SALISBURY DIOCESAN GUILD OF RINGERS NEWSLETTER

Spring 2021 Number 161 In this issue:

From the 1 THE WAY OUT? President https://ringingteachers.org/survival- Guild News 2 LEBRF and and-recovery-toolbox Restoration 7 News

Covid Survival and Recovery ... 10 The Fight Back!

Learners‟ 13 Corner

Young Ringers 16

Sally the 17 Snake ... Part 3

And in Other 18 News ...

Thomas Hardy and the of 21 “Wessex”

A Word with … 23 Tim Rose

Branch News 25

Calne 25 Devizes 25 Dorchester 27 East Dorset 28

Marlborough 30 Mere 30 TWO WORKSHOPS ON HOW RINGING IN THE Salisbury 31 SALISBURY GUILD WILL RECOVER FROM COVID West Dorset 31

On Saturday 27 February and Saturday 13 March 2021 Obituaries 33

Website: https://sdgr.org.uk/ringing-recovery-discussion/ „The Back Page‟ 34

Deadline For Next Issue: 1 July [email protected]

A Nurse [Vicki Rowse, our Guild General Secretary] Prepares a Vaccine Dose in Salisbury Cathedral. Photograph: Steve Parsons/PA. Reproduced under Licence. Those of you who know Vicki will know that she‟s not one to seek publicity. She volunteered to assist with the vaccination programme little knowing that she would feature in the national press, in social media and on the front page of The Church Times. She tells me she is slightly embarrassed by all the publicity, but she agreed to this image appearing (a) well, because its a great picture; (b) it links to her article inside on ringing connections to this event and (c) it‟s a good news story, which we all need at the moment. See page 18 for the Full Story.

Patron of the Guild to Retire (Picture: Diocesan Website) From Robert Wellen (Guild Master): The Bishop of Salisbury, the Right Revd Nicholas Holtam, will retire on 3rd July 2021, a month short of his 67th birthday, it has been announced. He will have been Bishop of Salisbury for 10 years. For the whole of that time he has been Patron of our Guild. On 2 February Bishop Nicholas e-mailed me to say: ―I wanted to let you know that this morning I have let it be known that I will be retiring in July. Thank you for shared work and common interests. We won‟t be leaving until July so there will continue to be plenty to do between now and then”. The President (Judith Williamson) and I replied: “Thank you Bishop Nicholas. Like many we will be sad to see you go; from a ringing perspective your support for bands around the diocese on your visits and to the Guild has always been much appreciated and valued. We have indeed felt that we have a Patron who takes an active and genuine interest in ringing and our Guild activities. The services in the cathedral in 2014 and 2018 for the first world war anniversaries being just one case in point. We look forward to working with you for the remainder of your ministry in Salisbury”.

From the President

First, I want to wish we will be holding our Guild everyone a Happy New Festival and Annual General Year. I know in the Meeting, hopefully based at circumstances this sounds Ramsbury in the Marlborough banal, but we must Branch. Unfortunately the eight remain positive and hope striking competition will not we are nearing the end of take place owing to ringing this nightmare. 2020 is restrictions still being in place. If, the year we will long like last year, we are still under remember for lockdowns, restrictions and very limited restrictions the meeting and ringing but the promise of three vaccines has given service will be held via Zoom, BUT us hope. Unfortunately the Covid 19 virus has had IT WILL HAPPEN [see page 4]. Life other ideas and we have again been plunged into has been rather grim for everyone over the past year lockdown. It hardly seems possible that less than a but there are positive signs, Catkins, Snowdrops and year ago we had only heard of Covid as something some hardy Daffodils are already showing in the happening in China. But, it‘s not all bad news, three hedgerows, signs of better weather to come. Spring is vaccines have been approved and are being rolled on the way. There are also signs that the ‗R‘ rate is out. Of course we will have to continue social starting to go down. We will win this battle, so now distancing, hand washing and mask wearing for some would be a good time get out your ringing books, time to come but mass vaccination points to a revise your methods and make ready to ring. Take brighter future. Up until Christmas, we in the care, stay safe and we‘ll see you in the ringing Salisbury Diocese, had kept the ‗R‘ rate below one. A chamber SOON. Judith new variant has changed that and more than ever we must follow the rules and stay safe. However, we can Don‟t Like Reading Face to Face „On- start planning for the time when we return to ringing. Line‟? Then You Can Receive a Personal Printed Copy. Our first task will be the maintenance of the bells; most have not been rung for many months so like all £8 a year (three editions)-£12 by post. things left for a while will need some tender loving Contact the Editor: [email protected] care. The stays, pulleys, clappers, bearings and ropes will need checking and the bell chamber and ringing room will need a spring clean. If you are unsure what to do seek the help of someone who does, your branch committee members will be able to help. Some members will be anxious about returning after such a long layoff and a few may feel they never will return, so we need to do all we can to allay their fears. I urge you not to make that decision yet. When we get back to ringing come along to the practice, meet your friends and just sit and watch. When you see others ringing safely you might decide to give it another go. If you are still unsure talk it over with colleagues. As well as encouraging our existing ringers we will need to recruit, and to this end (and much more) we are holding two ‗brainstorming‘ meetings on how our ‗re-launch‘ can be achieved. These meetings will be on Zoom starting at 10.00 a.m. on 27th February and 13th March [see front page for details]. Please try to attend these meetings as they will help shape the future of our Guild. The Guild Officers are working hard to plan a range of events for all Guild members, it will not just be ringing but some social meetings as well. We have all been isolated for so long it‘s important we have time to catch up with old friends and to forge new friendships. The Officers have set up a series of talks on ringing related subjects over the coming months. Details have been circulated on e-mail and can also be found on the Guild website [also see https://sdgr.org.uk/teaching-and-learning- th page 3]. On May 8 morning-2021/

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Guild News

„Mentioned In Dispatches‟ although ringing has been hugely curtailed in 2020 that some limited Sunday service ringing did take From Robert Wellen (Face place in the summer months and bell maintenance to Face Editor): We received has continued where essential. Be assured that these the following ‗mentions in insurance costs are monitored closely and it could dispatches‘ after the last well be that to cancel this policy and then renew edition of Face to Face. when ringing resumes would be more expensive than From our Patron, the Right continuation. Suffice to say that the Guild, like most Reverend Nicholas Holtam, the Bishop of Salisbury: of us, has had an unusual 2020, but it is NOT ―Thanks very much for the SDGR Autumn Newsletter projected to have a huge surplus at the end of this which has just arrived. It is terrific. Thank you for past calendar year, rather it‘s surplus is expected to taking such care to welcome the Channel Islands to be similar to recent previous years. Apart from the the Guild as well as all of the more local news. I am ‗standards‘: insurance, website, Face to Face, very grateful for all you and the Guild do in donations to The Ringing World, there have been supporting ringing throughout the diocese”. And in ‗savings‘, regrettably, in not printing a Report and the President‘s Blog from Simon Linford, the President Handbook or as many Face to Faces and not paying of the Central Council: ―I think I have mentioned the expenses for Central Council representatives or to Salisbury DG newsletter before, and had the good support young ringer activities, such as the RWNYC in fortune of seeing the winter edition of „Face to Face‟ York; but there have also been additional costs, most this week. It really is a tour de force of newsletter notably paying for a licence for Zoom for Guild and writing, managing 36 sizzling lockdown pages. I Branch business meetings (and the LEBRF), particularly liked new CC Rep Vicki Rowse‟s very supporting Ringing Room for the young ringers, positive report of the CC Annual Meeting, of the work postage of printed Face to Faces and most of the Council and it‟s workgroups. Vicki takes her significantly the £1000 one-off gift from the Guild to place on the beer, tea or cake list‖. the LEBRF to compensate for the Guild Open Day not happening in 2020. The Guild is now turning its attention to 2021, providing a series of evening talks Guild Subs Again and facilitating discussions on the way forward to recover from the setbacks of 2020. With the increase From Robert Wellen (Guild of internet banking there should hopefully be fewer Master) and Pat Davidson practical problems in collecting and paying (Guild Treasurer): Now is subscriptions this Spring than would have been the the time once again to case previously (with us still away from our towers) pay your Guild but if you have any problems please contact your subscriptions, which Branch Treasurer or Pat Davidson remain unaltered in 2021. Not ‗Guild News‘ usually, [email protected], as flexibility will be but some of you might be raising the legitimate shown We need our Guild to help us all recover. We question of why these subscriptions have not been therefore hope that you will continue to support your waived this time round, given that we have been Guild, through your subscription, as we work to help doing so little actual ringing since March. The decision you. to keep our subscriptions unaltered in 2021 was taken after much detailed consideration at the July 2020 meeting of the Guild Executive. At that meeting Excellent Progress in Preparing to there were representatives from all eight branches Welcome the Channel Islands present. The decision was made at that meeting, by the Executive acting in place of the cancelled May 2020 Guild AGM. Why? Well unlike many other organisations or societies which have unfortunately been effectively ‗dormant‘ through the pandemic (and therefore have waived subscriptions) our Guild has continued to operate to keep you, the members, interested, informed and included in ringing matters despite the absence of actual ringing. Our team of From Robert Wellen (Guild Master): Following on from Guild Officers have been busy: (Face to Face and the the Guild EGM on 31 October 2020 (as reported on website); advice and information (Heath and Safety page 3 of the last edition of Face to Face) the and ‘Guild Bulletins‘ in time of Covid), education and Channel Islands Integration Group (‗the Group‘) has training (virtual ringing courses), support for young met on three occasions over Zoom. The first meeting ringers, financial assistance with bell restoration was held on 28 November 2020 on membership and (LEBRF), all of which have continued—all for £10 a subscriptions, the second on 4 December 2020 was year–which compared to many other organisations concerned solely with Bell Restoration Funds and a and pastimes, compares very favourably. This is even third meeting was held on 11 December 2020 to before you take into account what many of your discuss ‗other matters‘. Different colleagues joined Branches have been doing. On insurance, our largest particular meetings alongside ‗the ‘ membership. cost, which has continued, it should be noted that The minutes of these meetings are on the Guild

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Guild News website at: https://sdgr.org.uk/business-documents/. There will be a fourth and final meeting of the Group UPCOMING GUILD BELL once the actual date of the transfer of the Islands RINGING TALKS between dioceses is announced. A report will be given to the Guild AGM in May 2021 (or earlier to an EGM, if SATURDAY 20 FEBRUARY 2021 necessary) along with proposed rule changes (which we envisage will be modest). Additional, less formal, WAR AND COVID

‗publicity material‘ will also be provided for the Speaker: Robert Wellen Channel Island ringers and others. Excellent progress was made and what was really encouraging was the There is a programme on BBC Radio 4 positive and friendly atmosphere, which bodes well called ‗The Long View‟. In it, a for the Channels Islands being integrated into our contemporary event or phenomenon is Guild whilst maintaining a good and close relationship taken and compared to historical events which appear to have some similarities. For this talk I apply this format to with their former Guild. our recent situation in comparison to the last time the British State intervened to regulate the ringing of church „Sparkling‟ First Talk bells, between 1940 and 1943.

SATURDAY 20 MARCH 2021 From Robert Wellen (Guild Master): A series of five FOR WEDDINGS AND SOME ‗virtual‘ Bellringing Talks, FUNERALS hosted by the Guild for the Winter and Spring, was Speaker: Gareth Davies

launched on 16 January 2021 What was the difference between with a sparkling performance ringing for a wedding and a marriage? Did the death of from Chris Pickford (pictured Prince Albert start a trend to have bells rung for funerals? left), who spoke on ―The Great How much did the ringers get paid? Discover how the British Revival, custom of ringing for such events developed and how Bell Founders and Bell Hangers practices differed from the way we do things today.

of the late Nineteenth SATURDAY 27 MARCH 2021 Century‖. Chris is well known to many of us from his many articles in The Ringing World and is the author I DO NOT KNOW, SAYS THE of ten books; but the history of bells and bell GREAT BELL OF BOW founding is his ―special subject‖. And this mastery for his subject was soon on display in the course of this Speaker: Mark Regan relaxed and engaging talk, effectively illustrated Between 1933 and 1961 there were throughout. Chris took the audience through a history three different rings of 12 in the tower. For 16 of these of the bell founders of the period, there ups and years the tower was bomb damaged and derelict. The downs, what they did well and what they did less second restoration in 1933, paid for Gordon Selfridge, well, all made even more interesting by reference to became a public scandal. local examples in Wiltshire and Dorset. The audience SATURDAY 17 APRIL 2021 was in the region of sixty, including many from outside the Guild. The next day one viewer THE HISTORY OF RINGING commented: ―Anyone who knows me will be surprised SIMULATORS to hear I attended this Zoom talk as, to be honest, I'm generally not that interested at all and tend to Designer and manufacturer of ringing switch off when someone starts enthusing about this simulators. or that and these bells are amazing Gilletts Speaker: David Bagley etc etc. In the 'olden' days when we were allowed out I would never have gone to this talk, too boring and David has been a ringer since 1977, having been taught at not worth trying to get childcare. However, from the Malvern Link by his father Geoff. He has been interested in comfort of my living room I thought why not and I ringing related electronics and software since the early 1980s. am so glad I did! Chris Pickford is a superb speaker, very clear and concise and had taken the time to put Talks are on „Zoom‟ and start at 7.30 p.m. (join from together a well 7.15 p.m.) A voluntary donation to the LEBRF presented talk on (Diocesan Bell Restoration Fund Charity No. 270529) the various in lieu of a ticket would be much appreciated—‟Just , pitched Giving‟ links are provided on registration. at an easy to Guild website at: understand level. https://sdgr.org.uk/bell-ringing-talks/ I'm booked on the https://sdgr.org.uk/bell-ringing-talks-2/ other four talks and can't wait!” To Recordings of Past Talks: those of you who https://www.youtube.com/channel/ could not join in for UC53iMUENeS21OfGLPRFlQgw

