Tom Cullingworth
'A Good Ringer'

Tom died on 12 May 2003 just two months after celebrating his 90th birthday. Over 120 family and friends attended his funeral service at All Saints, Maidstone, Kent (England) on 21 May. The service was conducted by the vicar Rev Christopher Morgan-Jones, assisted by Canon David Grimwood. The following tribute to Tom is based on David's address, to which a number of Tom's ringing friends were pleased to contribute.

We have a saying in the ringing chamber at All Saints about certain methods and touches - 'TC approved'. Tom's presence and authority was, and still is, very distinct and present at All Saints. He was always very clear about what was appropriate to ring. I felt I had been approved when invited to call the touch (always Grandsire Triples) at a wedding - 'something between 400 and 500 changes, please, David'. I duly looked up a touch and we rang it. Afterwards, Tom said 'the first part of Parker's 12-part makes a good touch, and at 419 changes is a good length'. I took the hint and learnt. At the next wedding, Tom asked me to call a touch - 'about 419 changes long will do'! He went on to mention all sorts of tips about calling Parker's which have proved very handy, and of course he was right - it does make a very musical wedding touch.

But such firmness of habit did lead to risking, when feeling rather full of bravura, teasing him. He always took it in good part, and would then regale us with stories of past mischief and teasing he had initiated in years gone by, followed by his characteristic chuckle.

Tom was held in great esteem by his many ringing friends, who were privileged to enjoy his company, friendship and expertise in the art of change ringing. Looking around this church today there are people who represent connections through over 50 years of ringing. He had a wealth of stories about ringers and ringing, which gave us a strong link to our predecessors. However, Tom remained at the forefront of Kent ringing throughout his life, very much a part of current activity.

Tom was his own man who did things in his own way. He retained his Yorkshire accent, and other Yorkshire characteristics, despite living in Kent for most of his life. He was a very special person, driven by a passion and great interest in life and ringing. This meant that when most were retiring and taking it easier in their late 60s Tom was striving to achieve new goals and bring new dimensions to his ringing. Watching him ring tenors, particularly at All Saints, Maidstone, effortlessly and accurately was a delight. But he would ring any bell, and any method, just as well. In fact it was impossible to tell that he was nearly blind. Whatever problems his failing eyesight caused him outside the tower, it did not affect his ringing at all.

He started ringing at Crofton, near Wakefield, in 1925 when he was in the choir and used to ring the five-minute bell. Tom told us that he would ring it higher and higher, when the vicar was not about, until he could ring it up to the balance. When ringing at Crofton was revived just before the General Strike in 1926, Tom was told that he was too small to ring! Little did they know, and after persisting for a few weeks he was allowed to try. A few minutes under the supervision of Frank Bradley and he was able to ring rounds. Tom's 75 year ringing career had begun.

Tom moved to Ashford in 1934 and was elected a member of the KCACR in December that year. He went on to hold various offices in the Association and was elected a Vice-President in 1985, in recognition of his hard work and achievements for Kent ringing. He was proud to serve the Association and of his 69 years' membership. He was elected a member of the Ancient Society of College Youths in 1944 and greatly valued his membership of nearly 60 years.

In those early days in Kent, Tom made friends and established relationships which shaped the rest of his life. In 1937 he joined the RAF and was posted to Manston where he joined the band at St Laurence-in-Thanet. Here he met Lily, whom he married in August 1944. Tom and Lily were one of ringing's (and life's) strongest partnerships. Their love for each other, and for their sons, John and Richard, and their wives Marina and Wendy, was obvious to all.

As Tom's reputation as a ringer grew so did Lily's for the superb teas provided at ringing meetings. Indeed the Cullingworth hospitality in Holtye Crescent was greatly enjoyed by many. Tom always remarked that Lily would like to feed the whole of Maidstone. His packed lunches on trips, Irish stew in a flask and the famous rhubarb and custard in a jar, were simply amazing. When Tom lost his sight in his mid-forties, it was Lily who became his eyes, helping him overcome the challenges of everyday life and learn methods and compositions. It is difficult for us to think of them separately, even after Lily died in May 1997.

Sunday service ringing and regular worship at All Saints' was a major aspect of Tom's life. In his 'retirement' years he spend many hours adjusting the bells at All Saints. His work on one of the finest peals of bells in the country meant that the internal acoustics are almost perfect and they are a delight to ring. Tom liked the bells to be rung and enjoyed the company of the local band and visitors in the service ringing, quarter peals and practices. He also rang regularly for Sunday service at East Farleigh and St Michael's Maidstone and attended West Malling and Linton practices. He was a strong supporter of Maidstone District meetings, striking competitions and County events.

Tom's ability as a ringer was put to good practice in ringing peals. His first was at Wath on Dearne, Yorkshire, on 20 January 1938. He conducted his second peal, Plain Bob Major, from the tenor at St Laurence-in-Thanet later that year and rang five more before the war in 1939.

Tom rang peals with all the regular Kent peal bands over the next 30 years and on 2 March 1976, aged 63, rang his 1000th peal: Yorkshire Surprise Royal on the tenor at All Saints'. He often mentioned his peals of Surprise Major with Mark Lancefield in the early 1950s, which were ground-breaking at the time. Tom talked with great affection about Mark and subsequent leading Kent ringers and would nearly always end with 'he or she was a good ringer'.

The early 1970s saw over 300 peals with Tim Wylie's band and this set the pace for the next 25 years. The Maidstone Tuesday night peal band was started with Tom's encouragement in 1980 and continues today. It worked well, and Tom reached his 2000th peal on 4 February 1992, just before his 79th birthday. He continued to ring regularly with this band until June 1999, when he had serious problems with his knees. Of his final total of 2335 peals, over half were rung after his 65th birthday. Highlights include: