Скачать или смотреть Ringer Thomas's First QP as Conductor | Harefield, Greater London

It’s the 4th Saturday of January, which usually isn’t occupied by a local ringing event (although I tend to find some that are further afield!). Therefore, this day was selected to be the day of Thomas’s First Quarter Peal as Conductor.

The Quarter Peal took place in the quaint little village of Harefield. Despite feeling like a countryside settlement, it is actually within the Greater London Boundary, being in the London Borough of Hillingdon. In fact, the border between Greater London and Buckinghamshire - as well as Hertfordshire - is only a a short distance to the North-West! It is sandwiched in between 4 densely-populated areas: Gerrards Cross, Rickmansworth, Uxbridge and Ruislip. Harefield certainly portrays Home County traits, as its a fairly inaccessible place when it comes to Public Transport. The village (including the Church) is served by the 331 and U9 Bus Routes, which are both TFL buses. With no rail access, and a bus service which completely juxtaposes the ‘turn up and go’ system of London, it definitely feels somewhat remote.

The Church of St Mary the Virgin is Harefield’s oldest building. The Domesday Book even mentions a priest of the Manor of Harefield. Some medieval structures remain from the original construction, however it was restored in 1768 and 1841. The tower contains a near-complete cast of 6 bells, dating from 1963. Bell 5 is much older, having been cast by Bryan I Eldridge of 1629, and the 6th is 7 years newer, being a Whitechapel casting of 1970. The front four, however, are all 1963 castings of the Mears & Stainbank founder. In addition, there is an unused, unidentified bell in the tower. This is believed to be dated 1799.

Ringing at Harefield consisted of Raising all 6 bells in peal, the Test Rounds before the quarter and the QP itself. Of this, the former 2 are featured in this video. As mentioned, the Quarter was successful. Everyone in the band did greatly, have a cookie!

The next video hasn’t been recorded at the time of writing, but it will likely be of some wedding ringing at Addington on Saturday 4th February 2023.

Music: Andrew Applepie - Too Much Rain

The Church of St Mary the Virgin, Harefield, is affiliated to the North & East District (N&E) of the Middlesex County Association & London Diocesan Guild. (MCALDG).