Where does the time go hey? December 2025, my last Christmas as President with another very busy year behind us.
On Wednesday 3rd the Wendron team rang a Call Change Peal of 120 Peal No.1 Doubles to mark the 4th anniversary of the formation of the St. Wedrona Bellringing Team in 2021. My congratulations to all those involved in continuing our great tradition in that area.
Saturday 6th December saw the Eastern District holding their annual Quarter Peal Day. 6 quarters were attempted with 5 successful and 1 loss. This time many ringers, for various reasons, were unable to attend but numbers were bolstered by some familiar faces from further afield. The highlight was David C thoroughly enjoying his Treble part at St. Mary’s, Callington which concluded with first blows in the method by all, and one of the band circling the tower.
A Call Change Peal was rung at Calstock to mark the 100th birthday of Peggy Hanson, mother of a Calstock ringer, and this Peal included Ben Pratchett who rang his first Call Change Peal at his first attempt – well done Ben.
The following Saturday the Guild Carol Service took place at St. Mawgan with ringing beforehand at St. Columb Major. Numbers were a little lower than usual but our Guild PRO, Matthew, organised a successful event. Following on Dad and I returned to Ladock to see the newly recast middle 4 along with the retuned 1883 Tenors and 1925 Trebles all by John Taylor & Co.
The President with Ladock bells (Tenor was in the toilet!)
These are the first bells in Cornwall to be recast since the cracked 7th at Lanivet in 2018. The initial try out was on Thursday 18th December and locals and the parish were really pleased with the sound and the go of the bells and that they were able to ring for Christmas. We now have another good weight musical 8 in the County – great. Well done to all who made this project happen, especially Jonathan Young the TC who’s drive and determination made sure this went ahead.
Adam Beer returned to Cornwall for a flying visit to see family and friends over Christmas and this culminated in a Quarter Peal of Christmas Triples at Pillaton on the 27th.
On Sunday, 28th the back 8 at the Cathedral were rung to 500 call changes which was the longest length for 6 members of the band. It was done to mark the recent 50th birthday of Andrew Hoddinott, Cathedral Steeple Keeper.
The following day William King rang the Tenor behind at Paul to his first Quarter Peal – well done William.
On New Year’s Eve the Gorran band rang the front 6 to a Call Change Peal of 90 changes for the 90th birthday of Bob Tregunna.
Over the festive period many towers/churches have had themed windows or Christmas trees dedicated to bellringing. Good to see our members publicising ringing in this way!
As in previous years the bells at Pillaton were muffled to ring out the old year before celebrating 2026. Many other towers in the Diocese also welcomed in the New Year.
Happy 2026 to everyone and keep ringing.
Owen J Borlase
Guild President
