Belfry Gossip
This illustrates
DANGER. During one of our Friday evening practices, we spotted
two girls trying to escape our notice and climbing the staircase past
the door to the ringing room. Fortunately they were apprehended
in time. The consequences of continuing the climb could have been
horrific and although accidents involving intrusion into bell chambers
are very, very rare, none the less all precautions have to be taken.
Our security has now been effectively increased. Details will
not be revealed, not even to MI5! Big Brother is watching.
"We was robbed" Excuse the grammar but it's quite hilarious. November's Gossip referred to it but this is Tintinnabulum's version. You remember from October's Gossip, we took part in the Peterborough Diocesan Guild's 8 bell striking competition, held, believe you not, at Rushden. Of the eight ringers representing the Wellingborough Branch, six were from our own tower, ringing on our own bells. We were rather "gobsmacked" when we were placed in 4th position, but the judge's comments were even more hilarious. Now judging a striking competition is not an easy task and one needs a bit of practice at it. "This band found some difficulty in getting used to the bells," were the judge's comments about our performance. Tintinnabulum mustn't say too much but the judge came to ring with us for a short while when he was studying in the area. We taught him quite a bit but not how to judge!
During the
afternoon many ringers from over the Diocese milled around in the churchyard,
popped into town, Crisps and Wills no doubt, and also enjoyed the delicious
buffet tea, prepared by our ringers.
Another
Guild Officer
We already have the Guild President in Brenda and now we have the Guild
Treasurer (Alan) amidst our ranks. We also have an ex-Guild Secretary
(Jim) together with a committee member (Simon). Pam is considering
taking on a Diocesan role with the newsletter and so Rushden plays its
part in the Diocesan activities.
Remembrance
Sunday
In keeping with the usual tradition and solemnity of the occasion, the
bells during that weekend were rung half muffled. To produce this
sound, pieces of leather are strapped to one side of each of the eight
clappers. As the bell swings one way the unmuffled side of the
clapper strikes the bell, producing the normal metallic sound and on
its return swing, the muffled side strikes the bell, producing a very
subdued sound. Altogether it was a very pleasant sound and the
standard of ringing was excellent. In the evening, a very good half-muffled
quarter peal was successfully attempted.
BBC
Children in Need
Another annual event in the November calendar was the appearance on
our TV screens of Pudsey Bear as part of the BBC Appeal programme.
There is a ringing method named Pudsey Surprise Major, named after a
Yorkshire town. Always up for challenge, we hope to attempt this
method on Advent Sunday. We'll let you know how we got on.
York
Minster
Many readers of Gossip have possibly spent a day or more in the magnificent
city of York. The city is so historical with so much to see and
do. The building dominating the city is the Minster and will be
remembered for the relative recent fire in 1984, causing considerable
damage. There are probably more bells in there than any other
ecclesiastical building in the country. Over the years the number
has increased but where the money comes from is anyone's guess.
The bells themselves, particularly the 12 which are rung for the main
services, have a quality sound of their own. Wherever you are
around the city centre, they can be heard. A new carillon had
its first try out in July of this year. This comprises of a set
of 35 bells hung in the tower and the clappers are operated from a kind
of keyboard called a clavier.
The Brothers "Higgins" In November we had a surprise visit from two brothers born and bred in Rushden. Anthony is a well-known actor and has featured in films and on TV. His brother, Adrian, has lived in the States for over 30 years and is a journalist on the Washington Post. He is writing an article on bellringing. They visited the ringing chamber to see the bells in action and finished at the pub with us while gathering further information. We await the article with much anticipation.
Christmas and New Year Ringing: Christmas Eve, Christmas morning at 10am and New Years Eve.
From the ringers, to all our Gossip readers, a very Joyful Christmas and a Healthy New Year