Simon Bond's Ringing Records

In anticipation of the visit of the Archbishop of Canterbury and Marika's birthday, both tomorrow.

1st in m by all except 7 and as C. 1st Surprise Royal: 5 Superfluous footnote: Coincidently on the 10th anniversary of the conductor's first quarter of Pudsey Major which he also conducted! "A top method on top bells" - unattributed.

First Spliced: 7

First Stedman: 1, 4 & 5. First on 10: 4.

1st blows in m by all except 3. 1st in m as C.

Half-muffled following a Requiem Mass for the Souls of the Departed.

First on 12: 5 & 7. First Surprise Maximus: 8. First Yorkshire Surprise Maximus: 3. 50th together: 3 & 8.

A pre-wedding compliment to Claire Thomson and Mark Bell.

1st Original by all. 1st on 10: 1. Mark's mother rang in the only other recorded peal of Original Caters in 1973 at Blackburn Cathedral.

Half-muffled following a Requiem Mass for the Souls of the Departed.

A 28th birthday compliment to Karen Witts, sister of Michael.

A 30th birthday compliment to the conductor. Rung by the well members of the group who are hoping that the weather will improve to allow the helicopters to fly tomorrow so the rest of the party can reach the island....

First 23-spliced: James C Marchbank.

First Spliced: 8.

First on 12 : 6. First Maximus on an inside bell : 7.

Rung on International Star Wars day although the fourth may not always have been with us.

100th Peal on the Bells. First of Spliced as Conductor. With congratulations from all the band to the conductor, a member of this college, on obtaining a first class degree in mathematics.

Fills stage hole: 1, 6.

Standing on the shoulders of David House and Mark Eccleston. Hmm, hang on, that wouldn't work - maybe David's head and Mark's shoulder.

First Bristol Maximus: 5 & 8.

Celebrating the 550th anniversary of the foundation of Magdalen College by Bishop William of Waynflete in 1458. Waynflete Alliance Royal: b -3-4-2-3-2-1-6-5-78.9

"Praise Him upon the loud cymbals." Ps. 150. First on Twelve: 3 and as C. First Yorkshire Maximus: 4, 5 & 6.

Rung half muffled for Remembrance Sunday. 1st of Cinques on 12 - 5.

With the best wishes of the band and the Society to Bernard Stone for his 65th birthday and well-earned retirement.

Birthday compliments to Michaels Williams and Trimm.

Circled tower: 1. For the 275th anniversary of the Oxford Society and as an engagement compliment to Nick Balderson and Laura Leonard.

With fond memories of Vision On, Take Hart and Morph. Rest in peace Tony Hart (1925-2009) who died today.

For the wedding of Caroline Watkins and Christopher McCabe.

First in Method: 5.

1st Original Doubles: 2,3,4,5 and as C. Circled tower: 1.

With thanks to Becky for being a last minute replacement.

First Stedman: 7. First Stedman Caters: 6.

First Royal: 4. First on 10 as C.

A 60th Birthday Compliment to the Conductor. First on 10 and first of Stedman: 5.

For Mothering Sunday and a birthday compliment to Claire.

In memory of William H Jackson.

1st in method: 6,8. The mark the retirement of Edward Evans after 35 years as the Dean's verger.

To mark the tenor ringer's graduation from Lincoln College, Oxford, on the previous day. First of Cambridge Royal: 5. Circled the tower to peals of Royal: 10.

This peal has no footnote, Just words and a tune...

First on 12: 6.

1st Maximus: 8. Not a birthday compliment to Robin.

Rung half-muffled for the souls of the faithful departed, remembering especially in this anniversary year all the members of the Oxford Society who have died since its foundation in 1734. The ringing followed an All Souls' Day performance of the Fauré Requiem in the College chapel.

Half-muffled on Remembrance Sunday.

First in the method on this planet: 2.

1st on 10: 10.

1st on 12: 8. With the Society's compliments to Charlotte Everett who celebrated her seventieth birthday yesterday.

First on ten: 10 Circled the tower to quarter peals: 1 A birthday compliment to the conductor.

201st quarter: 1. A farewell compliment to Claire Bell who is leaving ringing for teaching.

For Society peal weekend. Stephen Ivin was instrumental in rehanging these bells twenty years ago.

1st Bristol Maximus: 6, 8, 9.

For New Year. First on 10: 5.

1000th quarter peal: 7. 175th together: 6, 7. First Grandsire Triples as conductor! A 26th birthday compliment to Chris Griggs.

