Belfry Gossip
Accident: We were all saddened to hear of the very nasty car accident encountered by one of our ringers. Barbara had taken her dogs for some exercise in the Hall Park and was travelling home along the Newton Road at the twisty part, when her car was hit by an oncoming vehicle. The natural instinct, and indeed required by law, is to stop at the scene of an accident in which you are involved, but in this case the offending vehicle failed to stop, continued down the road and was subsequently abandoned by its two female occupants. The police are investigating. Little did the culprits know, Barbara is a magistrate!
The inflation of the car’s airbag probably saved Barbara’s life but she suffered very severe bruising and a punctured lung. Having spent a few days in Bedford hospital, she is now recovering at home. We all wish her a speedy recovery and trust it will not be too long before we see her back in the ringing chamber.
Dreadful Result: Having travelled over 30 miles to the attractive village of Byfield, south of Daventry, for the Peterborough Diocesan Guild’s annual 8 bell Striking Competition in September, five of St. Mary’s ringers were part of the Wellingborough Branch’s competing team. Rather worryingly, only three out of ten branches throughout the Diocese entered the competition. Guess where we were placed? – 3rd.
900th Anniversary: Sunday October 9th was the 900th anniversary of William Peveral’s gift of some land in the village later known as Risdene, for the building of a church. There was most probably an earlier Saxon church here, as records show that Samar, a priest, resided in the village. The construction of a wattle and daub building was destined for a short life and hence the need for a more robust building. Enough history! Our attempt at ringing a quarter peal celebrating this anniversary failed halfway through, but we successfully rang a very good one a week later – well, what’s a week in 900years?
Remembrance Sunday: In keeping with the usual tradition and the solemnity of the occasion, the bells during that weekend will be rung half-muffled. To produce this sound, pieces of leather are strapped to one side of each of the eight clappers. As the bell swings one way, the unmuffled side of the clapper strikes the bell, producing the normal metallic sound and on its return swing, the muffled side strikes the bell producing a very subdued sound. Altogether it’s a very pleasant sound. Listen out for it, especially on November 13th.
BBC Children in Need: Another annual event in the November calendar is the appearance on our TV screens of Pudsey Bear as part of the BBC Appeal programmes. There is a ringing method named Pudsey Surprise Major and naturally, always up for a challenge, we attempt this to coincide with the TV Appeal weekend.
Chiltern Midweek Group: This group, comprising of ringers mainly from Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire, organise regular trips to churches in those counties and beyond. Comprised of mostly retired people, they enjoy ringing quarter peals and will be visiting Rushden on the morning of Wednesday November 23rd. Let’s hope we can enjoy their ringing.
Peal 2006: We have already received a request from some Essex ringers for a peal attempt at St. Mary’s in August 2006. The group of ringers will be touring this area and will be attempting peals at many of the local churches.
Advent Peal: In keeping with past years, we will be attempting a full 3 hour peal that weekend.
Tintinnabulum
www.stmarysringers.org.uk
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