BELFRY GOSSIP

On February 23^rd. The Ringing World issued its 5000^th copy. This is a weekly journal for Bellringers and is widely read by ringers across the world. Rushden ringers feature in it regularly because it is used to publish quarter peals that are rung for Evensong at Rushden. It is also used to publish full peals that are rung by Rushden ringers at Rushden and at other towers in U.K. Recently these peals including Rushden ringers have been rung at St. Giles Cripplegate in the City of London, Aston in Birmingham, Barton Seagrave, Moulton, Rothwell, Leicester and Saltby. Rushden ringers have also taken part in quarter peals at Rothwell and elsewhere.

There has been much debate in Ringing World about Child Protection and Criminal Records Bureau checks for those teaching children to ring. One correspondent asked if an incumbent was obliged to get all members of his congregation checked because there were young worshippers in his church. A very contentious matter and we haven’t seen the end of it yet.

We struggle to ring all eight bells on Sundays at Rushden and recently our friends from North Bedfordshire have assisted us. These people travel considerable distances to support us on Sundays and at Friday practice. At the present time we have a strong teaching base and would welcome new recruits to ensure the continuity of ringing at St. Mary’s. The commitment of ringers varies according to their interests and many see it as a contribution to church worship by ringing for divine service on Sundays.

On Feb. 19^th. on BBC 2,Jeremy Paxman’s visit to the Whitechapel Bell Foundry was broadcast. The item looked at how small businesses are faring under the current government in comparison to firms in the Financial Services sector of the nearby City of London. The Managing Director at Whitechapel, Alan Hughes, identified the government as a hindrance - with the increasing burden of regulations and unnecessary bureaucracy that it is imposing. Familiar ‘ring’ to teachers and others within our community? In contrast, the Financial Services sector felt only a ‘light touch’ from the government. Since this is a major generator of wealth for the economy, one wonders why!

On Thursday March 1^st the bells of St. Paul’s Cathedral will ring out for one hour to herald the start of EAST. The festival, designed to be an annual event, represents a unique collaboration between key organisations in the East End, including the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, to curate and promote the history, art and music, the fashion and the food of East London. The sound will ripple out from St. Paul’s to the East End with subsequent ringing at St. Vedast Foster Lane, St. Mary le Bow Cheapside and twenty-five other churches. There are also measures in hand to herald the Olympics in the East End with the ringing of bells in as many churches as possible. I have it on good authority that this aspect is not a cause for the huge anticipated overspend in staging the games in London.

We continue to greatly miss the presence and company of our President, Bob, and hope that as his recovery gains pace, it will not be too long before we might see him in the belfry again and our post ringing venue on Fridays, the Chequers at Yielden.

Second reserve Tintinnabulum.

www.stmarysringers.org.uk

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