End of the Anniversary Year:
On Saturday December 20th, the final piece of the 50th anniversary jigsaw is put into place. A celebratory 3 hour peal will be attempted, while Christmas shoppers jostle in and out of shops for that first or final piece of seasonal shopping. This peal will commemorate the first peal on the newly re-hung and augmented eight bells, 50 years ago on Saturday December 19th 1953. Some very excited ringers, of whom only two are still alive, met on that day to attempt a peal of Cambridge Surprise Major. This will be repeated on December 20th 2003, and the 8 ringers will be comprise mostly of present Rushden ringers with two "outside" colleagues included.This brings to an end a very successful year and we have much for which to thank God. 2003 started with the tower and spire shrouded in scaffolding and the bells silenced. On January 6th, work commenced on the construction of the new upstairs ringing chamber, with plenty of dust and dirt around. A most generous legacy allowed the plans to become reality and through the generosity of many people, not forgetting the Great Snowdon Project, the money was raised and the fund closed.
The two very joyful services, one in March for the Restoration Thanksgiving and the second in June for the 50th Anniversary of the re-hanging and augmentation of the bells, stand out in 2003. How good it was to welcome Canon Michael and Vivienne Wilson back to St. Mary’s. Our particular thanks to the Rector for compiling and conducting the services and for his continued support.
We now feel very much "at home" upstairs and are hoping to have all the new peal boards in place before Christmas. We are still on the lookout for a cupboard to hide away various items.
The ringers sincerely thank everyone who has helped us in any way, particularly during this momentous year.
New Recruits:
We are always on the lookout for anyone wishing to find out a little more about this ancient art of bell ringing. One volunteer has just started, keeping Owain company, as they progress together. One of the positive aspects of ringing is that everyone is learning. We are striving to learn new methods (easier for some!) and we are always endeavouring to improve the striking of the bells, to make the sound of ringing more rhythmical and pleasant to listen to.Ringing provides a tremendous opportunity to exercise the mind as well as the body. In the average tower across the country, you will find a very wide cross section of old and young, church goers and non-church goers, men and women and boys and girls. Ringing is a thoroughly enjoyable and fascinating art and for many centuries, church bells have proclaimed the message of the Church to the cities, towns and villages across the land.
Christmas Ringing:
With nearly a month to the Christmas Season, we enter what is one of the busiest Church Seasons for ringing. For the Carols by Candlelight service, it has been traditional to attempt two quarter peals, one before and the second immediately following the service.On Christmas Eve, we attempt a quarter peal, but not too late, unlike some churches where the bells are rung for the midnight mass. Early ringing on Christmas morning for the service of Holy Communion, stirs many people in their beds. What better way to proclaim the Birth of Christ to the people of Rushden.
Quarter peals are also attempted on the Sunday after Christmas and on New Year’s Eve. And so, from all the ringers, we extend our warmest greetings and wish all our Gossip readers, a very early, but none-the-less a Very Happy and Joyful Christmas.
www.stmarysringers.org.uk
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