Belfry Gossip
Striking Competition: It seems like history now, but we re-gained number one position in the Annual Wellingborough Branch Striking Competition held at Yardley Hastings in the middle of June. The winning shield now hangs in the Ringing Chamber and our congratulations are extended to our successful team who won by a convincing 15 points – Wollaston were the runners up. No competition in August.
President of the Peterborough Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers: At the Guild AGM. held at Maxey in the Peterborough Branch, the position of Guild President became vacant and Brenda Dixon, one of our long standing and faithful ringers was nominated and elected to fill this position. Brenda is the second of our ringers to have held Guild offices – Jim Hedgcock was Guild Secretary for some years. So congratulations to Brenda, who will now find herself chairing quite a few Guild meetings.
The Guild’s 80th Anniversary: Our ringers successfully attempted a 3 hour peal of Rutland Surprise Major, named after one of the Branches of the Guild, to commemorate this special anniversary. All the towers of the Diocese with ringable bells, were encouraged to attempt peals, or quarter peals, we managed both. Fortunately our two fans, the revolving sort, assisted in keeping the ringers reasonably cool, but we are still, after nearly eighteen months, waiting for an opening in the large glass screen separating the ringing chamber from the nave of the church.
Barbecue:Although the weather at the beginning of July was not as settled as previous years, nearly twenty of us enjoyed a most successful barbecue lunch in Brenda and John Dixon’s garden. The sun shone, but unlike last year, shade was not required. Despite an excellent meal and liquid refreshments, we still managed to successfully attempt a quarter peal for the evening service. We were all hoping Bishop Abelino and his wife may have climbed up to see us performing this very ancient English form of scientific art, but no doubt he was otherwise engaged.
Wedding Bells: Our first wedding in the belfry for some years takes place on the last Saturday in August, when Matthew and Kelly are married at St. Mary’s. Will father and bridegroom have the traditional ring before the service? We all wish them future happiness together.
Holidays: No doubt some of you will be reading Gossip having just returned from your holiday, while others will be departing very shortly. Wherever your destination may be, we do hope you return refreshed and ready for the year ahead. Each year quite a few of St. Mary’s ringers venture off with other ringers to a particular area of the country for a ringing week, but not so intensive as some of our day outings. This year they are off to the English/Welsh border around Herefordshire, Shropshire and Powys.
Day Outing:This year’s annual outing on August 21st, will take us to the depths of Buckinghamshire, which is an attractive part of the country. We are naturally hoping for some fine weather and some fine rings of bells. A few days later, we hold our annual dinner preceded by some ringing. This year we are venturing to the village of Arthingworth.
www.stmarysringers.org.uk
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