History of Peals at Chertsey
St Peter’s with All Saints, CHERTSEY, Surrey
PEALS
Compiled by Malcolm S Loveday, Tower Captain, February 2005
Analysis of Peals
Notable Peals
Notable peals are a) number 10, Grandsire Triples, rung in 1920, being the first peal rung by a local band, and b) number 24, rung in 1988, Chertsey Surprise Major which is a very difficult surprise major method. Peal number 8, rung in 1914, is also worthy of note since it was one of four peals rung in a single day by the same band.
In addition to the tower bell peals, it is known that at least one hand bell peal has been rung in Chertsey ( see page 10 ) .
Leading Peal Ringers
The following have rung four or more peals on the bells.
| Name | Home Tower | Peals | Total | Years |
| Roy Collins | Chobham | 15,16,17,20,21 | 5 | 1960 – 1980 |
| Albert E. Gray | Chertsey | 6,7, 9 & 10 | 4 | 1912- 1920 |
| Charles Hamblin | ? | 4,5,6,7 | 4 | 1905 – 1913 |
| John B Hessey | Chertsey | 5,6,10,11,12,13 | 6 | 1912 – 1948 |
| Sue Loveday | Chertsey | 19,20,21,22 | 4 | 1977 – 1982 |
| Malcolm S Loveday | Chertsey | 18 – 24, 26,27 | 9 | 1973 – 2000 |
| William Shepherd | Addlestone | 4,5,6,7, 9 | 5 | 1905 – 1913 |
| Henry R. Stevens | Chertsey | 6,7,9 & 10 | 4 | 1912 – 1920 |
| Martin Turner | Farnborough | 25,26,27,28 | 4 | 1993 – 2000 |
The leading peal ringer to date is Malcolm S Loveday, who is the only person so far who has ‘circled’ the tower, i.e. rung a peal on every bell in the tower.
Leading Conductors
So far no one has conducted more than two peals; the following being the seven conductors have conducted two peals
| Name | Peals | Years |
| W. John Couperthwaite | 26,27 | 1998, 2000 |
| John B Hessey | 10,13 | 1920,1948 |
| Peter J Munday | 20,21 | 1979,1980 |
| Alfred Pulling | 5,12 | 1907, 1924 |
| Ferris J. Shepherd | 4,9 | 1905, 1919 |
| William Shepherd | 6,7 | 1912, 1913 |
| E. John Wells | 15,16 | 1960, 1961 |
Methods analysis
To date there have been sixteen peals of Triples (10 of Grandsire, 5 of Stedman and 1 Plain Bob ) and twelve peals of Major including Plain Bob (1) , Double Norwich ( 2), Kent 1, eight of Surprise : Yorkshire(2) and one of Superlative, Lincolnshire, London, Filton, Chertsey and 4-spliced [ Cambridge, Yorkshire, Lincolnshire & Rutland]
Ringing speed
The fastest peal lasted 2h 50minutes:Plain Bob Triples, (peal no 16) rung in 1961. The slowest peal lasted 3h 22 minutes: Superlative Surprise Major, (peal number 11), rung in 1922.
Acknowledgement
I am grateful to John Eisel, the Librarian of the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers for supplying details of peal number 9, since the Guildford Guild Library does not have Ringing Worlds for the years 1916 –1921.
The Society of Royal Cumberland Youths
CHERTSEY, Surrey.
St. Peter’s Church.
Saturday 1st May 1886, 3h 8½m. (20 cwt.)
5088 Kent Treble Bob Major
(In the Kent variation)
1 Edward Chapman
2 A. C. Fussell
3 W. H. Fussell
4 Edward F. Cole
5 George Griffin
6 N. Alderman
7 Arthur Jacob
8 George Newson (Comp & Cond)
First peal on the bells. The whole band from London with the exception of the Fussell brothers of Slough, and they desire to give thanks to the Vicar.
The Bell News & Ringers Record Vol V, p 45, 8th May 1886 [See also P50 for an account of the peal]
(Chertsey Peal No 1)
Winchester Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers
CHERTSEY, Surrey.
