied us with tea in the belfry afterwards, which was a real bonus. Cor, theres nothing like being available is there !!

Wedmore, Thursday, Mar 11th. 5056 St Clements C B Major on handbells in 2h04 called by Barrie Hendry. The composition used was the celebrated peal of Rutland S Major by Roy LeMarechal doubled with singles. We see that Alex Hunt is in love with Ninja, reputedly from Exeter. She is rather well stacked and I hope she doesn't get pinched. Drool, drool.

Friday, March 12th saw us at Richard Bowditch's foundry in Dulcote to see the front ten for the SUGCR cast. Afterwards we celebrated at Pig-le-Tower with 5152 Superlative Surprise Major in 1h51 called by Tom. A good peal which included students Charlotte Edmond and Mark Place, their first peals on small bells - this augurs well for the 12 soon to go in at Southampton University.

Bloody good job we didn't go ringing at the weekend! Might have got involved in the musical chairs again. Names we don't mention at these times but why keep scoresheets? The only thing I've been under lately is my car - honest! Oh by the way, we understand the three-ring circus is back in town. These boots are made for ... ...

Tuesday, Mar 16th - Pig-le-Tower. We lost a new method with the Bishopstoke boys called by Roy LeMarechal. The speed and method complexity foxed us so we enjoyed an early supper! As I've said before - There's always tomorrow.

Tomorrow turned out to be Wednesday, Mar 17th here. We rang 6 Spliced for half an hour - crash - went again and lost it in the last part of Michael Maughans 6 part - in all 5664 changes! Dog pooh week again - I'm beginning to suffer withdrawal symptoms already. 'bout time I cut the grass or sorted the bikes out - or go and see a girlfriend.

Thursday, Mar 18th. At last a handbell peal - 5088 Kent T B Major in 2h15 called by Barrie Hendry - to welcome back Jim Cook after his extended holiday to the Antipodes. Mind you these lost peals play havoc with the averages! Today's Ringing World - Did you notice in the letter from Simon Meyer the mention of Grass Routes, crikey what a vision - all the elders and whizz kids of the establishment dressed up in hiking boots, woolly hats etc. Haversacks stuffed with grass (as in smoke, man), green laning and enjoying the togetherness! Another thing - who does the repro for the rag? Have you ever seen such flat uninteresting halftones as printed in this week's issue. What happened to full range curves? Somebody should be in for an ass-kicking at least.

Friday, Mar 19th. Newmarket, Suffolk. 5040 Minor (7m) in 1h49 called by Tom. A fair peal, though we did have quite a crunch in the Cambridge which slowed things up until the plain methods were rung.

Saturday, Mar 20th saw us on Tim Jackson's tour of S Cambridgeshire. I liked Bourn followed by Ickleton the best and enjoyed the tea and biccy's supplied by the lady at Heydon. The evening was completed by Frank cooking a wonderful chicken stir-fry and Sheila's arrival back home from a holiday in Tunisia.

Sunday, Mar 21st. Newmarket. 5040 Yorkshire Surprise Royal in 2h15 called by David Salter. Royal on small bells is not easy, it seems to take a long time to settle and of course demands more precision the greater the beats per minute, above 400 bpm. All in all a great weekend. Heaps of ringing with not a little drama thrown in to leaven the occasion. Its marvellous the lengths some will go to in order to make a point! Arrival home was to find that things progress on the gossip front and verify the truth of when the cats away ... ... as was remarked - we did go ringing this weekend and we did get involved in musical chairs !! Great ennit? What will the next three nights produce ?

Tuesday, Mar 23rd. Pig-le-Tower. 5040 Minor (7m) in 1h38 called by Tom. This included Margaret's first 720 of Chester S. She hates learning new methods but we forced her into it as Chris Field wanted to ring the treble! Also heard today - female friend wanted for young ringer in the area - must be unpretentious and in her 20's, ringing ability second to the other.

Thursday, Mar 25th. Piglet - a handbell peal of 5040 Minor (4m) in 2h02 called by Tom on the big bells. MJS likes this ring as it gives him a few minutes more !! Did you see the Letters in this weeks RW p284 ? A letter about Leading peal ringers from our resident hair splitter Graypips. Which asked Clive Buswell if a table summing up, say, peals of S Max, peals of Minor in hand, peals at Marston Bigot and a 10000 of Royal mean anything at all? To most of us probably nothing at all, but to dear ol' doody obviously quite a lot as he otherwise wouldn't have mentioned them would he ?? Shot in the foot again - when will he ever learn ??

Highclere, Friday Mar 26th - 5056 Plain Bob Major in 2h45 called by Geoffrey K Dodd. This was to celebrate Geoff & Sylvia's 44th wedding anniversary and Geoff's 50th anniversary of his first peal on the bells. Good old Pritchard's, just washed over us and was a very good peal. Jim Diserens nipped at ankles on the tenor which kept the pace going beautifully. Shame was the quacks have got Geoff on some stuff which leaves him quiet and subdued - it ain't right - and very tired at the end of the peal. A different day, a change from the usual shagaholic scene.

Back to normal the scene at Redcliffe on Saturday, Mar 27th - 12 bell eliminator - super weather, heaps of chat, good grub down under, handy bogs and good ringing. The crumpet today was half tidy as well. We thought the Cumberlands band won easily and the judges agreed which was nice. Wendy arrived after the ringing had finished but she enjoyed the summing up, the tea, the pub etc. good ol' gal. Neither Fiestalboy or Ninjaman broke any records on offer, they reckoned they'd got it taped. I was impressed by the rings though.

Wednesday, Mar 31st. We've just come back from a 3 day visit to East Sussex. We rang at Rye and did a fair bit of sightseeing. On arrival back here we set to for the attempt at a quick peal of Yorkshire S 8 with a band arranged by Brian Diserens. The idea was to get below 1h40. This is achievable but would need perfect striking and handling. I was calling S Humphrey's 5088, the 1st part was 33 mins. 2nd part 32 mins. Then the 6th forgot to make the bob at the middle and in the ensuing melee I forgot the call at Wrong. The second time thats happened this year. But I guess with age and 52 changes per minute I ain't up to it! Hohum.

Thursday, April 1st. Pig-le-Tower. 5088 Kent T B Major in 2h05 called by Tom. Brian Mountjoy had to pull out at the last minute and the band persuaded me to ring double-handed. After finding that half of this experienced band would be partaking of their first peal of Kent T B 8 I called good ol' Wm Hudson's comp. 2M3B2H4B giving 42356. 3 part. Everything went fine until just after the last before - we'd had 7856342 Ok, then I lost the Tenor sally momentarily. We had mayhem for a few changes as I pulled myself together and we rang out the last 2 leads. Phew! Wendy said, "I like an exciting finish". But then she always did.

Exciting developments here over the Easter weekend - not yet for publication - just watch the RW to see - a clue is power and balls to say nothing of bells and bosses. Road Shows ?? we have one not just once a year but every day. Magic. Easter Monday, April 5th was spent with Henry Trewin's outing in the morning and the fabulous not to be missed Bath & Wells AGM in the afternoon. Scintillating is the word. A massive agenda dealt with by The Master, Chris Marshall, incidentally the only top table face to remain after the days proceedings. Fresh faces all round - all round - thats good! And lots and lots of vapourtalk, withdrawn proposals, etc. Mind you the tea was good, wouldn't have missed it for the world. Good to see old faces and particularly good to see Pam Jenkins in such good shape accompanied by her lovely daughter - she gets better all the time - the daughter that is! I have always been a sucker for long hair.

Tuesday, April 6th. Pig-le-Tower. 5088 Xerxes Surprise Major in 1h45 called by Brian Mountjoy. Another good peal with the Devon Boys. These monthly peal attempts are worth waiting for, this is a band that really clicks. Great stuff. You'll notice that we got MELC inside!

Wednesday, April 7th. Pig-le-Tower. 5040 Minor (5m) in 1h37 called by Tom. After giving Katharine Bateman a good grilling on the treble we rang a good peal with no major blemishes. Katharine will get her chance later after a bit more practice.

Thursday, April 8th. Weston super Mare. 5040 Plain Bob Major in 2h 02 called by Tom. Sue & Chris Field gave us this opportunity whilst Barrie Hendry is in Botswana, I think that's just past Taunton. Mervyn would know for certain sure.

Saturday, April 10th. Micheldever. 5040 Minor (7m) in 1h54 on handbells called by Tom. An absolutely spanking peal which is more than we can say regarding the attempt at Gainsborough in the afternoon! All for the W&P Dinner Day.

Pig-le-Tower, Sunday, April 11th. A two peal day. 5056 Cambridge Surprise Major in 1h54 called by Richard Newman and 5040 Grandsire Triples in 1h50 called by Tom. We had dinner at Jen's Cabin - an experience - between the two peals. After tea we had an abortive attempt at Yorkshire which was probably too quick for a third peal in the day! As you can guess heaps of gossip - none of it publishable!

Monday, April 10th was spent designing, building and testing the new pealocopter, a device to be shown at the forthcoming RW Roadshow. An interesting bit of kit which doesn't answer back, is a better sexual aid than a dildo or a blow up dolly. Go on have a go next Saturday and freak out - we hear bus loads are going from all over the country - they must have heard . All I can say is that the more it hangs out the greater the feel !!

Tuesday, April 13th. Pig-le-Tower. 5040 Surprise Minor (7m) in 1h41 called by Mike Stone. A jolly good peal which rolled along with a purpose. Mike was very pleased with the Great bell !!

Eastleigh, Wednesday, April 14th. 5040 Spliced S Minor (7m) this attempt failed at 2810 with the change 123456 coming round clean as a whistle. It was not due - for the first time - until the 4320th change of the peal. An early supper was taken before we went home. GJW tells us that a brand new three ring circus may appear for the RW Roadshow - Oh dear, decisions, decisions, decisions.

Wedmore, Thursday, April 15th. The mandatory peal of 5088 Kent T B Major in hand in 2h10 called by Barrie Hendry. The Hendry's are just back from Botswana bwana and Nelson's full of it - he's off to Peru shortly. Looking for Inca bits and bobs, maybe he'll find his Sun Goddess.

Spent Friday, April 16th in checking the composition for the Long Length of Ulm S Major for Brian Woodruffe. Due to start on Sunday at 12.00 noon. Then a few hours in the belfry getting everything to my liking for the event. Then off to see Pips Nabb blowing her own trumpet at Axbridge.

Saturday, April 17th saw a visit here from the Sheffield University Guild. After some initial tuition they performed very well and rang up to Cambridge S Major.

10080 Ulm Surprise Major in 3h56 called by Brian Woodruffe, here at Pig-le-Tower on Sunday, April 18th. MJS and MELC umpired and reported a very good peal. 43 cpm. 363 bpm. The first half with tenors split and extended courses was 4 mins faster than the tenors together second half.

Our spies report that the RW Roadshow was reckoned a success. We know that the curly index finger won the day and that it was spent by one looking over his shoulder. All that and no promises !! Well. Also the word lodge apparently takes on a new meaning with yet another circus in town. Crikey - wait 'til the other third finds out!! Boom, boom.

Monday 19th April. George Massey was taken into hospital earlier in the day for an operation on his detached retina. This meant that we turned up 5 ringers. Right - says I - lets ring Doubles. OK says MJS - 7 methods, 6 extents of each. Well, we got to the end of that one where you ring St Simons on the front and Reverse Canterbury lead ends when MJS says - Stand, I missed it. We all thought he meant the Bob and he never really explained what. Still, we had an early cup of tea.

