Variations

Under the new Central Council Framework for Method Ringing (Section 5.D), a Variation is defined as a named combination of a Method and a Call or Calls. Note that while a variation has the same Class as the underlying Method on which it is based, it does not use a Class Descriptor in its name (for instance, Bob or Place).

The Framework includes the requirement that the Central Council kept a Library of Calls and Variations. This is intended to become that Library, but work is still needed to sort out a few historical anomalies and make sure everything is in consistent with the new Framework. There are also quite a number of duplicate names, which will need to be clarified. Some of the current issues are listed here; all comments gratefully received.

The Help section explains how variations are constructed by inserting different calls into a method.

Doubles Variations

Most of the Variations here are for Doubles Methods, largely because under the previous Central Council Decisions, this was the only Stage at which Variations were defined.

To find details of a particular Doubles variation, either use the quick search below or use the Search by Name link at the top of the page.

Alternatively, you can Search by Structure, specifying either the underlying method or the call (or calls) or both. There is also a single table of all named Doubles Variations, arranged in order of parent method.

A list of all the named Calls used in the Library is given here, with their code letters. You can also use the Search for Calls link above to search the list by name or by other criteria. Help on calls and their code letters is also available.

Many of the variations listed here have had different names or spellings assigned to them over the years. This collection of Debated Names has been compiled in order to show the evidence of various usages. A letter in the Ringing World (1 May 2020, p. 433) requested further information on any of the names. If you can help, please .

Latest Additions

Commonwealth Day: Rung at Birchington, 10 Mar 2024
Pick 'n Mix: Rung at Birchington, 5 Mar 2024
If Everyone Is Ready: Rung at Birchington, 3 Mar 2024
Abacot Ranger, Ancona, Aylesbury, Bali, Blue Swedish, Call, Campbell, Cayuga, Cherry Valley, Crested, Crispy Aromatic, Daffy, Donald, Dunclair, Dutch Hookbill, East Indie, Eider, Gadwall, Garganey, Goldeneye, Hook Bill, Indian Runner, Mallard (the Duck), Muscovy, Orpington, Pekin, Pintail, Pochard, Pomeranian, Rubber, Saxony, Scaup, Scrooge Mc, Shelduck, Shoveler, Silver Appleyard, Silver Bantam, Smew, Tufted, Velvet Scoter, Welsh Harlequin and Wigeon: Rung at Clifton, 29 Feb 2024
Sixtieth Wedding Anniversary: Rung at Birchington, 25 Feb 2024
Oh do be quiet Mr Yeatman, The Vicar's not going to like this, Put that light out, Don't tell him Pike, Do you think that's wise, Don't panic, Whistle while you work, Might I be excused, We're doomed and Fifty pigeons in the pipes: Rung at Birchington, 18 Feb 2024
Noice: Rung at York, 18 Feb 2024
Salford Priors: Rung at Aston Cantlow, 14 Feb 2024
Employment Haircut: Rung at York, 13 Feb 2024
Just a Sloice: Rung at York, 11 Feb 2024
Cawley: Rung at Birchington, 11 Feb 2024
Diary: Rung at York (St Wilfrid), 10 Feb 2024
The York Colleges Guild Is The Best University Bellringing Society: Rung at York, 9 Feb 2024
She's Got A Fancy Hat: Rung at York (St Wilfrid), 7 Feb 2024
Great Tits, Blue Tits and Coal Tits: Rung at Bere Regis, 2 Feb 2024
All in a day's work, At the drop of a hat, In the bag and Piece of cake: Rung at Birchington, 30 Jan 2024
Arden Cluster: Rung at Coughton, 27 Jan 2024
Bidford on Avon: Rung at Coughton, 27 Jan 2024
Alcester: Rung at Aston Cantlow, 24 Jan 2024
Table and Chair: Rung at Birchington, 21 Jan 2024
Tom Woods: Rung at Birchington, 31 Dec 2023
Ollie's 100th: Rung at Quex Park, 28 Dec 2023
Lammas: Rung at Quex Park, 28 Dec 2023
One More Sleep: Rung at Birchington, 24 Dec 2023
'cos It's Sunday: Rung at Birchington, 5 Dec 2023
Baptism: Rung at St Mary Bourne, 3 Dec 2023

Variations at Other Stages

This table shows Variations at other stages. If you know of any others, please let know.

NameStageMethodCallRW RefNotes
BroughamMinorPlain BobCumbria Bob1978/827, 1978/890Peal rung at Brougham, 8 Aug 1978
Pride of MelbourneMinorPlain BobBob, Single and 1256 Extreme1978/917Quarter peal rung at High Halden, 23 Sep 1978
Norton KnatchbullMinorPlain BobPlain Bob Bob and 1256 Extreme1978/1089Quarter peal rung at Little Chart, 25 Nov 1978
HighworthMinorPlain BobPlain Bob Single and 1256 Extreme1978/1089Quarter peal rung at Little Chart, 25 Nov 1978
ChironMinorPlain BobOld Bob and Plain Bob Single1979/546Quarter peal rung at High Halden, 26 May 1979
TelstarMinorPlain BobOld Bob and 1256 Extreme1979/546Quarter peal rung at High Halden, 26 May 1979
Scapa FlowMinorPlain BobWreford Bob1978/827, 1978/890Peal rung at Plumpton, 9 Aug 1978
BurghclereMinorPlain Bob36 Bob as treble is in 4-5 and Plain Bob Single1974/897, 1974/903Peal rung at Burghclere, 4 Oct 1974
April DayMinorPlain BobGrandsire Single1962/755Peal rung at Loughborough (Bellfoundry), 12 Oct 1962
May DayMinorPlain BobPlain Bob Bob and Pink's Single1975/450Peal rung at Woolton Hill, 1 May 1975
KenningtonMinorPlain BobSingle Canterbury Bob1964/472Peal rung at Cropthorne, 20 Jun 1964
SouthreppsMinorSingle Canterbury Pleasure BobPlain Bob Bob1964/49Peal rung at Collingham, 14 Dec 1963
Von Thünen PleasureMinorSingle Canterbury BobSingle Canterbury Bob and 1256 Extreme1979/738720 rung at Egerton, 9 Jul 1979
Weber PleasureMinorSingle Canterbury BobSingle Canterbury Single and 1256 Extreme1979/738720 rung at Egerton, 9 Jul 1979
April DayTriplesPlain BobGrandsire Single1973/337Quarter peal rung at Deptford, 1 Apr 1973
May DayTriplesPlain BobPink's Single2023/842Quarter peal rung at Shepton Mallet, 25 May 2023
Pink'sTriplesGrandsirePink's Bob and Pink's Single1986/388Quarter peal rung at Bexhill on Sea, 9 Mar 1986
SouthreppsTriplesCanterbury Pleasure BobPlain Bob Bob1971/784Quarter peal rung at Deptford, 8 Aug 1971
St David'sTriplesCanterbury Pleasure BobAntelope Single2009/283Quarter peal rung at Eastbourne, 1 Mar 2009
EynshamTriplesSt Simon's BobGrandsire Single2013/1012Quarter peal rung at Thatcham, 25 Aug 2013
April DayMajorPlain BobGrandsire Single1977/362Quarter peal rung at Lower Beeding, 2 Apr 1977
April DayCatersPlain BobGrandsire Single2011/374Quarter peal rung at Shrivenham, 26 Feb 2011
April DayRoyalPlain BobGrandsire Single2023/523Quarter peal rung at York (St Wilfrid), 5 May 2023