Belfry Gossip


O

h dear, all these retired ringers slipping off to various parts of the world, with Canada being quite an attraction. Three of our number have actually been to Canada itself and two passed through on their way to the States – for guess what? –ringing, and then back to Canada. Now they are all back, our numbers and practice evenings are back to normal – until the next round of holidays.


Learners: Good progress is still being maintained and Tom, who was the first of the learners to take up ringing, has been made a member of the Peterborough Diocesan Guild of Bellringers. His enthusiasm and progress have rubbed off onto his grandfather, who is now learning – which proves it’s never too late. How about it? The delight on the learners’ faces when they have achieved another step on the learning ladder is a sight to behold. And well done to them all.


Eight bell Striking Competition: For the first time ever, the Diocesan Guild’s 8 bell Striking Competition was held at St. Mary’s in September on Feast Saturday. At the time of compiling Gossip, the results were not available. Representative teams from some of the ten Branches, or areas, of the Diocese meet annually to compete for the Harry Wooding Trophy. The Wellingborough Branch team, which is usually made up of mostly St. Mary’s ringers, has won the trophy on several occasions. Having home advantage can play in our favour, but who knows? – it’s a bit unpredictable, like the FA cup. For the results, read November’s Gossip.


Interregnum: Permission for visiting ringers to use our bells always falls at the discretion of the Incumbent -–indeed the bells themselves are vested with the Rector. Fortunately, over the years, we have had very sympathetic clergy and permission has never been refused, unless there has been a clash of dates etc. With no Incumbent, the churchwardens take over this role as they do with most of the running of the Parish. With one of the Wardens a member of the St. Mary’s band, we shouldn’t experience too much trouble – but we will still consult them!


Guild of Clerical Ringers: Many incumbents throughout the country are ringers. If you watched the BBC TV programme “The Island Parish”, Father Guy, who featured in the series, is a ringer. He learned in this area and was at one time the Bishop of Peterborough’s chauffeur. He sometimes rang with us when the Bishop was on a visit to the parish. Most of the ringing clerics belong to the Guild of Clerical Ringers. They have business meetings, meet up for social ringing, enjoy ringing outings and the keener ones ring quarter and full peals - a bit like the clergy cricket teams. Who knows, our next Rector may be a ringer? Canon Michael Wilson, a past Rector, was learning to ring when his wife, Vivienne, came to watch him, and he went to pieces and the rest is history – sorry Michael and Viv.


Parish Profile: Not necessarily to attract a ringing Rector, we took some photos on one of our practice evenings, added a few words about ringing at St. Mary’s and have submitted them to the compilers of the Profile. At least it shows we have an active band of ringers who maintain Sunday Service ringing – so whoever is appointed, they know what to expect.


Ringing Roadshow: Several of our ringers visited Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire at the beginning of September. The Roadshow has been held every two years and is the largest gathering of ringers and all other bell enthusiasts. It encompasses a trade show, a range of learning opportunities, ringing related entertainment, hands-on activities, shopping and the chance to meet hundreds of other people with the same passion for bells and bell ringing – and of course a real-ale bar. Some of the many attractions were the mini rings. There were ten, ranging from 6 to 10 bells. Many of these rings are constructed on portable frames which can be put together in reasonable time and used at exhibitions etc. One such ring, with the tenor weighing only 1.5lbs. was originally built in a garage in Exmouth. Guess who had a go on them, in the rain, but our Tom, who thoroughly enjoyed himself and was rather wet at the end – now that’s keeness.


Tintinnabulum www.stmarysringers.org.uk (note change of title)