Ampthill

Ringers

The Band

The Current Band

We are a band of mixed abilities, with some learners just starting to Plain Hunt, some trying to get comfortable with touches of Bob Minor and Stedman Doubles, and the odd one who can do a whole lot more.

Practice night usually involves a fair amount of Bob Doubles and Grandsire Doubles and often some Bob Minor and Stedman.  We regularly try out different methods from the "red book".  We also ring Plain Hunt to help introduce the learners to method ringing.

Some members of the band regularly attend District Training Days and other events, and are keen to extend their knowledge and experience.

We welcome visitors, ringers of any standard or non-ringers who might be interested in learning.

Former Ringers	click on the thumbnail to see the full-size picture
From the old "Rules for the Ringers" board we have started investigating the names given of the ringers and churchwardens in 1884.  The information given below comes from the 1881 Census and a little searching through the IGI, both of which can be used free of charge at www.familysearch.org.

The information is presented as it is recorded on the census records - Name, Position in Household, Marital Status (if the person is old enough), Gender, Age, Place of Birth, Occupation.

T Page:  there are a couple, but this is the most likely candidate

Bedford Street, Ampthill. [RG11 1634/92 page 46]:

Thomas Page, Head, M, Male, 40, Flitwick, Brewers Lab
Sarah Page, Wife, M, Female, 37, Ampthill
Jane Page, Daur, U, Female, 18, Ampthill, Domestic Servt
Susannah Page, Daur, U, Female, 16, Ampthill, Shoe Fitter
George Page, Son, U, Male, 14, Ampthill, Ag Lab
Harry Page, Son, Male, 10, Ampthill, Scholar
Elizabeth Page, Daur, Female, 8, Ampthill, Scholar
Emily Page, Daur, Female, 6, Ampthill, Scholar
John Page, Son, Male, 4, Ampthill, Scholar
Edward Page, Son, Male, 2, Ampthill
Arthur Page, Son, Male, 9m, Ampthill

H King:  this could be either the father or son - interesting that they are at the pub that the ringers now frequent!

Queens Head Beer House, Ampthill. [RG11 1634/60 page 33]:

Hugh King, Head, M, Male, 51, Maulden, Bricklayer & Publican
Lucy King, Wife, M, Female, 50, Ampthill
Hugh King, Son, U, Male, 20, Ampthill, Plumber

H Crick:

The Gardens, Ampthill. [RG11 1634/93 page 48]:

Isaac Crick, Head, M, Male, 57, Ampthill, Gardener & Farmer 57 Ac Emp 5 Men 3 Boys
Elizabeth Crick, Wife, M, Female, 60, Bedford
William Crick, Son, U, Male, 26, Ampthill, Farmers Son
Emma Crick, Daur, U, Female, 21, Ampthill, Nat School Mistress
Henry Crick, Son, U, Male, 15, Ampthill, Farmers Son

W Cole:  a much less unusual name, but this is the only one living in Ampthill

Oliver Street, Ampthill [RG11 1634/80 page 21]:

Frederick Puttman, Head, M, Male, 35, Millbrook, Ag Lab
Elizabeth Puttman, Wife, M, Female, 35, Maulden, Sewer
William Cole, Boarder, U, Male, 18, Maulden, Ag Lab
Sarah Cole, Boarder, U, Female, 15, Ampthill, Sewer
Edward Springett, Boarder, Male, 3, Ampthill

No luck with D Butler as yet - and as for the Churchwardens:

Alex Pym:  there can be no doubt about this one!

Station Road, Ampthill [RG11 1634/64 page 42]:

Alexander Pym, Head, M, Male, 61, Knebworth, Magistrate for Co Beds Cambs On Loc Or Ch N
Eliza E Pym, Wife, M, Female, 59, Montague Place, London
Elizth M E Pym, Daur, U, Female, 29
Sarah Monk, Serv, U, Female, 57, Dagenham, Essex, Temporary Cook
Agnes Barnard, Serv, U, Female, 22, Hashingfield, Cambridge, Parlour Maid
Mary A Looder, Serv, U, Female, 14, London, House Maid Helper

W S Allen:  there are a lot of Allens in Bedfordshire and none listed as W S Allen - this is the only W Allen in Ampthill

Bedford Street, Ampthill [RG11 1634/51 page 15]:

Wm Allen, Head, M, Male, 51, Stagsden, Plumber &c Employing 1 Boy
Jemima Allen, Wife, M, Female, 45, Houghton
Emily Allen, Daur, U, Female, 21, Ampthill, Dressmaker
George H Allen, Son, Male, 18, Ampthill, Plumber &c