All quiet on the Western Front this week - we must be saving our energy for the task of umpiring the long length at Lyme Regis on Saturday. 10800 Antrim S Royal, this will take some ringing thats for sure. Experimental work at Piglet goes on apace and we must report a dearth of gossip. Whats happening ? the world is slowing up. RW didn't turn up yet - hohum. Came on Friday at last.

Lyme Regis, Saturday April 24th - 10800 Antrim Surprise Royal was set up by the conductor after 1h50 there had been some bruised rows after a bob, although as umpire I didn't hear what the conductor said, I can confirm that he did the correct thing. Still it did give Adrian and Rob Beck time to find a strong cider house nearby!

Pig-le-Tower, Sunday April 25th. 5152 Lincolnshire Surprise Major in 2h 04 called by Robert Perry. This peal was not the best that's been rung here. It would gel and then come unstuck, the rhythm continually altered. GKD rang the 7th and was still on the floor. Why can't these quacks get his levels right ?? Still, Marg's got a good video to see this evening, so there!

After a good day out fishing for bits with Matthew, Tuesday Apr 27th we rang here 5184 Zelah Surprise Major in 1h53 called by Brian Mountjoy. A good peal which enabled Frank Mack to circle the tower. Thanks to David Massey who stood in for father George who unfortunately is still not well. Hurry up George, we miss you.

Wednesday, April 28th saw us lose 8 Spliced here called by Barrie Hendry. After the loss Adrian called one part of a six part for practice. Our Hampshire rep was as forthcoming as ever - he's still into old boilers - TBW.

Wedmore, Thursday April 29th. 5000 Spliced Plain Major (5m) in hand called by Barrie Hendry in 2h14. This was good and worth waiting for, a regular 10 part all the work comp from Robert Brown. We understand the evening wasn't without incident elsewhere! Initiatives should be grasped - but then some just don't have the bottle, do they ??

Friday, April 30th saw a band here mainly led by Helen Beaufoy. After the usual trying out with us getting them to relax they rang some creditable changes on 6 and 8. Then we all had an excellent dinner at The Duke of Somerset, Maiden Bradley.

Privett, Hampshire. Saturday, May 1st. Superlative Surprise Major fell to bits after 1h50. I hadn't been there since the early fifties and my recollection of a superb eight was somewhat shattered. Then, of course I remembered that I would have compared them to the old Bishopstoke eight of the time, where lumps of rail would have sounded good! Still it was good to meet Betty Daysh again after so many years and to meet Angela Athawes and Ray Walsh for the first time. We'll fix it again I'm sure. Trish disappeared quickly to practice sucking lemons!

Compton Bishop, Sunday May 2nd. 5040 Cambridge Surprise Minor in 2h40 called by Tom. This was to celebrate The Silver wedding of Chris & Sue Field who were married here on May 4th 1974. Sue managed to get Roy Rice and Geoff Hebden to ring but both reiterated afterwards their lack of want for peal ringing ! A bit fast - the erstwhile groom had a fistful of blisters but was obviously on a promise.

Do not ever - accept a peal at Weston super Mare on a bank holiday Monday afternoon - we left home with plenty of time, as I don't like hurrying - only to be met at Banwell with a horde of trippers. So it continued nose to tail all the way to the tower. We arrived a half an hour late, fuming, having to park the car miles away. The only consolation was that Richard Newman, a local was in the same fix. The dogshit continued and we lost the peal after an hours ringing of Silver Surprise Major. OK down the pub - then off to Sue & Chris' for tea. Margaret kindly said she would fetch the car whilst I would walk gently along the road and she would pick me up. One hour later I walked into the Field's road knackered. Still, super tea and what about a handbell peal to even things up? Marg and Sue wanted a practice so we had a 5040 practice with the second half in the dark, illuminated solely by the outside road lights. 5040 Plain Bob Major on handbells in 2h08 called by Tom. Then home. All this on Monday May 3rd. What a day!

Tuesday, May 4th. We lost Vancouver Surprise Major after 3936 changes through a misunderstanding with the conductor and Margaret. The ringing had been excellent and I was a bit miffed I must say. It just goes to show that anyone who thinks ringing peals on small bells is easy just hasn't got a clue. Still, there's always tomorrow.

Wednesday, May 5th. 5040 Doubles (11m) here in 1h40 called by Mike Stone. We don't ring much doubles and it showed! The compass in some peculiar way is more demanding than on larger numbers. Good for the soul perhaps?

We turned up short at Wedmore, Thursday May 6th. So we practised Cambridge S Minor. Then we had supper early and heard about manky Bank holiday peals!

Micheldever, Saturday May 8th. 5040 Minor (6m) on handbells in 1h54 called by Tom. This was a spanking peal and well worth the quick drive down to Hampshire. We also had to rush back for the Kingsbury Episcopi ringers who were due at Pig-le-Tower at 2.00. They turned out to be a complete band of youngsters and quickly managed the small bells. Margaret went on to judge the Bath Branch striking competition at Wellow - I hope they all agreed with her.

Monday, May 9th. Matthew and I spent a happy day travelling down to Rye to fetch 3 superb Gillett & Johnson bells - a wee bit heavy for the trailer and boot but we managed OK - the guy we met lives in a semi-circular house and the bells had been used as flower pots ! A quick clean and that sound - oooh....

Tuesday, May 11th. 5088 Pudsey Surprise Major in 1h52 called by Tom. A fair peal which enabled Chris Caton to ring his first in the method. Alison circled the tower with her one handed style which ought to be sorted shortly by the quacks we hope.

Wednesday, May 12th. Eastleigh, Dutton Lane saw us ring 5040 Minor (7m) in 1h41 called by Tom on Graham Wright's small bells. After a shaky start we had another go which went well except for a sticky patch in the London. Arrived home to find 2 beautiful Citroen CX's in the drive - one a Safari and the other a Familiale. Big mystery to sort today.

Thursday, May 13th. Weston super Mare. A handbell peal with Chris & Susan. 5040 Plain Bob Major in 2h05 called by Tom. We are really getting the hang of this peal now. Even Sophie knows the part ends. Smashing supper too!

A really good day today - Saturday, May 15th. 5040 Minor (9m) on handbells at Micheldever in 1h58 called by Tom. After lunch we visited the W & P striking competitions (6 & 8 bell) at Liss. Had a few words afterwards with both judges - Andrew Stubbs and Michael Uphill - we actually rang in the scratch band for the 8 bell, Mark Esbester thought it would be good to ring Grandsire 7 for the try-out and Superlative S 8 for the test piece! All was well until we had a couple of method errors, but I must say the treble wasn't rung by the least experienced member. 'nuff said, eh Charlotte Edmond ??

Sunday May 16th and Monday 17th were spent at an ol' boys re-union at Hermitage, near Newbury. All were members of the 32 Lithographic Squadron of the 42 Survey Engineer Regiment of the Royal Engineers and were all ex National Service conscripts serving in 1954 - 56. Bloody hilarious. 2 dead, 1 on crutches but the rest of us more or less intact. I had my doubts but they were unfounded, we had a smashing time and will do it again next year.

Bishopstoke on Tuesday, 18th May. 5040 Spliced Surprise Royal (3m) in 2h52 called by Roy LeMarechal.

Wednesday, May 19th here saw us ring 5088 Fordcombe Surprise Major in 1h50 called by Tom. This was a good peal - we have to thank Brian Diserens for standing in for Anne Carpenter at the last moment. Apparently she suffered complete brake loss on her car - a Ford - perhaps she should have kept her Honda. The grass in front of the tower is now holding a posh caravan belonging to Mike and Kath Brown from Sapcote. They are down for a few days and wanted somewhere to slum.

Thursday, May 20th - I'm glad Tony Smith has got involved (see back page RW No 4595) and we now have a quick and dirty way of seeing if methods have been rung etc. Good lad. We thought the editorial a bit crappy and as for the Ed's answer to John Harrison's perfectly good letter - well words fail me. Makes you wonder what else is made up eh?

A three peal Sunday, May 23rd at Pig-le-Tower. 5088 Superlative Surprise Major in 2h02 called by Robert Brown, followed after lunch by 5088 Yorkshire Surprise Major in 2h04 called by Tom, with a final 5088 Lincolnshire Surprise Major in 1h58 called by Tom after tea. We welcomed Robert Brown from Devon who rang in 2 peals, also Bernard Stone, Charlotte Everett and Clive Holloway from the Oxford area who all rang in 2 peals each. Margaret had an easy day only ringing in one peal.

Tuesday May 25th. Better to be born lucky than rich eh? Due to lack of a ringer the peal at Chilcompton was cancelled. Over at Piglet we were sat having dinner when vroom, vroom was heard outside - none other than Alex Hunt and Ninja - How about a handbell peal says he - OK says we. 5040 Minor (7m) in 1h46 called by Tom resulted in the day being saved, goodee.

Pig-le-Tower, Wednesday, May 26th 5184 Spliced Surprise Major (8m) in 1h50 called by Barrie Hendry. A good effort this and an expanding comp from Michael Maughan to boot. It didn't stop Adrian from moaning though? Too hot, too cold, too wet, too dry, too soft, too loud, too early (calls), too late (method changes) - great ennit ???

We rang 5040 Minor (10m) here on handbells in 1h56 called by Tom on Thursday, May 27th. John Croft came down from Micheldever in the morning. After the peal we went for a quarter on the campanile for Joyce - we rang the 1260 but it didn,t come round !! John uses funny comps. Talking of funny comps. what a shame - all those peals of London S 10 withdrawn by John Loveless in this weeks RW. I fell into that trap back in the early 60's when proving was all pen and paper. I vowed never to call another wrong 'un, good job we now have the computer eh?

Friday May 28th was spent on the Brendons - 4 new towers for Marg. Weather here wish you were lovely.

Saturday May 29th we went on Andrew Palk's grab in Hampshire. This also enabled Marg to grab some new towers during the day. The evening was spent at Leckford eating grub from a superb barbecue courtesy of Ken & Carol Waller. Mind you if I was there I'd make sure that Jo kept off the internet !! even if she does blame it all on brother Jon. Celestesuck indeed!

Sunday May 30th - we lost a peal, no not again. Oh yes. A peal of Rutland S Major at Crowthorne called by Bernard Groves. We had 4 courses to go when Beryl Pittaway/ Simpson/ Norris started chasing the sally. She never recovered and stand was called. Thanks to Anne again for dinner and numerous cups of tea.

Bank Holiday Monday May 31st. Whizzing round Wiltshire, again courtesy of Andrew Palk. Good ringing generally, tardy grub occasionally, finishing at Wylye. Then we went home. I should add that Margaret resolutely refused to ring at Salisbury Art Centre. I'm tired.

Tuesday June 1st - 5056 Vancouver Surprise Major in 1h47 called by Brian Mountjoy. This peal had its moments, especially when the conductor tried to do a Beryl. He recovered quickly but the spontaneity was lost for at least a couple of courses. Never mind, it was rung.

Which was more than we did at Wedmore on Wednesday Jun 2nd. We went for 7 Spliced Plain Major but it all went pear shaped after 40 odd minutes. Nelson was impressed. By the way - Barrie Hendry retires from work this week. He already has a golf trolley a new bicycle with at least 157 gears and has stopped smoking fags. Hohum.

Thursday June 3rd - off to Warwickshire for the start of this year's Somernabb tour. Left me coat in Church Lawford belfry rang at heaps of towers and then stayed the night at Kath & Mike Browns' place at Sapcote. Mike is putting the finishing touches to the Harecroft ring now placed in a barn, very good too.