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Guild News the talk, it was recorded and is available on-line at: https://youtu.be/3PxDI8yiyqQ. The Just Giving page GUILD FESTIVAL is also open (follow links on page 3) and has so far AND AGM 2021 raised £155 for the LEBRF. For details of the on Saturday 8 May 2021 remainder of the programme, starting with ME, on 20 February, see the notice on the previous If, as we expect, we cannot go to page and follow the links. the Marlborough Branch for the 2021 Festival in Ramsbury. Your Guild Has Plans for 2021 We WILL gather for Festival and AGM ‘by means of

Zoom‘ and the provisional outline for that is below: From Judith Williamson (Guild President) and Robert

Wellen (Guild Master): As far as your Guild is Afternoon concerned 2021 is NOT, definitely NOT, cancelled;  Virtual Ringing on Ringing Room and/or Ding. although inevitably the on-going impact of the pandemic will mean that the of Guild events  Service, led by clergy from Ramsbury, with the offered will vary from the ‗traditional‘. Bishop of Ramsbury preaching.  The first thing to establish is an anchor; a fixed  Annual General Meeting. point in the uncertainty, and for us in 2021 that  Virtual Raffle, or similar, for LEBRF. will be our Guild Festival and AGM—This will  Young Ringer involvement. happen on the Second Saturday in May, that is 8th  Comfort Break and time for an ‗at home‘ Ringers‘ May 2021, so please put this down now in your Tea. pristine new calendar and/ or diary. We have not yet ruled out a traditional meeting in Ramsbury, Evening as planned by the Marlborough Branch, but to be AN EVENING WITH THE EDITOR OF THE frank we consider that this is unlikely and RINGING WORLD therefore we are planning to have a virtual event, Robert Wellen (Guild Master) in conversation with which we hope can contain and mirror most of the William (Will) Bosworth (Editor) about his local features of the traditional Festival. Please see the roots, his life, his ringing and the challenges for him provisional timetable of the day opposite. and his team in producing The Ringing World  We could not publish the printed Guild Handbook (chance for members to ask questions). and Report in Spring 2020, so we are determined Further details and timings will be published on the to publish a 2021 Handbook and combined Report Guild website and circulated by Branch Secretaries. for 2019/2020, sometime in the second half of the year, not this Spring, when distribution will still be difficult. Our editor Ben Duke, is working hard to  Heath and Safety has predominantly focused on produce a report of approximately the same size Covid-19 precautions, but as we prepare to return as normal, perhaps with a few regular features to our bells, more familiar concerns will re-emerge dropped, as a one-off, in these exceptional around safety checks for bells that have not been circumstances to provide extra space for rung for a while, both in ‗active‘ as well as essentials. In anticipation of a return to ringing unfortunately, ‗inactive‘ towers. Our hard working this year please ensure that our webmaster is kept Health and Safety Officer, David Close, writes on informed of any e-mail changes for tower page 6 on the new guidance on this produced by correspondents. the Central Council.  On the Education front we regret that the  Our much valued Young Ringers have continued Training and Learning Day at Coombe Bissett in to meet up on the zoom (see page 16) and will April is cancelled, again! David Hacker, our patient continue to do so until they are ‗released again Guild Education Officer, reports on page 6 (details into the wild‘. Many thanks to Hilary Child and Sue page 1) on alternative arrangements to use some Carter and Mums and Dads for helping us. As in of the speakers for on-line sessions. Our the adult world, some youngsters have taken to neighbours in the Gloucester and Bristol Guild, virtual ringing, some not, but we hope all will have kindly opened up its Winter School come back once allowed (under a returned tier programme to us, and it will do this again with its system). The national young ringers competition 2021 Summer School. We, in turn, will see what will proceed in July (in some form we hope) and we can offer in terms of tutors for these courses. we as a Guild will definitely organise a Guild Young In the meantime our own series of Guild Talks Ringers Day in August, if we can. continue through to April (see page 3) and to start  As for the rest, striking competitions, the Guild our Guild ‗re-launch‘, there will be two Guild Open Day etc., well all too early to say. Once we Workshops a fortnight apart in late February and can ‗get together‘ again, unrestricted and early March (see the front page). unmasked, the Guild will try to be nimble in  The need for continued vigilance in terms of arranging events, perhaps at shorter notice than Safeguarding has not gone away and our usual and not necessarily from the normal Safeguarding Officer has written on the changes playbook. We expect that your Branch will be and challenges in this field on page 5. taking the same approach to its calendar of events, depending on how this year develops.

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Guild News

Safeguarding in Lockdown: Simples! From the From Alan Butler (Guild Diocesan Safeguarding Officer): It Advent may be February but it's still not too late to make a Calendar New Year Resolution, 2020 especially when you have all this lockdown free time We were with nothing to do; no delighted that in the late summer practice night, , or and early autumn service ringing to distract. there was restricted Sunday service ringing in some Time now to face those things that you may be guilty towers and of course some of us have been involved in of putting off, such as Safeguarding, and getting some virtual ringing, on our computers. But for ringers them completed. You could spend time checking as to and worshippers alike, there is something special about whether you personally or your tower are bells on Christmas morning. Let us pray that we will be Safeguarding aware and ready to return to ringing in allowed to share in that joy this Christmas. Many of our a safe environment once our current situation eases. ringers have been ‗counting down the days‘ to when they can ring and socialise together again. There will be no Do you know if a member of your band/ tower has more joyous occasion than when we can gather again for a undertaken any Safeguarding training? Is there a ‗Ringers Tea‘! In the meantime we gather on Zoom and poster in your tower advising what to do if you catch up. That‘s where I heard from Eric Hitchins, who suspect/ experience abuse? Have you as Tower celebrated his 90th birthday in November. Eric actually Captain, or Ringing Teacher, undertaken the correct learnt to ring during that 1940s ringing ban, so the 'no level of Safeguarding training? Well, here‘s a way you ringing' restrictions were not new to him, and to celebrate could spend 70 minutes of lockdown and get to know his birthday he did a ‗Captain Tom‘ and raised in the a lot about Safeguarding: the need for it, and its region of £2,000 for future bell restoration throughout the Diocese. Concerns have rightly been expressed about the implications, from fellow ringers who just happen to long-term impact on ringing of this year‘s events. I be knowledgeable in the Safeguarding world too. It's however refuse to be pessimistic and I continue to be not a training course. Hopefully you would want to comforted by what I know of ringers. There is another register for one of them after you've seen the video! ‗bug‘ and most ringers have it; it‘s ‗the ringing bug‘, and The St Martin‘s Guild and the Central Council of once infected there is no vaccine or cure. Your ringers will Ringers have recently jointly produced a not be going away. Neither will your bells, they are still ‗up 70 minute video on the subject of Safeguarding. This there‘, waiting quietly and patiently; after all many of covers the relationship between ringers and the them are medieval and have ‗seen this all before‘, and soon they will be reunited with your ringers to fulfil their parish church, acknowledging that there is often little and our calling. So I take my ‗comfort and joy‘ from the or no contact, as well as giving guidance from two continued bond between the Church and its bells. So wrote qualified safeguarding/ ringer presenters as to how a Suffolk clergyman in August 1940 when the bells were the subject of Safeguarding should be addressed in last silenced: ―... we need a prayerful nation, a people the ringing environment. Here's the link: https:// ever listening for those calls which draw them together. www.stmartinsguild.org/teaching/training-and- What are those calls? What is one of the sweetest and resources/safeguarding-in-ringing/ most familiar, known down the ages? The church bells. Let this song of England ring out again each Sunday‖. Amen to that! Happy Christmas from all the bell ringers of the After you've watched the video you could then kill Diocese. more lockdown free time by taking the online Safeguarding Training course! This would have several beneficial effects. It would mean that session (not available at the moment), then you need somebody in your tower is aware of the safeguarding to refresh. If you're unsure when you did it I may be issues (it doesn't have to be limited to one from each able to assist from what records I have. It would be tower, the more the better). Your tower would be great to have at least one person in each tower in the compliant with the hopes and aspirations of the Guild, Guild who is Safeguarding aware, unfortunately we and the CCCBR. If you become aware of any issue are a long way from that target at present. That's not then you need to make the Parish Safeguarding always the ringers‘ fault, Often the PSO (Parish Officer aware, (contact details should be on a poster Safeguarding Officer), never considers the ringers in in Church porch or back of church). You do not need the tower as part of their awareness reemit; out of to try to sort things out yourself. Once completed you sight out of mind. So how do you register? Simples. can if you wish print off a certificate as proof of your Either of the two routes given below would be my level of safeguarding awareness. All I would ask you recommendation. Go to the Diocese of Salisbury to do for the Guild is let me know (at website (https://www.salisbury.anglican.org/). In the [email protected]) that you have search box type in Safeguarding Training. You will be completed the course for our records. I would be able given a number of options. ‗Foundation‘ (the old C1 to send you a reminder in three years time that you and C2 now combined) is the general entry level. need to refresh. That last point is also valid for those After completing this Tower Captains/ Ringing who have done safeguarding before. If it is three Teachers should ideally undertake the level entitled years or more since you did an online or attendance ‗Leadership‘. The CCCBR site also has good links to

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Guild News

eventually allowed to return to our towers we will be New Diocesan faced with a lot of training, those of us who have Safeguarding Team been ringing for a long time will need to refresh our https:// memory of methods and acclimatise our bodies to www.salisbury.anglican.org/news/thank-you- ringing again; those who are learning will need to be for-keeping-us-safe encouraged to regain their confidence and get back to E-mail: [email protected]. where they were before we were forced to stop their training and then we will need to recruit new learners. If you wish to engage with potential learners the such training courses, which being ringing focused Saxilby Simulator will be available for you to borrow give tower specific illustrations. Other independent to offer taster sessions, this can be booked through Safeguarding training can be found on line. There is me at: [email protected] likely to be plenty of lockdown time left when Safeguarding could be completed and provide you Stay Safe in 2021 with a sense of achievement in these lockdown days. What's to lose? Just spare time, and a lot to gain! From David Close (Guild Health and Safety Officer): Notwithstanding the present uncertainty of the „Training and Learning‟ Goes On hopeful easing of the total lockdown across the nation as the vaccines are rolled out, and then a possible From David Hacker (Guild Education Officer): I am return to the ‗tiered structure‘, according to local pleased to report the virtual ringing sessions we held infection levels; bellringing as a close confined indoor in late November and early December were very well activity is not best suited to a quick return to received and attended. Giles Wood, assisted by Chris normality in 2021. So much for the ‗doom and Bush, did a comprehensive job in getting us all into gloom‘! The CCCBR continues with its consultations the virtual world, assisting where necessary in the with both the Church authorities and Public Health downloading of ―Ding‖ onto our devices and then England and so there should hopefully be some return patiently taking us through the first steps of using the to ringing this year, all be it restricted, and possibly platform. There have been some real success stories, still ‗time limited‘, during much if not all of 2021. I some of the students at the sessions have gone on to would trust that ALL bells that were previously left regularly attend the Saturday practices, some have ‗up‘ according to local practices, were lowered during even managed to ring quarter , well done! I the commencement of the pandemic, but now quite appreciate virtual ringing is not for everyone but I possibly have just hung there and remained un-rung urge you to try it before completely writing it off. I for a year, or possibly even longer depending on the strongly believe there will be a place for virtual amount of previous ringing in particular towers. The platforms in ringing after the present pandemic is Stewardship & Management Workgroup within the over and we can return to our towers, it will have, in CCCBR have compiled a very comprehensive ‗multi my opinion, a big role to play in learning methods, page‘ Risk Assessment giving guidance as to what etc., especially in the younger section of our should be considered when ringing, or returning to members. If you want to learn more about ―Ding‖ and ring, where bells have not been rung for an extended virtual ringing there is information on the website at period, and the present situation certainly meets that https://sdgr.org.uk/ringing-in-lockdown/ as well as a situation (https://cccbr.org.uk/wp -content/ YouTube video about installation, or contact me (e- uploads/2020/12/SM_Risk -Assessment_Non - mail at the end) and I will put you in touch with Use_Form_2020_Ver_1.docx). The Risk Assessment someone who can help. Unfortunately, we have document covers almost every circumstance that cancelled the planned Teaching and Learning Day due could be applicable in any tower and will present to to be held on 24th April at Coombe Bissett, as we feel the reader ‗food for thought‘ as to what they ought to it will be too risky to hold a ‗face to face‘ day as soon be asking themselves when inspecting their bells. I as that. In its place we have organised a morning of recommend it to you. As always, STAY SAFE, but online presentations, in conjunction with ART and the please be reminded that any visit to the ringing DCA which we hope will appeal to a wide range of chamber and/or tower should not be solo, even if members. The morning will be Zoom based and is that in itself raises social distancing considerations, open to all, it will be free, however if you wish, you if not from the same household. can make a donation in lieu of a registration fee to LEBRF at the Just Giving page. Anyone who wants to join in will need to register with me by 17th April and I Ringer of the Year Awards will then send a link to the Zoom session to enable for 2020 you to login on the day. Please register early if you The Guild is taking nominations for both wish to join in as the numbers will be limited by the the Junior and Adult sections of the Zoom licence. Details of the presentations are to be Ringer of the Year Award, the closing date is 28th found on page 1 (and on the Guild website: https:// February 2021.Details and the nomination forms at sdgr.org.uk/teaching-and-learning-morning-2021/). I https://sdgr.org.uk/guild-awards/#ringer am very grateful to those who have agreed to give up Extra criteria this year: ―A ringer who has done special their time and make the presentations on the 24th things in this time of Covid-19 for their fellow ringers”. April, please register and support them. When we are

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LEBRF and Restoration News

Norton Bavant Bells Restored

Pictured above left: the bells returned. Above right: Rector Trudy Hobson blesses the Norton Bavant bells.

