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Bell Ringing at All Saints Church StaplehurstMonthly Reports for 2007
Ringing Report - December 2007The Staplehurst Bellringers held their AGM on 6th November, with our Rector, Gill Calver, in the Chair. Shirley Norfolk decided not to stand for re-election as Tower Secretary, and we thank her for all she has done over the past ten years. Roy Barclay has kindly agreed to take over the post. Sue Bassett was re-elected as Tower Captain with Ann Fulcher and Daniel Brady as joint Ringing Masters. Patrick Harrisson and Chris Bassett were re-elected as Treasurer and 5teeplekeeper respectively.It has been a successful year for our ringers, culminating in our winning the Maidstone District Call Change Striking Contest at Snodland on 10th November. The winner's Shield is now hanging proudly in the tower. Particular congratulations go to Colin Friend who was ringing in a competition for the first time. As to the future, instead of Practice Night on the 11th December the Ringers will be holding their Christmas Dinner at The Bell. We will as usual be ringing in the New Year, but that apart there is no extra ringing planned for December other than our normal Tuesday practice and the regular Sunday Services. New ringers are always welcome. Why not make it one of your New Years Resolutions to come and visit us at our Tuesday practice and see what it's all about? For more information contact our Tower Captain Sue Bassett on 01580 891917. Finally the staplehurst Bell Ringers would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. Tower SecretaryRoy Barclay(01580) 890247 Back to Top
Ringing Report - November 2007On Saturday 24 November, a visiting band will attempt a peal (3 hours ringing) in the afternoon between 3.00pm and 6.00pm.Staplehurst Ringers are holding their A.G.M. on Tuesday 6 November at 8.00pm in the belfry. A correction to the item in last month's report about St Peter ad Vincula Church in Wisborough Green. Ad Vincula means “in chains” and not “with the keys” as originally reported. There will be the usual Tuesday evening practices (7.30pm - 9.15pm) and ringing before Sunday Services (9.15am - 10.00am and 5.45pm - 6.30pm). Anyone interested in learning to ring should contact me or any member of the band. Alternatively, please come along on a Tuesday as a visitor to see what goes on. You will be most welcome. Shirley Norfolk. Back to Top
Ringing Report - October 2007Back in July, Kevin and Ann Fulcher attended a dinner at the Farmers Club in Whitehall. This was to be presented with a £1000 cheque and a silver medal for the Bellringers winning photographic entry in the Wells Brewery competition celebrating St. George's Day. Other prizes were awarded for different categories as the organisers are keen to promote England's National Day.On Saturday 1 September, 21 ringers and four “roadies” set off on the annual Staplehurst ringers outing, this time to West Sussex, starting at St. Mary the Virgin in Shipley. Wonderful views were reported by those who ventured to the top of the tower. Wisborough Green was next, St. Peter ad Vincula, which apparently means “with the keys”. Here there were beautiful wedding flowers, an ancient wall painting, a marvelous tapestry depicting village life and a very odd struck Tenor bell. St. Michael and All Angels, Northchapel followed where Roy had the keys but he couldn't find which lock they fitted to let us into the tower. These were the lightest bells we rang, the Tenor weighing only 3cwt compared to the Staplehurst Tenor which weighs 19cwt. Then to a lovely lunch at “The Hollist Arms” in Lodsworth, plus a good selection of beer. In the afternoon we rang at three St Mary's, at Easebourne, Petworth and Pulborough. We followed the ring at Petworth with a picnic in Petworth Park. A very enjoyable day was had by all, with a wide range of ringing methods rung well, nice bells and good company. Many thanks to the Barclay family for their hard work in arranging it all. On Saturday 20 October, Tonbridge District are holding their ten bell practice at Staplehurst from 7.30pm to 9.00pm. Ashford Young Farmers are coming to Staplehurst on Wednesday 24 October for a talk and demonstration on bellringing using the simulator. There will be the usual Tuesday evening practices (7.30pm - 9.15pm) and ringing before Sunday Services (9.15am - 10.00am and 5.45pm - 6.30pm). Anyone interested in learning to ring should contact me or any member of the band. Alternatively, please come along on a Tuesday as a visitor to see what goes on. You will be most welcome. Shirley Norfolk. Back to Top
