After a very short stay in hospital, Mr Reginald W. Pye passed away on 26th March at the age of 94. His many friends, including ringers from a wide area, send their sympathy to his son, Michael, now resident in Portugal. His wife, Marjorie, died in October 2006. We at Marchington have lost a very dear friend. Reg rang with us on practice nights for many years, and we were always grateful for his support, encouragement and, indeed, patience during that time. He was one of the band when Marchington bells featured on "Morning has Broken" some years ago.

Reg was born in Kelvedon, Essex where, as a youngster, he started ringing at the 8 bell tower. He rang his first peal – Plain Bob Major – at the age of 15 on Boxing Day in 1930. After the Second World War he took up teaching and remained in this profession for the rest of his working life, his last post being headmaster of the Richard Wakefield School, Tutbury from 1966 until his retirement in 1979. He was always very busy in his retirement years, but despite his many interests he took the time to compile a history of the Richard Wakefield School from when it was founded as a Charity School in 1733 until 1990 – a very interesting account of the differences in education over that period.

He was a great supporter of all aspects of church affairs in Tutbury, including bell ringing. His cheerfulness and humour were always present in whatever he undertook – a shining example to us all.

After private cremation at Bretby, a memorial service to celebrate his long life was held at St Mary’s Church, Tutbury on 2nd April. The bells of St Mary’s rang out before the service, and later in the afternoon the Marchington band rang touches of Stedman, Plain Bob and Grandsire Doubles in his memory at Marchington tower.

Eileen Fenwick
Marchington, Staffordshire