Andrew Pollock writes:
On 15th November 2024 a valiant attempt was made to ring a peal of Pudsey Surprise Major, in Pudsey parish church (St Lawrence & St Paul) West Yorkshire, for Pudsey bear and BBC Children in Need. There was a delayed start to remove a wooden ladder that was discovered in the pit of bell number 4 when it refused to ring up! This was the start of a catalogue of events that thwarted the peal, which was lost after an accidental mis-call, and a subsequent quarter peal attempt lost when Jayden’s rope became untucked. None the less the fundraising was an astonishing success, raising £1,045 (see https://www.justgiving.com/page/a-peal-for-pudsey for the original fundraising page with total). 
Feeling somewhat obliged to fulfil the original sponsored challenge, a second attempt was made to ring Pudsey Surprise Major on 14th November 2025 (BBC Children in Need day 2025). Ringers from Barrow, Dalton, Ambleside, Penrith, Whittington, and Silverdale met at Flookburgh at 2pm. David Robinson was there to open up the tower and welcome us, and we couldn’t miss the imposing new 8 bell simulator setup (and rope warmer) in the centre of the ringing chamber – it is clear a lot of effort has been invested in what could be an excellent learning/teaching resource. The simulator didn’t interfere with the ropesight as much as I expected, and I’m pleased to say was successful. A further donation to BBC Children in Need of £50 was made on behalf of the ringers, bringing the total raised to almost £1,100.
My thanks especially to Duncan for conducting the peal, and everyone for travelling and giving their free time to ring the peal.
It also puts me another step closer to my personal ambition of ringing a full peal of all 8 standard surprise methods, with only London Surprise Major remaining. I suspect that may take a little longer to learn and master.
On Friday, 14 November 2025 at the church of St John the Baptist, Flookburgh
A peal of 5088 changes of Pudsey Surprise Major was rung in in 3 hours and 5 minutes
Composition: Chris Adams
1 Jason W Pollock
2 D Robert Pettifor
3 Anne E Pettifor
4 J Andrew Pollock
5 Duncan G Walker(C)
6 Peter H Gardner
7 Jayden R Milby
8 Robin A Daw
First in method- 4.
Rung on BBC Children in Need Day.
A birthday compliment to Wendy Daw, mother of the tenor ringer.
