Schoolboy picks up award for fastest progress in campanology (From Wiltshire Times)

Schoolboy picks up award for fastest progress in campanology

3:00pm Friday 1st March 2013 in Latest News

Matravers pupil Adam Hiscocks has been given a bell-ringing award after progressing from novice to a Queen’s Jubilee peal lasting nearly three hours in just two years.

The 15-year-old, from Manor Fields, Bratton, has been was awarded the Most Improved Young Ringer title by the Salisbury Diocese Guild of Ringers.

He took up the art of change ringing with a two-week intensive course at Edington Priory Church in April 2010 and showed natural aptitude.

After ringing a treble to a Quarter Peal of doubles in 2011, he progressed to a peal in honour of the Diamond Jubilee last year, which lasted two hours and 45 minutes.

He has also been given a certificate, by chairman of the Devizes branch Gillean MacDonald, to mark his jubilee achievement.

Adam, who practises for between two and four hours each week, said: “I really enjoy the fact that not many other people can say they do what I do.

“It’s something different.

It is also very challenging, both mentally and physically.

“You constantly have to make sure you are in the right place at the right time, following the set method. So you are thinking all the time where you need to be next.

“When I did my Jubilee Peal, it was really physically challenging and I had blisters on my hands by the end.

“There’s also the mental side of concentrating over such a long time and making sure you don’t let the team down.

“While it is hard work, it is completely worth it and by the end you feel like you’ve really accomplished something. It was a privilege to receive the award and it was really nice to be recognised.”

As well as bell ringing, Adam plays electric guitar in a band and is doing the Duke of Edingburgh’s Award and this year’s Ten Tors.

Branch chairman Miss Mac-Donald said: “We have quite a few bell ringers around Adam’s age, but he has taken to it the best out of everyone. He is very good and he seems to be quite a natural.

“It’s unusual for someone Adam’s age to ring a peal, so he’s done very well to have done it so young.

“He is very dedicated and his hard work has paid off.”