In bell ringing, a ‘peal’ is a period of ringing, usually lasting around three hours and with over 5000 changes – all rung from memory of the method ‘blue line’. They are often rung for special occasions and commemorated with boards in towers.

Tenor 12 cwt

On Monday 23 February, 1846, in 3 hours and 18 minutes

A Peal of 5760 Minor (8 Methods)

720 each of Duke of York, Merchant’s Return, Holmforth (Holmfirth?) Surprise, Kent Treble Bob, New London Pleasure, Violet, Plain Bob, and Oxford

Ringers

• Ralph Broadbent
• Martin Holden
• Ben Holden
• William Holden
• Ben Broadbent
• Ralph Rasfle (Royle??)

Conducted by Ralph Broadbent

Footnotes:- After the performance the ringers partook of an excellent dinner at Mr John Andrew’s the New Inn near the church. They then, to oblige their neighbours and friends, rung some merry peals of changes on the handbells in the top of the tower.

Notes: Bell’s Life in London & Sporting Chronicle 1/3/1846 page 6
On Monday last the ringers of Saddleworth rung their farewell peal in the old tower of Saddleworth Church. The tower is to be raised about ten yards, and the bells and part of the tower will be taken down immediately. The ringers on this occasion rung eight different peals in their usual first rate style in 3h 18min. The following are the peals rung, viz, Duke of York, Merchant’s Return, Holmforth (Holmfirth?) Surpirse, Kent Treble Bob, New London Pleasure, Violet, Plain Bob, and Oxford. The ringers were stationed as follow, viz, Ralph Broadbent treble, Martin Holden 2d, Ben Holden 3d,William Holden 4th, Ben Broadbent 5th, Ralph Rasfle (Royle?) 6th. These peals were ably conducted by Ralph Broadbent. After the performance the ringers partook of an excellent dinner at Mr John Andrew’s the New Inn near the church. They then, to oblige their neighbours and friends, rung some merry peals of changes on the handbells in the top of the tower.