Belfry Gossip
Competition, Outing, Coffee Morning, Barbecue
Since the Golden Jubilee Celebrations we have welcomed two ringers back to the fold. John Allen, who learned to ring over 50 years ago, with the rest of the mad teenagers, joins us for Friday evening practice and Sunday morning ringing. John was one of the Gt. Snowdon Project organisers. Paul Muncey has been enticed back and is slotting in extremely well. He is picking up where he left off a few years ago and we wish them both, steady progress. Owain Marchbank is progressing well and faithfully turns up on Tuesday evenings for his weekly tuition.
Branch Striking Competition:
Shock, horror! By 1 fault we lost the striking competition trophy. Six teams battled it out on the heavy 6 bells at Wollaston. Congratulations to the Bozeat team who won it for the first time. Was Alan Smith anything to do with it? In our Golden Jubilee year, we have lost both the Guild and Branch trophies.Annual Outing:
This year we ventured to Mid Bedfordshire and North Hertfordshire districts. On a warm pleasant Saturday in June we journeyed in individual cars making our first stop at Clifton. Virtually everyone joined us here and we were pleased to welcome Jim and Sarah Bence, former Rushden ringers, together with young Toby as well as several other visitors. The eight bells were rung to various methods and although we had been warned about the peculiarities of the tenor bell, the ringing was very acceptable.Onto Henlow, where some of our non-ringers managed to discover one of the entrances to Henlow Grange, but decided time was too short for a jacuzzi, manicure or face lift – or was it the cost? The local ringers had laid on cups of tea/coffee, which proved most welcome. The tower before lunch was at Arlesey, where the 6 bells were not the easiest to ring but we all had a go and gained an appetite for lunch.
Lunch on ringers outings is usually taken at some local hostelry. The Good Pub Guide or local knowledge proves most useful and armed with this information, everyone managed to find a suitable place and good food.
The tower after the lunch break was at Stotfold where the bells proved to be the best of the day. From here, because of roadworks, we had been given precise directions how to reach St. Mary’s Rushden. It was their annual village fete and although most of the stalls were packing away, some bargains were made. The bells attracted many of the locals to the church to witness "us" other Rushden ringers having a pull. We were treated to a free cream tea before bidding our farewells to Ken and some of his fellow ringers who had joined us at St. Mary’s Rushden, for our Golden Jubilee Celebrations earlier in the month. And who had the biggest cream tea? – lips are sealed.
Our final tower at Royston was nearly a lockout – that’s when someone forgets to meet you to unlock, despite all the arrangements and reminders. Mobile phones have their uses. However we still managed our allotted time and made good use of these easy going bells.
Thanks to Pam for yet another successful outing.
Coffee Morning:
Thank you to everyone who supported our coffee morning when a total of £146 was raised. Our grateful thanks to people who donated items to sell on the various stalls and to Monica for her kind donation from her card stall. There was a steady flow of people wishing to climb the 66 steps to see the bells. The new ringing chamber also created much interest.Our Barbecue:
True to form and expectation, the traditional barbecue Sunday at the end of June, again proved dry, warm and very pleasant. A relaxing afternoon was spent enjoying good food, drink and each other’s company. Our next social get-together at the end August, will be the annual dinner at Rushton, preceded by ringing at the village church.Holidays:
At the beginning of August, some of our ringers are joining others for the annual ringers’ holiday - this year, in Norfolk. The week comprises of ringing at a few towers on most days, with some time to wander off and pursue individual interests. Those ringers left in our belfry will endeavour to maintain some ringing for the Sunday services. We always try to do our best and keep the bells ringing.So if you are venturing away this month, the ringers wish you all a very pleasant holiday.
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