Belfry Gossip

Chocs Saga Sorry to announce, they have all disappeared, but they must have given us the power of success, as we haven’t lost a quarter peal since devouring them. They must also be good for stamina and concentration. But why are peals and quarter peals lost? There are many contributing factors. The worst scenario is for one of the ringers to be taken ill, collapse or even die – as has been known, even at Higham Ferrers; a broken rope or some failure of the bell mechanism; an outside interference, (even a protestor) and a power failure are other reasons. The most common reason is at least one of the ringers going wrong because the method has not been fully learned, or their concentration faulters or the conductor (the person in charge) makes a wrong call. Sometimes the ringing can be rectified, much to the relief of all, particularly after more than 2 hours of ringing.

Surprise Practice No, it didn’t come as a surprise to anyone, it had been well advertised. The practice was for ringers wishing to have a go at "Surprise" methods. Why are they called "surprise" methods? – no idea! St Mary’s ringers are well used to ringing such methods, as many of our Sunday evening quarters are various surprise methods, but many ringers rarely have a chance to have a go at these. The Branch practice at Rushden in February enabled about a dozen ringers, mainly from the Wellingborough Branch, to try their hand at various surprise methods.

The Prince of Wales Whatever the feelings and ramifications about the wedding of Charles and Camilla, St. Mary’s ringers rang a quarter peal of Westray Surprise Major for their engagement. We forgot to send them one of our quarter peal certificates commemorating this event. This is an example of bells being used for significant national events, although the ringing was also for evening Sunday service. No doubt another quarter attempt will be made at the time of the April wedding – must remember the certificate.

Golden Wedding Congratulations to David and Sylvia Brandford on their Golden Wedding at the beginning of April. We shall be attempting a quarter peal for them. If successful they too will receive one of our commemorative certificates. Both Sylvia and David have played a significant role in the life and work of St. Mary’s over many years and the ringers send them our congratulations and best wishes for the day itself and the years to follow.

6 bell Striking Competition Organised by the Peterborough Diocesan Guild, the competition this year will be held at Bozeat within our own Branch. Each year this event is held at a different church location within the Diocese and this year it’s good not to have to travel too far. Ringers representing towers throughout the Diocese will descend upon St. Mary’s Bozeat to compete for the shield. We have won this on several occasions and so we wish our team the best of luck.

Branch Quarter Peal Day Every year the Wellingborough Branch organises this special day. This is no easy task and falls to the Branch Ringing Master, who happens to be one of our own ringers. After ringers have intimated their willingness to take part in this event, together with the number of quarters they are prepared to attempt during the day, Alan has to organise bands of ringers and the towers at which they will ring. Last minute organisational adjustments usually have to be made. Most of the towers within the Branch host one of these attempts sometime during the day and ours is usually in the morning. St. Mary’s ringers are so fortunate in their ability to regularly attempt quarter peals, whereas many other towers haven’t the ringers or expertise to even attempt a quarter. This quarter peal day affords them that opportunity.

Peal at Rushden In April, Derek Sibson will be bringing a band of ringers to attempt a peal at St. Mary’s. Some Gossip readers will know him in another capacity, as surgeon at Rushden and Kettering Hospitals. Although now retired and based at Barton Seagrave, he spends much of his time travelling around the country ringing and conducting peals. He is also the vice President of the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers.

EasterTide Ringing Half muffled Good Friday; 7 30am. Easter Morning. A Happy Easter to you all.

Tintinnabulum
www.stmarysringers.org.uk

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