For tributes to Ralph, see contributions from life-long friend, Randle Tinkler and fellow ringer at Heswall, Susan Costello.

Photograph courtesy of Peter Newton	Following Ralph's untimely death on Friday 19th January, his funeral service was held at St Andrew's, Bebington on Monday 29th January. Some 38 ringers attended the funeral service, representing no fewer than twelve Wirral Towers. This, together with family and non-ringing friends, ensured the church was full, attendance being greater than the combined congregations at the preceding Sunday Services! The bells at St Andrew were rung, half-muffled, before and after the funeral by a band drawn from a number of Wirral Towers, including the three where Ralph had, at one time or another, been a Sunday Service ringer, the towers being Bebington (1960-1982), Port Sunlight (1984-86) and Heswall (1996-2006). Tributes were paid by his ringing friends in Quarter Peals rung at Heswall on Tuesday 23rd January, at Oxton on Thursday 25th and at West Kirby on Sunday 28th.
Further Quarter Peals were rung on the evening of the funeral, these being at at Bebington, Port Sunlight, Bromborough and Shotwick, the last tower being where, until shortly before his death, Ralph had been carrying out much needed maintenance on the ropes and fittings. A Peal attempt at Heswall on the morning of Saturday 3rd February was, unfortunately, unsuccessful. This was rearranged and the Peal duly scored on 28th April.
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