Appleton Society of Change Ringers

Welcome to our page.

The 1552 Inventories show Appleton Church Tower as containing “three bells and a sance belle”. In 1817, these bells were replaced with a ring of six bells given by the then Lord of the Manor, Robert Southby. The ring was dedicated on 4th March 1818, the villagers were given the day off and the Appleton Society of Change Ringers formed. Each March the anniversary of this day is celebrated by ringing and a dinner in the evening which is attended by local ringers and ringers from considerable distances away. The March 4th song originally composed by the village schoolmaster John Harding was first sung in 1818 (more verses were added in 1854 and 1977) and is still sung at the celebrations.

Ringing for Frank - Many ringers including our friends from Somerset, Birmingham and London attended Frank's Service to ring in his memory and the half-muffled Peal afterwards was successful as indeed was the Quarter Peal rang by the local ringers on the following Thursday.

Ten for Ten - In support of the Ten for Ten Campaign, (See elsewhere on the website), we will be attempting a Quarter Peal on Friday 7th October instead of the normal practice.  This seems particularly appropriate as we have ten bells.  We understand that the ringing is to be recorded for possible transmission in a Radio Oxford broadcast so will have to be on top form!  This Quarter Peal was successful and we are pleased to support the Campaign.

In 1909, the Stedman record was beaten by William Pye's band at Loughborough (18, 027 changes).  The record was regained on 22nd April 1922 when a peal of 21,363 Stedman Caters was rung in 12 hours, 25 minutes.  This peal was not only the longest peal in the method but also the longest peal rung and remained the record length in the method for 50 years and the longest peal in any method until November 1950. 

The Grandsire record lengths were regained on 27th December 1932 (16,271 changes) and 10th February 1968 (16,559 changes); the record was surpassed on 6th November 1976 by a peal of 17,729 changes run at Accrington.  The Stedman Caters record was regained on October 28th 1978 when a peal of 22,899 changes was rung; this was also the longest peal rung on more than 8 bells.  This record was surpassed on 17th March 1990 by a peal of 25,000 changes rung at Edenham.

As well as the record lengths, the Appleton ringers have a tradition of ringing long peals, 10,040 and 10,214 changes of Grandsire Caters were rung in 1921 1nd 1971, respectively, to mark the 50th and 100th anniversaries of the 1871 record peal.

We are glad to say that the special Remembrance peal attempt this year was successful.  Many thanks to Lyn for agreeing to the idea and congratulations to all who rang on their superb effort.  Details are:-

Appleton Society
Appleton, Oxon
St Laurence
Friday 11 November 2011 in 6hours 20 minutes
11,111 Stedman Caters
Composed by John Pladdys

1   John Hyden  (Liverpool)
2   Michele Winter  (Appleton)
3   Gwen Rogers  (London)
4   John Pladdys (C)  (Truro)
5   Alan T Winter  (Cambridge)
6   John H Napper  (Sutton Courtenay)
7   John R Ridley  (Cheltenham)
8   Martin J Whiteley  (Bedford)
9   Philip Rogers  (London)
10   Bernard J Stone  (Appleton)

Half-muffled in memory of the Fallen.  Also remembering Frank White and Harry Winter.  500th peal on the bells.

Believed to be the longest half-muffled peal ever rung.

Recruits

Following the notice in the "Advertiser" we have one or two people who would like to learn to ring.  At present we are able to offer intensive daytime bell handling lessons as well as some evenings so do email if you think you could be interested or just come along on a Friday evening at 8.00 to find out more.  We desperately need some new ringers and know that there are people in the village who used to ring.  We would be delighted to see you!

Contact email address is appleton.bells@googlemail.com

Updated 16/11/2011