Ann Stradling 1913-2010

Ann Stradling was a ringer from the past. She was a lovely lady, born in Scotland, and Scottish through and through, and it was in Scotland that she died.

Ann had a wicked sense of humour, but she was not amused when, during her first peal at Highclere on Saturday, 10th February 1951, a furious banging on the door after two hours continued to the end of the peal, in which she rang the treble. It turned out to be her husband, Cyril, patiently waiting until he thought she had rung long enough. She admonished him in her Scottish accent: “Cyril, never do that again”.

Her second and only other peal was inside on her own bells at Burghclere. This was Grandsire Doubles on 10th April 1951 with three Burghclere ringers and three from Highclere. These two peals are recorded on peal boards in their respective towers. The peal at Highclere had five first pealers, and a first as conductor; the Burghclere peal had one first pealer and one first inside – and no banging on the door.

Ann went on to conduct the Coronation quarter peal by an all local Burghclere band. This too is recorded on a board in the tower.

Ann was an active Burghclere ringer, ringing many quarter peals, for some thirty years until ill health forced her to give up.

Geoff Dodd