Paisley

d. 29 May 2017

 

Very sadly Alex Scott, a long time member of the association, passed away on the 29th of May. Alex was for many years Ringing Master at St James Church, Paisley.

 

Alex and his two friends Iain Peacock and James Caldwell learnt to ring bells under the tuition of Petty Officer Cheal. It was war time. From 1942 to 1944 these boys, all in their mid-teens, learnt eagerly and quickly. By 1944 they astonished their elders in the Scottish Association by their method ringing at a meeting in Alloa. They had also given a demonstration of hand bell ringing, two in hand, to a BBC children’s programme on the radio.

 

In 1947 Alex took part in his first peal of Kent Treble Bob Major at Paisley. The peal took 3 hrs and 24 mins, probably reflecting the difficulty of ringing some of the bells. He then rang only two more peals in his whole life. His second peal in 1951 was rung at St Mary’s Cathedral Glasgow. He was asked to ring Steadman Caters, a method he had only rung a few blows in before the peal. His third and last peal was rung 48 years later in 1999. He wanted to ring a peal with his life-long friend Iain Peacock.

 

Alex took over as Ringing Master at St James’, Paisley in the early 1950s following the retirement of Neil Sharpe. He remained in this post until only a few years ago when his deteriorating health meant that he was unable to climb the tower stairs. During his long years as Ringing Master Alex welcomed ringers and non-ringers alike to his tower; tried to recruit bell ringers from his own congregation; and kept the bells in good order and well maintained. Practices at Paisley were much enjoyed by all and whenever it was needed extra ringers made themselves available for special services to help the diminishing numbers of locals. We will remember his genuine friendship, encouragement to us all and his wealth of stories.

 

Two quarter peals and one peal were rung at Tulloch during a training weekend 10th/11th June and dedicated to Alex’s memory by Scottish Association members. A quarter peal of Grandsire Triples was rung half muffled on June 12th at Glasgow St Mary’s Cathedral by a Glasgow & Paisley band on the day of Alex’s funeral in Paisley.

 

1288 Grandsire Triples at Glasgow

1346 Lincolnshire Surprise Maximus at Tulloch

1346 Lincolnshire Surprise Maximus at Tulloch

5042 Lincolnshire Surprise Maximus at Tulloch

 

Terry Williams

 


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