|
|
 |
You are here > Home > Groups > Bell Ringing > Monthly Reports for 2004 |
||||||
 |
Bell Ringing at All Saints Church StaplehurstMonthly Reports for 2004
October 2004 ReportAs expected, the past month or so proved to be interesting and hectic for our ringers with several weddings to ring for, the celebration of life for Jim Bullock and special ceremony for evacuees at Marden; all this in addition to the superb Tower Outing on 4th. The day, well-organised by the Barclay family, was thoroughly enjoyed and from the youngest ringer upwards everyone rang their best on unfamiliar bells. It is a pleasure to lead such a great bunch of enthusiastic ringers throughout the year, although they kindly gave me the day off on the outing day and others took charge of the various towers in turn. Not content with ringing other bells in this Country, yours truly and husband also spent a week in Ireland and Northern Ireland ringing at most of the towers on the emerald isle with ringers from Maidstone and Rochester.Learner's practices will continue on Friday evenings 7.30 - 9.00 p.m. and newcomers are welcome to join us. The Learners' practices are less formal than the Tuesday practice for more experienced ringers and rung on tied bells, so that no noise is made outside the tower. Learners then have greater opportunity to try new skills without the worry that they will annoy the neighbours with poor striking until they get it right! There is much to learn physically and mentally in ringing and is a pastime (and service to the church) that is interesting, sociable and keeps the grey matter as well as muscles in a good state of fitness. With so much in the media about getting fit, why not try ringing? A good work out on the bells is much more fun than going to any gym! Some of our younger ringers are making extremely good progress and have recently received Bell Club Awards and badges for their achievements. Well done Christopher, Andrew and Adam. Older teenagers are also doing very well with their ringing progress but I don't wish to embarrass them by naming them here! Other more mature learners, Maggie, Simon and Catherine are also making swift progress with their ringing skills. Well done all! October will also be full of ringing activity with a Wedding on 2nd, Annual District Meeting on 9th, visiting ringers from Horton Kirby on 16th and Kent County Ringers Training afternoon on 23rd. This is in addition to the usual Friday Learners and Tuesday evening practices (7.30 - 9.15 p.m.) and ringing twice on Sundays for services (9.15 - 10.00 a.m. & 5.45 - 6.30 p.m.). However, it seems we could have a morning off on 31st as the 10.00 a.m. service is elsewhere - chance for a lie in? Perhaps not as Linton has no local band and are appealing for our help to ring their bells for services every fifth Sunday! Life as a ringer is very active and there's always something new to learn - can't understand why more people don't take it up! For more details contact Sue Bassett by phone on (01580) 891917 or E-mail Sue Bassett Tower Captain  Back to Top
September ReportAfter a busy August with several weddings to ring for and learners practices continuing on most Friday evenings, September looks to be no less hectic for our ringers. Beginning with the annual Staplehurst Tower Outing on Saturday 4th there is little doubt that the Barclay family will come up trumps in organising us a splendid day out ringing at other towers and sampling a new hostelry or two.In addition to the usual Tuesday evening practices (7.30 p.m. & 9.15 p.m.) and ringing twice on Sundays for services (9.15 a.m. - 10.00 a.m. & 5.45 p.m. - 6.30 p.m.), we shall be ringing for weddings on 11th and 25th September. Friday evening practices for learners and young ringers (7.30 p.m. - 9.00 p.m.) will continue for as long as these are needed. Please check with me in case a practice is cancelled or you would like to come and have a go yourself -; new learners are always welcome. For more details contact Sue Bassett by phone on (01580) 891917 or E-mail Sue Bassett Tower Captain Back to Top
July ReportJuly should be a slightly less busy month for the Staplehurst bell-ringers, unless we had lots of people coming forward to learn to ring at our June Open Afternoon, when we shall be arranging special learners' practices. Did you miss the Open Afternoon? Don't worry as anyone who would like to find out more about learning to ring is welcome to visit us on any Tuesday evening between 7.30 p.m. & 9.15 p.m. when our practices are in full swing!In addition to the usual Tuesday evening practices and ringing twice on Sundays for services, we shall be ringing for a blessing on 10th July and then going to ring at Yalding for the Maidstone District, Kent County Association of Change Ringers quarterly meeting. Various visiting ringers will be enjoying All Saints, Staplehurst bells on 10th July 1415-1515, 24th July 1000-1200 and 31st July 1415-1515. For more details contact Sue Bassett by phone on (01580) 891917 or E-mail Sue Bassett Tower Captain Back to Top