Friday June 4th - Our 39th wedding anniversary - spent hurtling through South Staffordshire at a great rate of knots, gathering towers like they are going out of fashion! I did like Alrewas though.

Saturday June 5th - South Derbyshire today - again speed is of the essence, its so easy to miss a tower. Ticknall (I do like light tens) were notable whereas Melbourne were not, a flagship 12? Don't think so. We rushed off to Shropshire, to the abode of Henry & Sheelagh Lewis of Stoke St Milburgh. A new eight derived from old bells with a new Treble and Tenor. Taylors can be proud of this effort, a very good mix and match. We went to the dedication in the evening and stayed for the Special Day on Sunday June 6th where we rang all day on the hour for 20 mins. Thanks are due to Henry & Sheelagh for putting up with us, feeding us and providing accommodation. Wouldn't have missed it for the world.

Monday June 7th - Home to heaps of emails holding vast amounts of gossip, also time to look at the RW. Super piccy on the back page I thought. We liked Andrew Craddock's version of the Leading Peal Ringers Listings. Got to get ready for the rest of the week now, but first a visit to the Bellhanging works to inspect the 12 for Southampton University. Cracking little ring, the next week will be interesting. By the way Chester is going to put an advert in the RW - something to do with the current Doctor Rope thingy? - I saw some scribblings about tail ends, bits and pieces etc. and he'd put FDRS after his name. Wot's that - I asked politely - Fellow of the Dead Rodents Society - says he! He reckons to sell tail ends for ?5 inc p&p. Be warned they are slimy, also I couldn't resist asking him if he was including sallies? He just said there was still a dearth of dead ferrets due to the population having recently been decimated.

Pig-le-Tower, Tuesday June 8th - 5056 Rutland Surprise Major in 1h45 called by Tom - this should have been a Alex Hunt peal but BT decided at the last minute that he should be in Staffordshire. Steve Bateman took his place and the poor ol' man had to call it. We also welcomed Graham John, ringing his first peal on small bells, quality shows, he rang like a veteran. Surprise, surprise, Alex turned up to hear the finish to find Paul Dye already listening! Yes, he's back for a couple of weeks (Paul, I mean) enjoying some green landscape and old friends.

Pig-le-Tower, Wednesday June 9th - 5056 Cambridge Surprise Major in 1h42 called by Barrie Hendry. This should have been a peal of Spliced S 8 (9m) but Jenny Astridge phoned in to say she had just returned from India suffering from rejection of nutritive material. So Barrie decided to ring Cambridge instead. Hope Jenny's better soon. Really a girl of her age ought to know better - eating that funny grub.

Saturday, June 12th - Amport - 5040 Surprise Minor (10m) in 2h42 called by Geoff Dodd. This was in the morning. We then rushed down to Honiton to give a masterclass on handbells to 4 interested punters as part of the Devon Guild AGM day. After that we had to ring with the students during the service at Ottery St Mary. All went well - just a couple of minor blemishes. I spent the rest of the evening in the company of the most gorgeous female you could imagine, talk about cracker! Perfect Pinhoe.

Sunday, June 13th - Pig-le-Tower - 5152 Lincolnshire Surprise Major in 2h00 called by Richard Newman. We had Geoff Dodd and Helen J Piper down for this peal, which was a bit Curate's eggy, but I must say that GKD is still very subdued. What are these people (quacks) doing ? He should have been sorted out months ago - its not on.

Monday, June 14th - Pig-le-Tower - 5088 Rutland Surprise Major in 1h55 called by Bernard Groves. We welcomed George Massey back to peal ringing after his eye operation, needless to say he rang well. The afternoon and evening were spent in the Student Union at Southampton University erecting the frame for the new twelve.

Tuesday, June 15th - Pig-le-Tower - 5088 Kent Treble Bob Major in 1h48 called by Tom. This was Mike Stone's 1000th peal and he had the choice of method, turned out well and the bubbly flowed afterwards. Rather quaint really as he shook hands with the geezers and kissed all the females. We thought - Its a bloody long time 'til that happens again! Well done Mike. Paul Dye (just back from Australia for a few days) remarked - That was worth coming back for! I think he meant the peal.

Wednesday, June 16th - We spent the whole day in Southampton, well Marg actually spent it exploring the University campus trying to find and relate to the changed scene! One has to remember she graduated in 1957. Her photos are now completely irrelevant apart from nostalgic considerations. We had lunch in the refectory with Mark Place and spent an enjoyable hour watching Charlotte Edmond vacuum the frame and bells on the new twelve. It took her ages but she appeared to be in good shape! Shame about the buttons, bless her. At the try-out all agreed that SUGCR have a really handy 12 to play with. They also got there first, brilliant, well done all concerned. Oh yes, Marg really loves her bell, I think you'll find her very protective.

Thursday, June 17th - 5040 Minor (7m) in hand in 1h53 called by Tom. This was the 100th handbell peal at Piglet and included the first extent of Cambridge S. with a resident band, it was also Tom's 100th peal this year. The evening was spent at Wedmore, 5088 Spliced Major (2m) in 2h18 called by Barrie Hendry. The Curate was in session I'm afraid and you wouldn't believe the amount of eggs he had with him!

Friday, June 18th - Newmarket - 5040 Minor (7m) in 1h46 called by Tom. This was after doing a bit of maintenance on Frank's bells and although the first 1440 was slowish we averaged 15 mins an extent which is about right. Ian Holland turned up looking a bit tired and informed us that he had just rung 3-4 to the 41 Surprise Minor again at Fordham!

Saturday, June 19th - Horringer - We played with Ian Holland's model railway whilst Marion plyed us with tea and drinks.

Sunday, June 20th - Newmarket - 5040 London Surprise Royal No3 in 2h24 called by Frank Price. We were grateful to John Loveless who kept us on the straight and narrow which enabled us to ring the first peal of Royal in the method on small bells.

Monday, June 21st - A day off from peal ringing which allowed us to welcome Tim Bartlett from USA to video the bells whist Matthew, Marg and I rang the back six. This was followed by interviews and some handbell instruction for Tim. I hope he enjoyed it.

Tuesday, June 22nd - Pig-le-Tower - 5056 Piglet Surprise Major in 1h46 called by Roy LeMarechal. First peal in the method which didn't give in lightly! We rang it on the third try. Mainly my fault as I'd asked George Massey to ring and after writing in the date I had said - Piglet - he took that to be the venue, not the method! Well done all as it wasn't easy to ring, the construction was simple enough but the music comes at you a completely different way. For those interested the PN x5x45x5x3x4x45x4x5 lh 2 a. cps.

Wednesday, June 23rd - Pig-le-Tower - We lost Spliced Surprise Major (9m) after 1300 changes and unfortunately witnessed the first personality blow up here! To the extent of effing and blinding. Oh dear, it really all should be fun - when will people realise that the more relaxed they are the better the ringing (or anything else) will be. I must say that proper preparation is part of that relaxed condition.

Thursday, June 24th - Margaret's birthday - we spent the morning handbell ringing at Wedmore, we didn't ring a peal. It was called round halfway. Then Pat Hendry gave us a super lunch. Back at home the lovely Susan called with presents and I played with the godchildren. In the evening we had dinner in the Horse and Groom, East Woodlands (recommended) and went to the cinema to see Julia Roberts in Notting Hill. Why do they have American birds in these films? I'm sure there's enough talent over here, eh??

Saturday, June 26th - Micheldever - A two peal day. 5088 Kent Treble Bob Major in 2h11 and 5040 Oxford Minor in 1h56, both called by Tom. In the Minor we rang Single, Double and Treble Bob. A bit different and well worth doing. Shall have to try it on the tower next, or even Major! Called in to see the lovely Vivien at Kingsworthy on the way home. All in all a great day

Monday, June 28th - Oxford, St Thomas - 5040 Yorkshire Surprise Royal in 2h43 called by Mark Humphreys. I enjoyed the peal and meeting old friends. Stephen Ivin let us in but I seemed to be transparent! Still, I can remember the 60's !! The high spot of the day was walking to the church for the peal. Going along a pedestrian walkway and who should be coming the other way was none other than Susan Davis/Read. People call it coincidence - I call it Fate, yet another cracker. The world's full of them, great ennit?

Tuesday, June 29th - Pig-le-Tower. 5120 Spliced Surprise Major (4m) in 1h48 called by Barrie Hendry. A good effort which enabled more than one person to grapple with spliced on small bells.

Wednesday, June 30th. We had a good day ringing at five towers that were on Michael Brown's wanted list. Lunch in the Portman Arms, East Chinnock and a good look at the modern stained glass in the church. The evening was spent losing firstly a peal of Bristol S Major and then Rutland S Major after 1h8. Frankly the ringing was trippy.

Thursday, July 1st. Wedmore - 5088 Double Bob Major in 2h16 called by Tom. This handbell peal was the result of our regular man feeling iffy! I got the - You call it bit, what shall we ring! Still, Nelson was pleased as he'd never rung it before. Mind you it was our first since 1964.

Friday, July 2nd. - New Alresford - We judged the W & P 8 bell competition - and whilst no one band covered themselves with glory they also didn't fire out! The test piece was any 224 of Major. Portsmouth ringing Little Bob Major won with 21 faults. Winchester - Cambridge S - 22 faults. Channel Islands - Plain Bob - 25 faults. Alton & Petersfield - Yorkshire S - 26 faults and Isle of Wight - Grandsire Major, yes, Grandsire Major - 36 faults. Then a good evening in The Swan.

Saturday, July 3rd - North Stoneham - 5040 Cambridge Surprise Royal in 2h54 called by Roy LeMarechal. Roy called a Jim Clatworthy composition which split the tenors twice and gave 234567s. These bells are still hard to get very good ringing on as the odd struckedness seems at times to get the upper hand. After lunch we attended the W & P AGM at Soberton. Not well attended I'm afraid but quite lively nevertheless. Some 8 spliced afterwards was well worth waiting for before repairing to The Swan for the rest of the evening. The day was not without some gossip, apparently GJW, not content with his own ring in one bedroom, has been ringing the bell in the other! Ding, dong, when I told him to get it together I meant his conducting.

Tuesday, July 6th - Pig-le-Tower - 5184 Daisy Hill Surprise Major in 1h48 called by Brian V Mountjoy. A good peal this with Stan Jenner's Uxbridge comp. tweaked by Brian especially for the method. A get well compliment to Frank Mack spending a little time in hospital. Jim Grant stood in for him at shortish notice, yet another good Devon ringer!

Wednesday, July 7th - Took Marg and daughter Lizzie to Althorp - resting place for Diana - they had a great time. I didn't. Everywhere you looked said NO. Miles away the signs pronounced local roads closed, no parking. Piss off don't gork from here. When we got there we found a team of obergruppenthingies complete with counters and walkie-talkies positioning you to the inch in the official car park. Guess what - NO photos inside. NO grub (only in the prescribed area, which I presume could be hosed down. Probably right then). I had to walk half the way to Little Brington for a pee, transgressing the Keep Out - No Trespassing signs the while. So I peed on their gate, especially the hinges. good for the rust. We had a good ride home . Tee Hee.

Thursday, July 8th - Absolute cock up!. There we were in the second course of Chris Kippin's Kent Royal when up comes a red car full of Croft's from Micheldever. Bugger - I said - then - Stand. Apparently Joyce had words with Marg last Sat (W&P AGM) but didn't mention the date! Well, we practised PB12, forget it. Had lunch - Barrie and Nelson left. So in a room that felt like a sauna we rang my old 5008 Plain Bob Major in 2h12 called by Tom. So a day not wasted after all.

