Category: Church Stretton

Quarter Peal of Stoke St Milborough Surprise Major rung for the first time

On Friday 30 August 2024, a quarter peal of a brand new method was rung at St Milburga’s for the first time. The method, now named Stoke St Milborough Surprise Major, was devised by Martin Scott, who also conducted the quarter peal with a band of ringers from The Hereford Diocesan Guild of Bellringers.

Members of the band agreed that the composition used produced a lot of pleasant “music” that made it enjoyable to ring.  Thanks to Stewart and Helen Sharp for recording the performance and to Henry Lewis, without whom none of this would ever have been possible.

Details of the performance are featured here on Bellboard. More details and an excerpt of the performance on their website here.

Desmond Ferguson

It is with sadness we announce the death of Desmond Ferguson on 16th March. He was Tower Captain at Stanton Lacy for over 60 years and Master of the Hereford Guild in 1980 – 82. Des, who was a Freeman of the Guild, learnt to ring in the early fifties and was a member of the band that rang for the Coronation of the late Queen in 1953 after the rehanging of Stanton Lacy bells.

His funeral will be held at 11.0am on 22nd April at Onibury