Whilst occurring outside our Guild, this may be of interest to people wondering “how can I restart ringing at an under-used tower?”   RM 

Eleanor Wallace Writes:

As some of you may know, I have been working with Mike Pitman recently to try and formulate a plan to get the practices and quarter peal nights up and running at Kingston again. They are such a beautiful ring of bells, and being a Kingston ringer myself for years I hate to see them not being rung as much as they should and going to waste.

As I have finally finished university and returned to the area I now have time to dedicate myself to re-establishing a regular practice night. However, I need as much support from everyone as I can and am asking for your help. Mike and I have come up with a concept of having two practice nights and two quarters a month on a friday so that the bells are rung every week, and we hope that it at least one night a month may appeal to all ringers of any standard, so that people don’t feel pressurised to dedicate themselves every single week.

The below is the monthly structure which I am trying to introduce, and I would love to hear what you guys think, advice etc as have never done anything like this before.

The Plan

From Friday 3rd March practice nights and quarter peal nights will be resuming at Kingston from 7:30 – 9:00 pm, and we would really love for you to join us. We have a lovely sounding and very easy-going ring of ten bells (tenor 26-3-16) and we want to get them ringing regularly again with the long-term aim
of becoming a supportive teaching tower. We are aiming to create a monthly structure that caters for ringers of all abilities; whether you are a called change ringer or a surprise ringer we hope to provide something for everyone.

1st Friday of the Month – Open Practice Night

Any ringer of any ability who is interested in getting practice at ten bell ringing is more than welcome. Ringing will range from Rounds and Called Changes to Plain Caters and Royal, as well as any six to eight bell ringing if its requested. Whatever you’re learning, come along! Any more advanced ringers who can help out will also be very much appreciated too.

2nd Friday – Advanced Ten Bell Practice

For ringers who want to challenge themselves learning Surprise Royal or just want to keep the cobwebs off.  We will be practicing the Standard Eight Surprise Royal methods (and others as time goes on) with a special method to focus on every week.

3rd Friday – Open Quarter Peal

Whatever the method or number of bells, if you fancy ringing a quarter peal then let us know and we will try to organise it for you. This night is aimed at giving people of all standards quarter peal practice and achieving firsts in method etc. Just pop an email to Eleanor Wallace (form below)

4th Friday – Advanced Quarter Peal

We will be working through the Standard Eight Surprise Royal (and others afterwards) quarter peals. If you’re interested in getting involved, achieving firsts in Surprise Royal etc. just send an email to Eleanor:

• Basingstoke District Practice and Belfry Maintenance Session at Bramley – Saturday 17th August – 7pm – 9pm

  The next Basingstoke District Practice will take place at Bramley (8 bells, 12cwt tenor). The first hour of the practice (7pm -8pm) will however focus on belfry maintenance and will take place in amongst the bells themselves – if you are keen to be involved in this please come suitably attired and be aware that there is a ladder to climb. Normal ringing will then follow in the second hour (8pm-9pm) and as usual all levels will be catered for.

  Look forward to seeing many of you there.

  Joseph.

• Memorial at Curdridge to Edwin Wellstead, ringer killed during World War 1.

  The Communion service at Curdridge this morning, 11th August, had an unusual feature – the dedication of a framed document in memory of Edwin Wellstead. Edwin was a bell ringer at St Peter’s church before the First World War, and was unfortunately killed one hundred and four years ago this August 13th when the transport ship ‘Royal Edward’ that he was travelling on to Gallipoli was torpedoed north of Crete. Over seven hundred men died.

  Ringing in Edwin’s memory took place four years ago near the centenary of his death, but I thought it would be good to have a more tangible memorial. 

  I researched his history for the local history society booklet in memory of those killed in WW1, but since then was able to obtain a photograph of Edwin from Mrs Jean Aburrow, the daughter of Edwin’s younger sister. I therefore rewrote the notes to include Edwin’s picture, had it framed by the Penny Farthing Gallery in Botley, and it was dedicated this morning by the Reverend Jane Richards, as shown in the attached photograph. It is now displayed on the wall of the ringing room in Curdridge church.

  Robin Milford

  
• Central Council Weekend Update – History & Heritage

  Interested in history and heritage?  Then this is the event for you. Yet more interesting talks and exhibits to come along and see.