Saturday, July 10th - South Petherton Fair - Helping out and teaching on the port-a-ring. A highlight amongst the rope stretchers and frame benders were a family from of all places - Richmond, Surrey. Jessica aged 8, Ben aged 10 and Mum of - well you know. All three were fluent and relaxed after a few minutes tuition. We exchanged email addresses and we'll see what transpires in the future. Good eh?

Monday, July 12th - Oxford, St Thomas - 5040 Cambridge Surprise Royal in 2h43 called by John Martin. Again I enjoyed the peal, the comp. of which was one of John's arrangements. Along the lines of - get the easy 67890's then have a funny single on 78 for a bit and finally a few courses with the tenors in 0987 ! I wonder what Bill Pye would have said ?? Stephen Ivin ( delete previous mention of transparency) met us again and took the dosh, I had left my coat on a gravestone and Stephen kindly brought it up to the ringing chamber for me. The discussion in the pub afterwards was mainly regarding the JP Peal week in Cornwall where the idea seemed to be to have the towers as far apart as possible! No voting though I understand, things must be looking up ! Good ride home via A34/A303.

Tuesday, July 13th - Pig-le-Tower - 5088 Idbury Surprise Major in 1h43 called by Alex Hunt. Good peal this, which flew in the face of the ill-founded rumours emanating from Bristol ! One more towards the Piglet Alphabet and first Surprise as conductor. Hardly any trips and absolutely no in-fighting within the band. Well, that's not strictly true as Marg fought me for 2nds place in one row. It was good to have the steadying influence of Graham John and Andrew Palk in the band. Onwards? You betta believe it !!

Wednesday, July 14th - after the euphoria of last night we had 2 visitors this morning. Matthew who had left his cardy and was cold and Mike who had left his diary and hadn't a clue what he was doing. See, good ringing gets to you ! This evening we had a group up from the South Petherton area arranged by Yvonne Nicholls. First time for most of them and they rang well. Marg, George and I stood in for a course of Cambridge S 8. Ol' Purn was very well behaved.

Thursday, July 15th - Lost Stedman Caters at Ambergate in 1h54, (shift) we only had 7 courses to go and the ringing was getting better all the time. It started slowly and improved with each part. Robin Walker was calling the R Dennis comp. which starts with the handstrokes for the first part.

Friday, July 16th thru Sunday July 18th - Bishopstoke tower Outing to Bradford - The reason for the outing was I believe the choice of Curry Houses available ! This was obviously greater than the hotels available. Still the ringing and the social hours were taken advantage of and we can all recommend the K2 restaurant in Lump Lane. As Roy said , 'More than you can eat for ?6.50.' Bloody marvellous. The high point was Cambridge Max at Halifax. To my mind the best bells on the tour. Mind you I did enjoy the Hunslet Dumplings !! Far more revealing eh Fi ?

Monday, July 19th thru Friday, July 23rd have been spent on the Buckley Peal week. I've had no time to update the gossip. Please wait. Right, I'm back! Crikey what a week - 8 peals - with 2 losses, both Yorkshire. Firstly Max at Midsomer Norton failed to come round as the conductor missed the S wrong at the end. We had a plain lead at 5040 changes, then a very late Single and a scramble into rounds at about 5046. Shoot. I was ringing the 2nd unaffected - I looked at least at 3 conductors in the band all of whom were looking at the ground! Keep your head down Tom I thought. Still the grub in the pub afterwards was great. Secondly on Saturday 24th, nothing to do with the DJB peal week we went to Banwell for Royal - good ringing with 3 firsts in the band. With a course and half a lead to go the 6th rope snapped about 18 inches below the sally. Bugger - you think of the words - we all blamed the ringer for making a large knot at that point to shorten his rope, no names, no pack drill eh Mike? There was no warning - ie fluff etc - just snap. The pub did well afterwards.

Sunday, July 25th - Pig-le-Tower - a 2 peal day - 5088 Ospringe Surprise Major in 1h56 and 5088 New Cambridge Surprise Major in 1h51 both called by David Salter. A good day with good ringing and a surprise ending when Alex Rowson turned up with Jacqueline Feather and they both rang well considering the time scales involved. Mr Salter (a big name in Suffolk) left in rather a hurry as he left his personal organiser here! I will not divulge the contents on the grounds of mistaste, modesty, etc etc.!!

Monday, July 26th - Micheldever - 5056 Plain Bob Major in hand in 2h10 called by John S Croft. This enabled Roger Savory to ring a handbell peal with John whilst in England. In the evening I took him to meet Vivien after 36 years!

Tuesday, July 27th - Pig-le-Tower - 5040 Minor (5m) in 1h45 called by Tom. A 66th birthday compliment to Frank C Price, an old mate of over 40 years standing who owns the Mindinhole campanile at Newmarket.

Wednesday, July 28th - Pig-le-Tower - 5056 Cambridge Surprise Major in 2h02 called by Brian Diserens. Brian used a composition of his father's (Noel J Diserens) which split the tenors and was very interesting. Lots of internal rollups to make you smile.

Thursday, July 29th - Wedmore - 5040 Plain Bob Major in hand in 2h20 called by Tom. Rather slow this peal, but I think Jim Cook ringing 5-6 prefers this speed. Personally I like it ten minutes quicker, the peal I mean. Still, it beats having your head down the bog all night eh? What was that one about falling in love with your own reflection, all the rage these days. Get a life.

Saturday, July 31st - Micheldever - 5040 Kent T B Minor in hand in 1h52 called by Tom. John Croft is building up his 'methods rung here' list and this was a particularly good peal. We rang it after visiting Upton Grey, seeing Lucy & Michael Church (thanks for the tea and biccys) and ending up ringing for a posh wedding. I must say the temperature today was a bit over the top though, phew!

Sunday, August 1st - Crowthorne - 5088 Yorkshire Surprise Major in 1h49 called by Tom. Arranged for Andrew Mills and George Dawson this peal was fair to middling. no serious method mistakes but never quite gelling. The usual super grub was on offer but was it hot! The day was made when Charlotte phoned, that put the smile back on my face.

Monday, August 2nd - A quiet day livened by the visit of Janet Crispin getting herself ready for the challenge of ringing peals on small bells. We shall get Adrian Beck to ring Minor yet !!

Tuesday, August 3rd - Lost Harlow Surprise Major at 3620 changes, the conductor missed a bob after a slight kerfuffle and called Stand. Bugger, thats the second time this year I've done that. I must be past it. Good job there's always a tomorrow eh? I don't know how to tell Brian Mountjoy I've messed up his Uxbridge above cycle.

Wednesday, August 4th - a 2 peal day here - 5040 Minor (6m) in hand in 1h56 called by Tom. This included 1440 Cambridge S, hopefully it won't be long before we score all Cambridge. Later at Pig-le-Tower - 5184 Spliced Surprise Major (8m) in 1h50 called by Adrian Beck. I was pleased with this peal, it had a tentative start but settled down and rung with style. Changing direction in 8 spliced at 47 changes per minute is not easy. Well done all concerned.

Thursday, August 5th - Wedmore - 5088 Kent T B Major in hand in 2h10 called by Barrie Hendry. We thought we were ringing Minor but Nelson turned up. Very good peal this. Just one coursing order mentioned in the whole peal. This was after spending half a day with the Ramblers at Shalbourne, Hungerford and Kintbury - all very pealable! By the way, did you notice in this weeks RW the 39 incidences of Widows and Orphans in the typesetting? Space apparently is at no premium.

Saturday, August 7th - A rambling day. Marg wanted St Mary Bourne so we went for a grab under the auspices of the Rambling Ringers. I watched the village cricket with Andrew Mills the while. Afterwards we went to Hursley for the District meeting and Barbecue in the IBM grounds. Head cook Richard Thompson did a superb job, we had a wonderful time.

Sunday, August 8th - Crowthorne - 5040 Surprise Minor (7m) in 1h39 called by Jeremy Spiller. This peal had everything. Lightning, thunder which almost silenced the bells, missed ropes and plenty of banter! especially regarding Colin Turner's post nutritive excess gas being likened to the thunder. Nuff said, it was good to meet and ring with Adrian Peacock and Michael Purday. Yet once again, good grub, good company and a peal, great.

Monday, August 9th - Oxford St Thomas - 5003 Grandsire Caters in 2h36 called by John Pladdys. A highly original composition? rung in spanking style. New ringers on my personal ringers list were Michele Ellender and Robin O Hall. Marg came for the ride and a grab prior to the peal and met us after. Trouble with the beer in the pub and then a good ride home in spite of the dire warnings re traffic and the Eclipse. What eclipse? I bet its dense cloud and peeing with rain tomorrow.

Tuesday, August 10th - Pig-le-Tower - 5088 Jaybank Surprise Major in 1h43 called by Alex Hunt. First peal in the method, the pn is b -3-4-5-6-4-5.236-2.7 with a comp. by Byroc giving 99 678's. Although the method is a trivial variation of Fordcombe it went well. Earlier in the day John Pladdys called in for some sustenance on his way back to Cornwall and we rang at Robert Parker's tryout at West Cranmore. An excellent job which has been the focal point of the Frome Branch 2000 endeavour.

Wednesday, August 11th - Pig-le-Tower - 5088 Rutland Surprise Major in 1h45 called by David Massey. It seems like forever since Dave & Jackie Massey rang their last peal here? Whatever, after a shaky start the ringing settled and we rang a good peal.

Thursday, August 12th - Wedmore handbells - 5056 St Clements B Major in 2h09 called by Barry Hendry. The comp used was Roy LeMarechal's famous Rutland one with singles and we rang a very good peal. I think Nelson enjoyed himself on 3-4 even when Marg raised her left hand to make him dodge under at backstroke! We understand that the term 'Old Bailey' has another meaning starting today. Where will it ever end? A wayward claydig indeed! Strawberry fields for ever.

Friday, August 13th - A 2 peal day here - 5040 Double Oxford Minor on handbells in 1h52 called by Tom followed by 5152 Spliced Surprise (4m) Pitman's atw in 2h17 called by John P Loveless. We enjoyed both peals but would have to admit that the D Oxford caused more brain ache! The gossip afterwards was rewarding but mostly unpublishable, shame. The grapevine tells us that things at Backwell have moved again. Must find out for sure. Also a woodworking lady confessed that although the price was right having your cake and eat it usually meant that the cake went mouldy and what was left you choked on. Crikey.

Sunday, August 15th - A 2 peal day at Crowthorne - 5040 Minor (7m) in 1h38 called by Tom followed by 5040 Minor (2m) in 1h23 called by Daniel Sandham. The first peal was marred by a rather large sort out in Double Oxford and trippy London S, the second by uncertain rhythm at times. But a good day nevertheless - complete with leg of Lamb - yummy. Thanks Anne.

Monday, August 16th - Pig-le-Tower - 5152 Spliced Surprise Major (2m) in 1h42 called by Stephen J Bateman. A good peal this which gave Alison Caton her first of Spliced S 8. The comp. by Roy was an eye-opener. 17com. atw. The occasion also gave Caroline Newman the chance for her first try on small bells after the peal. Needless to say she was like a duck to water, its in the jeans, sorry, genes.

Tuesday, August 17th - St Marychurch, Torquay - We lost London S Royal in a confusion of lines, lead ends and lost places! We repaired to the village centre cup of tea place and eventually ended up in the pub at Aller. Bit posh I thought. The day was saved with a hastily arranged grab at Kingskerswell, then a quick dash home in time to greet Camilla Lewis from Stoke St Milborough. She reckons not to ring changes but yet again a lovely girl taking to small bells easily; she rang the treble to a 120 Grandsire Doubles with us ringing double-handed. Super evening.

