Congratulations:
As we enter 2004, our congratulations and best wishes are extended to Leslie Sanders, who celebrates his 103rd birthday at the beginning of January. We also send our New Year Greetings to Cliff Martin, Olive Key and other members of St. Mary’s who are living in their own homes or residential homes and who are unable to come to St. Mary’s and hear the bells.Remembrance Sunday:
After last year’s silence, we were again able to ring half-muffled on Remembrance Sunday. In the evening we rang a good quarter peal of Rutland Surprise Major and this was Barbara’s first attempt at this method and she successfully achieved it – well done again.AGM’s:
January is the traditional time to hold these special meetings. They provide everyone the opportunity to reflect back over the past twelve months, the highlights, low points, disappointments, achievements, failures, financial position etc., but more importantly to consider the next year and beyond. Could things be done differently, what should be our aims etc? In the end, the members will discuss and decide and that is the importance of an AGM. And so, no ringing on Friday January 9th, AGM.-evening. Refreshments, liquid and solid, to get the tongues loosened, Meg controls the discussion and by 10pm., most decisions will have been finalised.Historical Records:
We have now completed the placing of all the peal boards onto the walls of the new ringing chamber. These boards record some of the peals rung at St. Mary’s for special occasions or events. They are already historical documents. On our travels to other towers throughout the country, peals rung even over two hundred years ago are recorded in different forms – some on tablets of stone. Names, famous and not so famous, are recorded for all to see. The Revd. F.E. Robinson, who was a vicar in Oxfordshire, and quite a prolific peal ringer, has his name engraved on many peal boards, even in our own area. Did he ring on his days off, or did his parishioners receive fewer visits?Christmas in the Belfry:
We thought we would have a different Christmas tree for the first Christmas in our new ringing chamber, one which was slightly taller. New lights, new baubles and in a prominent position close to the glass screen – visible from the belfry and the church. Hope you liked it?Joey’s Climb:
One of our ringers, John Allen, featured recently in the Evening Telegraph. In February, he plans to trek to Mt. Everest base camp to climb the Pokalde Peak, a height of 5,805m, in aid of the mental charity, Mind and also Community Action Nepal, which works to tackle poverty and illness in the area.Joey was one of the "original" Rushden ringers who learned to ring 50years ago and has been back at St. Mary’s for nearly a year. Good luck, Joey. What some will do to escape ringing!!
Why Ring Bells?:
Much has been written about the ringing of church bells. This is an ancient art and for centuries has been carried on throughout the land. It is part of the English culture. Wherever there is a parish church, people expect to hear bells. What is the aim of ringing, as well as the usual social, physical and mental side of the activity? Calling people to worship? Making a joyful noise?In a town the size of Rushden, how many people can hear the bells from their homes? – precious few. How many can hear them on their way to church? – precious few. A lot depends on the direction of the wind, taking the sound away or closer. We ring to welcome the faithful to St. Mary’s, but above all we ring to remind those outside, that the church is alive and active and services are being held.
Bells produce a stirring sound and are the public voice of the Christian Church. And should ringers themselves attend? This subject has been expounded from many pulpits, particularly at ringers’ services. Some do, some don’t – in the end each individual answers for him/herself.
From us all in the belfry, a Very Happy and Peaceful New Year to you all.
www.stmarysringers.org.uk
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