Holidays:All the ringers have returned safe and well after their various holidays. The ringing for the services on the first Sunday in August was curtailed as only three of the band were available and parishioners would not have welcomed the sound of "Three blind mice". We have now temporarily lost two of our ringers who are now enjoying a holiday in St. Petersburg and the Baltic States.
Wedding Season:Holiday times often clash with the wedding season and it becomes necessary to "import" ringers from other towers. This does not always work out, as they too suffer from the same predicament. However, this year, we have been most fortunate in being able to arrange full bands for all the weddings at St. Mary’s, even on the Saturday of our outing. Wedding couples at St. Mary’s requiring our bells have never been let down – so far!
A Get Together: On a very pleasant July evening we all enjoyed a social evening in the garden of Pam and Paul, to celebrate their Silver Wedding. We even had fireworks, courtesy of some unknown person several streets away. As dusk descended, we were intrigued as to which Solar garden lamp would illuminate first – some cheated by covering the solar panel.
Ruby Wedding:A quarter peal of Rutland Surprise Major was successfully attempted to celebrate Ann and Bob’s Ruby Wedding. This year, we have had two rubies and a silver. Unlike the Olympics, we have some time before we celebrate "Gold" in the belfry.
Competition:The final competition of the year is held this month when the Diocesan Guild 8 bell Striking Competition will be held at the Holy Sepulchre Church in Northampton. The ten Branches, which make up the Guild, are invited to enter a representative band. Last year the Wellingborough Branch carried off the coveted trophy which was displayed in our ringing chamber.
Bells in Different Places: Bells are traditionally and historically associated with parish churches throughout the land. Hundreds of years ago, the substantial construction of a church tower was about the only building in villages, towns and cities, which could carry the weight of bells. The Church of England is blessed with magnificent churches with peals of bells and it is unusual to find bells in other buildings. But there are some – in non-conformist churches, town halls, people’s garages, bell foundries etc.
Many readers have heard of Port Sunlight, founded by William Lever, the soap manufacturer and later to become the giant industry of Unilever, with its strong links with Sharnbrook. Initially a village on the Mersey, it soon developed into a larger town for the growing workforce. A staunch Congregationalist, Lever built Christ Church to be a visible expression of Christian unity. In 1972, Christ Church became a United Reform Church. It has a peal of 8 bells, which were hung in 1951 when the church was opened.
Any suggestions for a peal of bells in the Rushden area, other than the parish church? The Park Road Methodist Church has a substantial tower. Any other suggestions? On a postcard please.