St. Peter’s Church.
Saturday 16th February 1895., 3h. (20 cwt.)
5040 Grandsire Triples
1 J. Staples
2 H. White
3 F. Bennett
4 G. Woodiss (Cond)
5 Rev R. M. C. Harvey
6 J. J. Jones
7 W. H. George
8 J. W. Whiting
Messrs Bennett & Jones hail from Guildford, Staples from Havant, White from Horsham, Woodiss from Horsham, Whiting from Fareham, Rev. Harvey & George from Eastleigh.
The above believed to be the first peal of triples on the bells, Bell News Vol XV
(Chertsey Peal No 2)
Winchester Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers
CHERTSEY, Surrey.
Church of All Saints .
Thursday 17th January 1901. 3h. 5m (20 cwt.)
5040 Stedman Triples
(A variation of Thurstan’s 4 part)
1 John J. Jones
2 Josial Harris
3 Septimus Radford
4 James Hunt
5 Thomas W. Radford
6 Frank Blondell
7 Rev F. E. Robinson (Cond)
8 Benjamin B Wickens
First peal of Stedman on the bells, Bell News
(Chertsey Peal No 3)
Winchester Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers
CHERTSEY, Surrey.
St Peter’s Church
Thursday 5th October 1905., 3h. 4m (20 cwt.)
5040 Grandsire Triples
(Holt’s original)
1 George Woodiss
2 William Shepherd
3 Alfred Woodrow
4 Charles J. Hamblin
5 Ferris J. Shepherd (Cond)
6 Alfred J Redman
7 John Emery
8 William Charge
First peal on the bells since they have been rehung by Mears & Stainbank, the go of which is now very satisfactory.
Bell News Oct 14th, p 380
(Chertsey Peal No 4)
Winchester Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers
CHERTSEY, Surrey.
St Peter’s Church
Thursday 20th June 1907. 2h. 57m (20 cwt.)
5040 Stedman Triples
(Brooks variation)
1 George Woodiss
2 Arthur B Carpenter
3 Rev E. W. Carpenter
4 Charles J. Hamblin
5 John H. B. Hesse(y)
6 Alfred Pulling (Cond)
7 William Shepherd
8 John Emery
Rung as a farewell to Rev E. W. Carpenter who is leaving Thorpe, near Chertsey, for Boothby Pagnell, Lincolnshire.
Bell News & Ringers Record June 29th, p 176
(Chertsey Peal No 5)
Winchester Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers
CHERTSEY, Surrey.
St Peter’s Church
Saturday 16th November 1912. 3h. 7m
5040 Grandsire Triples
(Holt’s ten part)
1 Charles J Tricker
2 George Warington *
3 Samuel Petter *
4 John B. Hessey
5 Charles J. Hamblin
6 Albert E Gray
7 William Shepherd (Cond)
8 Henry R. Stevens
* First peal
Rung as a birthday complement to the ringers of the 4th & Treble, also to commemorate the silver wedding of Mr & Mrs C.J. Hamblin
Ringing World No 88, Vol III, p 348
(Chertsey Peal No 6)
Winchester Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers
CHERTSEY, Surrey.
St Peter’s Church
Saturday 25th January 1913. 3h. 10m (20 cwt.)
5040 Stedman Triples
(Comp: Sir A .P. Heywood, Bart)
1 Charles J Tricker
2 Henry R. Stevens*
3 Ferris Shepherd (?)
4 Ferris J. Shepherd
5 Charles J. Hamblin
6 Albert E. Gray *
7 William Shepherd (Cond)
8 William Charge
** 1st of Stedman
Ringing World Vol IV, No 98, p 76 Jan 31st 1913
(Chertsey Peal No 7)
Middlesex County Association & London Diocesan Guild
CHERTSEY, Surrey.
St Peter’s Church
Easter Monday 13th April 1914. 3h. 6m
(20 cwt.)