Wednesday, August 18th - Exeter, St Mark - 5090 Cambridge Surprise Major in 3h03 called by Roger Bailey. Brian Price's original comp was used today. It also enabled me to add a person to my ringers list.

Thursday, August 19th - a two peal day - 5040 Rutland Surprise Royal at Withycombe Raleigh in 3h10 called by John Foster. and 5040 Minor (7m) at Wedmore on handbells in 1h52 called by Tom.

Friday, August 20th - We went to St Austell for a funeral. An old motorcycling mate of mine. A Methodist service with a 3 decker organ. They seem to have a better idea of occasion than the Anglicans. The wake after was incredible. We didn't get home until well after midnight!

Saturday, August 21st - Broadclyst - 5024 Spliced Surprise Major in 3h17 called by Reg MacKenzie. I really enjoyed this peal even with its occasional divvy. The other band rang a peal of Grandsire Triples at Pinhoe (with 3 Robert Perry's) and we all met up in the Red Lion for lunch to celebrate the end of the peal week.

Sunday, August 22nd - A quiet day with a visit from Matthew which brought us up to date with the local gossip after a week away. A phone call from Helen Hunt and my Mum both good for the soul! In the evening we visited Chris & Clare O'Mahony just moved into Paul Dye's house in Frome. It won't be long - both handbells and small bells - goodee.

Tuesday, August 24th - Pig-le-Tower - 5184 Pudsey Surprise Major in 1h53 called by Richard Newman. A good peal this which didn't seem at all fast. Much joking and gossip afterwards - especially Mike Stone on his D-Day recollections, he got WET trying a frontal assault on Dieppe apparently. Perhaps I misheard him though? Alex Hunt said 'That was my 153rd peal, in 1h53'. What's he going to do when he gets to 160 peals ?

Wednesday, August 25th - Pig-le-Tower - We lost Minor (9m) at 3000 changes - The London S, OK. Cambridge S, OK. Kent TB, OK. Oxford TB, OK. Then Double Oxford, wallop, 2 courses in after a bob it disintegrated within 4 changes! Hohum.

Thursday, August 26th - Pig-le-Tower - 5040 Cambridge Surprise Minor in 1h52 called by Tom. This was arranged for Janet Crispin, slower than usual for obvious reasons. Earlier in the day we went over to Chilcompton to demonstrate the portable ring to a prospective customer. It was sold and heralded a breakthrough in the small bell world. Astute readers of this website will realise where the bells are going! We aspire to high places indeed. Super day. And I've got a whole day with the lovely Susan tomorrow !!

Saturday, August 28th - Pig-le-Tower - 5040 Cambridge Surprise Minor in 1h31 called by Brian V Mountjoy. A really enjoyable peal this with Brian's usual mix of 720's and a 2160 thrown in for good measure. It enabled Anne Carpenter to ring her 150th peal and saw Brian sat on one of Marg's chairs with his right foot on a pouffe (we don't get many of them here) to free his plastered right ankle. We hear that Casey Crisp had a good day yesterday.

Sunday, August 29th - Pig-le-Tower - a two peal day - 5120 London Surprise Major in 1h58 called by Tom. A bit Curate's eggy with some very good ringing in the middle of the peal. London and Bristol seem to be the bogey methods on small bells, we were pleased to score. After a very good dinner at the celebrated Cabin we repaired to the tower and rang 5008 Plain Bob Major in 1h43 called by Tom. This comp. has Tittums, Queens and Whittingtons with extents of 2468, 3468, 678. Marg thought it too fast but the rest of us found the speed OK. A good day!!

Monday, August 30th - Button Street, Frome - an attempt at 5088 Kent T B Major in hand was called round at 1760 changes as the conductor had partaken too many cups of tea prior to the attempt. Our first ring with Chris O'Mahony, which was good and a 5th birthday compliment to young Isobel on the day.

Tuesday, August 31st - East Huntspill - 5040 Plain Bob Major in hand in 2h30 called by Tom. This was specially arranged to enable Richard Newman to score his first handbell peal at the first attempt. It was also Marg's 400th handbell peal and our 650th peal together.

Wednesday, September 1st - Pig-le-Tower - 5040 Stedman Triples in 1h52 called by Adrian P Beck. An excellent peal with no problems. Thanks to Alison Caton who rang the tenor at short notice in place of Jenny Astridge.

Thursday, September 2nd - Wedmore - We lost Spliced Major (7m) in hand after 2000 ish changes. Funny, but Little B and Gainsborough L seemed to be the joey methods, whereas Wellington L and Double B were fine! By the way did you see this weeks RW? The backpage almost a small bell benefit. Well done Martin with his 'Beehive' ring, this guy's a doer for sure - perhaps we'll be told how many rings he has been involved in over the last couple of decades? Then there was my old mate FCP's apologia. All rather sad and pompous we thought. There are mentions of - 'all' - and - 'visiting, - which perhaps, I hear, should have had - '(except one)' - inserted. (We in the small bell world don't miss much!). I also liked - 'dynamic thrust forces' - considerable with a 9 lb tenor! He was obviously wound up/moved by the David Salter and Alan Barber pieces in the comic. Shame.

Saturday, September 4th - Micheldever - 5040 Minor (7m) in hand in 1h50 called by Tom. After lunch went attempted St Clements on 8 with Graham Firman. We rang about halfway before disappearing in a black hole! In the evening we went to Compton Martin for the wedding celebration of Pip Mennis/Nabb to a very nice bloke called Dennis. I had the privilege to start both her ringing and playing trumpet years ago in Bishopstoke.

Sunday, September 5th - Bathwick - 5000 Pudsey Surprise Royal in 2h55 called by Joe Beaumont. A fair peal this with a surprise ending complete with 78 singles at the half lead. The Poulteney Arms took a bashing afterwards, naturally, when the Beck boys are in the band.

Tuesday, September 7th - Pig-le-Tower - 5120 Kinver Surprise Major in 1h48 called by Brian V Mountjoy. Very good as normal with the Devon boys. Cambridge above and a comp. with 4ths & In which helped with the falseness. It enabled Marg and George Massey to ring their 100th together. The gossip front is very quiet, although I feel that will break shortly. Watch this space.

Wednesday, September 8th - Pig-le-Tower - 5040 Minor (7m) in 1h40 called by Tom. We enjoyed this peal with its Turneresque banter! Also our thanks to Chris O'Mahony who rang like a veteran in Mike Stone's place at very short notice. I hear that it must be extremely difficult to keep sniffing with your hands tied behind your back - I wonder if he'll make a pratt of himself practising Labial Minor? Crispy eh? Well, in between phone calls!! Does that mean tongue in cheek or what ??

Thursday, September 9th - Wedmore - We spent the evening ringing Yorkshire Surprise Major under Roger Bailey's tutelage. Its 25 years since Marg & I rang Surprise in hand - it hurts. I must report that RB has lots of patience!

Friday, September 10th - Wedmore - A days handbell ringing - we ended up with 2 x 1280 of Yorkshire Surprise Major both called by Roger Bailey. After lunch we rang plain courses of Lincolnshire and Cambridge - then after a cup of tea we rang Grandsire Triples! Why are we always one short?

Sunday, September 12th - Pig-le-Tower - 10400 Kemsing Surprise Major in 3h54 called by Brian J Woodruffe. The fourth long length and Record peal here to date. This is a d method which is a bit unusual. Marg and Jimmy Hodkin umpired. They reported a good peal with very even ringing throughout.

Monday, September 13th - Pig-le-Tower - 5040 Bourne Surprise Minor in 1h37 called by Tom. The celebrated composition by Peter G C Ellis which finishes with the 7 23456 course ends was used for this peal - it caused a couple of wry smiles from George Massey! Guess what? Margaret rang inside - yes, indeed she learnt a new method! and made less mistakes than anyone else. Oh well, t'was ever thus.

Tuesday, September 14th - Piglet - A double-doody dogshit day - We lost Oxford TB Minor in hand in the morning with John Croft calling and then lost a new Surprise Major method in the evening after 3168 changes called by Alex Hunt. Both peals miscalled. Just goes to show you can't win 'em all. There's always next time!

Wednesday, September 15th - A whole day in without any ringing! Marg and her ladies dashed off to ring at the 122nd Frome Cheese show (tunes on handbells - ugh) and I spent the time dreaming about future aims at Pig-le-Tower. Then out of the blue an old workmate turned up and we spent some time in nostalgialand. My thoughts turned to what tomorrow's RW might contain? - Ringing a different bell by Tina? - The Noble Duke of .... he had 10,000 what? Go on - Romantic ideals by Amy - What I really want is f.....g by Casey Crisp - Yes, I set up a CY peal by RLM - Conducting by JSC - The first 100 peals at the Laurels by BH - Ringing on small bells by the BTB - A 1001 ways to tongue by GJW - The easy way to strike by MJW - I'd better stop at 10, I could get carried away!

Thursday, September 16th - Ambergate - 5055 Stedman Caters called by Robin Walker. The peal which was going very well failed through a miscall at halfway, the ringing had been very good although a touch slow. At least with this comp. we had the handstrokes and backstrokes before stopping!

Friday, September 17th - I set off at the crack of dawn for Newmarket in order to cheer up my ol' mate FCP who's down in the dumps lately. I arrived there at 7.40am in good time for breakfast. This was a good time to travel as I took 2h40 from Marston to Newmarket. I was just having a cup of tea when the phone rang - John Loveless - 'I'm one short for a peal at Newmarket, St Mary tomorrow, can you suggest anyone I can ask?' Nothing like being available is there?

Saturday, September 18th - Newmarket, St Mary - 5040 Surprise Minor (7m) in 3h08 called by John P Loveless. I really enjoyed this peal and it enabled me to ring with 3 people not previously pealed! We had a good chat in 'The Five Bells' afterwards, would you believe talking about the merits and otherwise of small bell ringing. I left Newmarket at 8.00pm and arrived home in 2h48 to be greeted by pouring rain. A 36 hour outing - great.

Sunday, September 19th - Pig-le-Tower - Unfortunately the attempt for 11232 Frodsham Surprise Major called by Brian Woodruffe fell into a black hole at 2336 changes. Not an easy method with h lead ends and 6th place bobs. The start was shaky for the first 2 courses but the ringing was spanking for the next 9 until the big bang. The attempt will be held again in November. Thanks to Marg and Ali for umpiring. After lunch general ringing ensued with visitor Charlotte Edmond flexing her muscles and Marg ringing 3-4 to her favourite method - Stedman.

Monday, September 20th - Pig-le-Tower - 5040 Minor (7m) in 1h40 called by Tom. 3 Surprise, 1 Treble Bob, 3 Plain. A good peal this with no major incidents. Got to go to bed early - 2 peals tomorrow!

Tuesday, September 21st - Baltonsborough - 5040 Surprise Minor in 3h06 called by Robert D S Brown. These bells are a typical heavy Somerset six. I like them. More to the point we rang a good peal. Lunch at the 3rd attempt in The Cross Keys, Lydford and then off to Tintinhull for a peal of multi method Doubles, allegedly. We rang them up and settled for 2 methods - this proved too much and after an hours ringing the conductor set up. Don't go there unless you want a real challenge! We then sneaked a quick preview of the job at Isle Abbots, they had their tryout at 5.30pm. Nice job we all agreed. Then off to South Petherton for the 12 bell practice recently set up by David Purnell. This is a glory seeker - more later when all the facts emerge and people have their say, rather than pub talk.

