Belfry Gossip
The New Ringing Chamber
We are back in business and ringing again. Unfortunately we were unable to ring for the Civic Service at the beginning of March, as we had hoped. The construction work on the new ringing chamber had only just been completed prior to the service and other essential work, undertaken by the ringers themselves, was necessary before the bells could actually have been rung. It was a bit like taking the bells and ropes out of mothballs.
At the time of compiling Gossip, we are busy trying to make the new room a little more "homely" and suitable for welcoming any visitors. The carpet should be laid any time now and we need that to absorb some of the sound. Hoovers have been purring away, both among the bells, under the bells, on the staircase and in the chamber itself. The woodwork, stonework and windows have all been cleaned down and we now have a good close up view of the medieval glass in the west window. Our trophies are proudly displayed, the peal boards are in place on the walls, pictures and photos have been hung, the heaters keep us warm and we have a mirror. Just like home!
The big question taxing our minds at the present is how we are going to move a heavy long oak pew through the trap door and into the chamber. Hopefully before Grapevine is published, brain and muscle power will have overcome the problem. We shall then have somewhere to rest our weary bodies. £2000 is still required towards the financing of the project and any gifts will be gratefully received by the Church Treasurer. The ringers themselves are using some of their own funds to pay for certain items of furnishing and although the planned Coffee Morning with trips up the tower, arranged for May, has had to be postponed, it will now be held on Saturday June 28th. We thank Jude Curtis for generously giving her birthday donations (instead of presents) to the Appeal Fund.
A first for St. Mary’s and it is hoped will attract much attention and sponsorship from a wider community. John Allen and Peter White are combining to climb Snowdon on Saturday April 26th and through sponsorship, hope to raise a considerable amount of money for the Appeal. Anyone wishing to go to North Wales and either have a climb, a leisurely walk, a train ride or just a meander should contact Jude Curtis in the Church Office (Tel. 412235) or John Allen at coffee in the Hall or at the 11 15am. service. Tickets at £15 (approx.), including transport and a packed lunch, are now on sale.
The Golden Jubilee
of the re-hanging and augmentation of the bells in 1953 – invitations for this event have gone out to people connected with ringing at Rushden during the past 50 years. In case anyone has missed the dates, celebrations will take place during the weekend of May 31st and June 1st. More details in next month’s Gossip. Everyone is invited to the service.Striking Competition
– the Peterborough Diocesan Guild 6 bell striking competition will be held on the day of the Snowdon Project at Preston in Rutland to where Canon Michael Wilson moved after leaving Rushden. Last year our team won the competition but with little practice during the past nine months, anything can happen! However, we have left spaces on our walls to display any trophies.Our Thanks
to the Rector, church wardens and the PCC. for their support, interest and encouragement in all the recent construction work and the establishment of the new ringing chamber, it is greatly valued and appreciated. We do hope the space vacated by the ringers will be put to some purposeful use for the benefit of St. Mary’s congregation.www.stmarysringers.org.uk
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