"The lovers of this amusement were afforded a high treat on Monday last, when three prizes were rang for on the musical bells in St. Sidwell's tower, in this city, by the ringers from Christow, and Cheriton Bishop, who united, Moretonhamstead, Tedburn St. Mary, Crediton, Kenton, Exminster and Southmolton....
"The fineness of the weather and it being Whit-Monday drew a great number of persons to the spot, and St. Sidwells bore the appearance of a general holiday; the prize ringing commenced at a quarter to three o' clock. P.M. and continued for about three hours, when the prizes were adjudged in the following manner, first, a Superb Silver Quart Tankard to Christow and Cheriton Bishop; the second a pair of very handsome Silver Table Spoons. to Moretonhampstead; and the third, six Silver Tea Spoons, to Tedburn St. Mary.
"Some disappointment was evinced at this decision of the Triers, the Moreton ringers conceiving themselves not fairly treated, but those excellent youths should know they have lost nothing in public estimation, their well-earned reputation was nobly sustained, and the sixrh peal rang by them, will be long remembered and spoken of by all who heard it as a master piece in the annals of ringing; indeed great praise is due to all the sets for the manner in which they acquitted themselves."
It is the afternoon of Whit Monday, 1824, and the sun is shining and the bells are chiming from the tower of old St. Sidwell's Church and the good people of Exeter gather to hear them.
Rang rather than rung is fun!
They were all good but that sixth peal that was rang by the Moretonhampstead ringers was a masterpiece in the annals of bell-ringing! It was awesome!
Source: The Exeter Flying Post, 10th June, 1824.
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