Wednesday, September 22nd - A 2 peal day - 5040 Surprise Minor (10m) at Calverleigh, Devon in 2h28 and 5040 Surprise Minor (7m) at Washford Pyne, Devon in 2h24 both called by Robert D S Brown. An enjoyable day if you forget trying to find these places!! They don't care about sound control down there - you get full blast in every direction.

Thursday, September 23rd - This weeks RW - I liked Stephen Ivin's Big Ben letter, especially when he says - .... our image as an awkward, unco-operative and insular nation ... great stuff. I hope Martin D Fellows is not holding his breath regarding the CC's action re VAT on bell restoration schemes? What response indeed ! And then Harold Rogers just has to say - 'For some time now, together with many other readers' - and continue with the chestnut regarding small bells. He then ends with - ' What opinions have other readers of the RW ...'. And there I was supposing that he knew what the many other readers thought? Where have these people been for the last four years? My other readers thought the matter had been settled through custom and practice long ago. A peal is a peal is a peal unless its a goose. Nicholas J Parkes letter re the proposed - Tower & Steeple - publication and his fears of damage to the RW are unfounded - it won't get off the ground. The powers that be have never been known for dipping their hands too deep - mind you it would be good if the proposers of such a rag could be persuaded to fund it with their own cash, eh? Money and Mouths rules OK. Fat chance!

Wedmore - 5040 Plain Bob Major on handbells in 2h12 called by Tom. This was a good peal rung after a long debate as to what we should ring and who should call it. My logic was flawed and Alex opted for the tenors, Barrie on 3-4. I got lumbered, mainly because I made a rash statement earlier in the year saying - it would be good to ring 200 peals this year and call 100 of them !

Saturday - September 25th - We greeted Andrew & Marilyn Bushell from Canada who came for a visit with John & Joyce Croft. We nearly rang a quarter but it was curtailed as I had to get to South Petherton for 5042 Cambridge Surprise Maximus in 3h18 called by Tim Collins. There was much talk about a lost peal at Ditcheat in the morning and many hours spent in the pub afterwards. I can now report that after a 40 year relationship I have rung 1 more peal than my wife! When we married in 1960 she was 253 peals in front. I have spent 40 years catching up - now its her turn. I expect she's mightily impressed?

Sunday, September 26th - Pig-le-Tower - 5040 Spliced Major - Plain B & Cambridge S in 1h54 called by Tom. This was after losing Bristol S and the usual lunch in 'The Cabin'. I thought a nice Sunday afternoon filler! It was much harder than I remember Soberton early 60's. The after peal talk was mainly about welly boots, lay-bys and servicing boilers. You can work out from that that Graham Wright was in the band.

Monday, September 27th - Pig-le-Tower - 5040 Surprise Minor (7m) in 1h51 called by Michael J Stone. This was Paul K Williamson's first peal on small bells, we would have enjoyed it all the more if PK had shown more confidence in his rope handling. You could feel the tension rising as the extents rolled by. He said afterwards that he'd never had to concentrate so hard for a peal before! Perhaps someone should relay that to Harold as they are of an age I believe. I was also informed that my persona has been mixed up in certain S Hants circles, this was dealt with privately, eh Charlotte ? And there was me thinking I was suffering from old age not under. Did that years ago.

Tuesday, September 28th - Bishopstoke - 5000 Kent T B Royal in 2h42 called by Roy LeMarechal. This was arranged for Graham Wright but in the pub after we reckoned there were 7 firsts! Mind you, they all ring Surprise. On the way down we stopped off at Whiteparish and had some S Minor practice on handbells with Brian Woodruffe. We rang 720's of Bourne & Hull and a course of Disley. Then we looked at Brian's Indian piccys and he talked of changing his old boiler. You see - the world is full of surprises, ennit?

Wednesday, September 29th - Pig-le-Tower - 5120 Turramurra Surprise Major in 1h51 called by Brian V Mountjoy. We enjoyed this peal which was rung with a certain amount of panache, or should I say brainache? It was obviously serious as there was no talk of old boilers or lay-bys from our Hampshire correspondent. Having said that there was a lot of talk regarding Adrian Beck's missing fiver, lost we believe in the South Petherton area. Marg is now 2 peals behind me and playing catch up - if anyone wants my rope sometime - let me know. I also had a tryout on 2 pairs of ringable two's one familiar the other not. Double-handed ringing will never be the same! I've just remembered - great - a whole day with the lovely Susan tomorrow. Wowee.

Thursday, September 30th - A day off from ringing, although it allowed me to catch up on our ringing records. Most of the day was spent in pleasurable company - we went to Longleat - horrible place. I've lived here now since 1977 without felling the need but luckily the place was deserted - I hate crowds. I have spent a lifetime of never keeping records of Towers rung. This has changed with the advent of ringable twos. They'll never be published in Dove though - who cares?

Friday, October 1st - Piglet - 5040 Plain Bob Minor in hand in 2h04 called by Tom. MJS was saying we hadn't rung a handbell peal for over 6 months. He was right, so we did! He rang well in spite of being on a promise tonight! One things for sure - we'll know all about it tomorrow - chapter and verse.

Saturday, October 2nd - Exmouth - 5021 Grandsire Caters in 2h15 called by Brian V Mountjoy. The first peal on Frank Mack's bedroom 10 - 29 years after their installation! It also allowed Brian & Frank to ring their 150th together. The band was representative with 4 from Somerset and 3 from both Hampshire and Devon - all experienced small-bell ringers. Several of the band had not rung on the garage 6 so they were put to good use after the mandatory tea. Thanks Frank and Mary for an enjoyable day. Further to this Marg rang her 25th together with both Brian and Roy. She also shared a bedroom with 9 men and whats more - a bed with Peter and Graham!

Monday, October 4th - Pig-le-Tower - 5120 Spliced Surprise Major (3m) in 1h48 called by Stephen J Bateman. This peal went well and enabled Alison Caton to achieve most methods rung and Stephen Bateman his first as conductor of 3 spliced. It was the first cold evening after the summer, people were moving about! 16.2c at the finish. However we were able to test run the new wireless link between the belfry and the house - it performed admirably. This allows people not ringing to listen in and enjoy the comfort of the house.

Tuesday, October 5th - Pig-le-Tower - 5056 Harlow Surprise Major in 1h47 called by Brian Mountjoy. At last the Surprise Alphabet is complete, not to the satisfaction of Roy LeMarechal who considers New Cambridge not a proper N! Dunno where he comes from. This was a Devon boys peal and we had some really spanking stuff along the way. Almost 402 beats per minute. Stoner is very quiet about his time spent last Friday night - all he would say was that they left the pub at midnight. I said I'd have been more impressed if they had left at half past nine! It is now the 5th and the caption has got you all beat - hohum - where's your imagination?

Wednesday, October 6th - Pig-le-Tower - we lost Spliced Surprise Major at 1984 changes called by Barrie Hendry. Hopefully this would have been Ali's first of 4 spliced but after a diversion the band lost its way in Rutland - win some - lose some. The day was not lost however as the lovely Susan spent the afternoon here. Also MRTH told me about the new book he is writing, I think he's settled for the title - Choices. I think its on a par with Jilly Cooper's book - Riders. Makes the world go round, see? The chat list informs us that J W Spiller is on the loose again - where will he settle? Not at Wymondham, surely?

Thursday, October 7th - Wedmore - we lost Yorkshire Surprise Major in hand after a third - Graham John calling. After a suitable break we rang from the second part end to the finish. The RW today was very quiet - I want to know when they will break the news that has been circulating for some time? Its a pity we are so far away from these centres of excellence! Come on Tina spill the beans.

Friday, October 8th - Piglet - a double doody dogshit day - with 2 lost peals! A 5040 Grandsire Doubles in the campanile lost just after halfway when the conductor missed his sally - and couldn't recover and a handbell peal of St Clements C B Major at two thirds distance with a little bell swop! However the day was saved when we rang a 720 of Bob Minor double-handed in the tower. Another first for Brian Woodruffe, some can, some can't.

Saturday, October 9th - Southampton University - The official opening of the Hartley 12 with founder members Derek Jackson and Marg doing the official bit. The event was covered by 'The Daily Echo' and Marg had her photey taken cutting the ribbon! The whole effort being the brainchild of Mark Place and Charlotte Edmond. Ringing on the 12 after the ceremony coupled with celebratory cake made for an unforgettable day. The SUGCR this year has been blessed with heaps of new people, some good ringers and some good lookers. What is it about fresh-faced students with their air of indifference? However Mark Place was particularly impressed with one SM who not only could ring but also make your head turn! The term 'supermodel' was used on more than one occasion but for my money it'll take a lot to oust the lovely Charlotte as SUGCR's resident beauty. Whatever, we had a good day at Highfield, then on to Bishopstoke and North Stoneham before repairing to the pub, The Fleming Arms, which used to be on the main road but is now buried within the developing road network of downtown Swathling. Horrible. Traffic lights, mandatory left turns, no U turns, metal fences, barriers. And they call it progress ?? I'll stay in Somerset. Thanks again to Mark and Charlotte for all their efforts over the last few months.

Sunday, October 10th - Sapcote - 5040 Yorkshire Surprise Royal in 2h46 called by Michael E Brown. We whizzed up the Fosse for this peal which was very good - although I would have liked the whole peal to have been like the last 4 courses (11 mins each)! It was to celebrate Michael's 50th anniversary as Head Ringer at Sapcote. Kath and Janet served up the most wonderful grub - we wished we'd had no lunch - huge great honey roasted ham - rolled beef - perfection. Then we rang on the Harecroft campanile. Mike has done a great job here but they ring them with their eyes rather than with rhythm. Therefore good striking is very difficult. However, a good trip, very late, back down the Fosse brought us home with both a peal and a memorable day in the bag. TC+3. A thought on the way home - perhaps you could have 2 kinds of ringing membership - Town and Country - then when someone says 'I'm a Country member' - you can say - Yes, I remember.

Monday, October 11th - Pig-le-Tower - 5056 Cambridge Surprise Major in 1h43 called by Tom. This was a post heavy weekend peal and fairly motored along. No serious trips and obviously enjoyable. Talk afterwards was regarding the RW's inability to keep us all up with the news. Its like a pressure vessel - only relieved by private email - not even discussed on the chat lists! The RW is in danger of just being a scoresheet journal - it could be livened up with the real news - after all it is all true, isn't it ?? We should be told.

Tuesday, October 12th - Pig-le-Tower - 5088 Nornvis Surprise Major in 1h47 called by Alex Hunt. This first peal in the method ( b -3-4-5-6-4-5.2-236.7) was the 100th peal of single method Surprise Major in the tower. It also enabled us to comply with Roy LeMarechal's dictum that New Cambridge is not a proper N to complete an alphabet. We welcomed Caroline Newman and she rang like a veteran in this her first small-bell peal. Joanne Waller travelled up from Minehead with Andrew to look after Chester whilst we rang. We forgot to switch on the radio link for her to be able to listen to the peal - well its new ennit?

Wednesday, October 13th - No ringing today! We went with Matthew and Jenny to see daughter Lizzie performing as Reno Sweeney in the lead of 'Anything Goes'. Son Christopher also turned up and I know now exactly what happened at Ladbroke Grove, ie track layout, signalling and the movements which caused the horrific crash. We understand that the lovely Charlotte should have appeared on television but spent the day hiding in the broom cupboard at So'ton hospital. She'll learn.

