Belfry Gossip
Annual Dinner
On a glorious, warm, August evening, the ringers travelled to the village of Rushton, near Kettering, for our annual dinner. As is customary, ringing took place prior to the meal. Once again we were indebted to the use of a mobile phone to overcome a "lockout". No one, despite Pam’s meticulous organisation, turned up to meet us. However, after a quick call, we were let into the church and spent sometime enjoying some ringing on some rather springy new ropes.With a good appetite, we walked to our booked venue, the "Thornhill Arms", and after a pre-meal drink, enjoyed a superb meal.
This is one of the few pubs in the county which provides an excellent "Golden Oldie" lunch for the over 60’s, with two courses costing under £5 – well worth a weekday visit. Tintinnabulum receives no commission!
Visiting Ringers:
Towards the end of October, we welcome visiting ringers from Tadcaster in North Yorkshire. For several days they will be ringing at various towers in the locality. Regular "Gossip" readers know that ringing is a fraternity and as such, when ringers travel around, they are welcomed into any tower. Only recently, we welcomed a ringer from Australia who had attended a wedding at Irchester the previous day and came to join us for our Sunday morning ringing. Most towers, or groups of towers, organise ringing outings. These may be just for a day, a weekend or of a longer duration. As well as ringing at each tower, it’s most interesting to view the churches themselves and find out a little about them – state of repair, type of services and it’s surprising what can be ascertained by reading the notice boards.Some of the Tadcaster ringers have probably rung at Wetherby, only a few miles further north, from where the new priest-in-charge of Whitefriars Church, the Revd. Philip Evans, has moved. We were pleased to ring a very good quarter peal of Cambridge Surprise Minor for the service of welcome at St. Mary’s for Philip and his family. We should have rung a method called Yorkshire.
Most ringers have a copy of a small but useful book entitled "Church Bells of Britain", and was originally compiled by a Yorkshire ringer named Dove. The book contains information on all church bells. The same information can also be gained from the Internet. According to the records, Wetherby parish church has 8 bells, the tenor (heaviest) bell weighs 12cwt. and is in the key of G; practice night is on Thursdays at 8pm. Like us, the bells are rung from an upstairs ringing chamber. The ringers belong to the Selby and District Branch of the Yorkshire Association. Similar information can be retrieved for St. Mary’s – but it is now out of date – why? Answers please to any of the ringers.
Basildon Bell Tower:
Some of our readers may have visited Basildon in Essex, from where the phrase "Essex Man and Woman" originated. The idea to have the world’s first glass bell tower was conceived over 20 years ago. After many problems, and through the patience and skill of many, the vision has finally been realised. It is to be known as the Basildon Bell Tower – a unique working landmark for people to enjoy seeing and hearing, in the centre of the town. So when you next visit Basildon, which must be on one of your places not to miss, do have a look out for it. It was originally meant to be ready for the Millennium but the money dried up. Fortunately, the Millennium Commission’s generous grant of £328,570 came to the rescue.Peal Boards:
These record just a few of the many peals, which have been rung in the tower since 1953. They can be classified as historical documents and are fixed to the walls of the ringing chamber. We are waiting for our sign writer to complete the latest batch before we place them, together with some of the existing ones, on the walls.Wanted, Wanted:
We are on the lookout for a suitable cupboard in good condition, for the ringing chamber. It needs to be approximately 3ft. tall, 16ins. in depth and 2ft. 6ins. long. with enclosed shelves. If anyone can help, please have a chat with any of the ringers."Pensioner threatens to cut ringers’ throats":
no, not in Rushden. The national press recently covered the story of an incident involving a pensioner whose Golden Wedding celebrations were supposedly interrupted by the ringing of some bells nearby. Several calls were made to the Vicar with each one becoming more offensive, ending in the threat of going to the belfry to cut the bell ropes and slit the ringers’ throats. The episode finished with the police giving her a "ticking off".Watch out Barry!