Over the last few years many of the band of ringers at Acton have moved away and it has become unviable to sustain either Sunday service ringing or a practice. However, approximately once a month a band of ringers, organised by the former tower captain, visits Acton to ring a quarter peal (about three quarter of an hour’s ringing) or hold a practice, just to keep the bells going.

For special services or other special occasions, additional ringing is arranged. This was the case on Saturday 13th May 2006 when eight ringers met to ring a peal (two and three quarter hours ringing) to mark two significant anniversaries for the St Mary’s, and particularly for our Rector: the 5th anniversary (actually on 13th May) of Jackie becoming a Prebendary of St Paul’s Cathedral and the 10th anniversary (on 13th June) of Jackie’s induction as Rector at Acton.

Jackie has supported the ringing at Acton since before she became Rector and even (briefly) ‘learned the ropes’. She also joined the band on a ringing outing into Hertfordshire. (Jackie is an excellent navigator.) To acknowledge this support it was thought appropriate to arrange the peal, the details of which are given below.

MIDDLESEX COUNTY ASSOCIATION &

LONDON DIOCESAN GUILD ACTON, Middlesex,

St Mary, tenor 14cwt

Saturday 13th May 2006

5024 Cambridge Surprise Major in 2h42m

Composition by John S. Warboys

1 Dickon R Love

2 Michael T Sprackling

3 Lorraine C Andrews

4 Frank T Blagrove

5 James White

6 Peter R King

7 Oliver D Cross

8 Roger Bailey (C)

Circled the tower as conductor. Rung to celebrate the 5th anniversary (13/05/06) of Revd Jacqueline F. Fox becoming a Prebendary of St Paul’s Cathedral, and the 10th anniversary (13/06/06) of her induction as Rector of Acton.

There have now been 131 peals at Acton since the tower was rebuilt in 1876 and the bells were augmented from six to eight in 1877. The first peal, 5040 Grandsire Triples, was in 1878. This peal and many others are recorded on boards which adorn the ringing room walls. Two new boards were installed about five years ago, one to mark a peal in a new method named after St Mary’s: St Mary’s Bob Triples rung in 1997.

Anniversary Peal