Thursday, October 14th through Monday, October 18th - Spent at Newmarket with Frank and Sheila Price. Only one peal arranged - 5152 Superlative Surprise Major in 1h57 called by Tom on Sunday afternoon. Although Marg on the tenor managed to break 2 hours for the first time here the peal could have been more relaxed. We did visit Covehithe on Saturday. One of these East Coast churches about to jump into the sea. The place that David Salter gets just before the event! We also went to Oulton but I didn't see any broads worth mentioning. For dumplings the level crossing at Stowmarket was far more interesting - we witnessed a ringable four that would have taken some handling I swear!

Tuesday, October 19th - Piglet - 5040 Minor (4m) on handbells in 1h53 called by Tom. This was rung on the fly with John Croft who suddenly had some time to spare, it keeps us in practice and helps with his confidence. We spent the evening at South Petherton ringing Cambridge S Maximus - The first part of the evening was poor - too many method mistakes with fraught ringers. Later the ringing was much better as we found a big bell matrix that worked coupled with a small bell placement of ringers that didn't stretch the change.

Wednesday, October 20th - Micheldever - 5040 Oxford Treble Bob Minor in hand in 1h53 called by Tom. An excellent peal this, the first at this venue. We should have been on the way to Ambergate, Hook but Robin Walker had to cancel at short notice through lack of bodies! So we went to Kingsworthy instead and spent the evening with the lovely Vivien. Back home via A34 and A303 in an hour.

Thursday, October 21st - Pig-le-Tower - 5040 Minor (5m) in 1h32 called by Robert Perry. This was a special peal to wish Alison Caton all the best for her latest operation and to compliment her on this her 30th birthday. I asked Chris Caton to ask her if she was really getting her ringable two ready for me? Still, that's nothing to the shit that's going to hit the fan shortly is it? I see that Andrew Wilby is giving dear old Frank Price some stick on the Ringers Chat list over his letter re Garden sheds, not to mention Wurz's reply! What is it about ringers? They are either shagging or slagging each other - sometimes both at the same time. Crikey, it is quiet down here in Somerset!! I 'spose I'll have to return to my pottering - oops there we go again. The RW is still keeping very quiet - its no good - we want to hear all the sordid details of the various schemes and scams going on - blow aparts - returning spouses - two into one's etc.

Friday, October 22nd - A no-ringing day spent mending cars with the lovely Susan and then trying to publish Matthew's website on AOL. Bloody nightmare! Anybody out there with experience of publishing on AOL4 and AOLPRESS ?? Mind you the phone calls from various beauties leavened the evening. Did you hear about the bloke who pretended to have drowned in his bath whilst his partner was making up her face prior to going out for the evening? Course, not. Well, she sharpened her lipstick on his back by writing BUM in big letters followed by an arrow pointing downwards! That can't be wright can it?

Saturday, October 23rd - Winchester District of the W&P Outing to Taunton - We joined them at Wilton, then onto St Mary and St James. Lunch was next and then to Holy Trinity. After Taunton the party moved to Shepton Beauchamp and finally South Petherton. I think most enjoyed the day - after all they are social occasions rather than performance days! All OK except the broken stay at Petherton and the abysmal ringing. Even so I'd go again - so how's that for double standards - gotcha - you've already worked it out - there just has to be another reason don't there! So, all in all another day pottering in deepest Somerset contemplating the wayward hills and busy beavers.

Sunday, October 24th - Piglet - 5088 Kent T B Major in hand in 2h09 called by Tom. At last - Julia Cater joined us to ring this a very good peal. She also had a double-handed ring on the Campanile. Then she had trouble with the trains at Westbury - It seemed that no-one wanted to send a train to Paddington so we packed her on a stopper to Bath hoping she'd pick up a fast to Paddington there! We understand she travels free anyway!

Monday, October 25th - Pig-le-Tower - 5088 Uxbridge Surprise Major in 1h47 called by Tom. This was rung to celebrate Mike Stone's 50 years of membership of the Bath & Wells DACR. It was also a 20th birthday compliment to Jimmy Hodkin. This week should see more than one peal for Chris O'Mahony as wife Claire and the kids are away for half-term! We understand that he will be slumming at Redcliffe on Thursday. Had an email from Peter Ellis bemoaning the fact that conquering mountains isn't published weekly like peals! Just imagine - "What have you done this week Peter?". "Well, we've been up Ben Doody and Mount St Thingy - and unlike peal ringing you can't have any trips and you daren't miss your rope!"

Tuesday, October 26th - After a day out whizzing round Somerset we had an evenings handbell practice with Chris O'Mahony. Most of the regular plain methods and Cambridge S. We successfully completed a 1440 St Clements and a 1260 Plain Bob.

Wednesday, October 27th - Pig-le-Tower - 5024 Rutland Surprise Major in 1h45 called by Brian Mountjoy. A good peal with George Massey on the tenor. The Beck boys were comtemplating costs for their forthcoming CY peal at Bishopstoke! Graham has resurrected his passion for what he calls "New old boilers". And, apparently there is yet another SM at Southampton - its no good, we'll just have to get on first name terms. Still we fixed a peal at Dutton Lane for next week.

Thursday, October 28th - Piglet - 5040 Minor (5m) on handbells in 1h45 called by Tom. A wedding compliment to Barry Hendry's daughter Charlotte, getting wed on Saturday. Matters arising from this weeks RW included a letter from a novice complaining that he couldn't understand the jargon in his borrowed copy! I remember the same feeling when I started messing with computers.

Friday, October 29th - another no ringing day, if we keep on like this I'll never achieve my aims and objects for 1999. Well, not the ringing ones anyway! We spent a wonderful day at the Army Flying Museum at Middle Wallop. You have to guess who with I'll let you know that she is lovely. I then had to whizz off to daughter Lizzie's place to help her install her new computer. Oh Joy! It nearly worked OK first time, then we got into the drivers game and then I got pissed off and came home very late.

Saturday, October 30th - A day spent at Oakley with the W&P Training Day, handbells. We had heaps of very interested learners who came along well. By the end of the day our lot were ringing Plain Hunt 6 on their own. I hope that they get the chance to practice? The evening was spent at Corsham in the Pack Horse with the SUGCR members, eating, drinking and enjoying the banter. Charlotte now knows how to really enjoy a banana! Most refined is she. Repairing to the dosshouse where they are staying - a line of very thin rubber thingys and a line of sleeping bags. SM was gorgeous in her big boots they contrasted nicely with Mark Place's eyeballs which looked like peeholes in the snow. I hope they are sobered up enough for tomorrows grab at Piglet. Ni-night.

Sunday, October 31st - Pig-le-Tower - 5088 Superlative Surprise Major in 1h43 called by Richard Newman. The start of the last Sunday in the month 2 peal day. We made the mistake of going to 'The Cabin' after the first peal and then having to listen to the second disintegrate into a swopping epic. In between peals we welcomed the SUGCR for an hour to finalise their weekend outing. They also provided the piccy for this months challenge!

Monday, November 1st - Yet another no ringing day. I started to do some maintenance on the tower but it rained and blowed and covered me with wet leaves. So I went indoors and read and snoozed and day-dreamed. It is better to travel than to arrive ennit?

Tuesday, November 2nd - Pig-le-Tower - 5120 Superlative Surprise Major in 1h45 called by Brian Mountjoy. This was the famous challenge comp. by Tony Cox with the half lead calls, which didn't go as easily as they should. Never mind we rang it and had a cup of tea with Bread Pudding by MJS afterwards. I had lots of correspondence today - mainly gossip - which I will endeavour to introduce over the next few days suitably wrapped up. We mustn't upset the Establishment must we?

I've had an update from Peter Ellis and have decided to publish his performances -

FRIENDS OF PIGLET (Mountaineering Section)

Thur Oct 28 1999 4h15 Spliced Ben Lui and Beinn a'Chleibh

Fri Oct 29 1999 7h Spliced Ben Oss and Beinn Dubhchraig

Sat Oct 30 1999 6h30 Beinn Chabhair - called round due to adverse wind conditions

There were no broken ropes and all the changes of method were clean. These are by their nature Long lengths and I have sent them on to Derek Sibson who will undoubtably moan as there seems to be no Umpires! But then verification has always been a problem as Umpires are usually the conductors mates and can be relied upon for a favourable report.

Wednesday, November 3rd - Dutton Lane, Eastleigh - 5040 Bourne Surprise Minor in 1h38 called by Tom. We used Roger Bailey's comp. and I was asked where halfway was (50 mins)! On the journey down we toured through the New Forest and partook of a cup of tea coupled with a guided tour of Students accommodation. Must say that Kate's room was nice - complete with pictures, postcards and Arthurian legends. Mark Place can make tea and Charlotte can boil Durham wheat.

Thursday, November 4th - Piglet - 5040 Minor (2m) on handbells in 1h50 called by Tom. This was Matthew and Marg's 25th together and was very enjoyable. Just as well as we had some really bad news today. Just 7 weeks ago a visiting Cleric and one of his vergers from an aspiring bell-less Cathedral came 50 miles to Chilcompton to appraise a portable ring which allegedly was to be used for the Millennium Service. We rang a few touches and the Canon said he would have them. To my tiny mind this was a verbal contract. The structure was dismantled and rebuilt in the aspiring Cathedral and a quarter was rung by a mixed band specially on the day of installation. Then silence. Now it seems they have cold feet and don't want to pay for them. So here we have yet another example of organised religion buggering up the works. Gets right up my nose - holy tossers. Now you know why some of us don't go to church on Sundays!

Friday, November 5th - 5040 Minor (3m) on handbells in 1h52 called by Tom. The first peal at 10 Button Street, Frome. Paul Dye's house which Chris & Claire O'Mahony are renting. Fireworks night and we had ours in the shape of Isabel who quite clearly didn't understand what handbell peal ringing was all about! As Chris said afterwards - "Sometimes the grown-ups have to win".

Saturday, November 6th - A trip to Winchester to attempt Grandsire Caters in hand with the Cater females and John Croft. All went well for 33 courses and then a touch of mayhem which resulted in an early cup of tea. Shame that. After, we sat and rang out the rest of the composition. Win some - lose some.

Sunday, November 7th - A two peal day arranged for Jeremy Spiller, Adrian Peacock and Michael Purday. The 5056 Superlative with 1256 singles called by Jeremy Spiller went fine for 45 minutes and was then lost with a swop! After a cup of tea we rang 5088 Yorkshire Surprise Major in 1h48 called by Michael Purday. This was good until the last course when the treble ringer decided to miss his rope - a masterly recovery and the peal rang out to a finish.

Tuesday, November 9th - Pig-le-Tower - 5600 Londinium Delight Major in 2h03 called by Brian Woodruffe. This was a very good peal after a false start and was to have been one of our long length methods, perhaps Brian will resurrect it later. This was after a good day out with Matthew at Whitechapel and Appleton. We fetched some bells and I had a great time talking to the guys at Whitechapel, man. I find it incredible the information people will give if asked in the right manner!!!

Wednesday, November 10th - Piglet - An abortive attempt at the record for Oxford Treble Bob Minor 10800 called by Brian Woodruffe. The conductor swapped with the Tenors ringer, oops! After that we a smashing day practising Surprise Minor, 4 way table stuff A 2 minute visit to the dentist cost £20 and pissed me off. Then we had more handbells in the evening, great. I also received an email from a gorgeous young lady, - her name will not be published - you see, I can be discreet sometimes. All in all, nothing to put in the book but an enjoyable day.

Thursday, November 11th - A no-ringing day - we were to have attempted Jimmy Hodkin's first handbell peal but he rang in sick. So I carried on with the belfry maintenance. Creosoting, which is a problem as I always manage to get most of it in my clothes! Much to Marg's disgust. But then, I quite like the smell!

