Notable Ringers from Derbyshire

Some ringers are noted for their achievements. Here’s a small selection of past Derbyshire ringers.

Sir Arthur P Heywood – Duffield

Sir Arthur Percival Heywood (1849-1916) lived in Duffield and was a very keen bellringer.
He invented the principle (a type of method) called Duffield, which can be rung on any even number of bells from 8 upwards.

In 1891 he founded the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers (CCCBR).
Today, the CCCBR is still the representative body for all who ring bells in the English tradition with rope and wheel.

The DDA holds the ‘Sir Arthur P Heywood Memorial Dinner’ in his honour.

Sir Arthur P Heywood was most famous for being a pioneer of 15 inch gauge railways.
He built the Duffield Bank Railway in his garden, and even built the locomotives, the first one named after his wife, Effie.

Gordon Halls MBE

Gordon Halls MBE (1931-2002) was an influential ringer from Derby, who rang over 2117 peals.

He was a skilled ringing teacher and conductor, and helped countless ringers advance their ringing at all stages from beginner to ringing Surprise methods and judging contests.

Being a mechanical engineer by profession, he was extremely knowledgeable in, and ran courses on, belfry maintenance.
Gordon started the DDA’s Bell Repair Fund, and worked tirelessly as the Diocesan Bells Advisor and Bell Consultant.

Gordon Represented the DDA on the CCCBR for over 40 years.

In 2000, Gordon received an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to campanology in Derbyshire.
The Gordon Halls Ringing Centre is named in his honour.

Robert B Smith

Robert B Smith (Bob) (1938-2023) lived in Melbourne and was one of the finest ringers of his generation.
As well as teaching many people to ring, Bob enjoyed 12-bell ringing, and rang in the winning team of the National 12-Bell Contest on several occasions.

He rang 3572 peals, including several record-breaking long lengths. The most notable of which was the extent on 8 bells which he conducted in 1963. The 40,320 changes of Plain Bob Major took 17 hours and 58 minutes to ring at Loughborough Bellfoundry bell tower, with the same 8 ringers throughout – A record feat that has not yet been repeated!

Bob was heavily involved with bell hanging and augmentations, and founded the Bell hanging company Eayre and Smith. One of the projects he was involved in was augmenting Melbourne’s bells into a ring of 12.

The Robert B Smith 12-Bell Contest is a regional 12-bell contest, named in his honour.