From the Salisbury Diocesan website: Our strong Diocesan tradition of bellringing received a boost recently, with the return of a set of 5 ancient bells to their tower. This week saw the bells of All Saints, Norton Bavant rehung by John Taylor & Co Bell Foundry after a full restoration. The last time the bells were rehung was in 1894. Rector Trudy Hobson says: "We know that they will remain in the tower ringing out for all to hear for another century and more. The wonderful thing about bells being restored is that it gives us a once-in-many-generations opportunity to see them up close. It is when we stand amongst these majestic instruments that we begin to realise the history these bells have rung out ... Upon the return of our bells, we were able to hold a service to consecrate our bells and to commit to God the work they will do in years to come. It was wonderful to gather together-socially distanced-to celebrate the return of our bells and pray together ...‖ Full article at: https://www.salisbury.anglican.org/news/summoning-the- faithful. From The Ringing World (reproduced by permission of the Editor and Andrew Mills): Our front cover this week [right] shows the 1894 Llewellin and James treble bell of of Barford are Coming Saints Norton Bavant, Wiltshire being hoisted into the tower shortly before Christmas following restoration work by John Down! Taylor & Co. It was photographed by company director and bellhanger Andrew Mills. Appropriately, the west window of From Simon Ford: The Church of St. Martin in Barford St All Saints‘ Church seen behind the bell depicts the Nativity Martin, near Salisbury, has bells dating back from the early of Jesus. In 2020 Taylor‘s were commissioned to restore the 1700s. The tenor is 12cwt and dates from 1747, the 3rd, 4th unringable peal of five bells in the church tower. Unusually, and 5th are dated 1732. The treble and second were added the bells are tuned in the key of A♭minor. Owing to the in 1906. Sadly, despite a new cast frame being added great age and rarity of two of the bells, no tuning was when the two new bells were put in, the fittings, open permitted during the recent overhaul. The bells were bearings, wheels and ironwork are all now showing their removed from the tower and taken to Taylor‘s bellfoundry age. Those of you who have rung at the tower in the last for conservation. Mainly new ringing fittings were few years will know, despite the best efforts of David manufactured for the bells while the 1894 Llewellin and Whatley and his trusty oil-can, how tricky they are to handle James oak bellframe was strengthened before the bells were and how poorly they sound. The local ringers are part of a rehung. The bells have been cleaned by gentle blasting group called The ‗Nadder Valley Bellringers‘ that ring and the three tenor bells have been conserved. Additionally, regularly at Barford St Martin, Compton Chamberlayne, the canons of the trebles have been removed with the aim Dinton and Fovant and of helping the peal to ring more evenly as the three tenors whilst we have a strong had their canons removed many years ago. A new rope core of ringers we do have guide will be installed in January to complete the project. towers that are not always Three bells are recorded at Norton Bavant in 1553. One of ‗beginner-friendly‘! In these survives: the current third bell. It is inscribed ‗Sancte 2018 we were discussing Tome Ora Pro Nobis‘ and is thought to have been cast in how we could attract more Bristol in the late 14th century. The fourth is a rare people to ringing and we of 1711 by Edward Lott who was based in Warminster, all agreed that whilst Wiltshire. The tenor (10-1-18 following conservation) was Barford was an ideal cast in 1656 by William III Purdue and Nathaniel Bolter. The church for learning with second also dated from 1656; however, it was recast in plenty of open space, easy Pictured above: the with 1894 when Llewellin and James added the treble bell. access, sensible draught tenor top left, treble top right; and of course a good pub, pictured next page above right: Please Consider a Donation to the LEBRF, our the bells themselves were Detail of third bell with unusual Diocesan Bell Restoration Charity getting harder and harder decorative canons that will be

to handle and strike well. retained. „Just Giving‟ at: https:// So we started to discuss sdgr.org.uk/lebrf/ the possibility of a

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LEBRF and Restoration News refurbishment project. After some James‟ Church are in need of major repair and early quotes and advice from refurbishment, following detailed reports from bell hangers Higby, Nicholson and Whites we engineers and the Quinquennial report on the church decided on the scope and applied produced by the architect in 2019”. To donate to the appeal, for our faculty. After 18 months contact Dusty Millier ([email protected]). Full Report: we now have our permission from https://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/news/18880154.st-james- the Diocese and with the backing church-bratton-needs-36-000-repair-restore-bell-tower- of the local PCC we are bells/ embarking on the formidable task to raise the money required. South Wraxall Bells To Ring Again Sadly many of the usual routes of fundraising are now only From Christopher Thornhill: interested in Covid related South Wraxall‘s bells have projects but we remain hopeful not been rung for a very we can get the necessary long time; not quite true support. The work will entail the removal of all the bells, because before every fittings and equipment so they can be repaired and the 5th service an Ellacombe clapper and tenor are to be recast. All the wooden fittings will be chimes the Treble. This is a replaced. We will also be adding some strengthening to the poor way to treat Abraham tower below the old timber frame. Whilst the bells are out Bilbie‘s first ring of six bells, we will undertake a thorough spring-clean of the bell hung in 1769, rung for chamber including repair work to the shutters over the competitions in 1783 and louvred windows, better lighting and improving the defences 1784 and now Listed. What happened? 186 years ago, in against nesting crows! The work is to be undertaken by 1835, ‗in the vestry room on the 28th day of April it was Whites of Appleton in Oxford, starting this February and we agreed that there should not be but two ringing days in the have worked with them to ensure the historic nature of the year that is to say Corination Day and the 5th Day of bells are retained including some unusual decorative details November.‟ (sic) Why? Was this adhered to? We don‘t know to the 3rd bell‘s canons. It is a shame to have to replace two the answers. St James‘s was altered a lot in the 19th of the bells but unfortunately they are so worn they are not century. In 1882 there was a major reconstruction; the nave capable of being repaired or retuned, however they will be was widened, the chancel expanded. The early 15th century recast with their current inscriptions as well as some new tower remained but it‘s first floor ringing room was removed text by the foundry in Eijsbouts, Holland. We will be using creating space in the tower for a 23‘ (7.1m) high baptistery local labour to assist the professionals and do the and for a 10‘ (3m) high window in the tower‘s west wall. The housekeeping in the tower to help with costs. Ultimately the new ceiling was pierced for six bell ropes and the bellringers project is all about getting the bells back and swinging again stood round the font to do their stuff; so ringing was still in Barford St Martin. Planned completion is August 2021 possible if a little difficult. South Wraxall‘s enthusiasm for when we hope Covid will be in the past! Hopefully this will the bells must have been at a very low ebb when, in 1884, encourage some new ringers to come along and give them a repairs were needed to the wheel of the Tenor. The Vestry try but also allow our novice bellringers to ring with more declined to make the money available and declared „that the confidence. (I am sure we will also attract a few more bell should not ring at all not even on Sunday mornings at 8 visiting bands!) For more details on how to donate and o‟clock.‟ This probably marked the end of make use of Gift Aid please contact Simon Ford at which may have been infrequent since the 1830s. In 1885 [email protected]. the Vestry agreed „that the ringers could one quarter

of an hour before each service ….‟ An annual payment to Bratton Bells Appeal bellringers is recorded up to 1896; after that, nothing. A hundred years later the bells were derelict and unringable. From The Wiltshire Times-18 The Tenor was cracked in the head due to expansion of the November 2020, report by John cast-in iron staples; number four was badly cracked in the Baker: Church bellringers in soundbow ‗through misuse‟. The ringing fittings were Bratton have launched a £36,000 described as derelict. In fact it looks as if the wheels were appeal to make major repairs to deliberately sawn through to prevent them being rung. An the at St James‘ attempt to restore the bells was considered in the 1990s but Church and refurbish its historic it came to nothing. Abraham Bilbie‘s bells have not been bells. The appeal has already given the attention they deserve since the 1830s. Scroll raised £12,500 and was boosted forward to 2019. The Quinquennial survey asked for a report by a recent further £1,000 grant on the stability of the derelict bells. We were faced with a from Bratton Parish Council. The dire situation; ground beams severely rotted and the bell Bratton Church Bell Ringers need frame beyond repair. One or two of the bells were declared to raise the remaining £22,500 in danger of falling into their pits and, possibly, right by the end of 2021 to complete through the floor onto the font. The stability of the whole the restoration and refurbishment bell frame could not be guaranteed for long. On the plus side project. St James‘ Church dates was the rarity of the bells; Abraham Bilbie‘s first ring of six from Saxon times and has six and the only one in it‘s original state, having been neither Pictured above: when bells in the tower, plus a small recast nor augmented; four of the bells are ‗maiden‘. Doing the St James' bells were Sanctus bell, with the oldest No.6 nothing was not an option. The PCC had no money to spare. last repaired. Photo: bell being cast in 1617. The bell We couldn‘t just get rid of the listed bells and it was clearly Trevor Porter 67153-1. tower has been closed since May our duty at least to have them lowered and restored and to because its floor has rotted demolish the frame. After much thought and discussion following rainwater coming in about the few courses of action open to us, we decided that, from leaks in the church roof. Bell tower captain, David with grants and the goodwill of the village, the money might ‗Dusty‘ Millier, said: ―The bells are appreciated by a wide be raised to restore the bells to full circle ringing in a new community within Bratton. But the bells and bell tower at St frame. We were encouraged very early on by offers of

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LEBRF and Restoration News

grants from Keltek and the LEBRF peacefully. We had all wanted to and a very generous and un-solicited be present to view the event offer to sponsor a bell. I cannot over- and bid farewell to our bells but emphasise how this forethought by sadly Covid put paid to that. Off three parties galvanised the PCC and they were carted to White‘s of influenced the decision. Drawn from Appleton and there they remain the wider community, The South for now. We will let you all know Wraxall Bells Restoration Group set when they have returned and by about fundraising and the Faculty which time, we all fervently was set in motion. As I write in hope, we might extend January 2021, the Faculty Petition is invitations to others to come entering it‘s last phase and it appears and try, not only our bells but that grants and the great generosity also our new-fangled rope of the village are going to provide guides. Something of a luxury for us. The icing on the cake, sufficient funds. Higby and Co is the preferred contractor; we hope, will be some more mufflers. We discovered at our there is no start date yet but we intend that the bells will Zoom AGM recently that Holy Cross is under-muffled. ring out over South Wraxall again, as our forbears intended, Unbeknownst to most of us the only time ever that bells are to celebrate next Christmas. Details of the appeal and how rung fully muffled in upon the death of a monarch (but there to donate: https://southwraxall.wordpress.com/the-church/ was an exception apparently for the re-interment of Richard the-bells/ II in Lincoln Cathedral). Whilst all of us earnestly wish that the demise of our current monarch will be many, many And the Ramsbury Bells Came a years hence we thought it would be prudent to be fully prepared. So the hunt is currently on for a muffle-maker. On Tumblin‟ Down that note…

LEBRF Activities 2020

Pictured above: „All Assembled in The Vestry‟ and top right: „Through the New Hole‟.

From David Jackson: To have said that the Bells of Holy Cross Ramsbury were ‗idiosyncratic‘ would not have been unjust. Number 1 was so light and bouncy that she did not so much need a feminine hand as demand one. All the men were scared stiff of pulling her out by the roots. Numbers 2 and 4 were, to be fair, ‗well tempered‘ and gave much joy to their ringers. Number 3 was just plain ‗odd‘. At rest she hung at an angle which meant that the sally and tail strokes were uneven leaving the ringer to add in timing issues to From Anne Wardell (LEBRF Administrator): The graphic the task of staying in place. Number 5 was old and arthritic. above summarises the LEBRF activities throughout 2020, Some days she was fine. Others it was like pulling a plough and includes a thank you to Eric Hitchins for his contribution through sand and really very hard work. Her bearings were to the fund. Eric has raised a superb grand total of old and worn sadly. The tenor was, well, the tenor. At the £2,175 (=£1,770+£405 Gift Aid)! end of a sweet peal there would be a resounding ‗thunk‘. It didn‘t sound so bad in the ringing chamber but outside it did sound distinctly grim. Add to that the complexity of our bell 8oz SR Flour Combine to a For A ropes which, when combined, would have been more than smooth batter adequate for an ascent of the North Face of the Eiger and Ringers‟ Tea- which always made ringing down something of a rodeo 8oz fine or 8"-10" greaseproof First Slice: event. We had grown used to the ways of our bells but a medium lined survey highlighted not only their current failings but also oatmeal Pat‟s Perfect potential greater problems so the decision was made and Parkin 5oz marg Bake @150c 1 hour the funds were found to bring them down. Not that they From Sheila didn‘t put up a struggle. According to the script they should 1 tspn Do not open oven Porter: one which have descended in an orderly fashion through the large ground while baking is failsafe. From central rotunda in the ringing chamber roof. Alas, (and ginger (middle may sink) my friend in clearly this was the work of a man) in Mr. Micawber terms, Yorkshire. A good 1 tspn bicarb ‗central rotunda diameter 8‘; number 6 diameter 8‘3‖‘. This winter staple. generated something of a ―Right said Fred‖ moment. We 1lb golden Good for the were fortunate in having the Diocesan Surveyor on hand (to syrup (1/2 digestion– oversee the removal of the bells) and she was able to 2lb tin) oatmeal is good authorise the cutting of an entirely brand-new hole in the for the gut! roof of the ringing chamber. Once the new hole was cut the 1/2 pint milk bells gave up their unequal struggle and came down

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Covid Survival and Recovery ... The Fight Back!

Taken from Tower Talk (December 2020 Edition): http://www.learningtheropes.org/application/ files/6716/0788/3211/Tower_Talk_18.pdf-Continued on the top of page 12.