First on 12: 6.

100th together: 7 & 11. For Candlemas Carol Service.

First of Stedman Caters: 4.

A 60th birthday compliment to Ian Greenley. 400th quarter and 100th as conductor: 9.

Celebrating the centenary of the Ringing World, first published this day in 1911.

In celebration of the life of Roderick W Pipe.

For Easter. First on 12: 8. First Bristol Maximus: 2, 5, 7, 9, 11 and by a Sunday service band. 200th tower bell peal in the House.

First 41: 4.

To celebrate the marriage of HRH Prince William of Wales and Miss Catherine Middleton. First of Bristol Royal: 6.

To celebrate the marriage of HRH Prince William of Wales to Miss Catherine Middleton

Lao ma shi tu. First Stedman: 5

50th on the bells: 8. 150th as Conductor.

A compliment to Mike and Nicki Cooper-Esbester-Harvey, married yesterday at Oxford Town Hall.

To mark the 747th anniversary of the College's foundation by Walter de Merton in 1264. Remembering Frank White. With thanks to Chris Griggs, Mike and Nicki Esbester, Robert Wallis and Stuart Nelson for Stewarding.

Excellent tavernage! Marking the anniversary of a similar performance ten years on from the OS's first holiday to Lundy in 2001. The ringers of 1,3,4,7 were on that first trip.

1st in method: 6. A get well soon compliment to Keith Anderson.

For absent friends and as a fifth birthday compliment to Arthur Hall.

1st in method: 4,5,6,7,8,9. A farewell compliment to Mr and Mrs Pratt, departing this day.

First in method: 4 & 5.

First Grandsire without going into the hunt: 5.

Half muffled for Remembrance Sunday.

Half-muffled, immediately after the College's Act of Remembrance.

200th together: 2 & 8.

First in method: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

Annual commemoration of benefactors of this tower. 100th together: 3 & 5. 50th together: 5 & 7.

Welcoming Catherine Garsed and Moses Tutesigensi to Oxford as they cycle and run from Edinburgh to London raising awareness for Christian Aid's Climate Justice Campaign.

Rung to mark the centenary this day of the sinking of RMS Titanic off Newfoundland on April 15th 1912.

To celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

To celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of HM Queen Elizabeth II.

To mark the 150th anniversary of the first telling of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Revd C L Dodgson (Lewis Carroll), a fellow of this College.

First peal on the bells since retuning by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry and rehanging by Whites of Appleton. Rung to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the first telling of Lewis Carroll's story of Alice's adventures through the rabbit hole and into Wonderland. The peal coincided with a re-enactment of the Caucus Race on Christ Church Meadow. Rabbit Hole Alliance Royal f -3-4-56-6-2-5-45-5

A compliment to Alison Yearsley and Nigel Orchard, married in Salisbury at the weekend. The band sends its best wishes to Peter Giles and Clive Holloway.

For the 300th anniversary of the augmentation of these bells to 10 in 1712.

Rung half-muffled in grief but with loving memory for our President, the irreplaceable and unforgettable Clive Holloway, who died this week; one change for every peal he rang.

Half-muffled in memory of Clive Holloway, President of the Society. Rung on the bells of his leading peal tower and where he was leading peal ringer.

Rung half-muffled following a Requiem Mass for All Souls' Day in the College Chapel.

Half-muffled for Remembrance.

To welcome Rosalind Ann Esbester, born 1st October; Simon George Lee, born 16th October; and Alistair Thomas Bell & Esme Niamh Bell born today. With the OS's warmest wishes to all the new families!

In memory of Clive Holloway (1939-2012), our dear friend and President. By members of the Sunday Service Band of which Clive was a member for over 50 years.

On Nick Hartley's 25th birthday. First on 10: 8.

To commemorate the 400th anniversary of the death of Sir Thomas Bodley, founder of the Bodleian Library, who is interred in the College chapel. The ringers of 1,2,4,6 are librarians. With get well wishes to Helen Matthews who was due to ring. 75th quarter: 5.

The annual commemoration of benefactors of this tower.

Immediately prior to the Grand Launch of the University Church Development Project attended by HRH the Duke of Gloucester. Rung by representatives of the OS, OUS and ODG who helped to make the rehanging of these bells possible.

First Bristol Maximus: 6. A compliment to Esme and Alistair Bell immediately before their Christening in the Cathedral.

Celebrating the 60th anniversaries of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and the first ascent of Mount Everest. First on 10: 3. First Parkrun and Peal Biathlon: 5, 7.

