Belfry Gossip
Success: The Annual Peterborough Diocesan Six Bell Striking Competition and other Guild striking competitions take place in different areas of the Diocese and at different times of the year. One year may involve considerable travelling, whilst the following year, the venue may be much closer to Rushden. Greatworth, where competitors assembled for this year’s competition, is situated way down in the south of the Diocese. One of the plusses of travelling to these attractive Northamptonshire villages, is the sheer beauty, particularly in the Springtime.
As usual we entered a team and each team is awarded so many faults according to the standard of striking. Hence the band of ringers scoring the lowest number of faults, wins the coveted shield. Our team, with 26 faults was placed in 1st position, with the nearest rival on 30 faults. Altogether there were seven competing bands of ringers. Congratulations to our ringers.
The Greatworth bells are a pleasant ring of six, being augmented from an unringable three bells. Although they are slightly oddstruck, which is good from a competitive striking point of view, the bells hadn’t been rung for years and the local ringers will have to take their ringing steadily, as there is already a vociferous complainant. Villages often suffer from these individuals who have either recently moved into some idyllic home or even have a second home in the village and visit during the weekends, not really appreciating or participating in village life and activities.
Correction: As mentioned in the May edition of Belfry Gossip, quarter peal attempts were made on the morning of Good Friday and for the Queen’s 80th birthday. Unfortunately, contrary to the information given at the time, both quarters were unsuccessful – so you win some and lose some.
Wardens: For the first time in 40years, one of our new Wardens is a ringer. John has been attending St. Mary’s for over 60 years, although he had an absence of 50 years! He was one of the original young St. Mary’s ringers in the 50’s, having been taught the art at St. Mary’s Higham Ferrers, as our own bells were unringable. After leaving Wellingborough Grammar School, followed by National Service, John took up work in television and moved away from the area. He returned to Rushden several years ago and quickly became an active member of the congregation and also returned to ringing. He took the decision to stand as Warden very seriously and after a considerable amount of thought. All three of our Wardens have different gifts and talents and will work well together for the benefit of the congregation.
Rochdale Ringers: Three days after Rushden and Diamonds had played Rochdale in the Football League, ringers from the Rochdale area descended on St. Mary’s for a morning ring. They were in the area for several days and on each day they planned to ring at different churches. This is an annual event. One of the band who had joined them from Chichester, has been on some of our own outings and it was good to meet up again.
Weddings: The wedding season starts in June and on the day of the Garden Fete, three wedding couples have requested the bells. It is becoming more difficult to make up bands to ring on Saturdays and much sharing and helping out with ringers from other churches takes place. So far we have never let a wedding couple down.
Tintinnabulum
www.stmarysringers.org.uk
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