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Covid Survival and Recovery ... The Fight Back!

get in contact with us. Working together is the best way of building a positive future for ringing. If you would like to be involved in developing the Survival and Recovery Toolkit, we would love to hear from you. Please contact either Lesley Belcher, ART Chair at [email protected] or Simon Linford, CCCBR President at [email protected]

Survival and Recovery Champions From Annie Hall (Coventry Diocesan Guild of Church Bellringers): As we are now in the third lockdown, it would seem our return to ringing has been delayed again. Many of us have taken up new hobbies to fill the time, but I know so many are missing the camaraderie and challenge that https://ringingteachers.org/survival-and-recovery- ringing offers. The Central Council and ART have been toolbox working together to identify what might be needed when we THERE IS HELP OUT THERE!! can return to ringing. There has been a plethora of new ideas and virtual ringing opportunities championed around Survival and Recovery Strategy the country. New resources are being developed and many At the start of the first lockdown we were still looking ringing societies are coming up with innovative events, from forward to ringing events in the summer. There were plans which others could learn, for example tower outings and for a grand ―Ringing Returns‖ festival to mark the end of the striking competitions on Ringing Room. Great ideas which almost unprecedented few months off ringing. Three months need a platform to inspire others to replicate in their area. without ringing would be painful but not seismic. We might To coordinate the flow of ideas and information, ringing get a bit rusty, but we could recover. It now looks clear that societies have been asked to identify Survival and Recovery by the time ringing returns to ‗normal‘ we will have missed Champions. Information has been sent to them for at least a year. A year without ringing, a year without distribution in their area. The intention is not to create an recruitment, a year without training, a year without the administrative burden, but a mechanism to share, receive social intercourse that makes ringing what it is. We and distribute information promptly and more importantly, therefore face two challenges. Survival through a bleak relevant to that area. [Robert Wellen (Guild Master) and winter with little in the way of ringing to keep us motivated, Vicki Rowse (Guild General Secretary) have been nominated, and then rebuilding at least some of what we had before. pro tem, as „Champions‟ for our Guild]. That is going to need a lot of effort from a lot of people, but we are not going to wait until next year to start. There are Newsletter Showcase things that can be done now, particularly in terms of From Vicki Chapman (Central Council of Church Bell survival. ART and the CCCBR are already working together Ringers): Staying in touch with our bellringing community on ways in which we can help ringers and bands stay has been so important over these last few months when we together and then recover. For example, the production of a haven‘t been able to ring together and meet up as usual. Survival and Recovery Toolbox [link above and on front The advent of on line video conferencing has, of course, page] from which ringers, bands and even ringing societies made that so much easier, along with various social media can pick the tools that will best help them keep going until platforms. It shouldn‘t be under-estimated however, the ringing can resume and tailor them to local needs. The number of people who don‘t use social media, or videoing toolbox will give access to training, a variety of new (and software, either because they can‘t get to grips with it, or do old) ideas and the opportunity to learn from what others not find it gives them what they need. One of the good old have done or are thinking of doing. Over the next few ways of keeping people up to date with what‘s going on in weeks, we plan to start a roll-out of tools, resources and your tower, group or Association, is by producing regular ideas for replacing the routines, friendship and opportunities newsletter. This of course, can still be distributed by that we have lost because we are not presently ringing. Let‘s electronic means, but there are still some who prefer a try and keep as many people as possible enjoying ringing paper copy. And I always say that you should have a paper this winter so that we can recover and rebuild when ringing copy in the tower as well, so that anyone who comes to visit returns to ‗normal‘. Some of it will just be helping more you, or to have a look around for the first time, can see people to find resources that already exist. The Council what other thriving activities are taking place. Recently, the Executive and ART Management Committee are thinking Central Council has been sent some really good examples of about recovery strategies at a more fundamental level as newsletters that have been produced [that includes the one well. If you have any ideas or would like to help in any you are reading at the moment!], and we started to wonder aspect of this–building, delivery or engagement–then please what others were out there. We are not launching a

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Covid Survival and Recovery ... The Fight Back!

Tower Talk is the Newsletter ‗by New Ringers for New Ringers‘ and is produced by ART: http:// www.learningtheropes.org/resources/our-newsletter

competition to find the most interesting newsletter, but Over the Christmas break I returned to a would like to share examples of good ones to encourage favourite author of mine: Dorothy L others to use this method of keeping in touch and up to Sayers. Ms Sayers had a long-standing date. If you have an example of a great newsletter and affection for bell ringing, and uses it as would be happy to share it as an example please email a the theme for ‗The Nine Tailors‟. Her copy to me [we do, and I have!]. protagonist Lord Peter Wimsey has an The three preceding articles are extracts from the first two accident on New Year‘s Eve just outside an isolated fen- issues of the Survival and Recovery Newsheet produced by land village. He is given sanctuary in the nearby vicarage the Association of Ringing Teachers (ART) and the Central at Fenchurch St Paul. The adjacent church happens to Council. For the full Newsheets, the links to the resources have one of the finest sets of bells in the county (if not the advertised at the bottom of page 11 and much more visit: country). There are plans to ring in the New Year with http://www.ringingteachers.org/ fifteen thousand, eight hundred and forty Kent Treble Bob Major, a feat that will last from midnight until nine in the morning. All the hours of practising look like coming to nought as flu sweeps through the ringers. Fortunately Lord For A Ringers‟ Tea-Second Slice: Peter is an experienced if slightly rusty bell ringer who is Gran‟s Victoria Sponge able to step into the breach. The peal is duly completed. But soon after an unidentified body is found in the From Angela Jacob: She says: ―I'll just have to eat churchyard somehow linked to that mammoth peal. I will this now...” not spoil the story for those of you unfamiliar with it, Cake Filling needless to say there are many twists, turns and blind 8oz Stork 3oz Butter alleys before all is made plain. In re-reading of The Nine Margarine (softened) Tailors I was struck by the poignancy and the parallels. 8oz Caster 6oz Icing Sugar Should Lord Peter have had his accident in one of our Sugar (sieved) 8oz Self A few drops of isolated villages this New Year‘s Eve, he would not have Raising Flour Vanilla Essence been able to fill in for a sick bell ringer. Most of our bells 4 Eggs Jam have been silenced. During the current epidemic we have all had to learn new ways of living: staying at home, 1. Heat oven to 180 degrees/160 degrees fan. Grease two washing our hands and keeping our distance. But there 20 centimetre sandwich tins. are similarities with that fictitious fen-land village. We too 2. In a large bowl beat together the Stork and sugar and have suffered grievous loss as loved ones have died from then add the eggs, one at a time. the epidemic. And we have shown the same community spirit as the inhabitants of Fenchurch St Paul. We, too, 3. Fold in the flour until fully combined and evenly divide the mixture between the two tins, smoothing the top of both have nursed the sick, taken care of the isolated, and before placing in the oven for 30–35 minutes. mourned the dead. The news about the vaccinations is hopeful, though mourning over a 100,000 victims to Covid 4. When the cake is cooked, remove from the oven and is heartbreaking. The Archbishops have invited the British allow to fully cool on a wire rack before removing both cakes people to pause each evening from the start of next month from the sandwich tins. to ―reflect on the enormity of this pandemic”, and to pray. 5. To make the filling beat the softened butter and then It will take time to return to normal, and it will probably be gradually add the icing sugar and the vanilla essence until a different sort of normal. I look forward to the day when fully combined. we will no longer need to be socially distanced and the bells will once more ring out throughout our towns and 6. Spread the filling on one of the cakes and jam on the other. Then carefully place one cake on top of the other with villages, calling us to worship and prayer.

the butter icing and jam together. The Venerable Penny Sayer is the Archdeacon of 7. Sprinkle the top of the cake with icing sugar. Sherborne and a Vice Patron of the Guild.

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Learners‟ Corner

This time it‟s a lot more than a „corner‟, Help in Hosting a which is great, with Ringing Room an emphasis on the experience of Session „learners‟ in virtual ringing; both novice https://sdgr.org.uk/ tower bell ringers and help-in-hosting-a-ringing-room-session/ „old hands‟ in the tower. MORE PLEASE as we , hopefully, move back to tower ringing: how ability to practice solo, enabling me to access the mysterious have your virtual skills translated to the „real‟ world? realms of far sooner than is socially acceptable. These two incredible individuals, together with A Tale of Two Trowbridge Dingers our Tower Captain, Ben Kipling (who had enough faith in my Dinging skills to include me in a Quarter Peal) have shown From Andrew Lanham-Cook: I first started to ring under the me nothing but patience and constant encouragement. Learning The Ropes scheme in May 2019 and progressed to Having said all this, I am under no illusion that the real skill passing Level 1 in December of that year. In January 2020 I in bellringing is of course being able to handle a bell was joining in ringing rounds, though not necessarily in the (unaided), so when at last we return to the tower, I won‘t be correct order. This continued until the first Covid lockdown blowing my own trumpet quite so loudly nor with as much when all ringing in the tower ceased. I started virtual conviction, I can assure you. ―ringing‖ on Ding in the early summer, joining in regular Sunday and Wednesday evening practice learning to plain Old Dog, Nearly New Tricks hunt and simple methods. Soon I was ringing Bob Minor and (Or “I had a Dabble in Ding”!) in the September rang my first virtual quarter peal. Since then I have been learning more complicated methods such From Julie Miles (Marlborough Branch): January 2021 is my as Stedman Triples/Cambridge Minor etc. Under the watchful 30 year anniversary of learning to ring so I'm a fairly old eye of Giles Wood and David Norman. As lockdown seems to hand now. When Abel appeared way back I dabbled a little be set to last for some time yet I would fully recommend but not too much as I was already actively ringing most that Ding should at least be given a go. Obviously it will not nights on tower and so didn't feel the need to get suit everyone, but for a learner like me it has been a stuck in at home. I've had to rack my brains in recent years godsend to learn the theory of ringing. The test will be for that Abel knowledge when St Mary's Marlborough putting what I have so far learned into practice when I simulator has decided not to play and attended the ART eventually get back into the tower and start pulling the simulator workshop with Roger Booth so perhaps this gentle ropes. From Carolyn Oliver: Well, for starters, I can tell you reintroduction meant that when Ringing Room appeared it that I was all set to launch myself over-enthusiastically on wasn't a total shock to me. During 2020 I attended many the world of campanology, when, what do you know, this Swindon Branch weekly sessions so have quite a bit of new-found cultural pursuit was prematurely cut short by the Ringing Room time under my belt now but still find that, arrival of a worldwide pandemic of Biblical proportions! Now, especially if I'm tired, it's hard work! All those little visual I will just say, that up until this point, I had never even hints and clues from other ringers and their ropes just isn't pulled on a rope with the intention of ringing a bell ever there online and so you have to really concentrate and keep before, and certainly not unaided, nor did I have the faintest focused. Listening really comes in to its own here (and I idea of which methods were which, or indeed what they think my previous ringing helped with this) and if even were. It was at this point that I resigned myself to you are looking to improve your listening in the tower then I having my foray into the world of music well and truly would encourage you to have a go at Ringing Room. For me, dashed to the ground. Whatever was I to do now? Then, I have found I am OK in Ringing Room, I can just about hold would you believe it, along came a true revelation in the my own if I am totally focused and without interruption. form of Ding! Hoorah! What a revelation-miracle of miracles, Having a 6 year old asking where a specific piece of Lego is I suddenly found that I was now able to ring any method I whilst trying to ring Stedman tends to lead to me forgetting set my heart to, and-I might add–my handling was now where I am whereas in a tower such a question could have totally unaided. I was flying solo! Way beyond Plain Hunting, been answered without a fire out from me! We did try some I was now flying through Plain Bob Doubles, Plain Bob Minor, new Christmas methods but these were simple Doubles so I Plain Bob Major, Little Bob Minor, Little Bob Major (I became didn't have any trouble ringing them but I'm not sure how very well acquainted with Bob), attempted Stedman I'd fair if I was to attempt a new Surprise Major method Doubles, and treble bobbed Cambridge Surprise Minor etc, without having had the luxury of ringing it in the tower first. etc. I even entered the murky world of call changes. Now, I I've found the hardest thing to recover from is if someone have been reliably informed that, ordinarily, it would have goes wrong, hesitates or someone speaks to give someone taken years for me to reach such dizzying heights so early help then my concentration is broken and I often have a on in my ringing career had I been ringing in a non-virtual moment of not even remembering what it is we are ringing. Tower. As if that wasn‘t enough, joy of joys, I was even I definitely go wrong way more in Ringing Room which used invited to ring a Quarter Peal! A Quarter Peal!! Although, I to frustrate me but now I accept it as part of the Ringing must confess, when this suggestion was first mooted, I did Room experience! I had a dabble in Ding and attend the ART think I was being invited to ‗A Court Appeal‘ (such was my workshops and discovered the moving sallies gives me the lack of knowledge), which I found all quite alarming, as you same sensation as travel sickness! There is the option to not can imagine. Having established that it was nothing of the have sallies but I found this visual representation very hard kind, I embraced the challenge with gusto, and I became to navigate. I didn't have a problem downloading Ding on to part of the Quarter Peal band after only three months of my laptop but I do know it has caused headache for some Dinging. Result! Now, I can‘t talk about the success I have ringers. The Marlborough Branch have had a few Ringing experienced with Ding without acknowledging the genius of Room sessions and we've had a lot of fun in them. We did Giles Wood and David Norman, true pioneers and all-round rather well ringing 2 in hand, much to the surprise of some, techno-wizkids, whose no-nonsense design makes learning I think. This type of ringing isn't for many and I know a lot methods so straightforward and also provides you with the of ringers, particularly the more experienced, aren't

