A Welcome Visitor: We were recently delighted to welcome Roger Coley to one of our Friday evening practices. Roger learned to ring at Rushden many years ago and his parents still reside in the town. Some readers would have used their general store in Manor Road in the 70’s and 80’s. Roger now lives and rings in the Ipswich area and is a Reader in that diocese. Good to see you again Roger.
An Unwelcome Visitor: On another Friday evening practice, the ringing chamber door suddenly opened and in came some individual smelling strongly of alcohol. We were ringing at the time and he decided to walk among the ringers to the chairs on the other side of the room. Aware of the possible dangers, ringing was immediately stopped and the chap, not exactly a vagrant, was told in a firm manner to leave the room. After some slurring of language, he agreed and we watched him disappear from the West Door.
Shoe Boxes: In response to the Shoe Box Appeal the ringers were pleased to participate in this scheme and managed to fill several boxes. We know the Liberian recipients will gain some pleasure and practical benefit in using the varying enclosed gifts. And what a splendid number of boxes were collected altogether, 322.
Oranges and Lemons: Tintinnabulum had an e-mail at the beginning of November from Ben Till. Whose he? Some of you may have seen at the beginning of November some snippets of the musical “Watford Gap” on the television. Ben wrote this musical, which was commissioned by Radio Northampton and contained local people, based on the 50th anniversary of the opening of the M1 in 1959. More importantly he also wrote the choral work “Oranges and Lemons” for BBC London, based on the Nursery Rhyme of that name. In it he recorded every single bell from all the 17 churches mentioned in the rhyme – some 300 in total and brought together in this exciting composition. Ben originates from Higham Ferrers and was one of Tintinnabulum’s students. It’s premier, live on BBC London, coincided with the 150th anniversary of Big Ben chiming for the first time.
Remembrance Sunday: The leather muffles were brought out again, dusted down and strapped onto the 8 clappers. These are used once a year, on Remembrance Sunday. They look like knee pads and are tied onto the clappers, hence giving a muffled sound when struck. Half muffled ringing is kept for solemn occasions and is usually associated with death/remembrance. A good quarter peal of Grandsire Triples was successfully attempted in the evening. A member of the congregation having listened to some of the ringing, commented on the musical effect that half muffled ringing produces.
Christmas Ringing: - looking back. In the 60’s, 70’s and early 80’s we started Christmas morning ringing at 6 30am for the 7am Communion service, followed by 7 40am. ringing until 8am for the second communion service and then a bit later, after a strengthening fried breakfast, ringing for the Festival Service. All this was preceded with a quarter peal on Christmas Eve and earlier quarters both before and after the Service of Carols by Candlelight.
Looking Forward: Are we getting older, sharper or less fit? We shall attempt a quarter before the Carols by Candlelight Service, one on Christmas Eve and one on New Year’s Eve. The only, but important, ringing on Christmas Day will be for the 10 30am Christmas Eucharist.
For the New Year: On New Year’s Eve, although a little way ahead, we hope to attempt a quarter, which will bring our 2009 quarter peal ringing to an end. We always record and count how many we have rung and will no doubt, once again, top the Peterborough Diocesan list for the number of quarters rung in any church throughout the diocese. The vast majority of ours will have been rung for Sunday services and that is how it should be.
AGM’s It’s customary to start the New Year with our belfry AGM. Held in the comfortable surroundings in Jim and Sarah’s home, it affords us the opportunity to look back to our ringing and activities in 2009 and plan for 2010 – but that’s for another Gossip.
Meg Boatright: Sadly we have just received news of the passing of Meg. As a ringer, Meg joined us in the 80’s having moved from Werrington in Cornwall where John, her late husband had been vicar. John was a curate at St. Mary’s in the 40’s when Canon Green was rector. Meg had learned to ring in Cornwall and despite her age, her determination was such that she progressed extremely well and finished up ringing over 100 quarter peals. She befriended everyone in the belfry and joined other ringing societies to enhance her ringing career. She became our chairman until ill health forced her to retire from that position and subsequently moved north to be closer to her daughter in Warrington. May she rest in peace. We are hoping to ring a full peal, possibly Double Norwich Court Bob Major, sometime during the Christmas break. Meg loved listening to and also ringing the treble to this particular method.
