Stedman Cinques at South Croydon, Greater London

Back to our regular schedule and this weeks premier episode comes from just down the road from one of the towers featured in the last video.

South Croydon is one of the town's bustling food areas. It has a very 'High Street-ee' feel to it. Several restaurants are located along the stretch of road between Croydon Town Hall and Swan & Sugar Loaf. There used to be a Wetherspoons, however this was unfortunately closed last year. One of the most intriguing niggles about South Croydon is the Tesco Express. Located in a very tudor-looking structure, it used the be the 'Swan & Sugar Loaf' Public House, hence where the bus stop gets its name.

St Peter's Church is the Parish Church of South Croydon, which also comprises St Augustine's, further South. It is a gargantuan building, with an incredibly spacious interior and extremely high capacity. The BBC could easily broadcast the yearly 'Midnight Mass' programme from here! (They actually used Croydon Minster for the 2019 edition). Hanging in the sky-dominating tower are 12 Bells: the Back 10 cast by Gillet & Johnston in 1912; and the back 2 by Whitechapel in 2002. Coming in at 30cwt on the scales, they certainly aren't light metal monsters, yet the tenor still handles like a dream! They are tuned to the key of D, and have a very similar resemblance to Rochester Cathedral and Wimborne Minster.

This video was recorded on Thursday 23rd February, at the monthly SACBR Advanced 12 Bell Practice. Methods rung included Stedman Cinques, Cambridge Surprise Maximus, Bristol Surprise Maximus and Littleport Little Surprise Maximus. This video features a two-course touch of Stedman Cinques, conducted by Michael Uphill. In this touch, I am bonging behind on the tenor.

The next video will be released on Wednesday 1st March, showcasing the bells of Merstham, Surrey.

The Church of St Peter, South Croydon, is affiliated to the Northern District (ND) of the Surrey Association of Church Bell Ringers. (SACBR).