Introduction
Photographs of some of the leading characters and events from the Society's history, have for many years, adorned the walls of the ringing chamber. Further photographs are to be found in the ringers' archive and minutes books - a total of over 40 photographs.
The wish to have a copy of these photographs and make them more widely available provided the initial spark for this website. The majority of these photographs have been scanned and are displayed below in approximate chronological order.
Use the arrow icons to scroll down the photographs; placing the mouse / pointer over the thumbnail picture will give a brief discription of each photo. Clicking on a thumbnail will result in a larger version being displayed in the right-hand window. There is an option to display a full-sized version (may be slow to display) of each photograph - this is provided by a link at the bottom of the descriptive text that accompanies each photograph. Note: use of versions of Internet Explorer prior to V8 may result in unpredictable browser behaviour when displaying the photographs.
Images are not to be used for commercial purposes.
The photographs
 Negus_slide.jpg "Jack Negus")
St Peter Mancroft, Norwich 9 Nov. 1883
[back row] J Fiddament, P Sadler, J Skinner, NJ Pitstow, Revd. N Bolingbroke, Captn. Moore, J Youngs, Wm Smith [middle row] George Smith, W Freeman, C Middleton, R Palgrave, F Knights [front row] Wm Blyth, H Roberts, W Potter (Sexton), E Freeman.
Photo associated with the following peal: Norwich, Norfolk St. Peter Mancroft; On Monday, 5 November 1883, in 3 hours and 35 minutes, 5080 Kent Treble Bob Royal. Composition: Nathaniel J Pitstow. 1 Nathan J Pitstow 2 Philip Sadler 3 William Ireland 4 Frederick Pitstow 5 John Fiddament 6 Robert Stackwood 7 Frederick Knights 8 James Skinner 9 William Smith 10 George Smith. Conducted by: Nathan J Pitstow First peal on bells after re-hanging. Ringers of 1 & 4 from Saffron Walden (full size). [Hanging in ringing chamber].
Loughborough May 15 1894
After peal of 8800 Superlative Surprise Major in 6 hours 16 minutes, at All Saints, Loughborough, Tenor 28cwt. The longest length composed and rung in the method - by NJ Pitstow.
Standing: J Hardy-6, S Smith-5, Arthur James-3, Ernest Pitstow-4, RT Lane-7. Sitting: John W Taylor-Tenor, Revd. GF Coleridge-2, Nathan J Pitstow (C)-Treble (full size). [Minutes book].
Sawbridgeworth April 11 1898
The writing on the suitcase reads "Disconsolate Band April 11 1898 2 Hours 10 Minutes". And words on board are "Sawbridgeworth April 11 1898 after two hours 10 minutes London Surprise" - the band having just failed a peal of London Surprise Major, at their second attempt (after 17 courses) at Sawbridgeworth on Easter Monday.
[left to right] W Dallimore, FJ Pitstow, AF James, Alfred Pitstow, Ernest Pitstow, JF Penning, NJ Pitstow, F Pitstow (full size). [Minutes book].
Saffron Walden 1899?
Possibly taken the Sunday (top hats!) after the Society successfully rang their first peal of London Surprise Major.
[left to right] A Pitstow, A James, E Pitstow, Jonathan Freeman, JF Penning, EA Pitstow, W Parish, C Freeman, NJ Pitstow, FJ Pitstow (full size). [Archive PH19].
Edward Taylor
1841-1922 died aged 81. Although a non-ringer Mr Taylor was Master of the Society from 1895 until approximately 1910 (full size). [Hanging in ringing chamber].
Nathan J Pitstow
1846-1914. Member of the society from 1868. Celebrated peal composer - many still rung today (full size). [Hanging in ringing chamber].
Fredrick Pitstow
1850-1928. Member of the society from 1868. Celebrated conductor (full size). [Hanging in ringing chamber].
John F Penning
1852-1924 Member of the society from 1874. Composed peals of Grandsire Triples and Bob Minor (full size). [Hanging in ringing chamber].
Ernest A Pitstow
1861-1947. Member of the society from 1882. Noted for his first class striking (full size). [Hanging in ringing chamber].
Arthur F James
1868-1932 died aged 64. Member of the society from 1889. Secretary 1895 until 1901. Rang 65 peals, including one record length of 8800 Superlative in 1894 (full size). [Hanging in ringing chamber].
Alfred E Pitstow
1875-1966. Member of the society from 1889. Master 1927-1940. (full size). [Hanging in ringing chamber].
Approx. 1905
[left to right - standing] Tom Watts (Stansted), EA Pitstow, T Jordan (Stansted), W Prior (Stansted), P Webb (Ickleton), ? Prior (Stansted), ?, ? Prior (Stansted) [seated] George Taylor (Cambridge), F Pitstow (full size). [Minutes book].
