R.I.P. - Brian Buttery


The news that Brian Buttery had died on 29 March 2025 was given by his great niece Elle Buttery.

The funeral is on Wednesday 14th May, 12:15pm at St Wulfram's Church, Grantham, followed by cremation at Grantham Crematorium at 1:30pm. At Brian's request the bells will be rung half-muffled before and after the service. A quarter peal will be rung before the service and an invited band will ring as the cortege leaves the church.

On Saturday 17th May there will be open ringing at Grantham in celebration of Brian's life 4-6pm. All are welcome to take part in this ringing.

Brian was a ringer at St Wulfram's, Grantham for many, many years, including serving as steeplekeeper. He was a longstanding holder of the post of verger at St Wulfram's.

Brian was a keen member of the Handbell Ringers of Great Britain and also celebrated 50 years membership of Grantham Town Handbell Ringers in 2022.

In the late 1980s Brian was secretary of the Lincoln DG Southern Branch, and is particularly remembered as a good reliable organiser and for planning very successful car rallies with clues at different churches in the Branch. Brian's first peal was at Eaton, Leicestershire in 1955. He rang a total of 138 peals, and conducted 11. 128 of the peals were for the Lincoln DG. His leading peal ringer was Dennis Frith, with 109 peals. Brian's peals included Grandsire and Stedman Caters, Surprise Royal and Kent TB Maximus as well as Doubles up to 168 methods/variations, Spliced Doubles up to 177 methods and Spliced Minor up to 39 methods.

Brian was an enigma. He is warmly remembered by many, especially in the Southern Branch, but since he died when trying to put together memories of Brian a quote from Joan Payne, who rang with Brian regularly from the early 1960s, has summarised the position. She said 'We've all known the Brian we rang with, but we haven't known him as a person'. He was a private person who didn't reveal much about himself, but nevertheless was held in high regard by very many ringers of both tower and handbells.

May he rest in peace.

Judith Rogers
Chairman, Southern Branch, LDGCBR