(See also tributes by Revd. Brian Harris, Ken Lee and Peter Dyson all of which, including the following, have been extracted from The Ringing World, issue No. 4784 dated January 3, 2003, pp20 and 21.)

I first met Ken - Mr. Lewis - in the mid-fifties when I was aged 11 and people belonging to a previous generation were addressed in more formal terms than today. He was a headmaster and, as a young lad, my first recollection of him was that, despite his slight stature, he had a very loud, authoritative voice. We all quickly realised that "his bark was indeed, louder than his bite!"

In 1959, whilst on John Worth's peal tour of South Wales, I had to leave the ringing party for two days to attend my interview at Chester for the Police Cadets. When I returned Ken took me to one side and, whilst giving me every encouragement, said, "If you join the Police Force you'll struggle to ring 1000 peals." He was right!!

In 1974, we flew from Manchester to Inverness and rang the first peal on the ten bells at the Cathedral there, conducted by Ken. The ten ringers were transported to Inverness in two of Fred Dunkerley's light aircraft, one of which was piloted by Fred, who unfortunately could not take part in the peal due to a neck problem. (Thankfully, this did not affect his piloting skills!!) I think this was the only time Ken actually flew.

We sailed to Ireland on several of our excursions and drove the length and breadth of Britain, including a day trip to ring a peal at Exeter Cathedral. Ken's last tower bell peal was Bob Maximus at Macclesfield. In the last course he started to sway from side to side catching the sally with one hand. When I concernedly enquired if he was feeling alright, the answer "YES" could have been heard across Cheshire! At the finish when I called "That's all, stand", (with just one row of rounds). Ken sat down and said he just had a bit of cramp.

They say behind every good man there's a good woman. Ken leaves a widow, Mary, also an expert and meticulous ringer, to whom I, along with all who knew Ken, would like to offer our sincere condolences.

Ken was undoubtedly a legendary ringer, one of my most unforgettable characters and my respected mentor.

BILL DOWSE