"That’s all. Straight down and finish with Queens please". We had rung a good peal of Cambridge on the fine Taylor 8 at St Paul’s Adlington, a fitting tribute to my father Alan McNutt. Alan had been tower captain at St Paul’s for some 40 years, and the band consisted mainly of members of the Manchester area peal band he had rung with during his peal ringing days. As we descended the tower I knew a small group of relations and close family friends would be waiting. The intention had been to inter the ashes immediately after the peal but apparently there was a problem. Due to a misunderstanding the ashes had not been delivered to the church as arranged. As we sheltered in the church doorway I knew I wouldn’t be the only one thinking this "This must be the first time I have ever known Dad arrive late!" There were smiles and nods, Alan had always been resolutely punctual throughout his working, ringing and personal life. A few quick phone calls were made and the vicar of Adlington, Father David Morgan, dashed off to retrieve the ashes from the crematorium. We were soon reconvened in the church yard and in a brief ceremony the interment was completed in the garden of remembrance facing the tower.

Alan grew up in Ramsbottom, Lancashire, he was the second eldest of four brothers. The family had connections with St Paul’s Ramsbottom, and in their teenage years all four brothers learnt to ring rounds and call changes. Alan left school at the age of fifteen and took up an apprenticeship with a small local engineering company J. Greaves Ltd. He worked in a machine shop producing industrial mixing machines, and continued working for the same company right the way through to retirement. He had occasionally considered a change of career especially after completing his compulsory service but looking back never regretted staying with Greaves.

As they got older the brothers drifted away from ringing and took up more sporting activities playing cricket and tennis with the St Paul’s Ramsbottom sports club. Alan met his future wife Audrey in Bolton, Audrey came from Adlington and worked at the R.O.F. in Euxton. The couple were married at St Paul’s Adlington during 1962 and made their home together in the village. While attending the church one day Audrey happened to mention that Alan had learnt to ring as a teenager. Alan was then asked by the tower captain at the time, Bernard Moss, to join the local band. He accepted the invitation and started to learn change ringing with the local band. As the latest recruit Alan became frustrated that there was little time available during the practice nights for him to try ringing methods. He decided to attend an additional practice and started going to Westhoughton. Under the leadership of Albert Greenalgh, Westhoughton had a very capable change ringing band, and Albert was known to be one of the best ringing teachers in the area. Also a member of the band was Geoffrey Fothergill. Alan started to progress rapidly and was soon able to ring surprise methods. When Bernard Moss left Adlington to move to Scotland he took over as tower captain. It was a position he was to devote much time to and continue doing until ill health prevented him from sensibly continuing. Over the years he taught many people to ring, maintained a warm welcome to visiting ringers, and continually strove to nurture the ringing standard of the local band. Alan also started to attend Preston branch meetings and to occasionally ring peals, although he also had additional family commitments to cope with following the births of twin sons Paul and Ian. One of his most prized ringing achievements was to ring in their first peal. Having taught both to bell handling and developed their change ringing by taking them around local practice nights and branch meetings the peal was scored just before their twelfth birthday. It was to lead to Alan ringing many more peals. Alan, Paul, and Ian were drawn into the Manchester area peal band led by Geoffrey Fothergill. In the 80s they rang many peals together ringing an increasingly difficult repertoire of surprise major and royal methods. He continued ringing with this band after Ian had given up peal ringing and Paul had left the area. In all he rang over 550 peals, nearly all for the Lancashire Association. He particularly enjoyed some of the later peals he rang with this band, now organised by Peter Randall, for the high standard of ringing despite ringing unfamiliar and complex methods.

Alan also continued supporting the Preston branch serving several terms as Ringing Master and also latterly acting as Chairman. He had other hobbies as well as ringing. He was a keen gardener growing and selling bedding plants for the church restoration fund. While he didn’t support any particular team he was a keen follower of football and cricket and had a good knowledge of both games.

Alan’s later years were not easy as he was beset by a series of health problems. He soldiered through this with admirable fortitude and dignity managing to visit his two grandchildren Rebecca and William, growing up in Switzerland, regularly. His last peal was at Westhoughton in 2003 conducted by Geoffrey Fothergill. Alan gave up ringing after Christmas last year, a painful shoulder injury proving too much for him to continue. It seems a pity he was forced to give up so close to the end. Following a short final illness he died in hospital on 22nd February. The number of sympathy cards received after his death and attendance at his funeral were a touching indication of his popularity. His family, friends and the local ringing community will miss him greatly.

Paul McNutt