500th Quarter: 11.

The 1,900th peal for the Society.

First in method for all. Welcoming Revd Dr Edmund Newey, installed as Sub Dean yesterday.

Rung half-muffled immediately following the College's Act of Remembrance.

Half-muffled for Remembrance.

Celebrating the life and legacy of Fabian Stedman (1640-1713) on the 300th anniversary of his burial. Six of these bells are contemporaneous with Stedman.

Celebrating the life and legacy of Fabian Stedman (1640-1713) on the 300th anniversary of his burial. Four of these bells are contemporaneous with Stedman.

First in method: 4 & 6.

A rope stretching exercise.

A 65th birthday compliment to David Barrington, some time Tower Captain of St Ebbe's. Rung by a Lincoln College practice night band. First quarter peal on the bells for five years.

Circled the tower as conductor. A 26th birthday compliment to Katherine Stonham, lover of spliced surprise major. Rung by a Lincoln College practice night band.

First on 12: 9, and as conductor. First of Stedman Cinques: 5. Birthday compliments to Katherine Stonham.

First encounter with the method: 2,6,8,9,10.

In memory of Marion S Ainsworth.

First Maximus: 8. A birthday compliment to Jennie Williams, Michael's mum.

With the Society's best wishes to Ian and Sara Liddle as they leave Oxford after five years running the Royal Blenheim.

First in the method: 6.

The annual commemoration of benefactors of this tower. First Spliced Royal: 2,5,7,8. 250th as Conductor.

100th quarter peal: 9. 550th quarter peal: 10. First of Ariel: 3, 4. Birthday compliments to the team mascot.

First successful foray into spliced pure triples for all, probably.

For the thirtieth anniversary of Charlotte's first peal, rung on 14th April 1984 on the same bell and to the same composition.

Half-muffled on the harmonic minor ten as part of the Cathedral's Good Friday liturgy. 100th peal for the Society: 6.

For Easter. First Bristol Maximus: 8 & 9. First on twelve as conductor.

First as conductor and most spliced: 7.

First Spliced Triples for all and for the Society. The band would like to associate Colin Lee with this peal.

Following a service in chapel to mark the retirement of Edward Higginbottom, Director of Music at New College since 1976.

Rung by a Sunday service band as a fond farewell to Christopher Lewis, Dean of Christ Church (2003-2014) who has been very supportive of our ringing, and without whom the 12-bell final would not have been held in Oxford. First on 12: 6

100th together: 1 & 6. A compliment to Bernard Evans, grandfather of 6, in anticipation of his 80th birthday.

This was followed by 5 minutes of reverse rounds and five minutes of tolling on the tenor. Rung half muffled prior to the Vigil in commemoration of the centenary of the declaration of war on 4 August 1914, and remembering particularly those members of The House who gave their lives. At the conclusion of the service, Great Tom was struck 100 times.

First on 12 without David Hull: 6.

Celebrating Jenny Dyer's 40 years of ringing at Cumnor. First of Surprise: 3, 4.

Before the service of installation for the new Dean of Christ Church, the Very Rev Professor Martyn Percy. After the service Great Tom was swung for 30 minutes in celebration.

Welcoming the Very Reverend Professor Martyn Percy, installed as Dean of Christ Church yesterday. Circled the tower to peals: 2.

First of Maximus: 6. 50th together: 10 & 12.

Half-muffled following the College's Act of Remembrance.

Half-muffled for Remembrance.

Half-muffled for Remembrance.

First in the method for some of the band.

For Christmas. First Stedman Cinques: 5. Circled the tower: 1. Celebrating a record-breaking year of ringing at Christ Church with 4 peals and 21 quarter-peals on top of Sunday service ringing, fortnightly practices, ringing for college and royal occasions, and the small matter of the final of the National 12-bell Contest and all the visiting practices for that event. It's been a lot of fun and very profitable for the Royal Blenheim.

First on twelve: 7. Circled the tower: 4. The band would like to thank Helen Matthews for getting Jill to the tower. Colin Parker however ...

In memory of Sir Jack Hayward OBE on the day of his funeral. Through his generosity the National Trust was able to purchase Lundy for the Nation.

First in the method: some. A get well compliment to Simon Linford from the pointy end.

A compliment to Constance Young and Mark Tarrant on the eve of their wedding. 100th on towerbells: 3

Most metal: 12. A valedictory peal for Michael O'Hagan, leaving Oxford after 9 years of good ringing, good company, and sterling service to ringing in this city. Oxford's loss. Bristol's gain.