1906? Most probably taken at Horsham on outing
Standing: Walter Parish, ?, ?, ?, ?, AF James, ?, EA Pitstow, JF Penning, ?, ?, Bobbie Chance, AE Pitstow. Sitting: Fred Pitstow, ?, Charles Freeman, Edward Taylor, ?, Johnathan Freeman. (full size). [Archive PH23].
1906? Most probably taken at Horsham on outing
Standing: Alfred Pitstow, Charles Freeman, ?, Johnathan Freeman, Frederick Pitstow, ?. Sitting (on chairs): Ernest Pitstow, Arthur James, Mrs Taylor, Miss Taylor, Edward Taylor, Walter Parish. Sitting (on ground): Fred Hughes, Dr. Leonard Taylor. (full size). [Archive PH20].
St Mary’s Saffron Walden 1912
From left to right: Alfred Evenett, FJ Pitstow, Charles Freeman, Jonathan Freeman, Arthur James, Rev. JJ Steele, Frederick Pitstow, NJ Pitstow, Dr. EL Taylor, Robert Strong, EA Pitstow, Walter Parish, G Sparrow, H Pitstow. (full size). [Hanging in ringing chamber].
Saffron Walden 1914 (Dedication of four new trebles)
Standing from left to right: C Freeman, JF Penning, RA Strong, A James, J Gilling (Churchwarden), Rev. GM Benton, A Bowell (Bell Founder), Rev. JJ Antrobus (Vicar), F Pitstow, Rev. GF Hart, H Pitstow, AE Pitstow, A Evenett, W Parish. Sitting from left to right: FJ Pitstow, L Pitstow, G Sparrow. (full size). [Hanging in ringing chamber].
Approx. 1914
[standing left to right] Fred Pitstow, Charles Freeman, ?, Walter Parish, Ernest A Pitstow, George Taylor, ?, Alfred Pitstow, John F Penning, Arthur James. [sitting left to right] ?,?,?, Jonathan Freeman, Len Pitstow, Rev. FE Robinson. (full size). [Minutes book].
Great Ringing Day June 27 1914
Group photograph taken on the occasion of the dedication of four new bells to make a peal of twelve (and published in the Ringing World July 10th, 1914). (full size). [Archive PH16].
1928 The four new trebles
The four new trebles [and 5th for tuning purposes] in the Market Square. [standing on the truck left to right] A Bowell (Bellfounder), F Pitstow (Master), J Gilling (Churchwarden), G Sparrow, A Evenett, JF Penning. (full size). [Minutes book].
1928 Dedication of four new trebles
Standing (left to right) - F Dench, F Ridgewell, A Simmonds, R Strong, G Sparrow, E Pitstow, A James, W Parish, H Sketchley. Sitting - F Pitstow (Treasurer), Dr L Hughes (Vicar), A Pitstow (Master), L Pitstow (Secretary). Bellhanger. (full size). [Hanging in ringing chamber].
1934 AGM
[left to right] L Mumford, R Ridgewell, AL Simmonds, G Sparrow, F Adams, W Parish, H Sketchley, F Dench, R Lathbury (Cambridge), J Ward (Melbourn) (full size). [Minutes book].
Fred Dench
1875-1958. Member of the society from 1921. An outstanding composer and conductor. (full size). [Hanging in ringing chamber].
Band in 1960
Front: Mrs Ruth Mumford, Godfrey jnr., Mrs Mary Pitstow Back: ? Davis, Leslie Turner, John Smith, E Hayes, Len Pitstow, Walter Parish, Police Sergeant Godfrey, RA Strong, Lewis Mumford (names from Stacey's Albums in Saffron Walden Library)(full size). [Archive PH1960].
Band 19 February 1960
Ringing to celebrate the birth of HRH Prince Andrew (as reported in local press). Left to right; J Negus, L Turner, E Pye, S Wright, L Pitstow, L Mumford, E Hayes, H Pitstow, Ruth Mumford, Mary Pitstow and H Cranwell (full size). [Archive PH7].
1962 Rededication of the bells
Rededication of the bells by Bishop of Colchester (Frederick Dudley Vaughan Narborough), October 20 1962, following their re-hanging, on ball bearings, in a cast iron frame (full size). [Minutes book].
1962 Rededication of the bells - group photo
The present ring of 12 bells was rededicated on 20th October 1962. The photograph shows ringers present at this event. Lord Menbury, a friend of the donor of £1,700 is at the back wearing spectacles; Mr and Mrs LE Pitsow whose help was so valuable are pictured front left (full size). [Archive PH11].