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Learners‟ Corner interested in giving it a go and I can understand why. It is totally different but I think if you have new, less experienced An Ode to Virtual Ringing ringers it could be a great way to keep them interested and also help them with things like counting places and listening Got our headsets, Got our Zoom as, I feel, these are really essential skills to successful Ready to go to Ringing Room ringing in Ringing Room. Band on left screen, ropes on right No pull off heave, no ropesight Virtual is Better than a Cold Tower!? Some traditions carry on Look to, treble's going, gone. From Ann Manning (Lytchett Matravers): I can honestly say Off we go, space bar click, bong that for me the lockdowns, along with not being able to ring Rounds ring out-bumping along our newly refurbished bells at Lytchett Matravers, has been After a while, settled down, tough. Back in March I was just beginning to learn how to ring plain hunt, so all went on hold as we couldn't ring our "Go Plain Bob" raises a frown bells. Our TC Debbie, not one to sit back and take it easy As Plain Hunt on plastic keys during this time, suggested we start a Zoom get together to Tests our mental faculties keep us all connected. I‘m sure some of us were not that Dodges that we knew so well keen, in particular me, I was pretty nervous of the Disconcert our virtual bell technology. Cathy our deputy captain set up the meetings We click behind, click and clash and eventually I joined along with a few others but not Dings and dongs in true mish-mash everyone. I certainly enjoyed the once a fortnight get Stand Stand Stand-then go again together over a cuppa or a glass of something! Then Debbie suggested the Virtual Ringing room, thanks to her Go, Plain Bob reset in train perseverance in helping a good many of us to master the We count places carefully technology we have grown both in numbers and experience. Still crash Plain Bob painfully It has been great fun and a very useful learning tool to We won't give up: try anew understand the various methods of ringing; I am not quite Be creative-What to do? sure how it will all go once we're back in our towers but for In the Ringing Room we find me I have managed to understand how certain methods Best to ring Tenor Behind. work, both in theory and on the Ringing Room. I do say, on some of these cold nights, it's much more comfortable Many thanks to Jenny Greaves and Donna Vinnels sitting in a warm room ringing virtually, than in a cold (Marlborough Branch). Technology is wonderful but church tower. Whoooops. I am sure it will be an all round only human beings could write this-wonderful! learning curve for everyone once we're all back ringing, and it will be great when it does happen. something that stays with you no matter what. It may be Anonymous Comments sad thinking about the bells hidden away behind their stone walls, unmoving and silent, but in a way it's also comforting

to know they'll be there waiting for all of us when better ―Ringing Room is a great leveller: whereas the less days come by. However long it takes. experienced suddenly find they can ring well beyond what they can achieve on real bells, the more experienced ringer Ding Has Changed My Life! is suddenly faced with a new challenge and has to develop a whole new technique-adding another string to the bow when From Louise Gay (Sarum St Martin): As a late starter with back in the real world.‖ (Experienced) "For anyone thinking 10 years experience, I've struggled to acquire skills many of joining the RR it is great fun, to be honest the hardest other ringers take for granted. Ding has given me the tools part is linking up with Zoom as well as the RR. I have so enjoyed it and have even mastered Plain hunt and about to to improve and have fun trying! I joined the Ding Open do Bob doubles neither of which I have been able to do in Practice to learn to use Ding to best effect, and the the tower but am sure this will help me certainly with the friendships, opportunities and mentoring I found there have counting. Do give it a try it am sure you'll enjoy it once made it an invaluable experience I recommend to all. Ding you've got over the hurdles of setting it up. PS We're all offers each ringer in the band a choice of ringing screens: very socially distanced!!!!!! And we're a sociable lot buttons with immediate sound (like handbells) and ropes too.‖ (Novice) with delayed sound (like tower bells). Ringing on ropes is harder, so I use buttons till I'm confident, then switch to ropes to practise rhythm, striking and signposts. This Bell Ringing Stays with You approach works for both group practice, and solo practice with the automated ringer ―Bob‖. I particularly like the From George Trinder (St Mary‟s, Marlborough): When I got ability to pre-programme bobs and singles (advanced told that bell ringing practice was postponed until further feature in Ding-Bob). It's been an exciting time. I've rung a notice thanks to the escalating Coronavirus pandemic, I lot of rounds, Bob Minor, Titanic Cinques, 5-spliced Surprise genuinely thought it would only be a few weeks until we Major, and all sorts in between. I've learnt the value of were all back standing in our familiar circle of ringers. Even course and after bells to ring on higher numbers (best though I'd only started a handful of months before, I already taught on the buttons screen). I've been challenged to ring loved going to St. Mary's every week and learning more and handbells beyond bob minor (great for understanding how more about bell ringing with each evening spent in the bells work together), and even dabbled in ringing by place tower. Now, about a year later, we still don't know when notation (well I tried!). I've rung over 12 quarter peals, we'll be able to ring again. After all this time, there's the including two on ropes. Best of all, I fulfilled my dream of worry of going back and not remembering how to ring, or calling my first quarter peal (Bob Minor). I'm now much not being able to get back into it with the same enthusiasm more likely to attempt this in the tower. I'm amazed the as before. It's easy to worry about it when all you have is improvement Ding has made to my ropesight. My progress time, but I have a feeling that once I'm back in the bell in Surprise ringing has been hampered because I look at the tower it'll be like I never stopped. I'd say bell ringing is bells one at a time and try not to go wrong. On Ding, ringing

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Learners‟ Corner at a reasonable speed by rhythm, and with all the ropes on the computer screen, I'm beginning to see what bells around Some Christmas Ringing me are doing. It's fascinating, and I can't wait to see if it improves my ropesight in the tower! 2020

Ringing Bells at Christmas-nothing We Ring and Recruit Through COVID newsworthy there normally, but quite an event in 2020. From Debbie Phipps (Lytchett Matravers): We now have 7 of our 13 ringers confident in the peculiarities of virtual ringing. From Christine Purnell (Melksham): All have moved on with the methods they are learning but we were allowed to ring our bells at six o clock on appreciate they will have to take a step back once we get Christmas Eve with a full family band. We rang rounds back into the tower but also in the knowledge that they and queens: Orla McGrane, helped by Karen McGrane, better understand some of the theory behind the basic Robert McGrane, Ella Barker, James Barker, Helen methods. We really benefit from the help each week of three Barker, Christine and Robert Purnell. Several people or four experienced ringers. Six of our band joined our first commented on how good it was to hear the bells and East Dorset Branch Practice in January. We are very pleased we went Carol Singing afterwards. From Gwen to have recruited three ringers to Ringing Room. One sadly Kinghorn (Long Bredy): We included the bell in our won‘t be able to join us in the tower as she lives in North Nativity service. It was an outside living nativity with Yorkshire, one was going to join us in March (having rung Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, donkeys, sheep and many years ago) but only got as far as her first visit and one monks. Jesus and the animals all being very well has had a few goes on a bell at our Open Days and has now behaved. From Tom Garrett (Preston): Preston bells taken the plunge and wants to join our band when we return were rung for the first time since March for the to tower ringing. So following a bad year for ringing we are midnight service on Christmas Eve. Four bells were proud to say we have recruited two new ringers. rung up, changes called and then rung down within the 15 minutes allowed. The band were Trish Garrett 2, Andrew Garrett 4, Tom Garrett 6, Nigel Woodruff 8. A Virtual From Nigel Orchard (Salisbury, St Thomas): Given the Revolution? relaxation to 1m social distance plus masks we planned to ring for one Christmas Day service–the Thank you so much 09.30. With the windows and tower doors open, the everyone who has ventilation is very good and the atmosphere therefore contributed to this special edition of Learners‟ probably healthy but certainly perishing cold! At St Corner. The pandemic has accelerated new ways of Thomas‘s, 1m separation doing things and this certainly applies to the allows for ringing 1,3,5,6,7,8 emergence of ‗virtual ringing‘ in less than a year. I with 6,7 being rung by me and my wife as the hope that ART and others will be undertaking a long separation is less than 1m. In term ‗research project‘ on how this new tool will be the event, our Deputy used in future education and training. Vital to that Captain Margaret, who lives will be assessing ‗when we go back‘ how those who in Wilton, could not come have advanced in this medium progress once they because someone had parked are in a ‗real‘ ringing room again. For ‗learners‘ who so close to her car that she have shot ahead in methods, ringing quarter peals, could not get into it! So we before they can effectively handle a bell-will they rang call changes for the maximum 15 minutes on 1,3,5,7,8 which did not sound too bad. From Vicki easily/ effectively translate their electronic ringing Rowse (Nadder Valley Ringers): Re Christmas ringing skills to the end of a rope? And then there are those at Barford St Martin, we did mange to ring for the who have been ringing a little longer; now in the Christingle service. From Jill Parr (Beaminster): It was electronic sphere they may also have shot ahead; so good to get the hand bells out at Christmas. Four will that progress be maintained in the tower? We of us rang and I was the only one who had even lifted could have a new (or alternative) model for a handbell before. We were only able to practise teaching future recruits—learning the theory of briefly and I was so proud of the band. The handbells and rhythm, and virtually ringing it, ringing across the frosty air was magical. Finding an outdoor space to practise was not easy but we met before handing a bell? Other questions: will ringing under the overhanging roof of the Sports Pavilion! virtually become an ‗end in itself‘, little sign of that Christmas morning was crisp and bright. We stood in yet, but if devotees find it difficult to translate their the churchyard on the frosty grass and rang out advances to real bells, will they abandon tower rounds and Queens alternatively. The vicar came out ringing? Even if they don‘t, will they drop virtual from the church followed by the gathering ringing? It could be more attractive on winter congregation. They smiled, they listened, they evenings, is it ‗greener‘ and it is certainly not bound applauded!! The reception made those chilly wet by geography. Are we seeing a new branch of our practices worth while. From Robert Wellen (Gillingham): We rang on Christmas Day for the art being created-tower ringing/ handbells/ virtual morning service. A repeat of our summer routine, so bells? Will we soon see a Ringing Room or Ding we rang 1, 3, 5 and 6 for 15 minutes before the Society? Far fetched? Perhaps not. These and so service: the ringers were Alan Jeffs, Sue Taylor, many other questions can only be answered over Maggie Blue and myself. We joked as we left on the months and years after the pandemic. Is this is Christmas Day–black humour–see you at Easter! just the beginning of the ‗virtual revolution‘? For More Christmas Ringing see Branch News on Robert Wellen (Guild Master). Pages 25 to 32.

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Young Ringers

Our Young „Ringing Room‟ Goes but I think we‘ll ―stick to the day job‖. And now it‘s 2021 and we are from Strength to Strength still confined to our virtual tower. With the latest lockdown, plans to get young ringers back into the tower have had to be put on hold for now. In the SDGR Young Ringers‘ Ringing Room tower there are 6 or 7 young ringers from Dorset, Jersey and Wiltshire who attend regularly and a few others who appear from time to time. Everyone has something they would like to learn or improve. We are currently working on Plain Bob Doubles, Reverse Canterbury Doubles and Doubles, with forays into Top, Bertie, with Stedman Doubles and Plain Bob Hilary Child, note the Minor. Plain Hunt on 7 is now much „Zoom‟ yellow line more confident and rhythmic, as is around the box as our final flurry of rounds on Bertie gave 10/12/16 (often with one ringer instructions, and ringing more than one bell). Pippa below Sue Carter-all has chosen to do bellringing for her three „home- Duke of Edinburgh Award schooling‟! and an under-18 band can now „What‟s Hot on Bell Board?‟ confidently ring touches of Plain Bob ...... Doubles without any adult support. In fact, the best ringing in terms of speed and rhythm is usually when there are no ‗oldies‘ involved! We have posted some touches on Bellboard [pictured left] and even got a mention from The Ringing World editor one week in ‗What‘s Hot‘ [also pictured left]. A few of us have recently attended some of the G&B ‗Winter School‘ online seminars, with topics ranging from ―how to call changes‖ to ―acquiring ropesight‖ and ―listening & striking‖. Ringing Room has been really valuable in giving people the chance to try new things, whether that be calling call changes, saying ―go and stop‖ or ringing in a different part of the circle from what they are used to and thus getting a fresh perspective on methods. After all, what‘s the worst that can happen? You can‘t annoy the neighbours or break anything! And another advantage of online ringing is that when learning a new method you can look at the blue line on your phone whilst ringing it!

From Pippa: “I enjoy Ringing Room and it has definitely allowed me to learn methods more confidently than in a From Hilary Child: As Christmas approached with still no tower as I can focus on counting rather than trying to also sign of being able to do any ‗real‘ ringing, we decided to ring the bell at the same time. I rang during Christmas in learn some Christmas-themed methods for our last virtual real life and it was quite scary because it had been so long practice of the year. We started with St Nicholas Bob since I had rung. However, it went okay and I'm looking Doubles and a band aged under-18 rang a plain course forward to going back to ringing with the other young confidently; our friends in Jersey had managed to sneak in a ringers once this is all over and put more of my skills into proper practice in the tower a few days earlier, but for most real life. Sometimes it is hard to find the will to join on people this was a brand-new method. We also rang Friday nights as I have spent all week staring at the Christmas Eve Place Minor which involves 10 blows at lead computer and online schooling is quite exhausting, but I do amongst other things; it proved to be easier to ring than to join and I'm always glad of it because it's nice to learn new contemplate on paper! Ringers (and Bertie the mascot) were things, practise with others and talk to the group.” encouraged to look festive and we were treated to Christmas

jumpers (some From Ben: “We are all confident about bringing our Ringing with lights), Room skills to the tower as I think everyone has developed Santa hats, fairy better skills in ringing, for example people have learned to lights and count their places in Plain Bob Doubles. In the current earrings). circumstances, Ringing Room is a great way to practise but, Robert Wellen if it was safe to do so, I would choose tower ringing! Home popped in to say schooling has changed my day completely but, in a sort of ―hello‖ and we nice way. I have found that as it gets later on into the also rang some Ringing Room session, I start to get a bit tired after a long Christmas carols day of being in front of my computer. Friday sessions have with Ringing certainly helped with my well-being. It's comforting to see R o o m i n faces outside of my household and I would say that I have handbell mode; made some friendships.” they went OK,

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Sally the Snake ... Part 3

Part 1 Part 2 https://sdgr.org.uk/sally-the-snake/ https://sdgr.org.uk/sally-the-snake-part-2/

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And in Other News ...

