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Links With The Past - Overlapping Lives

It is easy to conjure up a romantic picture of ringing in years gone by, however, as with most of life, the reality was probably far removed.  Even as recent as less than one hundred years ago life was harsh.  

This is the life that Henry Burstow faced, born in 1826 according to the book of his reminiscences, and not in 1828 as quoted by George Cockman.  He was of advanced years when it was written in 1911, and had no sons, daughters or other family to support him.  There was no welfare state and wages had been so low during his working life he had not been able to save for his old age.

The name of the scribe who recorded Henry’s reminiscences is not mentioned in the book.  They were, however, moved to make the record in the hope that once published the profits would sustain Henry in old age and thus keep him from the only other option.  This would have been to live in the local work-house.  Henry Burstow finally died in 1916, aged 90 years.

This leads me onto another of George’s points concerning how far back one can go in overlaps of ringers’ lives.  There are two names that spring to my mind.  Firstly, Charles Tyler, whose name is found on peal boards in Steyning tower, and now by co-incidence mentioned by Stella Knight in the winter 2006 edition of SOUNDBOW.  

Charles Tyler was one of the founding members of our Association, and captain at Henfield for nearly fifty years.  He moved from Brighton to Henfield during the 1890s and rang there until his death in 1951, aged 87 years.  Charles’ name is on peal boards of the 1880s in Brighton, and rang in the first peal on the original ring of eight installed at St Peter’s.  It was reported in the Ringing World that his funeral was held in Henfield cemetry.  Representing the Society of Cumberland Youths was one Miss Stella Wickens – many ringers of course will know her as Stella Knight.  She was also listed as one of those who rang handbells over the grave.

An interesting fact about Charles Tyler was that he had rung in the first peal of Stedman Cinques for the Association.  This was rung on handbells at Henfield and was thought for a village band to be outstanding.  It was rung in the 1890s when only three previous handbell peals of Stedman Cinques had been rung, two in London and one in Birmingham.

The other overlap of lives concerns Fred Smeaton who now lives in Adelaide, Australia.  Fred was taught to ring at Withyham in 1924 when he was about 14 years of age.  His grandfather and uncles were both members of the local band.   In August 1929 Fred rang in a quarter peal to celebrate the 80th birthday of  P. A. Coard, another ringer at Withyham.  This overlap would give us a link from today right back to the mid nineteenth century.  Fred is probably one of the last links with John Sparkes Goldsmith, founder of the Ringing World, and the pre-second World War bands in Brighton.

For those who have an interest in the history of ringing in Sussex as I do, this is a valuable archive of knowledge.  So easily it can be lost if not recorded – something I have started to do.  I am also interested in photographic records of bells and ringers from the past, and would be very keen to acquire copies of these from around the county.
David Kirkcaldy, Steyning


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