  Confirmed exhibitors relating to the heritage of ringing so far include:

  • Loughborough Bellfoundry Trust;
  • Central Council Library;
  • The Rolls of Honour;
  • Carter Ringing Machine

  

  Doug Hird and members of the Historical & Archive Workgroup will be considering various ways in which computer technology can be used to help historical researchers and the casual enquirer. With technology being widely available to all, there is an opportunity for ringers to record, share and learn.

  Alan Regin will tell the story of 1,400 Ringing Remembers biographies and the challenges of getting from a list of Name / Tower / Association to a much broader story of the brave men who made the supreme sacrifice during the Great War.

  

  Steve Coleman will deliver a keynote session on “When ringing had to stop”.  The astonishing, exciting and highly entertaining story of ringing during the Second World War.  Based on his painstaking research of the National Archives – together with the letters, diaries and newspapers of the time. Steve will be bringing this fascinating and long-untold story to life – with the aid of six first class readers, Mary Bone, Mike Trimm, Kath Johnson, Mike Winterbourne, Emma Rouse and Fred Bone.

  To get your own piece of bellringing history, why not order a London2019 polo shirt or sweatshirt featuring the London2019 logo on navy garments.  Visit https://events.cccbr.org.uk/product/london-2019-shirts/ for details and ordering.  Please note that your order and payment must be made by 5pm on Tuesday 13th August.

  Make sure that you have booked your place at all the events on offer over the weekend at https://cccbr.org.uk/about/annual-meetings/2019-meeting/mini-roadshow/ Booking for some elements is essential.

• Beyond Bob Doubles at Stockbridge – Wed 28th August – 7.30-9.00pm

  Dear All,

  Since the Winchester District Practice at the Cathedral is on the first Wednesday in September a quick show of hands at last month’s Beyond Bob Doubles indicated that there would be enough for a practice in August this year.  The practice will be at Stockbridge on Wednesday 28th from 19:30 – 21:00, all welcome from the District and beyond.  Anything from Grandsire Doubles and St Simon’s to Double Oxford and maybe Cambridge.

  Edmund.

• For Whom The Bell Tolls – Fundraising for Odiham Bells – Saturday 31st August

  The bells of All Saints, Odiham are in need of some TLC. The frame requires some fairly
  substantial supports in the form of steel beams, to be installed, and the bells themselves
  require attention to various fittings, including some clappers. The report of the survey
  carried out also recommended installation of rope guides.
  To this end, the ringers of All Saints have been involved in various fundraising events.
  This is our latest fun event and we send out a warm invitation to all our bell ringing friends and partners to come and enjoy this classic film so aptly named.

  

• Wonston – No August Practices

  Wonston Tower begins it’s usual month of August cessation of practice and will return to it’s regular Saturday morning 10am till 11:30am slot from September where ringing from Rounds & Call Changes up to Doubles Methods will be rung.  Learners, Improvers and more advanced ringers from across the area are very welcome to join us!

  Service and Wedding ringing continues as normal.

  News and other updates about our activities can be found on our Facebook page here.

  Best Wishes, Gary Marsh

• Wickham Festival – Tower Open

  It’s Wickham Festival weekend (1st – 4th August), and the tower will be open for visitors on Saturday 3rd August from 10:00 – 12:00.

  See Wickham Festival for full details of all the events happening over the weekend.

  

  Contact Greg Painter if you are able to come and ring.

• Botely – No practices during August
  There will be no Thursday night practices at Botley during August.

  Sunday ringing at 9.00 am is as normal.

  Robin Milford
• Bishops Waltham – No practices during August

  Due to several ringers being away there will be no Monday evening ringing practise at St Peter’s, Bishops Waltham during August 2019.

  We will recommence on Monday 2nd September 2019.

  Paula Houlden

• July’s Beyond Bob Doubles at Easton – Wed 31st July – 7.30pm

  Dear All,
  This month’s Beyond Bob Doubles will be at Easton on the 31st July, from 19:30 – 21:00. Please feel free to spread the word, anyone wishing to practice methods from touches of Grandsire to Stedman and Cambridge is welcome to attend.
  Edmund.