2016 Annual Quarter Peal Report
| Added at 16:48 27th February 2017 by Anthony Leeves |
1,087 quarter peals were recorded within the Association area in 2016, the highest number in a year as far as currently held records show. The event for which the most quarter peals were rung was the Bellringers Strike Back Against Blood Cancer campaign; 76 quarter peals in one of the Julie McDonnell methods/variations (Minimus, Doubles, Minor, Triples) were rung and more than 20 other quarter peals were linked to the event. Many quarter peals were rung for HM The Queen's 90th birthday. Quarter peals were rung to mark the major Christian festivals of Easter and Christmas as well as Ascension Day and Whitsun. Remembrance Sunday had the usual high number of quarter peals, and quarter peals continue to be rung to mark the centenaries of the death of ringers and other individuals in World War I.
The first quarter peals since the augmentations at Hollingbourne, Lympne and Broomfield were rung (Broomfield's augmentation being the further augmentation from 5 to 6). Seven quarter peals were rung at Kemsley, the now permanent home of the Trafford ring.
Birchington (All Saints) is again the leading tower with 74 quarter peals in 2016 in many different Doubles variations including naming several variations not previously rung. Neil Jones was the leading conductor, calling 103 quarter peals. The Canterbury District had the highest number of quarter peals, the Tonbridge District had the highest average per tower and the Rochester District had the highest percentage of its ringable towers recording a quarter peal.
Congratulations to the 32 ringers who rang their first quarter peal (38 in 2015). Congratulations also to the ten firsts as conductor,
Darren Elphick rang his 2,000th quarter peal; Tim Attride and Pat Phipps each rang their 500th.
There were 151 conductors in 2016 (138 in 2015). Four handbell quarter peals were rung (3 in 2015).
Longer lengths rung were one half peal, three 2016 date touches, and two other date touches (1916 for the centenary of the Battle of Jutland and 1966 relating to a 50th birthday).
Advantage was taken of the change in the Central Council decisions allowing quarter peal bands to name methods on seven or more bells - new Triples, Major and Caters methods being named.
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