5024 London Surprise Major
1 William J. Nudds
2 Ernest Pye
3 George R. Pye
4 Isaac G. Shade
5 John H Cheesman
6 Ruben Sanders
7 Alfred W. Grimes
8 William Pye(Cond)
Note: No footnote, but one of 4 peals of Surprise Major rung during the day by the same band:
1) Egham – 5024 Bristol
2) Chertsey- 5024 London
3) Staines (St Peter’s) – 5056 Cambridge
4) Old Windsor – 5056 Superlative
Ringing World Vol VI, No. 161, p 253, 17th April 1914
(Chertsey Peal No 8)
Winchester Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers
CHERTSEY, Surrey.
St. Peter’s Church.
Saturday 8th February 1919. 3 h 8m.
5040 Grandsire Triples
(Holt’s original)
1 Herbert (Henry ?) R Stevens
2 Ferris J Shepherd (C)
3 Douglas A. Rowe*
4 Alfred Woodrow
5 Cecil Reddon
6 Albert E Gray
7 Reginald L. Lathbury
8 William Shepherd
* First Peal
Rung as a farewell to the ringers of the 5th & 7th, who, whilst employed on munitions in the district, have done some good work for the Guild.
[RW Vol XIV No 414 p 64 21/2/1919]
(Chertsey Peal No 9)
Winchester Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers
CHERTSEY, Surrey.
St. Peter’s Church.
Saturday 24th January 1920. 3h 15m. (20 cwt.)
5040 Grandsire Triples
(Composed by J. W. Moorhouse)
1 Miss L Stevens
2 A Bush *
3 J. A. Crocker
4 G. Warington
5 Hubert J Chaffey
6 A. E. Gray
7 John B Hessey (C)
8 H. R. Stevens
* 1st peal
First peal by an entirely local band and the first lady to ring a peal on the bells
[see tapestry peal board, made by J Hessey]
(Chertsey Peal No 10)
Winchester Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers
CHERTSEY, Surrey.
St. Peter’s Church.
Saturday 8th December1922. 3h 22m. (20 cwt.)
5088 Superlative Surprise Major
(Composed by N. J. Pitstow)
1 John B Hessey
2 William H. Fussell*
3 William Henley
4 Hubert J Chaffey+
5 Cecil C. Mayne
6 William Welling
7 Olive Sippetts
8 Keith Hart (C)
First peal in the method on the bells.
* 50th peal
+ 1st in the method
Peal No 1643 in W & P Report , 1923
(Chertsey Peal No 11)
Winchester Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers
CHERTSEY, Surrey.
St. Peter’s Church.
Saturday 1st November 1924. 3h 13m.
(20 cwt.)
5040 Stedman Triples
(Thurstan’s 4 part)
1 Hubert J Chaffey
2 John B Hessey
3 Alfred H Pulling (Cond)
4 George Petter *
5 Maurice Smither
6 John A. Cole
7 Clarence H. Dobbie
8 Arthur J Bartlett
* 1st of Stedman on inside bell
This was the conductor’s 100th peal of Stedman Triples on tower bells.
(Chertsey Peal No 12)
Guildford Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers
CHERTSEY, Surrey.
St. Peter’s Church.
Saturday 13th November 1948. 3h 12m.
(20 cwt.)
5040 Grandsire Triples
(J. J. Parker’s one part)
1 Mrs V Lathbury
2 Mrs L Crocker
3 H. Colcombe
4 G. W. Morris
5 F. E. Hawthorne
6 J Crocker
7 John B Hessey (Cond)
8 Tom Warden *
* First Peal
A birthday complement to the conductor.
(Chertsey Peal No 13)
Guildford Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers
CHERTSEY, Surrey.
St. Peter’s Church.
Saturday 14th November 1953. 3h 1m.
(20 cwt.)
5024 Double Norwich Court Bob Major
(Comp: A. P. Heywood)
1 Judy Dodson
2 Colin J. Champion
3 Herbert Colcombe *
4 Roland W. Morant
5 E. John Wells
6 James F. Dodson
7 Frank E Hawthorne
8 A. Patrick Cannon (Cond)
* First of DNCBM
First peal of DNCBM on the bells and first of major since 1922.