September 2007 ReportOne of the national newspapers recently had a long article questioning the numbers of bellringers in the country and whether in a few years time the churches would be silent.Whenever I mention to anyone that I am a bellringer, most people say that they love to hear a peal of bells and that they are such a part of English life. So, we do need to keep the tradition going and that can only be done by new people learning to ring, which is why I extend the same invitation each month at the bottom of this report, a bit repetitive maybe, but important. So do please consider coming along to see what we do. No obligation but it might just 'a-peal' to you. There will be the usual Tuesday evening practices (7.30pm - 9.15pm) and ringing before Sunday Services (9.15am - 10.00am and 5.45pm - 6.30pm). Anyone interested in learning to ring should contact me or any member of the band. Alternatively, please come along on a Tuesday as a visitor to see what goes on. You will be most welcome. Shirley Norfolk. Tower Secretary. (Tel. 01580 892104) Back to Top
August 2007 ReportA quarter peal of 1260 changes of Plain Bob Minor was rung on 17 June for Evening Service to celebrate Fathers' Day.On Saturday 16 June, a band of ringers entered the Maidstone District Six Bell change ringing competition held at Chart Sutton. They came second to a band from Aylesford so well done to them. Congratulations and best wishes to Melanie Brooker, a former Staplehurst ringer, on her marriage to Gareth Byhurst, whose wedding we rang for on Thursday 5 July. Phil Osler returned to officiate. It was lovely to see him again. There will be the usual Tuesday evening practices (7.30pm - 9.15pm) and ringing before Sunday Services (9.15am - 10.00am and 5.45pm - 6.30pm). Anyone interested in learning to ring should contact me or any member of the band. Alternatively, please come along on a Tuesday as a visitor to see what goes on. You will be most welcome. Shirley Norfolk. Tower Secretary. (Tel. 01580 892104) Back to Top
February 2007 ReportA quarter peal of Grandsire Triples was rung before the Service on Sunday 28 January to celebrate the visit of the Archbishop of Canterbury.On Saturday 3 March, the Royal Naval Guild of Bellringers is visiting All Saints to ring between 10.00am and 11.00am. There will be the usual Tuesday evening practices and ringing before Sunday Services. Anyone interested in learning to ring should contact me or any member of the band. Alternatively, please come along on a Tuesday as a visitor to see what goes on. You will be most welcome. Shirley Norfolk. Tower Secretary. (Tel. 01580 892104) Back to Top
January 2007 ReportThe Staplehurst Bellringers would like to wish everyone a Very Happy New Year.Have you made your New Year’s resolutions yet? To get fitter, expand your mind, make new friends, take up a new hobby, does all this sound familiar? Why not try Bellringing as it meets all the criteria. It will help you keep fit by walking to the church, climbing the stairs to the ringing chamber and straightening your back as you reach up to pull the bell ropes, albeit gently. For the mind, can you count, in Staplehurst’s case, to 10? Easily I’m sure, but then we muddle up the numbers and the fun begins. There are so many “methods” to ring that you will never run out of new things to learn and achieve. The opportunity for making friends is endless. Apart from Staplehurst, many churches throughout England have bells and the ringers will be delighted to welcome you and probably go for a drink afterwards. As for a new hobby, this one is free. No special equipment or clothing, just some of your time, on a regular basis, on practice nights and Sundays. So, please come and visit us on a Tuesday night to learn more about the art of change-ringing, and stick to your resolutions this year! Shirley Norfolk. Tower Secretary. (Tel. 01580 892104) Back to Top
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