Belfry Gossip
Late but on Time: March 1st was St. David’s Day and Confirmation Day at St. Mary’s. A big day in the lives of the candidates, drawn from around the Deanery. The band of ringers had been organised, a quarter peal of Yorkshire Surprise Major had been planned and a 6 30pm. start was agreed. The Rector popped upstairs to say "thank you" before we started to ring, but at 6 45pm. we were still waiting for one ringer, who it has to be said, is always well on time. Thank goodness for mobile phones. A quick call revealed "forgetfulness", but within five minutes we were eight ringers.
A quarter peal takes about 45 minutes on our bells. The question was, "Should we attempt a quarter peal and finish five minutes after the Confirmation Service had started?" A quick change of plans – Grandsire Triples instead of the planned Yorkshire and we were away. The quarter was rung at a hectic pace and we finished at 7 31pm. – 41 minutes of fast ringing. The service started and we had successfully achieved our quarter peal; no one in the church had any idea of our dilemma.
Meg: Welcome home, Meg. After many weeks in various hospitals and rehabilitation places, Meg is back in Rushden. It was good to see her in church, although the heating broke down and we all felt rather chilled. The ringers hope it will not be too long before we see her back upstairs among her ringing friends, but taking it easy. Meanwhile enjoy the cups of coffee in the hall.
Branch Practice:Monthly practices are held in various churches throughout the Wellingborough Branch and St. Mary’s hosted the March meeting. The bells and ringers were kept busy with members attempting methods they wouldn’t normally ring in their own tower.
The www. As reported many times in Gossip, the Rushden ringers have their own site on the Internet, linked to the St. Mary’s Church site. This allows national and international connections and has proved a most useful means of communication. Recently we received an e-mail from Dorothy and Peter White’s daughter living in the States, requesting a quarter peal for Dorothy on Mothering Sunday. Each month’s Belfry Gossip is listed on the Internet and Elizabeth picked up the offer of the Rushden ringers to dedicate any of the Sunday evening quarters for any special anniversary or celebration. So congratulations, Dorothy.
Branch Quarter Peal Day: Once a year the Branch organises a quarter peal day. This entails as many ringers ringing as many quarter peals, in as many towers within the Wellingborough Branch, as possible. This takes some organising and the job falls on the Branch Ringing Master, Alan Marks, one of our ringers. St. Mary’s usually hosts a Saturday quarter and so on the morning of Saturday April 17th, our bells will be ringing for 45 minutes. Good luck to all involved.
Guild 6 Bell Striking Competition: Towers throughout the Guild are encouraged to take part in this annual competition. St Mary’s ringers have won the Trophy on several occasions, the last time being in 2002. Bands from different churches within the Diocese descend upon a nominated host tower; this year we meet at Spratton in the Guilsborough Branch in April. During the afternoon, each team rings their set piece, while the judge/s sit out of sight, marking the ringing, counting up the number of clashes etc. called faults. The team with the least number of faults is declared the winner and receives a handsome shield to display in their ringing chamber. So go for it, Rushden.
Good Friday and Easter: Traditionally we ring a half muffled quarter peal after the service at St. Mary’s on the morning of Good Friday. This coincides with the March of Witness, prior to the service in the High Street. Afterwards the bells are lowered, the muffles taken off, the bells are raised again and all is set for the 7 30am., 10 45am. and 5pm. ringing on Easter Day. A Happy Easter to you all. Alleluia, He is Risen.