It was in March 1874 that a group of distinguished professional men, including the grand old man of Devon ringing, the Rev’d. Henry Ellacombe, gathered in an architect’s office in the Cathedral Close in Exeter to discuss the formation of an organisation for ringers across the county. They resolved to set up The Guild of Devonshire Ringers and thus was born the first territorial ringing society in the country.

Present day members of the Guild have been marking its 150^th anniversary since the start of the year with nearly 140 special performances – peals, quarters and dedicated touches. A personal ringing challenge scheme, “150 Ringing Things”, is running throughout the year and a new version of the Guild logo, shown above, is being offered on Guild clothing. Special touches of 150 changes have been composed and an updated history of the Guild has been published.

The first major events of the anniversary year took place over the weekend of 15^th – 17^th March.130 members, young and old gathered at the Devon Hotel in Exeter on the Friday evening for an Anniversary Dinner – sadly the room was not big enough to accommodate 150! Hosted by the current Guild President, Tim Bayton, guests of honour included Tina Stoecklin (President of the Central Council) , John Warne (President of the Devon Association of Ringers), and Lester Yeo, (former Guild President and author of Devon Bellringing 1874 -2023: A sesquicentenary history of the Guild of Devonshire Ringers). Sadly, illness prevented our Patron, the Acting Bishop of Exeter, from joining the occasion.

Guests inc Guild Treasurer (left) & Guild Secretary (right), Tina Stoecklin and Lester Yeo with the new book

The evening’s events were deftly organised by Peter Bill as Master of Ceremonies. Following the dinner the Guild President proposed the Loyal Toast and Tina Stoecklin proposed a toast to the Guild. In her speech she referred to a number of the activities listed in the “150 Ringing Things” challenge; she reflected on how these illustrated the health of ringing in Devon and linked her remarks to the Central Council’s 2030 Strategy proposals. Responding, Lester Yeo drew on his research for the new book on the history of the Guild, highlighting the thinking of the Rev’d John Langdon Fulford as crucial to the origins of the Guild. At the conclusion of his speech Lester presented Tina with a copy of the new book. Bringing the formal part of the evening to an end, Peter Bill invited various groups of members present to take wine with the President. These included present and past officers, the oldest two members and the youngest members.

Entertainment was provided an informal quiz sheet which tested members’ knowledge of Devon ringing (including how the Guild Librarian lost his trousers at a tower open day!) and by a touch of 150 spliced Major on handbells rung by:

1-2 Jill Wigney
3-4 Oliver Coldrick
5-6 Tim Bayton
7-8 Ian Campbell

Finally, an auction was skilfully conducted by Michael Cannon. Members bid keenly for a varied collection of treasures and special opportunities:

• A chance to ring a quarter peal at Buckfast Abbey
• A newly composed method to be named by the successful bidder
• A bell wheel (from Nicholsons) with a 150^th anniversary inscription added
• A handcrafted wooden bowl made by Vice President, Martin Mansley
• A steam locomotive footplate ride on the South Devon Railway
• A one-day experience on a steam traction engine

A carefully curated display of ringing memorabilia added to the interest at the occasion.

On the Saturday activities again centred on Exeter with open ringing at towers along a route from Poltimore to Heavitree and finally to St. Petrock’s in the centre of the city. St. Petrock’s is home to the Guild’s collection of over 500 books. It was therefore felt that this was the appropriate venue in which to formally launch Devon Bellringing 1874 – 2023: A sesquicentenary of the Guild of Devonshire Ringers. The Library’s collection of minute books, cuttings files and scrapbooks had played a key role in facilitating the author’s research for the book. Over 50 members gathered to buy copies and to see copies of the book being presented to the Library and to Rebecca Scott, daughter of the Rev’d Preb. John Scott who had written the first history of the Guild for its centenary in 1974. No afternoon gathering of bellringers would be complete without tea and cake and this was followed by more ringing on the light 6 at St Petrock’s and then on the heavy 12 at the Cathedral’s open practice.

Les Boyce presents a copy of the new book to Rebecca Scott.

Anniversary celebrations continue throughout 2024 with the Guild Annual Meeting and Thanksgiving Service at Tavistock in June, as well as further special performances. The Guild looks forward to welcoming the College Youths to Exeter in July and the Central Council in September. More information about the Guild’s 150^th anniversary activities, including how to purchase the new book on the Guild’s history, can be found at: https://devonringers.org.uk/guild/guild-150th-anniversary

Les Boyce
Guild Librarian