Clive Wilfred Longden died on December 20th 2001 after a long battle with emphysema. Born in Chesterfield on 22 June 1944, the youngest of three brothers and the only ringer, he was taught to ring at the Crooked Spire in 1959 by Sam Scattergood, and most of his early change ringing was practised at Old Brampton (he requested that his ashes be scattered there), and other local towers such as Bolsover. He rapidly became proficient and rang his first peal at the first attempt on the treble bell at Tibshelf on 30th June 1960 - his further personal records have proved to be somewhat sparse!
The early nineteen sixties were good years for change ringing in Sheffield and District with strong bands at Handsworth, Dore, Dronfield, the Cathedral and Rotherham. The Guild at Sheffield University had also just been formed and was holding regular Friday night practices at St. Marie’s RC Church (now a Cathedral) on Norfolk Row. Clive was a regular visitor at these towers and part of the après ringing social scene. He was one of a group of friends who travelled widely to meetings and peals, pushing his mini van to its limits to keep up with John "Jumbo" Seager in his Volvo.
Clive was an engineer by trade and first worked for Edgar Allen’s in Sheffield and then Birtley Engineering in Chesterfield, doing contract work for the NCB. He later set up his own company, Concol, designing automated coal preparation plants. He took over the Head Offices of the old Sheepbridge Engineering Company and built up a firm employing over 60 graduate staff and other personnel doing work all over the world, particularly Australia and the USA.
Clive married Patricia (Trish) Rogers on 31 October 1970 at St. John’s, Ranmoor. She had just completed her course at Sheffield University and had been Master of the SUGCR. At the end of that year Clive’s work took them to Canada where he and Trish lived in Trail, British Columbia until April 1972. They returned to England, set up home in Dronfield and joined the band at the Parish Church. At that time the local band were ringing 8-spliced surprise major on practice nights with Len Goodall conducting. The Dronoldore Society was formed in 1972, originally being ringers from Dronfield, Old Whittington and Dore. Clive rang about 50 hand bell peals and 35 tower bell peals for Dronoldore. The latter included 5024 Belfast and 10016 Bristol with Clive on the tenor. He continued active peal ringing and also supporting local bands. He became a member of Ian North's peal band and altogether his total is listed as 598 peals for the Yorkshire Association. Diligent research has discovered other records as follows; Aardvark 2, Chester 1, Cumberland Youths 21, Derby 157, Freehold 29, Leicester 8, London CA 5, Norwich 1, Southwell 153, Sheffield UGCR 18, at the least amounting to 1078. Many thanks to Neil Donovan, Derek Sibson, Anthony Cotton, Richard Brown, Mick Angrave, Trish Hitchins, Richard Allton, Chris Bennett et al for their help.
As his business prospered he acquired premises in Pittsburgh USA where he met Loretta Lukee who became his second wife in August 1985. When they moved to Wingerworth near Chesterfield, Clive joined the band at All Saints, Ashover and became ringing master for several years. He was a member of the Committee that planned and successfully completed the major restoration and augmentation of the Ashover bells to a peal of 10 in November 1997. He was, of course, in the band that rang the first peal on the new ring of 10 bells on May Day 1998. Most importantly to him - Clive was a regular, punctual and faithful Sunday Service ringer at All Saints, before he frequently dashed off to worship with Loretta and their children Michelle and Nicole at the RC Church of the Annunciation in Chesterfield.
Clive was earlier involved in other restoration work in the 1970’s at the Crooked Spire, some time after the fire on 21st December 1961. There are a great many things for which we are indebted to him.
He was a good heavy bell ringer but quite happy to ring anywhere in a band. Towards the end, as his health failed, he could only ring light bells and most of his last peals were at the Loughborough Bell Foundry with the Freehold Society.
Clive was a most generous person and he would often cheerfully lend his car to anyone who lacked transport. They probably then felt safer than being driven by him as he certainly didn't hang about, although he never had a serious accident. He even had 10 points on his licence on one occasion. He had a love of good red wine and his many other interests included Formula One motor racing, Star Trek (he had a complete video collection), astronomy, chess, classical music and playing the organ. His laugh was famous and often proved very useful for finding him in a crowded pub, conference or similar situation. He always dressed well, and was never (well, hardly ever!) seen without a tie and cufflinks.
Clive will be sadly missed by his wife, Loretta, daughters Michelle and Nicole and a huge circle of friends, many of whom were present at the evening Requiem Mass at The Church of the Annunciation, Chesterfield. The next morning, 28th December 2001, Ashover Parish Church was full for the Funeral Service and the bells were rung open before and afterwards. More than 40 ringers from far and wide were in the congregation and a touch of three leads of Kent Treble Bob Maximus was rung on handbells during the service.
Quarter Peals and Peals have also been rung in memory of Clive and in thanksgiving for his life and achievements. A peal of Bristol Surprise Major by some of his long-term friends was rung at one of his favourite towers, St. Marie’s RC Cathedral, Sheffield on 27th January 2002, a month after his Requiem Mass. It was particularly appropriate that Ian North was at the helm. Many memories of Clive and many stories were exchanged by the band after walking to The Hogshead nearby, and thanks are due to Chris Bennett for arranging this worthy memorial tribute at the "home tower" of the Sheffield University Guild of Change Ringers. Clive was especially proud of his close association with the SUGCR - he was elected an Honorary Member in recognition of his support and services to the Guild. He was also proud of his membership of the Society of Royal Cumberland Youths.
Clive Longden will always be remembered and will be missed very much indeed by all of us.