COVID Vaccinations at Salisbury handbells on Sunday evenings back in 2017, Cathedral-Ringing Connections scoring our first quarter of Plain Bob Major From Vicki Rowse (Guild together in January General Secretary): While I 2018. Unfortunately am keen to support anything Eleanor soon moved to to help us get back to Dorchester and was no ringing, I did not expect to longer able to join us, find myself in the Chapel of but Phil Miles and St Michael at Salisbury Mariko Whyte became Cathedral making up Pfizer regulars to the Sunday COVID Vaccinations on evening group allowing us to ring Major and Royal. Saturday 16th January! The Together, throughout 2018, 2019 and early 2020 we learnt Chapel of St Michael is the and rang numerous quarters of Plain Bob, Little Bob and St one with the memorial to Clement‟s on 6, 8 and 10. Sunday evenings tend to vary Ringers who fell in The Great between quarter peal attempts and sessions learning new War, so it was a slightly methods and/or pairs. Since the March lockdown the band surreal experience, to be has been reduced to Sas, Matt and me. Initially we practised there wearing my other hat a few times in Matt‟s garden in Swanage, but as restrictions and helping to man the first relaxed we reverted to our living room in Hamworthy. Being COVID Vaccination session in only three of us, we've rung minor and continued the theme central Salisbury. I had been of varying between practices and quarter peal attempts. working at The Wilton Centre for a couple of weeks when the Over the summer we completed quarter peals of Plain Bob, call for help came as two of the Salisbury staff had tested St Clement‟s, Double Bob and Single Oxford. Currently we're positive for COVID, and they needed people with experience not practising due to successive lockdowns, however as of making up the Pfizer vaccine-which is a little complicated restrictions ease again we hope to resume and continue as it is very delicate, and can‘t be shaken, dropped or working towards a successful quarter of Kent TB Minor and moved far. Surrounded by lots of activity, with press and Spliced Plain Minor. Furthermore we hope we'll soon see Phil media people pointing cameras through the screens at us, and Mariko again allowing more ringing on 8 and 10 and four of us worked steadily trying to concentrate on drawing look to score quarters of Kent Treble Bob and Ashbourne up the correct amount of diluent and carefully injecting that Court Bob which we'd been working on previously”. The into the vaccine vial ready for the team in the Chancel to Kilgour and Warwick families started meeting in the summer give to the steady stream of people coming through the months, each week alternately in the gardens of their homes door. During the morning we made up 120 out of a batch on in Bournemouth and Wimborne [pictured top right]. Adam 195 vials, enough for 720 people (the ringing significance of and David both had some experience of on ‗120‘ and ‗720‘ –the coincidences are spooky), and handed handbells and this enabled first Holly, and then Sam and over to the afternoon team at 1pm. We were treated to a Flick to score their first quarters in hand (Plain Bob Minor), variety of music on the organ, which made the morning go and Flick and Holly also rang their firsts on eight, a quite quickly, and took successful quarter of Plain Bob Major. Later, the Kilgours our minds off the rang a family quarter of Bob Minor together, and the freezing cold and fact Warwicks did likewise with the assistance of Trish Hitchins to that we could not feel celebrate Eric‘s 90th birthday in November. The two other our feet after the first bands which have successfully rung quarter peals are the hour. I later discovered husband and wife team of Pam and David Marshall in photos/footage of me Pulham, north Dorset, who have scored a series of quarters was in The Salisbury of Minimus (Reverse Bob, Double Journal, The Guardian, Bob and Oxford Treble Bob), and Telegraph and on Rachel Walters and Harriet Twitter [see inside front Feilding rang a quarter of Double page]. Bob Minimus as an 80th birthday celebration for Jocelyn, Harriet‘s husband, who sadly died of Covid Handbell Quarter Success Comes -19 in May [pictured right: During Lockdown Rachel Walters in handbell action]. Most handbell ringing From David Warwick (Peal Secretary): The last quarter peal came to a halt with the second rung for the Guild on tower bells was at Hampreston on 14th lockdown in November, but it is March 2020-a quarter of St. Clement‘s College Bob Minor. to be hoped that the progress The following week almost all ringing ceased, before Boris achieved in 2020 will spur more Johnson announced the first national lockdown on March advancement in this rewarding 23rd, effectively banning all meetings and social activity. and challenging area of ringing Despite some intermittent relaxations of the rules, tower bell activity in 2021. ringing has been limited to a maximum of fifteen minutes precluding the ringing of even as much as a 720. Four My Lockdown in the 1940s! different bands in the Guild have since March, rung 20 handbell quarters-largely during the summer months when From Robert Wellen: My main ‗lockdown project‘, that the rule-of-six (and the weather) allowed for groups to helped me spend many a happy hour from March to the meet. The most prolific handbell band has been the one autumn, was to examine the wartime ban on ringing based in Hamworthy in Poole, under the leadership of Tim between 1940-43 and to compare it to our present day Rose [more on Tim on page 23]. He writes: ―Sas Watson, restrictions. I have always been interested in ‗the ban‘ and Matthew Pike, Eleanor Wallace and I started ringing

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And in Other News ...

then in March there circle ringing it was so good to hear our bells again, were those passing especially during the festive season. Historical Note: The references to ‗this Ellacombe apparatus is a device that enables one person to being the first time ring all the bells of a church. Each of the bells is struck while since the war that the the bell is static instead of the bells being rotated. The ringing of bells has apparatus was invented by the Revd. Henry Thomas been prohibited…‖, Ellacombe [pictured bottom right] while curate at St Mary‘s which spurred me on Church, Bitton (located between Bristol and Bath). It is said to find out more. Most that Revd. Ellacombe devised the mechanism so that all the of you will know my bells could be rung by one trusted person without involving interest in history and a band of unruly and perhaps drunken ringers. For those through this project I who have not seen an Ellacombe Chiming System you might have really enjoy Chris Richmond‘s short video which you can find at rediscovered my passion for research and writing. I thought, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Q4QotJdAM0 innocently, that this would be a relatively modest task I had set myself; but the more I researched and discovered, the th more I realized how wrong I was. But it was really 20 Anniversary Peal (or not) fascinating, putting together a picture of what really happened. The main sources were back copies of The From Chris Jenkins: In 2001 at Ringing World and Hansard, the parliamentary record, both the juvenile age of 16, I was of which I could access on-line from home. But I also encouraged by Rhona McEune to needed to see official government and church papers to put attempt my first peal. With me together a fuller story. I was able in September to make a saying yes, not quite knowing trip to London, pre-booked, to spend a day at The National what to expect, Rhona set to Archives in Kew, with ‗Mr Churchill and his papers!‘ Not a organising the band and a venue. total lockdown then, so I could go up by coach, stay Seend was chosen as they were overnight, see my papers, socially distanced in the reading (and still are) a user friendly room and then come home. I also would like to have visited tower with the band was made up Lambeth Palace Library to see the Archbishops‘ personal of ringers who I had learnt to ring papers, but the Library was closed, so that‘s something to with along with David Orledge do in the future! The result of my research was kindly who agreed to call it. From what I published in The Ringing World over four articles in can remember, we met in the December/ January (anyone who does not subscribe can ask evening after work as I had just me for the text) and will also form the basis of the second of started my apprenticeship, the our Guild Bellringing Talks on 20 February 2021 (see page 3 weather was a little chilly and apart from that we rang, rang for details). I hope to see you there!! some more and a little more until we heard David call ―That's all!‖ Well, that wasn't too bad was it? Apart from being a little cold and having a sore foot! Maybe it was the Ellacombe Saves Christmas! fact that I was just 16 that made it easier than it is now? I rang the 2nd bell which when you ring it puts your back tight From Colin Smith: At St James‘ to the curtain covering the external door. Two years ago Southbroom (Devizes) in these when I last visited, I couldn't remember it being such a tight strange times we are fortunate fit but then 20 years on, I have grown in height and of that an Ellacombe Chiming course circumference. I was hoping to be able attempt a System was installed during the 20th anniversary peal on the same date this year but sadly upgrade of the frame and the current restrictions wont allow it. Being selfish, the augmentation from four to six restrictions also mean that I will have to wait a little longer bells in 1909. I have never to get to my 50th peal but like so many, I would just be researched the reason why the happy to be able to ring once more with the people who chimes were installed but have supported me and who I now support. [Asked if he hopefully not to replace a could ring his anniversary peal on Ding, Chris replied “I can drunken band of ringers!! The just about manage a quarter on Ding, a full peal of minor Ellacombe Chimes were last would be achievable if we could have a break after every regularly used for Sunday evening services in the 1990s and 720!‖] have laid idle since, so all was checked, greased and oiled in readiness for ringing during Christmas week 2020. Having spent some time researching which carols could be played Ringing Room: A Transatlantic on our six bells, tuned (treble to tenor) F, Eb, Db, C, Bb and Experience Ab, several adaptations of carols were arranged, it was time to give it a go. Strange things seemed to be happening, From Jack Pease: Like many others, sometimes the bells did not chime correctly or not at all; I‘m very grateful to the developers everything was checked again but it still happened. Being in of Ringing Room for developing the tower on my own a quick run up the stairs to the belfry such a fantastic resource over the revealed that the bells were swinging, effectively not being past year. This resource, in the right place when the chiming hammer operated. Why admittedly, has not been to was this? St James‘ bells were overhauled in 2017, this everyone‘s liking. However, the included replacing the plain bearings with twin row self- evidence that it has helped aligning ball bearings which in turn allows the bells now to thousands of ringers continue to improve their skills in a move with very little effort. Once it was understood what highly usual year, is incontrovertible. I am however not was happening being gentler using the chiming apparatus writing here to discuss the positives and negatives of the meant all was well. Carols and call changes rang out over platform. At the start of January 2021, I helped the Devizes during Christmas week; on Market day, Christmas developers of the platform, Bryn Reinstadler and Leland Eve and Christmas Day. Even though not the same as full

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And in Other News ...

„Just One Peal‟

In this feature leading peal ringers resident in the Guild are asked to recall „just one peal‟ from all that they have rung and tell us what makes it special. This time it‟s „Andrew J Howes‟, better known as Andrew Howes, a ringer at Wylye, a Guild HLM and a former Central Council Representative and Chairman of the Salisbury Branch, who has rung a total of 338 peals to date. Andrew has stretched the Kusmer, both from Boston, Massachusetts, with overhauling concept of „just one peal‟ a little bit here, but I am sure the sounds of the bells, and to test out the new sounds, we you will agree, its worth it! rang a transatlantic touch of Plain Bob Minor in hand, which we dedicated to the loss of life at the US Capitol riot. We all I started leaning to ring in February 1955, aged 14, to get really enjoyed using the platform for such a purpose, and so a Boy Scouts badge along with eight others all starting I set up a larger practice, to allow some UK ringers to together in a small village in Oxfordshire called practise skills with our American friends. The date was set Warborough. Our tower captain, Frank, was very strict and for Sat 23rd January 2021, 10am for the Boston ringers and it was not until six years later in 1961 that I ring my first 3pm for the rest of us. Ten ringers took part, comprising peal. Prior to this we had to ring four quarter peals and Bryn and Leland from the North American Guild, three each then two half peals, without making a single mistake, from the SDGR and W&P and two from the Carlisle Diocesan before we were allowed to attempt our first peal. When we Guild. For most of the band it was the first time ringing with got the peal, Plain Bob Triples it had seven first peals and ringers from ―across the pond‖, and numerous firsts were one first as conductor in it. achieved. We rang numerous touches, including Stedman Triples, Superlative Surprise Major, Grandsire Caters and I have been lucky enough to represent the Salisbury Guild Plain Hunt Maximus. We all had enormous fun, as the two on The Central Council of Church Bellringers and have quotes below show, and another session is planned for rung peals all over the country when the council had a anybody who would like to join us- 3pm GMT, 27th February meeting. My most prolific years for ringing peals were in 2021 (contact Jack on: [email protected]). 1990/91 when I rang 30 to 40 peals each year, mostly in Thank you to everyone who joined us, we made real various new major methods and spliced. In early January progress and it was really lovely that despite the sombre 1991, we as a band decided, rather than ringing new and often frightening news from the outside world, friends methods we would attempt to ring up to and if possible can be found in every corner of the globe. "I felt very over the standard 23 spliced, which was the record for privileged to ring with such a great group of people‖-Debbie both the Salisbury Guild and also the Winchester and Phipps (Lytchett Matravers) and ―Thanks for inviting me to Portsmouth Guild. So we set out a plan to do this, the first such a fun session with lovely people‖-Steve Lamb was 9 spliced on Jan 17th then 12s on 21st Feb then 14s on (Winchester Cathedral). 6th Mar and 17s on 27th Mar, also then straight up to Norman Smith's 24 Spliced Surprise Major at St Martin‘s in North Bradley Peal Board Salisbury on 24th April 1992 and again on 19th June 1992, just to make sure it was not a fluke. This record for the number of Spliced Surprise Major methods rung to a peal still stands both for the Winchester & Portsmouth Guild and the Salisbury Diocesan Guild. Could I ring methods like Glasgow, Belfast, London, Bristol, etc spliced now, I don't think so! Bob Doubles is more my staple diet. I have also rung a peal of 11 Spliced Triples in all the twin hunt (Grandsire type) methods to a peal. Another of my favorites was Stedman Cinques at St Michael's Cornhill, London on 25th May 1991 for the 100th meeting of the CCCBR. This was a band of ringers representing the Central Council, I was lucky enough to be chosen to ring in this peal and rang the 41cwt tenor to this peal so it also stands out. Other peals that have stood out for me are Stedman Doubles on the heavy five at Great Durnford, Salisbury Arts Centre, where I have rung 10 peals and Cambridge Surprise Royal at Grantham, Lincolnshire. From Chris Jenkins: Pictured is a ‗mock up‘ of the peal board for North Bradley, the wording as been put together by I have always enjoyed ringing peals which some people myself and checked with the Hitchins family. I was recently think is completely mad and some times it is and not able to meet with the incumbent to discuss a position for it. always successful. Brian Woodruffe, the conductor of most The Guild has made a donation towards its cost as a of my peals always started his morning peals at 9.00 a.m. memorial to Fred Slatford, who was a Guild Vice President. And when he said that he meant in the tower, ringing at that time! One day we had a peal in Debenham (about 200 LIFE STORY OF HAROLD WALTER miles away) in East Suffolk, so I left home at 5.00 a.m. ROGERS Whilst having had many successes, I have also had many This 44-page booklet by his daughter, failures, i.e. losing a peal at Wells Cathedral after 4 hours Trish Hitchins (a Wimborne ringer), is and 15 minutes and going to ring a peal at Beverley St available from Trish, price £5 inc. UK p&p. Mary in East Yorkshire (about 260 miles away and losing it Contact: [email protected] after an hour and then driving home again). Happy days!