(Chertsey Peal No 14)
Guildford Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers
CHERTSEY, Surrey.
St. Peter’s Church.
Saturday 19th March 1960. 3h 5m.
(20 cwt.)
5056 Plain Bob Major
1 Sallie Buchanan
2 Dennis G. Blows
3 John F. M. Maybrey
4 David G. Wright
5 Martin W. Harbott *
6 Stanley G. Ponting
7 Roy Collins
8 E. John Wells (Cond)
* 25th Peal
Ringing World Vol LVI, NO 2557, p 274. 22nd April1960
(Chertsey Peal No 15)
Guildford Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers
CHERTSEY, Surrey.
St. Peter’s Church.
Saturday 13th May 1961. 2h 50m.
(20 cwt.)
5040 Plain Bob Triples
1 James W. Priest *
2 John King *
3 Christopher D. J. Webb *
4 John F. M. Maybrey *
5 Dennis G. Blows *
6 Roy Collins
7 E. John Wells (Cond)
8 Martin W. Harbott
* 1st Peal in the method
(Chertsey Peal No 16)
Guildford Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers
CHERTSEY, Surrey.
St. Peter’s Shared Church.
Monday 7th April 1969. 3h 2m. (20 cwt.)
5040 Grandsire Triples
(Comp: J. J. Parker)
1 Martin J Kirk
2 John A Collier
3 R. Anne Collins
4 Judith M Collins
5 Edward J. Futcher
6 Roy Collins
7 Douglas A. R. May (Cond)
8 John M. C. Edwards *
* 1st on eight
Ringing World Vol LXV, No 3028, p 348 , May 2nd 1969
(Chertsey Peal No 17)
Guildford Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers
CHERTSEY, Surrey.
St. Peter’s Church.
Saturday 17th November 1973. 3h 5m. (20 cwt.)
5152 Yorkshire Surprise Major
1 Joyce Parsons
2 Wilfred Williams
3 Francis Garfield
4 Nigel Thompson(C)
5 Malcolm S. Loveday
6 Alan Flood
7 Frank Reed
8 Peter J. Munday
Rung to mark the induction of David Brown as Bishop of Guildford
(Chertsey Peal No 18)
Guildford Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers
CHERTSEY, Surrey.
St. Peter’s Church.
Saturday 22nd October 1977. 3h 4m. (20 cwt.)
5152 Yorkshire Surprise Major
1 Malcolm S. Loveday
2 Susan Loveday +
3 Roger Grieve *
4 Simon Grieve *
5 Alan Regin
6 Angus Ogilvie
7 David Cox
8 Robert H. Newton (C)
* First of Surprise
+ First in the method
Rung to mark the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the Guildford Diocesan Guild of Ringers
(Chertsey Peal No 19)
Guildford Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers
CHERTSEY, Surrey.
St. Peter’s Church.
Saturday 29th September 1979. 3h 6m. (20 cwt.)
5152 Lincolnshire Surprise Major
1 Roy Collins
2 Anne Wellen
3 Susan Loveday +
4 C. W. Munday
5 Glen J. Poyntz *
6 Tim J. Wellen
7 Malcolm S. Loveday
8 Peter J. Munday (C)
*First on 8 & First of Surprise
+ First in the method
(Chertsey Peal No 20)
Guildford Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers
CHERTSEY, Surrey.
St. Peter’s Shared Church.
Saturday 19th April 1980. 3h 4m. (20 cwt.)
5152 Spliced Surprise Major
[4 Methods: Cambridge,Yorkshire,Lincolnshire & Rutland]
1 Roy Collins
2 Susan Loveday *
3 Anne Wellen
4 Simon Wood
5 David Cox
6 Malcolm S Loveday
7 Peter Munday (C)
8 Tim Wellen
* First of 4 spliced
Rung to mark the 30th anniversary of the Induction, Revd George Archibald as Vicar of Chertsey
(Chertsey Peal No 21)
Guildford Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers
CHERTSEY, Surrey.
St. Peter’s Shared Church.
