Delight versus Surprise

The distinctions amongst Treble Bob, Delight and Surprise are documented under "Method".

This website uses the traditional definition of "regular methods" hence the "41 Surprise Minor Methods chart for handbells" is very useful.

Within the traditional definition of "Regular Surprise Minor" there are 4 distinct method groups each having the same work above the treble, and 3 of those grouips also have the option of 2nds place or 6ths place when the treble leads. We have documented the methods within those 7 groups, see below.

Within the traditional definition of "Regular Surprise Minor" there are 13 different structures available under the treble. Both the "London below" group and the "Wells below" group have 6 members each, whist Norwich, and Warkworth have unique work below the treble.

Cardinal

The cardinal 4 surprise each have different work above the treble, Cambridge and London have a special place in that Cambridge incorporates the maximum amount of forward hunting, and extends beautifully to the higher stages, where London incorporates the maximum amount of backward hunting. Norwich is unique but is popular as a tower bell method, it preserves some of the feel of Kent and Oxford Treble Bob, and can act as a useful pathway into ringing Surprise Major. Carlisle group methods are challengong owing to the asymmetric 1-2 Section.

• Cambridge S.
• Norwich S.
• London S.
• Carlisle S.

Essential

London Surprise and Wells Surprise each link to a further 5 methods with identical work below the treble.

• London S.
• Wells S.

Stepping Stones

York and Durham are included here owing to their position as members of the extensive "Cambridge above" group and the "London below" and "Wells below" groups. Similarly Rossendale is included here owing to its position as members of the extensive "Norwich above" group and the "London below" group.

• York S.
• Durham S.
• Bourne S.
• Rossendale S.

Right Place Surprise Minor Methods

There are ten methods that comply with the original definition of "regular" surprise minor methods, and that do not include places made "wrong".

Methods closely related to Cambridge: Ipswich, Norfolk and Primrose.
These are all lead end or half lead variations, using either 1-6 or 5-6 at the half lead, and 1-2 or 1-6 at the lead end. Hence the structure notes on ringing Cambridge are very relevant.

• Ipswich Surprise Minor -36-14-12-36-14-16,12
• Norfolk Surprise Minor -36-14-12-36-14-16,16
• Cambridge Surprise Minor -36-14-12-36-14-56,12
• Primrose Surprise Minor -36-14-12-36-14-56,16
  

"Cousins" of Cambridge:, Bourne, Hull.
These methods have Cambridge above the treble and -34- when the treble is in 5-6, then 3rds place half lead.
So there is some relationship with Cambridge.

• Bourne Surprise Minor -36-14-12-36-34-36,12
• Hull Surprise Minor -36-14-12-36-34-36,16

Norwich group methods, Westminster, Netherseale, Annable's London and Norwich.
Norwich is a popular method on towerbells being the first "different" method learned after Cambridge. There is little similarity with Cambridge.

• Westminster Surprise Minor -34-14-12-36-12-36,12
• Netherseale Surprise Minor -34-14-12-36-14-36,12
• Annable's London Surprise Minor -34-14-12-36-14-36,16
• Norwich Surprise Minor -34-14-12-36-34-16,16