Ruby learnt to ring at Melksham during the Second World War together with Marion Hunt, Mary Kennelly and her male cousin Carol. She was taught by Arthur Angel together with Bill West, Stan Cockell and Charlie Andrews encouraging her – names remembered well by the author.
Ruby soon progressed and very much enjoyed her ringing. She rang her first 120 in July 1944. Her first quarter peal (Grandsire Triples) was scored in April 1945, also one for VE Day and VJ Day. Her first peal came on 8th September 1945 at Melksham in 3 hrs 3 mins featuring Devizes Branch old faithfuls Gilbert and Percy Harding, Fred Slatford, Stan and Herbert Cockel, Ernest Parker and Bill West.
By 1952 Ruby had progressed to ringing Surprise Major and Double Norwich with well-known ringers from the Swindon Branch of the G&B Diocesan Guild. By this time she had met and married Graham Eyles and had moved to Box. Ruby and Graham were well known in the Chippenham Branch where Graham continued to belong and in the Devizes Branch where Ruby remained a member. We always had great fun at teas and enjoyed the egg sandwiches on offer. Ruby and Graham were members of ‘The Friends of the Exercise’ who regularly rang in Devon in the fifties and sixties and was always interested to hear about ringing, especially about old friends as far afield as Bristol, Exmouth and Swindon.
Ruby enjoyed reading the Face to Face Newsletter and The Ringing World, hearing of friends’ news and recounting happy memories. She particularly enjoyed remembering Jean Carey (nee Abbott) who lives in Trowbridge (mother of Carol Simpson) and it was good to see Ruby celebrating her 75 years’ membership of the Guild at our Carol Service at West Lavington in December 2019; sadly, she did not quite make 80 years membership.
Ruby leaves a daughter, Pauline, and son Stephen with three grandchildren. Rest in peace Ruby.
Christine Purnell
Melksham
