Belfry Gossip

Funerals: Bells are often used at funeral services. Tower bells and hand bells may play a part in the service. Tower bells can either be rung open, as for normal Sunday service ringing, or half muffled, as on Remembrance Sunday. The family of the bereaved is usually consulted and asked for their preferences. It would seem natural to ring half muffled as a sign of sadness, but more families throughout the country are requesting open ringing as a token of thankfulness for the life of a loved one.

Ringers’ funerals are sometimes blessed with the ringing of hand bells, either as part of the service or over the grave at the time of the burial.

It was with great sadness we rang for the funeral of Councillor David Childs, who had only been installed as Mayor of Rushden several weeks previously. Sadly he was unable to carry out any of his mayoral duties which he and his wife Carol were so looking forward to. The packed church was testimony to his popularity, both as a local plumber and a faithful councillor for many years. He was also involved with many charities and organisations. Our thoughts and prayers are with Carol, Craig and Lorraine, together with the rest of the family.

Outing: The annual outing takes place in July and we pray for fine weather, even if it is cloudy. Ringers enjoy outings whether the churches are within a few miles of their own tower or much further afield. Today, travelling is so much quicker and thereby it is always a great temptation to plan the outing too far away. We have learned that lesson! In many years gone by, when St. Mary’s annual outing was always by coach because not many of us had cars or were too young to drive, the outings were much more lavish affairs. The day would often finish with an evening meal at some far away place. On one particular outing, the last ring of the day was at Hereford Cathedral, followed by the usual meal in the city. Leaving there after 10pm. and with no motorways, Sunday morning dawned before weary ringers eventually arrived back in sleepy Rushden.

This year our travelling is reasonably limited and we keep within the Leicestershire county boundary and hopefully arriving back in Rushden well before Sunday morning!

Outings can be very tiring days with ringing at 6 or 7 towers. Sometimes the bells are already in the upward position ready for ringing but mostly they have to be pulled up – tiring work. Someone from the local tower meets us, gives us any instructions, may stay to hear us ring, or may return to lock up. Their local knowledge is most useful when lunchtime rolls round, as after two towers a welcome pub lunch is taken, followed by afternoon ringing, a picnic tea and a final ring. Perhaps a quick drink somewhere in the area and then homeward bound.

Since the last edition of Grapevine we have welcomed ringers from the Colchester area – on the day of the Garden Fete. Arriving by coach, Rushden was their last port of call before making their return journey to Colchester. Our ringing chamber was crowded with ringers, but they all managed to have a ring during the 45 minute visit.

Striking Competition: This month sees bands of ringers from the Wellingborough Branch of the Diocesan Guild meet at Stanwick church for the annual Branch Striking Competition. Oh to be a judge for one of these events. Sitting tucked away within earshot of the bells, concentrated listening for any faults, clashes or mistakes is not the best way to spend a summer’s evening. This is followed by facing the participating ringers and informing them where they faultered and how many points they lost. Best of luck to St Mary’s competing band.

Annual Barbecue: later this month.

Tintinnabulum
www.stmarysringers.org.uk

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