David (or Chris as most ringers in South Yorkshire knew him) was born in difficult circumstances in March 1953. His mother died in childbirth and he was brought up firstly in a children’s home and then adopted by the Rector of Treeton and his wife, and raised alongide their own son also called David – hence the common use of his second name. Once he discovered the bells of Treeton church he began a life-long fascination with bell-ringing. Although his skill was solely in ringing the tenor behind, he devoted himself to doing this to the best of his ability. As one who called many of his peals said "the thing I liked best about Chris was that whenever he was on the end of the rope he always tried his hardest – and if everyone did that, we would have much better ringing on many occasions".

As well as faithfully supporting ringing at Treeton throughout his life, Chris also rang regularly for many years at Handsworth, where he benefitted greatly from the gentle tutelage of the late John J L Gilbert. His first peal was Plain Bob Triples at Handsworth in 1974, conducted by Stuart Armeson, and with JJLG in the band. He went on to ring a further 102 peals over the next 32 years, his last also being Plain Bob Triples at Handsworth, fittingly rung in memory of John. In between many of his peals were on the 34cwt tenor at Rotherham and undoubtedly of very good quality. Chris also pealed the tenors at Doncaster, Sheffield Cathedral and Louth. He often reminded me of the peal of Grandsire Triples on the back eight at Sheffield we rang on New Year’s Day 1985 which was one of his favourites. He was very pleased to have rung in the only peal of Scientific Triples rung for the Yorkshire Association at St Martin Le Grand in York. However, his proudest moment in ringing was when Treeton won the Sheffield Branch striking competition with call changes, defeating the might of the Sheffield and Rotherham bands.

Chris was well known in every tower in the Sheffield and Rotherham areas, and indeed further afield. He always enjoyed branch meetings, often reporting on the state of the bells at Treeton, and ever-willing to be the seconder of motions. He was also an untiring supported of charitable events taking part in many sponsored abseils and the like. It was clear from the church-filling turnout at his memorial service at Treeton just how many people had respect for Chris, whose life was to end in a tragic road traffic accident.

Simon Reading