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 Saturday 13 January, 1877, in 3 hours and 2 minutes

A Peal of 5040 TREBLE BOB MINOR (7 Methods)

7 methods:- 702 each of 7 different methods. Details not given

Ringers

1. J Brierley
2. John Holden
3. F Brierley
4. Edgar Buckley
5. Joseph Wood
6. Edward Wood

Conducted by F Brierley

Notes SADDLEWORTH. CHURCH BELL RINGING.—On Saturday last six gentlemen ascended the tower of St. Chad’s Church, Saddleworth, and rung 5,040 changes, comprising seven true and complete treble peals, consisting of 720 changes. Each peal was different in name and in change. The whole was finally brought round in good style in three hours and two minutes. The ringers were stationed as follows:—J. Brierley, treble; John Holden, second; F. Brierley, third; Edgar Buckley, fourth; Jos. Wood, fifth; Ed.Wood, tenor. Weight of tenor 12 cwt. The performance was conducted by Mr. F. Brierley, and was listened to by a large number of other ringers, and many admiring friends, and was considered to be one of the best feats of the kind ever performed.
(Huddersfield Chronicle, Sat. 20 Jan. 1877; Page 8. – no methods are given.)