Stedman Triples

B-Blocks

I first got interested in composing Stedman Triples following publication of Alan Burbidge's 1-part in the Ringing World (1/6/79) along with his description of its construction. I realized that a similar idea could be used to select a set of B-blocks that had many possible linking points, hence would enable a peal based on B-blocks with more omits than most. I later saw that the symmetry thus introduced could be exploited to give a 4-part peal with the parts joined by replacing bobs with singles in two parts. The results were published in the RW (16/4/83).

Hudson's Courses

It was some time after starting to dabble with B-block compositions that I discovered J. W. Parker's Mysteries Unveiled, which reveals the secrets behind twin-bob peals and others based on Hudson's 60 courses. The same techniques can be used to produce peals based on many other groups, and it is here that the true fascination of Stedman composition lies. My favourite twin-bob composition is the Climsland Peal. For an alternative to Carter's Odd-Bob, have a look at the 10-part composition by E. B. James, which has an interesting and particularly elegant construction.

The Stedman Triples Collection

I was commissioned by the Central Council Peal Compositions Committee to compile the Stedman Triples Collection. In the introduction I have attempted to explain how the various peals are put together.

To help with compiling the collection, and to ensure the truth and accuracy of the published peals, I developed some software specifically for entering and checking Stedman Triples compositions.

Bobs-Only Peals

The quest for a peal with common bobs only has interested composers for 250 years. A "proof" of its impossibility was published in the RW in 1953.

Colin Wyld's article in the Ringing World explains how he produced the first composition with bobs only. Andrew Johnson later independently discovered the blocks that are the key to Colin's composition, and I was able to join them together to produce the peal rung by the Cambridge University Guild at Waterloo Road on 22 January 1995. This was a magnificent achievement by the conductor, Philip Agg, who had just five days to learn the composition. Andrew's article, which was never published, gives the background to our work, as well as the composition.

There were rumours at the time that Brian Price had also come up with a peal. In fact, as he explains, although he had discovered the "magic" blocks, he did not complete the work required to join them into a peal.

While Colin must take the credit for the first bobs-only composition, those of us who prefer something a bit easier have Andrew to thank for the first that "mere mortals" can call. Andrew's article in the RW explains its construction. Once again the CUG organization swung into action to arrange a peal at short notice, and the peal was rung at Cholsey on 11 June 1995. This should become a classic.

I am maintaing a collection of performances of bobs-only peals. Please me of any errors or omissions.

New Stedman Collection

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This page created by Philip Saddleton

Last updated 31 August 2008