Saturday 23rd January 1982. 3h 6m. (20 cwt.)
5040 Stedman Triples
1 Sue Loveday
2 Christopher K . Hill
3 Gary J. Audley
4 Christopher M. White
5 Raymond E. Finch
6 David R. Burt
7 David E Parsons (C)
8 Malcolm S Loveday
Rung as a retirement compliment for
Rev. G. S. Archibald, Vicar of Chertsey
April 1950 – January 1982
(Chertsey Peal No 22)
Guildford Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers
CHERTSEY, Surrey.
St. Peter’s Shared Church.
Saturday 2nd November 1982. 3h 6m. (20 cwt.)
5040 Grandsire Triples
(A. J. Pitman’s 12-part)
1 David A Birt
2 Malcolm S Loveday
3 Christopher K Hill
4 Susan M Loveday
5 Paul Kempsell*
6 Robert J Wiggins
7 Frank T Blagrove (C)
8 J Keith Williamson
*1st Peal
Rung to celebrate the induction of the
Vicar, Rev Derek L. H. Head.
Church Wardens : Victor Brown & Malcolm Loveday
(Chertsey Peal No 23)
Guildford Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers
CHERTSEY, Surrey.
St. Peter’s Shared Church.
Saturday 1st October 1988.
3h 17m. (20 cwt.)
5120 Chertsey Surprise Major
Comp: J. Lockwood
1 Christopher M. J. Stanley
2 Loise Hart
3 Linda R. Eames
4 Malcolm S. Loveday
5 Alistair K. C. Brown
6 Ester M. Byers
7 Toby Arkless (C)
8 Martin B Hough
First in the method by all, on the bells and by the Guild.
(Chertsey Peal No 24)
Oxford Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers
CHERTSEY, Surrey.
St. Peter’s Shared Church.
Saturday 6th February 1993. 3h 2m. (20 cwt.)
5152 Filton Surprise Major
(Composed by S Humphrey)
1 Geoffrey K. Dodd
2 William Butler
3 Timothy G Pett (C)
4 Richard J Tibbetts
5 Colin M Turner
6 Martin J Turner
7 Peter G. C. Ellis
8 Robert J Crocker
(Chertsey Peal No 25)
Guildford Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers
CHERTSEY, Surrey.
St. Peter’s Shared Church.
Saturday 3rd October 1998. 3h 12m. (20 cwt.)
5040 Grandsire Triples
1 Martin J Turner
2 Beryl R. Norris
3 Malcolm S Loveday*
4 W. John Couperthwaite (C)
5 Vernon B Bedford
6 Mark A Wilson
7 Mike Pridd
8 Robin J Walker
*Circled the tower.
Rung to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the ordination of the Vicar, Canon Derek L. H. Head, and to mark the 50th anniversary of the formation of 5th Chertsey Guides.
(Chertsey Peal No 26)
Guildford Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers
CHERTSEY, Surrey.
St. Peter’s Shared Church.
Saturday 18th March 2000. 3h 18m. (20 cwt.)
5024 Double Norwich Court Bob Major
(Composed by W.J.Couperthwaite)
1 W. John Couperthwaite (C)
2 Geraldine R Foster
3 Jackie Roberts
4 Jeremy R Pratt
5 Mike Pridd
6 Malcolm S Loveday
7 Stephen W Barton
8 Martin J Turner
Rung to mark the Induction, Institution, Commissioning And Authorisation of the Revd Timothy John Hillier as Vicar of Chertsey and as Minister with pastoral charge of the Free Church Members in Chertsey
(Chertsey Peal No 27)
Guildford Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers
CHERTSEY, Surrey.
St. Peter’s Shared Church.
Saturday 10th October 2000. 3h 10m. (20 cwt.)
5040 Grandsire Triples
(Composed by E Barker James)
1 Beryl Norris
2 Richard A. Pearce
3 Ruth Blackwell
4 Vernon Bedford
5 Jackie Roberts
6 W. John Couperthwaite
7 Martin J Turner (C)
8 Graham L. Nayler
(Chertsey Peal No 28)
Guildford Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers
CHERTSEY, Surrey.