Friday, November 12th - Another day off ringing - but this was spent with the lovely Susan which has got to be worth a fistfull of peals.

Saturday, November 13th - Banwell - 5040 Yorkshire Surprise Royal in 3h09 called by Richard Newman. Good peal this with its three firsts. Afterwards was a disaster - Banwell used to have more pubs than you could shake a stick at, but is now down to one pretty mouldy one which didn't do any grub! That really gets up my nose - so after a little while I went and had a steak at Burrington. All pretty boring stuff - never mind the gossip will be bound to start again shortly.

Sunday, November 14th - Pig-le-Tower - 5056 Rutland Surprise Major in 1h45 called by Tom. Again Roy's celebrated comp was used and a very good peal was rung in spite of the conductor having shit for brains most of the time. Typical Sunday afternoon. We understand that the Cambridge Trio have negotiated a front person in their quest for a small ring of bells. A real possibility for playing pooh-sticks here I reckon - we'll see. Also a non-de-plume under the name of 'DonaldDuck@hotmail.com' has started directing mail at young males? Any bets on how long it will take to uncover the cad? Still, its a deal better than 'brownose@sarum.com' or 'bananabiter@winton.uk', I 'spose! I think 'anytime@freeserve.co.uk' is good - got anymore for me??

Monday, November 15th - No ringing - just carpet choosing.

Brian Bladon handed Colin Turner the following cutting from Nov 1-7 Big Issue. 'Spectators at an agricultural show watched in horror the other month, as a donkey called Piglet attempted to mount an overweight bystander, pinning him by his forelegs and nibbling his neck. "Isn't it awful?" wept Piglet's owner afterwards. "He always does this..." . Coo, sounds like me!

Tuesday, November 16th - Surprise Maximus practice at S Petherton - went rather well this month and we had the first course since starting where the 12 bell matrix worked. This in spite of a quite poor attendance.

Wednesday, November 17th - Pig-le-Tower - 5040 Surprise Minor (7m) in 1h39 called by Brian Mountjoy. Really good peal this, I enjoyed it. Especially as Mike Stone and I had spent the day putting a new floor in the ringing chamber. Beautiful Burgundy carpeting, chosen by Marg - New skirting boards complete with mitres! Crikey, what next? Well the redecorating starts next week. We are having a spring clean and redesign. Great. News has just filtered in that my old mate RCK - aka 'Naughty Bobby' is a mite uncomfortable with daughter Eleanor's decision to jump ship from the Cumbersomes to the other place. If that's what she wants then I'd say go for it - after all, we ringers are generally a bloody selfish lot - so, off you go gal and don't forget the single finger or two. Like up yours.

Thursday, November 18th - Another handbell practice with Brian Woodruffe in the morning, and the a quarter of Oxford TB & Kent TB double-handed in the campanile. Watch this space. Post lunch was a quick dash down to Aller for the tryout of the new six. Excellent job by Bob Parker. The locals were over the moon. Then whizz off to Wedmore for Yorkshire Surprise Major with Graham John - things must be progressing as we rang for 1h50 before Graham said to me - 'Had enough?'

Friday, November 19th - Off to Chandlers Ford to see my Mum, in her 88th year she has been a bit down lately. We found her in good form. Its funny, but if I call in after ringing in the area I get slagged off because its seen as secondary to the ringing and therefore a worthless visit! So, this time all was OK. Good ol' Mum.

Saturday, November 20th - Micheldever - 5088 Kent T B Major in hand in 2h10 called by Tom. As John Croft has been off work for four weeks and is on some kind of pills he asked me to call this peal. Graham Firman and Marg made the rest of the band and an excellent peal was scored. The traffic on the A303 home was horrendous. Did you see the first paragraph of the back page of the RW this week? It reported a record peal of Oxford T B Minor attempted on Dec 8th 1999 as being unsuccessful! If Tina can see into the future - what the hell is she doing at the RW? Apropos this snippet from our correspondent - Returned from the Bath & Wells Annual dinner on 20th November rather dismayed. It would appear that the Guild of Clerical Ringers submitted a report for publication of their 1999 tour (which took place immediately after Easter) which has not yet been published, despite correspondence between the RW and Preb Chris Marshall. Chris, in his position of Master of the Association made it perfectly clear that the Clergy are ultimately responsible for the continuation of our hobby (Peal Attempts and such like), perhaps we should not disregard his somewhat veiled statement without careful consideration to its implications. - How about that then? What IS happening at the RW or is it a case of - rearranging the deck-chairs on the Titanic ??

Sunday, November 21st - Pig-le-Tower - The attempt for the long length of Frodsham S Major failed after a total of 4288 changes. This method is worth ringing and we should have done more justice to it. We welcomed Martin Whiteley afterwards and he had a couple of courses practice. The evening was spent in Chilcompton ringing a quarter of Cambridge S Minor called by Giles Wood and consuming vast amounts of Indian grub. Then I felt rough.

Monday, November 22nd - Spent the whole day in bed swallowing Lemsips and paracetamols and listening fitfully to Radio Bristol.

Tuesday, November 23rd - Better today - got up mid-morning - did the pre-peal checking and waited for the band to turn up for an attempt at 4 Spliced S Major called by Stephen Bateman. This unfortunately foundered at nearly the first part end so we rang a 1344 derived from the comp. for practice.

Wednesday, November 24th - Yet another lost peal - this time Cambridge S Major with split Tenors - we had a bit of a kerfuffley and I was convinced that 75 were over. After a lead I called 'Stand'. We repaired into the house for a cup of tea and I got the pencil and paper out only to find I was wrong. Too bloody late! Stupid thing was that the next but one course end would have been 64523 and I should have waited for it as a double check. I never learn - too old, thats the problem. Blast, dammit and all the swear words you can think of will do!

Thursday, November 25th - Wedmore - The dogshit continues as we met short - this should have been Barrie Hendry's 200th handbell peal and his 100th as conductor in hand. However the day was well spent with Mike Stone re-decorating the ringing chamber and wrestling with ana-glypta - no, not a female with eastern european antecedents, merely wallpaper! Messy and sticky.

A strange thing - I was sitting in my den when I felt a kind of shudder ripple through the cottage. Glancing up at my seismograph I saw it indicate 5.3 on the Richter scale. Crikey, I thought , so I quickly enabled my satellite antenna to pinpoint the epicentre which proved to be at Bitterne Park, Southampton. The next step was to fire up my Hunter Alexander machine which searches the atmosphere for words once spoken. I tuned in to the Bitterne Park co-ordinates and wound up the gain. The words tumbled out from the machine, somewhat distorted through the gain but recognisable. ' Excellent' - 'Bob - no Bob' - What you should have... - I thought...- ' Oh Bugger you' - 'Excellent' - etc.. Many words but few coherent sentences, obviously a blow up or fire up or balls up. I shall have to have words with Mummy and see if she knows what to do?

Friday, November 26th - Another no-ringing day - but of course RW day as it was a day late. Well, there staring out from the front page was Margaret doing the business at Southampton University! The write up was very good albeit detached elsewhere in the issue. Must get my head into gear re this years cards. But in the meantime I'll watch 'Children in need' on the telly - crikey, what an admission!

Saturday, November 27th - Pig-le-Tower - 5024 Spliced Surprise Major (8m) in 2h02 called by Joe Beaumont. An excellent peal and thanks to Joe who called Jim Diserens one part. Great. We came out of the tower to be met by our friends from SUGCR - Mark and Charlotte, closely followed by Matthew who'd been in an abortive peal attempt at Westbury. After lunch we whizzed up to Tewkesbury to ring in The Shed complete with Tea and Cake supplied by David and Ruth. Then we wended our way through the Worcestershire lanes to Leigh Sinton, where at Lower Farm the lightest ringable 12 in the world (24oz Tenor) were being opened. A super job by Chris Phillips and the bells were put to good use. Nice to see Mike and Kath Brown (still grabbing) and meet more people from the area. When all was done the core members were to be found in the pub doing justice to a good meal. Petrol in Worcester - M5- Stroud - Bath and home by half eleven. Excellent.

Sunday, November 28th - Pig-le-Tower - 5088 Yorkshire Surprise Major in 2h06 called by Tom. Another excellent peal. This was arranged especially for married couples - Chris & Sue Field - Richard & Marion Newman - Jim & Jenny Taylor and us two. Marion's first peal on small bells and she rang like a veteran, brilliant. Quietly showing daughter Caroline that Mum's more than capable! Great. We totalled up the married years to 256 between us! The peal was sponsored by the Heterosexual Association (see below). By the way - did you notice the letter in the RW this week from Graypips dogbum? Might be a good idea to do a bit of teaching instead of the usual posturing and profile turning! Probably too busy practicing Labial Minor in the car though. One of these days he'll come up with something hard - on second thoughts - 'course he won't.

Monday, November 29th - A decorating day in the Tower - many a happy hour sploshing emulsion everywhere. Got to get everything sorted for the Open Day. Heaps of phone calls and emails - including a very rude one from Roy! Might use that next month.

Tuesday, November 30th - Bishopstoke - 5040 Pudsey Surprise Royal in 2h48 called by Tom. A normal Tuesday evening peal at B'stoke until this morning. A phone call from a wheezing Roy LeMarechal - Ur, Tom, Do you think Marg would ring in my place this evening as I'm dog rough? Oh and by the way, you'll have to call it! Thanks Roy. So I put a simple comp. together and we enjoyed a scrappy performance. As usual by the time we got to the Longmead Arms it was creditable. John Dodd completed the std 8 S Royal, I rang my 200th this year and called my first peal as conductor with John Colliss who has been waiting since 1960 for the honour!

Wednesday, December 1st - Eastleigh - A lost peal of Double Oxford Bob Minor on Graham Wright's 6 miscalled by Tom. Dozy ol' sod went sailing past the home which put paid to this particular attempt. I claim that I was dozy on account of the rather splendid food partaken an hour earlier - I understand that I mustn't mention her (the cook) name as she gets too much exposure on this page! All I can say is that it wasn't charred and there was a lot. You work it out! All this after a day starting at 7.00am and travelling with Matthew to Cambridgeshire. We picked up a bell - what else? Then we measured up a potential site for another mini-ring before whizzing down the A1(M) and visiting his Nan at Knebworth. So all in all a pretty busy enjoyable day. Oh I forgot to mention - the aforesaid cook has a wonderful way with hair gel - quite erotic.

Thursday, December 2nd - At home day - perusing the RW - matters arising. The open letter from John Anderson asking for info re what the CC does and how it does it, which must provoke quite a response I would have thought. Like ban non territorial associations, cut all committees in half, only 1 job per member, no one to hold office for more than 3 consecutive years. Transfer the RW to electronic media, etc. etc. Then the peculiar job advert on the back page? A temporary 35 hour a week wizard wanted - to work with a small dedicated team? Team names please, 'cos I can't get past 2 and one of them is off sick! - a maybe contract? Don't think so. Churchy must have been down the pub when they drafted that one. We need to know. Then the cartoon on p1177 - what is the geezer doing? Is the one on the left female (gotta be with the bare midriff)? is that a wig or a muff whizzing skywards? And the poor mouse seems to be suffering from extreme flatulence. Then the blurb informs us that the exercise is one that can be done 'off line' and is described in The Tower Handbook! Crikey I'm in heaven.

Friday, December 3rd - Piglet - 5088 Kent T B Major in 2h16 in hand called by Tom. This was our first peal of Major with Chris O'Mahony and Mark Davies and was very good. Mark gave me the figures for his