Ringers across Wiltshire, Hampshire, and beyond, as well as friends and neighbours, were deeply saddened by the passing of Peter H. Thorn of Great Hinton, Trowbridge. Peter passed away peacefully in his sleep on 29th October 2024, at the age of 90.
Born in Kent, Peter had a distinguished career with the Admiralty, the Royal Navy, and the Ministry of Defence. He retired from service in 1990, after which the family settled in Great Hinton, Wiltshire. There, Peter took on a part-time position as an auditor with NHS Primary Care in Trowbridge, finally retiring in March 1996.
Peter married Patsy in 1960. Before their marriage, Patsy, born Patricia Cope, had learnt various bellringing methods from her father, Bill Cope, who was also Peter’s former boss.
Peter’s journey into bell ringing began in 1975 when he was stationed as Officer in Charge of the Army Vehicle Depot in Hilton, Derbyshire. During a school visit, the local vicar gave a presentation on bell ringing to recruit new talent and Peter and Patsy’s children mentioned that their mother had some knowledge of the craft. This information was quickly relayed to the Tower Captain at Church Broughton, who invited Patsy for a lesson. In Peter’s memoirs, he humorously noted that “a new ringer of whatever standard would have been welcomed!” Although Peter had never rung a bell before, he accompanied Patsy to the tower, marking the beginning of a lifelong passion for bell ringing. He rang 13 peals and countless Quarter Peals, only some of which are captured on Bellboard.
Despite frequent relocations due to Peter’s career, the family’s eventual move to Great Hinton allowed him to join the Devizes Branch of bell ringers, based at St Michael’s and All Angels in Melksham. Peter and Patsy dedicated themselves to strengthening the bellringing community, assisting other towers within the Salisbury Guild, recruiting new members and training young ringers. Peter also served as both treasurer and chairman of the Salisbury Diocesan Guild of Ringers. He was deeply honoured to be admitted to the Ancient Society of College Youths in 2004.
Peter’s bell-ringing adventures spanned far and wide, including a memorable visit to Waterford City in Ireland, where he and Patsy rang at the Church of Ireland Cathedral. Milestones such as their Golden and Diamond wedding anniversaries, along with Peter’s 90th birthday, were joyfully celebrated at St Michael’s or with their band of ringers. One of the more unique experiences included a trip in the 1990’s when they accompanied a newlywed couple of dedicated bell ringers on a honeymoon tour of New Zealand, seizing the opportunity to ring at several towers along the way. Over more than 40 years of bell ringing, Peter and Patsy participated in numerous peals, quarter peals, and church events. Towards the end of his bellringing life, Peter could often be found with Patsy, enjoying the sound of the bells from a bench in the churchyard of St Michael’s, Melksham.
Peter led a fulfilling retirement, enriched by travel with family and friends, and his monthly “Golden Oldies” RNSTS lunch club gatherings, which he attended almost to the very end.
Peter is survived by his beloved wife Patsy, their two children, Sally and Mike, and four grandchildren, Ciara, Sarah, Oscar, and Charlie.
His funeral was held on November 21st at St Michael’s and All Angels in Melksham. In his memory, throughout November, bell-ringing performances have been dedicated to him in churches across Wiltshire and Hampshire. On the evening of his funeral, a 1260 Grandsire Triples was rung in his honour at his home tower, St Michael’s and All Angels, Melksham, Wiltshire.
