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Bell ringing is a uniquely English art. Bells have been a part of daily life for centuries in England and inevitably they have become part of our culture, folklore and literature.
There are over 5,000 rings of bells capable of ringing with a full 360 degree rotation in this country, with only 50 or 60 in the rest of the world. Rung since the 7th century, it wasn't until the 17th century that change-ringing began in England, when the bells are rung in order from the lightest to the heaviest, which ringers call ‘rounds’. As skills develop, the conductor calls two bells to change position, known as call changes.
Later a method was devised in which every bell changed position with each pull of the ropes: called method ringing. Methods are rung by each member of the band remembering a pattern in conjunction with the other ringers.
Alan and Betty met in 1958 as bell ringers at Selby Abbey. Both qualified as members of the Yorkshire Association of Change Ringers that year when they rang their first quarter peal (1260 changes).
St Laurence’s originally had two bells, cast in 1674. A third bell was added in 1919 and in 1961 a generous donation by Mr and Mrs Gilbert Mann not only enabled 3 new bells to be added but the old ones to be refurbished and the whole ring of six to be hung in a new metal frame. A special dedication service conducted by the Bishop of Hull took place on 15 December 1961.
The Selby Abbey bell ringing team, including Alan and Betty, should have attended that service but their train was cancelled so they all went home! Little did they know that just five years later Revd Canon Chris Tubbs would ask Alan to become Ringing Master at St Laurence’s, with Betty part of the team, and that this would become a lifetime commitment.
Alan trained as a chartered accountant from 1958, and qualified in 1965. Betty took a 3-year pre-nursing course at Selby Tech College then trained as a nurse at Doncaster Royal Infirmary, gaining SRN status just before she and Alan married at Selby Abbey in 1966.
The newly-married couple moved to Scarborough after Alan got a job with Ashby Berry Chartered Accountants. He was offered a partnership the following year: another lifetime commitment, since he worked for them until he fully retired, about 50 years later.
In 1969 they returned to the Abbey to ring when the Queen came to give Maundy Money and the couple received 4d in Maundy Money for their services.
Betty nursed at St Mary’s Hospital until their first child, Sally, was born. Martin arrived two years later.
Amongst the first team with whom they rang were Margaret Scarth, Mick and Harvey Pickup, Chris Easton, Guy Jibson, Lew Ward and Francis Tabner. Others joined, including Linda Thompson in 1969 and David Wilbourne in 1970. Both recall Alan’s patience, encouragement and expert teaching that enabled David to ring a full peal in just two years.
They recall a great sense of camaraderie; fortnightly trips to other towers, regular parties in Alan and Betty’s home and 4 Ringing Holidays to the Lake District, Norfolk, Cotswolds and Windermere.
By 1972 Alan had trained a band capable of ringing a full peal of 5040 changes and that year they rang one half-muffled on Remembrance Sunday, lasting 2 hours and 40 minutes. This team included; Stephen Campleman, Jasmine Thompson, Karen Hutton (now Tamblin) and Adrian Cory (both still in the team) and David Wilbourne (now Bishop David, who still occasionally joins the team).
Others Alan has trained include; Sally and Martin Grundy, Alison Turner and Sarah Tribick, Angela Goring, Martin Gerard (who was 8 when he started), Catherine Lonsdale, Anthony Tubbs, Revd Chris Tubbs, Sybil and Robert Thompson and their 3 children; Jasmine, Simon and Robert, Susie and John Win-Maung, Janet Newell andRichard Wright, along with current ringers Jeanette Wright, Justin Cooper and Richard Martin.
Nicky Bower and her son James moved into the area and joined the team and since the appeal for ringers at the King’s Coronation three new learners have joined; Jacqui Hall, Matthew Wilson and Christine Raw.
The George Beech Memorial Trophy, named after the Tower Captain at St Mary’s, Scarborough, has been awarded annually since 1971 to the winners of a striking competition for the Scarborough & District branch of the YACR; a district that extends from Bridlington to Hovingham and Fylingdales. St Laurence’s has won it 24 times.
Winning qualifies a team to enter the YACR 6-bell striking competition, which Alan’s team won in 2010 and 2024, making them the best band in all Yorkshire. They have rung for countless church services, weddings and special occasions such as the royal weddings and funerals, the 100th Anniversary of the end of WW1 and more recently the 80th Anniversary of VE Day and the King’s Coronation.
They rang-in the Millennium and always ring half-muffled for Remembrance Sunday and with the bells fully open for the midnight service at Christmas.
Alan had always encouraged his team to be fully integrated into church life, as he and Betty are. Both joined the choir in 1976 when Ernie Stear was organist. Alan was PCC Treasurer for ten years, following Alec Benson, and Churchwarden for Revd Canon Jonathan Baker, 1998-2003.
Betty, who had become Brown Owl for Scalby Brownies in 1976, and Alan served on the church’s Social Committee for 20 years. He is still an intercessor, chalice administrator and member of the Finance Committee.
The handbell team started in 1966 when Alan and Betty received an octave of handbells as a wedding present from their old ringing master. They first rang Carols at Christmas in 1966 at the Nag’s Head, raising £8 for charity. They used to transport the bells in a handcart around Scalby village, stopping to perform at various places and collecting for charity, until bad weather put a stop to it.
Over the years the money they earned from various engagements, and some generous donations, enabled them to sell the old bells and buy new ones, around the time that Geoff and Gill Braham were ringing with them.
They now have a full set of 3 octaves. They have rung at local hotels, rest homes, nursing homes, library and the Hospice, at Castle Howard at Christmas and a concert at St Laurence’s in aid of Cancer Research. At a handbell rally in Ganton they rang two pieces en masse with about 12 teams.
Alan and Betty will celebrate their Diamond Wedding Anniversary with their 2 children, 6 grandchildren, 2 great-grandsons and other family members and friends, near Manchester in June. On Saturday 5 September they hope to have a special celebration of their 60 years’ ringing at St Laurence’s by ringing a quarter peal with ringers past and present.
Bishop David said, “To serve as ringing master several times a week for six decades is a remarkable achievement, made unique by Alan and Betty’s warmth and care for the ringers they have charge over; a truly Christian example of love and service”, whilst Linda Thompson added, “St Laurence’s Church should count their blessings and give thanks for Alan’s remarkable achievement.” I, and many others, heartily agree.