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Thomas Hardy and the Bells of “Wessex”

Part 1 of the elderly rector‘s second wife, records that: Inscriptions For A Peal of Fight Bells After a Restoration “... when we arrived at the Gareth Davies has given Rectory there was a great his permission for this I Thomas Tremble new-made me gathering and welcome article to be reproduced Eighteen hundred and fifty-three from the parishioners, and Why he did I fail to see. here. First published in a tremendous fusillade of II I was well-toned by William The Ringing World salutes, cheering and Brine double issue of 22/29 bellringing-quite a hubbub Seventeen hundred and twenty- December 1989. Part 2 nine to welcome the Rector next time. Most people Now recast, I weakly whine! home with his new wife”. know of Thomas Hardy III Fifteen hundred used to be The arrival of the new as the author of the My date, but since they melted me rector followed the Tis only eighteen fifty-three novels, Tess of the institution of a proper IV Henry Hopkins got me made D‟Urbervilles, Jude the living at St. Juliot, which And I summon folk as bade Obscure and others, set had suffered from a Not to much purpose, I‘m afraid! in the semi imaginary V I, likewise, for I bang and bid succession of non-resident countryside of ―Wessex‖. In commoner metal than I did curates, as was witnessed He is much less well- Some of me being stolen and hid. by the physical condition known as a poet. VI I, too, since in a mould they of the church. Hardy spent flung me Indeed, until 1898, it March 8th 1870, his Drained my , and rehung me was entirely to the novels that Hardy owed his contemporary second day there, drawing So that in tin-like tones I tongue fame as a leading Victorian literary figure. In that year he the results of this neglect. me published Wessex Poems. Over the next 30 years, until his VII In nineteen hundred, so ‘tis His diary records: death in 1928, he produced a further seven volumes said, ―Austere grey view of hills containing most of the 900 or so poems which he had They cut my canon off my head from bedroom window. A penned. Given such a And made me look scalped, funeral Man tolled the bell scraped and dead. prolific output, it is no Drawing Details In An Old (which stood inverted on VIII I‘m the peal‘s tenor s till, but surprise to discover that Church the ground in the rue it! some of the poems refer neglected transept) by Once it took two to swing me to bells. But these are not through it. I hear the bell-rope sawing lifting the clapper and the work of a writer whose And the oil-less axle grind Now I ‘m rehung, one dolt can do letting it fall against the only contact with bells was As I sit alone here drawing it. side. Five bells stood thus the distant sound What some Gothic brain designed. (Human Shows 1925) in a row (having been emerging from some And I catch the toll that follows From the lagging bell taken down from the parish church. Hardy was Ere it spreads to hills and hollows cracked tower for safety)”. almost certainly not a Where people dwell. Hardy returned to St. Juliot two or three times a year while ringer himself, yet in his the restoration went ahead and in September 1874 he poems he displays a I ask not whom it tolls for married Emma Gifford. The fictionalised story of their degree of knowledge Incurious who he be courtship was told in his novel A Pair of Blue Eyes, published about bells and ringing So, some morrow, when those a year earlier. After living in Yeovil, Sturminster Newton, that suggests he could knolls for One unguessed, sound out for me. London and Wimborne the couple settled in 1885 at Max have been. Part of the A stranger loitering under. Gate, the house Hardy designed and had built in Fordington explanation for this was In nave or choir, on the outskirts of Dorchester. By this time his novels had Hardy‘s early training and May think, too, "Whose I wonder?" brought him fame as a writer and he had ceased to practice practice as an architect, But not inquire. architecture as a living, though his interest remained. His which certainly brought (Late Lyrics and Earlier 1922) concern with bells had also developed. him into contact with churches, bells and their This poem [above] was probably written sometime between ringers. 1920 and 1924. But it is clear that, in thus putting

bellfounders (and tenor ringers) in their place. Hardy was Thomas Hardy was born in Higher Bockhampton, Dorset on drawing on a variety of earlier personal experiences. I have 2nd June 1840. His father was a stonemason, and musician been unable to discover whether he had a particular at nearby Stinsford church. In 1856 Hardy began an restoration in mind. He certainly knew about the work on architectural apprenticeship with Hicks of Dorchester and the bells of St Peter‘s, Dorchester in 1889 when the fourth, worked on several church restorations. In 1862 he moved to sixth and seventh were recast and the whole peal rehung by London and acquired a position in the office of Arthur (later Warners at a cost of £300. Whatever the precise inspiration, Sir Arthur) Blomfield. He stayed in London for five years the poem itself reflects accurately Hardy‘s strong feelings on before poor health forced him to return to Dorset and his the subject of restorations. In 1906 he submitted a paper, previous post. Hicks‘ practice had by then passed into other entitled Memories of Church Restoration, which was read to hand and it was his successor, Crickmay, who, in 1870, sent the Twenty-Ninth General Meeting of the Society for the Hardy to St, Juliot in Cornwall to make drawings and advise Protection of Ancient Buildings. The paper was subsequently on a restoration. His experiences there formed part of the published in the Society‘s Annual Report. In it Hardy inspiration for the poem above. When he arrived, he found recounts one or two incidents from his early architectural the church of St Juliot in the sorry state described in work and then continues: ―My knowledge at first hand of Polsue‘s Parochial History of Cornwall: “Excepting the south church repair at the present moment is very limited. But one aisle, extreme age has reduced this once superior church to or two prevalent abuses have come by accident under my a state of irremediable dilapidation: it is now, 1868, closed notice. The first concerns the re-hanging of church bells. A for reconstruction. The tower is in a ruinous and falling barbarous practice is, I believe, very general, that of cutting state. It contained five good bells but these have latterly off the cannon of each bell-namely, the loop on the crown by been removed to the north transept for preservation”. which it has been strapped to the stock-and restrapping it However, the bells had obviously not been in this position by means of holes cut through the crown itself. The for too long. In her Recollections, Emma Gifford, the sister

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Thomas Hardy and the Bells of “Wessex” mutilation is sanctioned on the ground that, by so fixing it, herewith”. The estimated cost of the job was £123 and the centre of the bell‟s gravity is brought nearer to the axis Hardy wrote again the next day in response to a request on which it swings, with advantage and ease to the ringing. from Cowley that he pen a few lines supporting an appeal I do not question the truth of this; but the resources of for the money: ―I have been thinking over your suggestion mechanics are not so exhausted but that the same result that something could be done to raise subscriptions for the may be obtained by leaving the bell unmutilated and bells by a paragraph or so in the English and American increasing the camber of the stock, which for that matter papers to the effect that Stinsford is the church I have might be so great as nearly to reach a right angle. I was described under the name of Mellstock (it is not exactly so in recently passing through a churchyard where I saw standing trifling details, but never mind that). As I cannot very well on the grass a peal of bells just taken down from the draw attention to my own writings personally, all I can do is adjacent tower and subjected to this treatment. A sight to furnish you with the facts enclosed, that you may make more piteous than that presented by these fine bells, use of them in any way you choose with the above object. I standing disfigured in a row in the sunshine, like cropped hope it will be with some effect”. ―Melstock Church" in criminals in the pillory, as it were ashamed of their Thomas Hardy‘s novel Under the Greenwood Tree is well- degradation, I have never witnessed among inanimate known locally to be Stinsford Church under a very thin things”. disguise. The sub-title of the story is ―The Mellstock Quire‖, Hardy returned to the the description of which, as it used to be before the subject of bell restoration in substitution of an organ for stringed instruments, fills a large 1909 after reading the part of the book. The old west gallery, which also appears in architect‘s report on the story, was removed when the old quire was abolished in proposed work at Stinsford the latter part of the last century. Several of Mr Hardy‘s [pictured left]. This was the poems also refer to the same church and churchyard. It is church where Hardy senior for the bells of this interesting Church that the appeal is had played the violin and made. They are in wretched condition, and the old oak bell- which Thomas junior had carriages and mechanism quite decayed. The tenor if of very immortalised in his novels as fine tone, and the treble, which is cracked, is of pre- ‗Mellstock‘. It was a place Reformation date. that was very close to his heart and, indeed, is where his heart is now buried. He submitted his Notes on Stinsford By April Cowley had put together a quite differently worded Church to the church restoration committee on 25th April: appeal which he submitted to Hardy for approval. Hardy did ―There are three bells in the tower-the first bell, cracked by approve and ―hoped something would result‖. The appeal being hammered at a wedding, should be recast if cutting appeared eventually in the Paris edition of the New York out will not suffice. Care should be taken to employ a Herald for 25th April. It must have been the least successful respectable founder, that base metal may not be substituted piece of writing that Hardy ever undertook, for, in October, for the old, which is of high quality. If the other bells are the Stinsford PCC issued a printed statement reporting that rehung the cannons should on no account be cut off, as is not a single contribution had resulted from the appeal. the modern reprehensible practice, which can be avoided by Nevertheless, by the end of 1927 the money was somehow giving more camber to the stock”. He gave similar advice to found, the treble recast and the bells rehung. Hardy‘s A.M. Broadly, churchwarden of Holy Trinity, Bradpole, in a complaint about the removal of canons was not the only one footnote to a letter dated New Year‘s Eve 1909. This time he made in his paper to the SPAB in 1906: ―Speaking of attributing to the founders a less than charitable motive for bells. I should like to ask cursorily why the old sets of such ―mutilations‖: “PS. If you are going to rehang the chimes have been removed from nearly all our country church bells insist that the “ cannons" shall not be cut off by churches. The midnight wayfarer, in passing along the the bellfounders on the plea of making the bells swing better sleeping village or town, was cheered by the outburst of a The finest bells in England have been mutilated in that way stumbling tune, which possessed the added charm of being of late years: and it is not at all necessary. Of course, the probably heeded by no ear but his own. Or when lying piece cut off goes into the founder's melting-pot‖. With or awake in sickness, the denizen would catch the same notes, without Hardy‘s advice the work at Bradpole went ahead and persuading him that all was right with the world. But one was finished in time for the first peal to be rung in March may go half across England and hear no chimes at midnight 1910. The work at Stinsford took rather longer. The parish now”. was having considerable difficulty in raising the funds to carry out work on the ring of three. It was not until 26th February 1926 that Hardy wrote to the vicar, Henry Cowley: For A Ringers‟ Tea-Third Slice: ―In respect of the report by the bellfounders on the Stinsford 175g Butter 1.Turn on the oven to bells I am thinking you might reply with some queries on 180˚C or 160˚C Fan. these points:-1. As the parish is not a rich one, could the difficulty and expense of re-casting the treble be got over by 1 egg beaten 2.Melt the butter and cutting out the crack, as was done, I believe with “"? sugar. Even if the tone thus recovered should not be inferior to that 200g brown 3.Stir in the other of a new bell, there would be the great advantage of sugar ingredients. Wholemeal retaining the actual old bell, which is of pre-Reformation 50g porridge 4.Grease a Swiss roll tin Chewy date. 2. Could not some of the oak from the old beams and oats 8‖ by 12‖. bell-carriages be re-used, as it can scarcely be entirely Cake decayed? 3. It is understood that, in re-hanging, the canons 225g mixed fruit 5.Line the bottom with need not be cut off from the heads of the bells, which would baking paper. From Debbie be fastened to the headstocks in the old manner. As they 1tsp baking 6.Pat down the mixture Phipps: Here is would not be rehung for ringing peals, there would be no powder into the tin. a recipe for object in mutilating them in the modern fashion to make some cakes I 50g chopped 7.Bake for 15 minutes. usually do for them swing more easily. I did not know that the old bells cherries or nuts had such historic interest till I read the report, and if any our teas which thing should be done I will subscribe something I wish I 175g wholemeal 8.Leave to cool in tin people love. could afford to pay for the whole job. The report is returned flour (or plain and then cut into flour) portions.