June ReportJune will be a very busy month for the Staplehurst bell-ringers, but we shall thoroughly enjoy all this activity. In addition to the usual Tuesday evening practices and ringing twice on Sundays for services, we shall be ringing for two weddings, entering a band in the district ringing competition and hosting a Barbecue, ringing a quarter-peal (non-stop ringing for 45 minutes) to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the D-Day landings and holding a Ringing Open Afternoon for all you good people to come and see what we do in practice!Have you have ever wondered how the bells are rung, what it is like in the belfry and what bell-ringing entails? If so, then come and see for yourself on our Ringing Open Afternoon on Sunday 6th June 2-5 p.m. Ringers will be on hand to give talks, demonstrations and answer questions about the art and science of ringing Church bells. If you would like to try ringing a bell, then we'll be happy to help you - provided you are big enough and reasonably fit (i.e., aged 12+ and able to climb the tower steps). Refreshments will also be available in the Church during the afternoon if you would like to drop in for a chat with us - without obligation! We hope you will soon come to realise that bell-ringing is a very enjoyable activity. Ringing exercises mind, body and spirit through a combination of physical and mental team work and camaraderie. We have ten bells in the tower, which are not difficult to ring (thanks to the re-hanging work that was achieved 8 years ago) although the number of ringers in our band has been declining in recent years as people naturally move on. To ensure our bells continue to be rung into the future, we need to find new people who would like to learn to ring and ensure our band continues to thrive. If you are looking for a new pastime that will give you a level of fitness equal to going to the gym (and at considerably less cost with greater enjoyment!) or would like a hobby that your whole family can enjoy together, then bell-ringing may be for you. At least come along and have a go - you might just like it! If you are unable to attend the open afternoon, please telephone me to arrange an alternative time or visit the belfry any Tuesday evening between 7.30 p.m. and 9.15 p.m. when our practice evening will be in full swing! For more details contact Sue Bassett by phone on (01580) 891917 or E-mail Sue Bassett Tower Captain Back to Top
April ReportAt the Ringers' AGM in March, Chris Bassett, stood down as Tower Captain having held the post continuously for 10 years. He was presented by the ringers with an engraved Tankard, which was soon filled with a well-earned pint at the Kings Head. Chris will, however, be no less busy in the tower as he has taken on the role of Steeple Keeper, taking over from Andrew Brady who had been keeping the bells and fittings in fine fettle over previous years.Treasurer Patrick Harrisson, Secretary Shirley Norfolk and Vice Captain Jackie Scrace all remained in post for another year and will hopefully lend their support to the new Captain, yours truly. As always, new recruits are needed to ensure that this “centuries-old” activity of campanology can continue for many more generations to come. Learning to ring church bells needs a fair amount of commitment and practice, so if you're ready for a new physical and mental challenge - come and see what it's all about. Under 18's should be accompanied by a responsible adult who can also learn to ring. Visit All Saints Parish Church tower any Tuesday evening between 7.30 p.m. & 9.15 p.m. and we'll be happy to show you the ropes! - pun intended but there is much more to ringing than just pulling a rope. There's a very good social side too (usually in “the other place” across the road as we work up such a thirst on practice nights), holidays, tours and competitions, etc. There's never a dull moment in the life of a bell ringer! For more details contact Sue Bassett by phone on (01580) 891917 or E-mail Sue Bassett Tower Captain Back to Top
March 2004The Bell Ringers had a particularly busy day last month - we managed to set up a display and speak to people at the “This Is Staplehurst” Exhibition, ring for a wedding and attend our District Annual General Meeting all on the same day! However, we could always do with a few more people to ring and take part in ringing activities with us.We are looking for new recruits to ensure that this “centuries-old” activity of campanology can continue for many more generations to come. Learning to ring church bells needs a fair amount of commitment and practice, so if you're ready for a new physical and mental challenge - come and see what it's all about. Under 18's should be accompanied by a responsible adult who can also learn to ring. Visit All Saints Parish Church tower any Tuesday evening between 7.30 p.m. & 9.15 p.m. and we'll be happy to show you the ropes! - pun intended but there is much more to ringing than just pulling a rope. There's a very good social side too (usually in “the other place” across the road as we work up such a thirst on practice nights), holidays, tours and competitions, etc. There's never a dull moment in the life of a bell ringer! For more details contact Sue Bassett by phone on (01580) 891917 or E-mail Sue Bassett Back to Top |
 |
|||||