The conductor's treat on the morning of his wedding to Helen Matthews. 200th quarter as conductor. 150th quarter: 3.

First in method: 5.

First Stedman Cinques: 7 and as conductor.

For the feast of St Nicholas. First of Spliced on the bells. Most methods: 2, 5.

In the style of Radio 3 we explore the unfamiliar work of obscure composers.

First peal of spliced: 3 A birthday compliment to Katherine Stonham.

First Bristol Maximus: 9. Circled the tower: 3.

First on 10 inside: 6. 200th quarter: 2. 150th quarter: 3.

By a practice night band. First in method: 3 & 5.

First of Maximus: 5 & 8. To celebrate the success of Big Michael's Super-Duper Quarter Peal Day II.

First in burlesque attire: 6. With best wishes from the conductor to the Society for their support during his Mastership.

To celebrate the forthcoming 90th Birthday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. First of Maximus: 2. First on 12: 8 and as C.

New territory for some.

Most methods: 2 & 6. Newest rope to a peal: 1 & 6.

At the start of the OS trip to the Netherlands.

First outside the UK: 3, 4, 7 & 8.

Most contiguous changes rung in the method. Moist: 10.

First on 10: 6. Celebrating, very belatedly, the conductor's engagement and wedding.

First in method: 5.

Half-muffled following All Souls' Day evensong.

Half muffled for Remembrance Sunday.

First of Maximus: 6. First of Spliced Maximus for the Society, by a local band, and for 2, 8, 9, 11. Circled the tower: 7. With the Society's best wishes to Christopher and Marianne Waterhouse as they leave their respective positions as Vergers at Christ Church and Magdalen to move to St James Institute in Sydney, Australia.

200th together: 2 & 8.

For Palm Sunday. First on 12, and first of Stedman: 6. Biggest job: 12.

With the Society's compliments to Freddie Frye following his first visit to the tower this morning.

On Society dinner weekend and marking 50 years of membership for Jeremy Pratt and Richard Youdale

Half-muffled in memory of the fallen. Remembering in particular Lieutenant Victor Augustus Stone, 8th Battalion Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment), great-uncle of Bernard Stone, died 10th November 1917 aged 31.

Rung half-muffled immediately following the College’s Act of Remembrance. Circled tower: 3

Half-muffled. Lest we forget the lessons of history.

Specially arranged and rung as a 40th birthday compliment to Michael Williams. 100th peal: 6. Circled the tower: 3, 6.

In celebration of the 30th anniversary of the incarnation of Katherine Stonham on January 5th, 1988. Longest date touch for all. 1200th peal and 50th in the tower: 1. First of Cinques and Maximus: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, for the Society, and on the bells.

First of Bristol Surprise Maximus: 5.

First of Grandsire and of Caters: 5.

Part of the conductor's (extended) 31st birthday celebrations. First performance including Bristol Royal: 5 & 8. Circled the tower "properly": 10. Stonham's loss.

First on 10: 5. First of Grandsire: 5 & 8.

Marking the 100th anniversary this day of the death on the Western Front of the First World War of Bernard's grandfather. Bernard Alfred Stone DCM, Regimental Serjeant Major 13th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment, died 26th April 1918 and commemorated on the Tyne Cot memorial. Tyne Cot Surprise Royal -50-14.50-12.36-12-50.16-16.70.16-12.70,10

Got wood: 12.

First in method: 5, 6, 7 & 10.

With best wishes to Charlotte Everett on the occasion of her 78th birthday.

First Bristol Royal: 6. Most Bristol Royal: 5, 9.

Rung half-muffled immediately following the College’s Act of Remembrance.

A compliment to William “Bill” Lewis, a custodian at Christ Church for many years, on his retirement.

First on ten: 5. Belatedly welcoming the arrivals of Paul Morgan and Ralph Littlewood, with congratulations to their parents, Society members Catrin & James and Jenny & Rupert. Also wishing Jonathan Cresshull a really good night's sleep.

100th peal: 10. 50th as conductor. 50th together: 1 & 9. A belated 75th birthday compliment to Bernard.

Celebrating the centenary of Kathleen Lock becoming the first woman to ring a peal with the Society.

After a rather short peal attempt terminated by conductorial inadequacy. Michael Williams remains, but not for long.

A compliment to Alan on the occasion of his 22nd birthday.

First of Maximus: 8 and as conductor. 100th together: 3 & 6.

