Northamptonshire.
Cole, in his History of Weston Favell (1827, p. 60), says Christmas Day is ushered in by the ringing of the bells of the church, precisely at twelve o’clock, called the midnight peal, till which time many of the inhabitants sit round the jovial fire, whence at twelve o’clock they emerge into the midnight air to listen to the peals of the bells of the neighbouring churches.