Belfry Gossip
Easter-tide Ringing: Having just completed the Easter Festival ringing schedule, two quarter peals were successfully attempted, together with the usual early morning ringing on Easter morning. How good it was to welcome Owain, one of our learners, to the 7 30am. ringing. This was a first for him. Even more thankful to his dad for bringing him to the church. Rumour has it mum and dad drew lots, using the Old Testament method, to decide who should bring him. Discussion took place as to when Owain should enjoy his Easter morning English breakfast – the answer was "Anytime!" Our other young learner was in Durham during the Easter break and he had cajolled his father to take him to the cathedral to climb the numerous steps to see the bells. What stories will Adam retell on his return?
Peal Attempt: Congratulations to the visiting band for successfully completing a 3 hour peal on the last Saturday in March. It was a new method and they asked permission to name it "Rushden Delight Major"
Everest Heights: John Allen, one of our ringers, returned safely from Nepal during the middle of March. Looking bronzed and youthful, John had completed some climbing around the base camp of Mt. Everest. His sponsored mission was mainly for Mind and he would like to thank everyone who supported his endeavours.
Congratulations to Brenda on recently completing her 250th peal. Put into perspective, it means she has pulled at the end of a bell rope for approximately 3 hours for each peal, so one can soon work out the number of days and hours in total. That is just the successful attempts and then many more hours added on for the unsuccessful attempts, when after anything between 30 minutes and 3 hours, something goes wrong and the attempt is aborted.
Ventilation: The latest information from our architect regarding the construction of an open window in the glass screen between the nave and the ringing chamber, is that the glaziers propose to remove one long section of glass and construct the opening at their works. Let’s hope the job is completed before we experience the warmth and humidity of the summer months.
Outings: During Bank Holiday weekends, many towers, areas or individuals, organise day or weekend trips to other areas of the country. Each day several towers are visited for ringing and on Sundays, the ringers will help the local ringers for Sunday Service ringing. At present St. Mary’s prefers day outings but over the years has organised three successful weekend tours. Some Diocesan Guilds traditionally hold their AGMs on a Bank Holiday, the most local one being the Ely Diocese, on Easter Mondays.
Christmas Sweets: Christmas seems a long time ago but we have just finished our sweet eating. Viv must be wishing to maintain her slimness, or doesn’t wish to pile on the calories. She kindly brought boxes of Roses and other delicacies for us to consume – for stamina purposes. Tintinnabulum will not divulge who had what and how many, except to say the young learners made good use of them.
Our Learners are very enthusiastic. They are usually on time for practices and Sunday Service ringing. The moment they enter the ringing chamber, they want to know which bell they are going to ring and why they can’t ring the bell they want to ring. Questions are asked what the grey haired brigade are going to ring and how long will it be before they can attempt whatever. Sometimes binoculars are round their necks, sometimes digital cameras, anticipating yet another visit to see the bells. Both of the lads have given talks on campanology at their respective schools. During one recent Sunday service, the guest preacher asked the congregation, what interested them the most. Up went a hand "Bell ringing". What better advert. Anyone else interested? Any age (within reason!) If so, come and speak to us.