1960s handbells is town square
Left to right; Mary Pitstow, L Pitstow, L Mumford, S Wright, J Negus, ? (full size). [Archive PH5].
Society in 1963
Picture used for article in local press regarding history of the Society in 1963. The details accompanying the picture read: "Members of the Saffron Walden Society of Change Ringers, Left to right: E. Hayes, L Turner, J Byatt (aged 14), S Wright, W Pye (aged 14), LE Pitstow, BJ Couzens, JH Negus and EW Pye." (full size). [Archive PH9].
1963 Annual Outing to Downham Market
[left to right standing] L Turner, E hayes, W Pye, RA Strong, WE Pye, G Lilly, LE Pitstow, Mrs LE Pitstow, Lord Wrenbury, Mrs Mumford, L Mumford, L Flitton. [left to right sitting] J Mumford, S Wright, BJ Couzens, J Negus (full size). [Minutes book].
1963 Annual Outing to Downham Market
[left to right] Lord Wrenbury, J Negus, RA Strong, W Pye, S Wright, L Flitton, G Lilley, B Couzens, L Mumford, R Mumford, LE Pitstow, EM Pitstow (full size). [Minutes book].
1968 Outing to the Fens
[left to right] L Turner, Miss M Coningsby, D Lilley, Miss J Sanderson, J Negus, Mrs R Mumford, G Lilley, M Matthews, LE Pitstow, I West, F Harper, J Mumford, W Pye, L Mumford (full size). [Hanging in ringing chamber].
Late 1960s band outside west door
Left to right; J Mumford, D Lilley, Monica Conningsby, L Turner, E Hayes, L Mumford, G Lilley, I West, L Pitstow, J Negus, ?, Jean Sanderson, H Pitstow, ?, ?, ?, ?, ? (full size). [Archive PH12].
1976 Roger GR Collins & Len E Pitstow
Photo taken Feb 1976 upon the change of Ringing Master, from Mr LE Pitstow to Mr RGR Collins (full size). [Archive PH14].
Band 18 Sep 1976
Back row: John Smith, Roger Collins, John Bates, John Read, Tracey Matthews. Middle: Lewis Mumford, Ruth Mumford, Ian Maddams, Hugh Maddams, Bob Currell, Mike Matthews. Front: Neville Harding, Jack Negus, Len Pitstow, Jean Sanderson, Julie Roberts, Geoff Grayton (full size). [Archive PH10].
 Negus_web.jpg "Jack Negus")
John H (Jack) Negus
1895-1979. Jack was a much liked member of the society who remained an active ringer until shortly before his death. Elected a member in 1951. [Photographed in 1979] (full size). [Hanging in ringing chamber].
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Len E Pitstow
1900-1984. Last of the ringing Pitstows of Saffron Walden (full size). [Hanging in ringing chamber].
1980 Peal Band
5040 Plain Bob Triples, Ashdon, Essex; The first peal by the Society for 48 years. [Left to right] Robert W Mitchell, Penny M Browne, Michael J Matthews, Charles A Farrow, Roger GR Collins, John FW Read, Margaret W Williams, John LC Mumford. (full size). [Minutes book].
Len Pitstow 1981
Presentation to Len Pitstow to mark 65 years as member of the Society (full size). [Minutes book].
1982 Peal Band
5184 Plain Bob Caters [back row l-r] John Mumford, Bob Mitchell, Neville Harding, Michael Matthews, Steve Woolmer, John Read. [front row l-r] Margaret Williams, Tracey Matthews, Liz Wayper, Roger Collins (full size). [Minutes book].
Saffron Walden Christmas Fair (Dec 82)
As reported in local press: The ringers outside the town hall on Saturday. Handbell ringers gave this year’s Christmas fair at Saffron Walden Parish Church a little appeal. A Group of seven ringers played outside the town hall on the hour on Saturday to attract people into the fair. Mr Bob Mitchell, the organiser said “We think that we did bring more people into the fair. We believe we have raised more than £2,000 which is substantially more than last year.” Left to right: John Ellis, Ken Ryles, ?, Hayley Dillon, Penny Browne, ?, Steve Woolmer (full size). [Archive].
Millennium 2000
Left to right: Robert Welham, John Mumford, Patrick Draper, Richard Freeman, Roger Collins, Nick Eldred, Hugh Maddams, John Palmer (full size). [Archive PH17].
Sunday Service Band - September 2001
Left to right: Roy Seaman, John Mumford, Roger Collins, Nick Eldred, Eve Wheeler, John Hammond, Steve Woolmer, Gerard Clinton, Robert Welham, Rev. Duncan Green, Ann Clinton, Margaret Burbery, Michael Down, Roger Burbery, John Palmer (and seated: Madeleine, Emma and Oliver Clinton) (full size). [Archive].