St. Peter’s Shared Church.
Saturday 7th January 2006. 3h 11m. (20 cwt.)
5056 Yorkshire Surprise Major
1. John H J Mudd (Walton)
2. Anthea S Edwards (Guildford Cathedral)
3. Rupert H J Littlewood (St Olave Hart St)
4. James K Eggleston (Egham & Hart St)
5. Malcolm S Loveday (Chertsey)
6. Philip A B Saddleton (Guildford Cathedral)
7. Jonathan Lane [C] (Old Woking)
8. Benjamin J Willetts (Stoke next Guildford)
Rung to celebrate Epiphany
(Chertsey Peal No 29)
Guildford Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers
CHERTSEY, Surrey.
St. Peter’s Shared Church.
Saturday 18th November 2006. 3h 21m. (20 cwt.)
5056 Yorkshire Surprise Major
1. Malcolm S. Loveday (Chertsey)
2. Alison Cole * (Old Woking)
3. Douglas W. Stoneham (Old Woking)
4. Rachel E. Johnson (Old Woking)
5. Christopher K. Hill (Chobham)
6. Ian Cole * (Old Woking)
7. Richard A Pearce [C] (Old Woking)
8. Matthew C. Webb * (Old Woking)
* The ringers of the 2, 6 & 8 have now rung peals in all of the towers in the Chertsey district of the Guildford Diocesan Guild of Church Bellringers
Rung to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the death of the Whig statesman, Rt Hon Charles James Fox, 1st Foreign Secretary, who lived on St Ann’s Hill, Chertsey.
(Chertsey Peal No 30)
NON-Association
CHERTSEY, Surrey.
St. Peter’s Shared Church.
Sunday 8th March 2009. 3h 19m. (20-0-14)
5184 London Surprise Major
Composed by: Byroc (Arr. Peter W J Sheppard)
1. John C Sheppard
2. Linda D E Jasper
3. Diana M Bridle
4. Christopher H Rogers
5. Peter Bridle
6. Edward P D Colliss
7. Frank W Rivett
8. Peter W J Sheppard [C]
Non- association
(Chertsey Peal No 31)
Guildford Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers
CHERTSEY, Surrey.
St. Peter’s Shared Church.
Saturday 17th October 2009.
3h 25m. (20 cwt.)
5024 Chertsey Surprise Major
Comp: Donald F Morrison
1 Malcolm S. Loveday (Chertsey)
2 Beryl R Norris (Farnborough)
3 Martin J Turner (Farnborough)
4 Ruth Blackwell (Old Woking)
5 W. John Couperthwaite (Farnborough)
6 Richard A Pearce (C) (Old Woking)
7 Matthew C Webb (Old Woking)
8 Richard H. Burton (Guildford Cathedral)
Slowest Peal on the Bells.
(Chertsey Peal No 32)
Friends Reunited
Chertsey, Surrey St Peter
Thursday, 29 May 2014 in 3h2m (20–0–14)
5024 Spliced Surprise Major (8m)
768 Cornwall, 704 Superlative, 672 Lessness, 608 Cambridge, 576 each Bristol, Cassiobury, London, 544 Glasgow: 138 changes of method, all the work.
Composed by Graham A C John
1 David E Cloake
2 Shirley E McGill
3 Ian K Bushell
4 Richard M Hobbs
5 John B Keeler
6 Andrew J Graham (C)
7 Ian G Campbell
8 Stephen A Coaker
(Chertsey Peal No 33)
HAND BELL PEAL
Winchester Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers (Yorktown district)
CHERTSEY, Surrey.
At residence of J.B.Hessey, 31 Highfield Road.
Saturday 20th March 1909. 2h 32m.
5040 Grandsire Triples
(Reeve’s variation of Holt’s ten part)1-2 William Shepherd (Cond)
3-4 Arthur F. Shepherd
5-6 George Edser jun
7-8 John B Hessey ** 1st peal [ on handbells ]Umpire: Frank BallBell News & Ringers Record 3rd April 1909, page 81