A 70th birthday compliment to Jeremy Pratt. Get well wishes to Jo Knight, due to be ringing with us this morning, and kudos to Adam for stepping in at the last moment and learning the method. Prattinum A: -36-4-5-6-2-5-6.7 le12

A numerically appropriate compliment to Jeremy Pratt for his upcoming birthday.

Most Spliced: 5. Most Spliced Major: 4 & 6. A farewell compliment to David Jackson, our reserve for this evening's, umm, peal attempt.

Celebrating the conductor's 32nd birthday.

Believed to be the 2000th peal rung for the Society, the first peal being Grandsire Caters at Christ Church on January 1st, 1734. For the avoidance of doubt, nobody rang in both peals

Believed not to be first in method: 6. Dedicated to mothers everywhere, especially Alan's.

Belated farewell compliment to David Jackson with thanks for a wonderfully committed contribution to the Society's ringing during his all-too-brief spell in Oxford. First Spliced Maximus: 2, 3, 6, 9, 11.

50th quarter peal and first in method: 6 In anticipation of the wedding of Richard Puckey and Caroline Barton, sister of Dorothy Hall.

Circled the tower: 6.

First of Spliced Royal: 3, 5, 6.

First in method: 5. Circled the tower: 3. 50th on the bells: 2.

Rung half-muffled immediately following the College's Act of Remembrance.

Celebrating birthdays for Jo and Bernard. First in method: 2, 5, 7, 8 & 10.

First of Stedman Cinques as conductor. Rung as a farewell compliment to David Phillips, leaving for Canada.

For Science!

A belated leaving compliment to Mark Blandford-Baker, Home Bursar at Magdalen from 2001-2021. Happy birthday to Jonathan!

Celebrating the 70th birthday of Simon Edwards, and 0th birthday of Edward McManus, Simon's grandson, both yesterday.

In anticipation of the return of the basic repertoire to Lincoln College practice nights.

In celebration of the life of Tim Harrison, son of Mike and Sylvia and sometime ringer at this church, whose funeral took place here earlier today.

200th together: 2 & 9.

Half-muffled for the souls of the faithful departed. The ringing followed an All Souls' Day performance of Fauré's Requiem in the College chapel.

750th peal and 500th for the Society: 1. Half-muffled in memory of the Fallen.

Half-muffled following the College's Act of Remembrance for the Fallen.

Half-muffled for Remembrance.

First blows in the method: 7. Circled the tower to 10 bell quarters: 10.

First in method for at least most of the band.

With congratulations and best wishes to Joanna Knight and Jonathan Cresshull ahead of their wedding at Oxford Town Hall later today.

Welcoming Florence Catherine Irene Stonham, born on Friday. Also in anticipation of the wedding, tomorrow, of James Knight and Louise Gorman.

Marking 100 years since the first peal in the method, rung at Oswaldtwistle on Monday 7th August 1922.

Fully muffled with the tenor open at backstroke, immediately after a Service of Thanksgiving and Commemoration for Her Late Majesty.

10th Birthday treat for 6. First inside, first on 10 and first blows of Royal: 6

Half muffled in memory the Fallen. Also remembering Patricia Wagstaff, whose thanksgiving service took place immediately after this quarter.

Half-muffled immediately following the College's Act of Remembrance.

First of Triples: 4 200th for the Society: 2 Rung on the 10th anniversary of the conductor's first peal as conductor. Many thanks to Brian Harris for his help back then and now.

In memory of Ronald Paston, grandfather of 8, who died yesterday.

In loving memory of Charlotte Everett, member of this Society, whose first peal was rung here in 1984 and who chimed these bells for daily services for many years.

First of Surprise Maximus and first of Maximus on tower bells: 7. A 30th birthday compliment to Craig "Shakira" Robertson. Thanks to Katherine for making the dash down Abingdon Road when one of our band, who should have cycled, found herself stranded on the Oxford Ring Road.

Celebrating Bernard's 80th birthday. 400th peal with the Society: 6. Circled the tower: 1.

Dedicated to the life and work of the brilliant, unforgettable, unique Andrew Johnson (1966-2024) who has left us far too soon. Rest in peace, Andrew.

First of Bristol Royal: 8.

First in method: 8 & 9.

First on 12: 8.

Half-muffled in memory of the Fallen. 1250th peal: 10. Circled the tower: 4. Circled the tower twice: 7.

Trickiest shizzle for some. 550th quarter: 8. Well done, Jon!