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A Word with … Tim Rose

“Bell Ringing -struck or difficult, then I find them disappointing and quite frustrating. Similarly if they sound awful you have to wonder Never Quite Goes what the point is. It‘s the quality of the sound and the ability Away in my Life” to get a good sound out of them. How did you get interested in composing and Robert Wellen has a word with conducting? What do you get out of it? I‘m no expert Tim Rose. Both are Dorset conductor or composer by any means, again I like to dabble. „born and bred‟. They rang I‘ve composed quarters and an odd few peals, basic stuff. their first quarter together in Again it‘s down to necessity. When I began ringing quarter 2003. Tim has approximately peals I soon wanted to do more and discovered that if I 1200 „grabs‟ to his name and waited to be asked I'd have been waiting forever. So as a has rung to date 180 peals 14/ 15 year old I started arranging quarter peals and and 1514 quarters (of which he has conducted 1001). (First learning to conduct them. I soon ran out of compositions Published in the Christmas Ringing World 2020 No. 5721). written by other people that appealed to me; no internet Tell me something about yourself and how you got back then so I was entirely reliant on the 3 or 4 composition into ringing? As a child I was dragged up Marnhull tower books I owned! I started to work out compositions or by my grandfather, Joe Fudge, to watch ringing on a Sunday arrangements for myself; later, when composition morning and became fascinated by it. Aged four or five I collections started to appear online, I discovered many had used to hang buckets from ropes over the washing line been around for hundreds of years. For example I didn't pretending to be a bell ringer! The ‗ringing gene‘ comes from even have a resource to tell me how to call a 120 of Union my Mum‘s side of the family. As well as Joe, my great Bob Doubles and hence worked this out for myself. I don‘t grandfather, Bert Ridout, was a ringer at Okeford Fitzpaine have any interest in the ‗pure‘ maths behind composition for over eighty years. Following my grandfather‘s advice I and I don‘t get satisfaction from seeing it on the page. started to learn to ring the same month as beginning senior These days I tend to call my own compositions as it's easier school at my local tower, which living on Portland, was Wyke to learn and conduct if you've also composed it. You’re Regis. My tutors were Barbara Chiplen and Mary Civil. My very pragmatic aren’t you! I like to specifically compose other hobbies include climbing, caving, walking, gardening things to fit the band; there is my Plain Bob Triples and kayaking as well as playing the piano. I started piano composition where the second rings plain courses lessons from the age of five or six having been inspired to throughout which I wrote for a specific ringer who couldn‘t learn by the teacher who played the piano at my junior and didn‘t want to be affected by any calls. I tend to avoid school. I now live in Poole and work as an Industrial methods I cannot conduct (in the proper sense) and that‘s Chemist. down to my lack of ability with these. But do you know Tell me what you like and don’t like to ring and why? I that because you have tried and failed? There are plenty like methods that are musical, but the real thing I enjoy is a of things that I genuinely can‘t do; I am sure that I could method that is easy to ring and doesn't result in mistakes learn a lot more if I had the opportunity, enthusiasm and being made. The method that I really hate is London practised more frequently. The driving force, in the end, is because of the wrong hunting and odd places which seem to what it sounds like. I fit everything around that, it‘s no good promote trips and mistakes. I come at it from what the end writing a good composition or ringing a complicated method result will be, not what the ringer gets out of it. As for if it‘s ‗crash, bang, wallop‘ when performed; you might as stages, there is nothing better than doubles rung on a five well not bother. and I have a fairly strong dislike of anything on twelve. You seem to have avoided holding any ‘ringing office’ Personally I cannot hear twelve very well and I've not been and ‘stayed independent’–is that deliberate–what do involved in any ringing good enough to be pleasurable. I've you think about how ringing is organised and heard recordings which make it sound absolutely stunning if governed today? It‘s easier to do what you enjoy if you do it‘s done well. I have an absolute aversion to Stedman, I your own thing all the time. But, in addition, some of my find it boring and I don‘t like the wrong leading at the front. attitudes and opinions wouldn‘t perhaps be welcome, and I‘d I enjoy ringing triples on an eight largely because it‘s easier just end up upsetting people if I held a formal position. in Dorset to get a good band as there are a lot of excellent Come on then, let’s hear what those opinions are. Well, tenor ringers around the county and turning the tenor in if I was running a branch practice some ringers would be often results in the standard dropping. I am pragmatic and told that they wouldn‘t be allowed to ring more advanced go for the methods that I think, locally, will produce good methods until they could ring the basics properly, and I‘d be ringing. When I am organising ringing I do think very much quite firm on that. What do you think about ART? I have about what to ring on each peal of bells with a particular not had a lot of involvement with ART, but from what I‘ve band and how to get the best out of them. seen, it seems to increase the number of poor teachers and Your ‘range of ringing skills’-how do you account for then certifies them to teach. There is clearly a shortage of that? I think of myself as a ‗Jack of All Trades‟, absolutely! I really good teachers in towers; I‘ve tried teaching bell am like that with other activities too; I want to get involved handing and I don‘t get on very well doing that myself so in every aspect. I like variation in life and I get bored if I do I'm certainly not one of the good ones. Where strong bands the same thing all the time. I don‘t worry about that; I like and sufficient numbers exist to provide a choice, ART to dabble. I‘m never going to be ringing elite peals but I probably targets the right people but in more rural areas don‘t have any desire to do so. I am not particularly and in particular where the bands are weaker and struggling ambitious and I accept the fact that if you do a lot of for numbers, it seems anyone who volunteers is good different things you are never going to get particularly good enough. In addition, some of those who have been teaching at one individual bit. I just learn enough to do the things I for years and are quite good, don‘t want to be told 'you now enjoy and not worry beyond that. Some things I learnt from have to have a certificate', so shy away and give up my grandfather, as he used to maintain the bells at Marnhull teaching new recruits; so it might be counterproductive. and it was him who taught me to splice ropes, however a lot And your opinion of the Guild and Guild events? Guilds I have learnt or taught myself through necessity. and Branches could be really good but the problem is that What is it that you look for in tower bells to make a the areas are way too big. I believe large branches should tower a favourite? Primarily it‘s the sound outside, and be split up into ‗micro-branches‘, each with no more than second how easy they are to ring. If they sound amazing, ten towers. Each micro branch should be based around a but you can‘t produce good ringing, because they are so odd town or large village, where there is a good chance of

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A Word with … Tim Rose having a strong band, and assign that tower to look after composition I then want to try it and neighbouring towers. The classic thing that drives me wild is it is this that often inspires me to when you have 16 ringers turn up at an eight bell tower on a start ringing quarters again. I can Sunday morning but the two neighbouring fives don‘t get understand why any one individual rung from week to week. In all my pastimes I want to ‗do might think I've ‗hibernated‘ but more activity than driving‘, so the idea of travelling two that's because they're not seeing the hours each way to ring for 5 minutes in a striking other things I'm doing instead. This is competition is not for me. In the past when I have been not helped by the fact that in general involved in such events, I‘ve made a quarter peal day of it, there is very little cross over between which doesn‘t always go down well. Dare I ask-The tower bell ringers and handbell tune Ringing World and Central Council? I don‘t subscribe to groups. The Ringing World as there‘s very little in it that actually What do you do (have you done) interests me. I don‘t have much interest in reading about to ‘give back’ to ringing? First and yet another augmentation, seeing complicated compositions foremost I‘m a firm believer than bell ringing is a hobby and or lists of peals and quarter peals. There is a caving not a chore, so any ringer should only do things that they magazine, it's national, it comes out six times a year and I enjoy. Criticism of people who have absolutely no interest in do subscribe to that. Perhaps one problem with The Ringing committees or have never held an official position is unfair; World is that there is too much of it. Perhaps it should be if those individuals don‘t enjoy such things, why should they monthly? It feels like they are finding things to fill the pages have to? I do think I‘ve done a fair amount over the years as we have always done it weekly, so we must continue. though; I've run quite a few courses, undertaken tower Perhaps this interview is another example of that? To be maintenance in many towers and called a lot of first quarters honest with you I wouldn't buy The Ringing World to read an and peals. I really enjoy helping people to ring 'firsts' and interview with some bell ringer I've never heard of, it just being proud of their achievements. How do you wouldn‘t interest me!!! The Central Council appear to want encourage better striking from novices? It‘s a tricky one everything to conform to a rule and particularly with doubles when taking someone through a first quarter etc. to give ringing it doesn‘t; variations being a classic example. Exactly tips on improving striking. You don't want to sound too how you record these can be interpreted in several different critical but at the same time want them to ring the best ways and it‘s over that that I have had a few ‗spats‘. they're capable of. I find commenting on striking comes Irrespective of how performances get recorded, I'm clueless naturally once you get to know a new ringer and I like to as to how someone who wasn‘t present and heard none of think that a relaxed atmosphere and lot of fun in the tower the ringing can tell me what I did or didn‘t ring. helps. The first thing is to let people try to correct What do you think of the general standard of striking themselves and then only comment when it's clear they today? Absolutely appalling, but for whatever reason, need advice. I like people who respond to advice and then people shy away from discussing it; I‘ve been told off for do their best to improve. I don‘t expect perfection from criticising striking before. I don't believe it‘s necessarily that anyone as it‘s impossible to achieve but I do expect people people are more interested in learning new methods instead to try their best at whatever level they are at. There are –there is some evidence of that–but the major problem is always ‗tricks‘, like asking a member of the band who is slow disinterest in both. Many ringers turn up on a Sunday to at backstroke to ring a bell that‘s quick at backstroke, so make a noise and have a practice night just to chat amongst they ring well without realising it! friends as a social engagement. They ring the same thing Name your favourite three methods and your three ‗week-in-week-out‘, with little or no progress in either favourite rings of bells? For me, my favourite rings of striking or method and don‘t seem bothered by this. There is bells are all in Dorset and all exceptional peals: 1st Holwell also a problem with ringers having not heard good striking [5 bells–14 cwt in E], 2nd Kingston [10 bells 26 cwt in D], 3rd and therefore not knowing what they should be aiming for. Martinstown [6 bells–8 cwt in A]. They all fit the criteria we This also appears to be the case with a lot of the general spoke about earlier, excellent sounding both in and outside public! I would say there are three groups: those who know the tower and easy to ring well. Method-wise my favourite is they are bad strikers, but don‘t care or do anything to ringing doubles on a five, if you get that magical five bell correct it; those who aren‘t aware of what the issue is and a rhythm going, I don‘t think you can beat that. When you third group, who do recognise good striking, are capable of augment fives up to six you can lose something very special. it and want others to do the same. Unfortunately the first My favourite 5 bell method is Union Bob Doubles. I think two groups massively outweigh the third. One of the eight bells sound much better than six as you get the full common excuses or misconceptions I hear is ‗I can‘t hear octave and I prefer triples to major, so I would choose my bell‘; I‘ve run numerous listening courses and proven Middlesex. On ten I don‘t think you can do better than a many times this is not the case. We spend a lot of time with decent quarter of Plain Bob Caters. That‘s three methods for handbells and the issue is not that people cannot hear their tower bells and I‘m going to add a fourth for handbells-Little bell; it‘s that they can‘t associate between what their hands Bob Royal. and arms are doing and what the bell above is doing. With Thanks Tim for being so candid. I have yet to meet someone handbells you take that away and to date I've not found a and say to myself: „that‟s another Tim‟. I hadn‟t realized ringer who cannot pick out their bell amongst others. how pragmatic he was and I was surprised by his modesty You take regular, sometimes quite long, periods away and I now understand his apparent periods of „hibernation‟. from ringing–why is that? I don‘t think I do. Bell ringing Everything with Tim seems to come back to one simple but never quite goes away in my life, it just varies. I do an awful often overlooked thing, „good ringing‟. I wasn‟t surprised by lot of things within ringing, so when I have my breaks away that, but until now I had not really appreciated the depth of from quarter peal ringing it's because I‘ve got bored of his feelings. If it‟s not too schmaltzy to say so, good ringing organising quarter peal days. There‘s usually a catalyst; to Tim is like a precious and delicate object; it really upsets things go wrong and I say I‘ve had enough of that. That him if people are careless with it. He is committed to other leaves a gap and I might do more tune or method ringing on pastimes but with ringing it is more personal, probably a handbells and go back to tower bell ringing months later. I mixture of his musical background and his „ringing DNA‟. write and arrange music for our tune ringing group Clapper There will be some who will disagree with some, or all, of Chaos, perform in many concerts and I do a huge amount of the things he has said (but some will agree), but believe me, handbell maintenance and refurbishment. I might have a there is no malice with Tim, just a passion and a period when I compose a few quarter peals. Having a new commitment to something that means so much to him.

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Branch News

Calne Tower and Friends Virtual Calne Ringing Practices- „We‟re All Learners Now!‟ A Happy AGM for a „Happy Branch‟ From Jane Ridgwell: At the beginning of November 2020, when it became clear that another lockdown was on the way and that the limited ringing that had been allowed was going to stop, we bit the bullet! We entered a room where ringing knowledge and experience count for very little and where we were all a bit lost and unsure of ourselves. That ‗room‘ was Ringing Room. We also tried Ding, but there were difficulties for some people installing the app. There is a regular group of 7 of us and we welcome others who express an interest in finding out more. One of our regular members is someone who gave up ringing some years ago because of health issues, so it is lovely to see her back. We also ‗see‘ people who From Jane Ridgwell: This year we have all had to wouldn‘t normally attend the Calne tower practice; learn to use Zoom and other video systems to there are unexpected positives. The regular group has communicate–just as well that we have computers to over 200 years‘ experience between them, but that help us in this time of isolation. The Calne Branch doesn‘t help with technical problems and getting used AGM was held on 9th January 2021 via Zoom. It was to a whole new way of ringing. Below are just a few an event lacking drama as all the branch officers were of the comments from group members for you to see willing to continue for another year, having had very the reactions that we have had. little to do during 2020. We welcomed (with less  I find it difficult ringing without the motion of travel than normal!), the Guild President, Master and the bell to keep time for me. General and Assistant General Secretaries. We had all  I need to learn a whole new set of skills. the usual reports and accounts to consider and were  My broadband is too slow and my laptop is too not able to make any significant plans for the future, old. with no end date in sight for the end of restrictions.  Even a little bit of progress is great, I‘ve The Calne Branch 200 club has raised nearly £5,000 forgotten so much. for bell restoration in the 4 years that it has been in  I forgot to log in to join the practice. operation. It was noted that 2021 sees the centenary  I can‘t hear my bell. of the formation of the Calne Branch and it is hoped  It‘s all too technical for me, I can‘t do it. that we will be able to mark this occasion in some  Just let me watch. way later in the year. We had hoped to have a social  I have to keep counting like mad. occasion, possibly a Calne Branch meal with a guest  Even a slight pause disrupts everything. speaker, but that seems a long way from possible just  My attention is easily distracted–then I‘m now. Another possibility is a booklet with completely lost. contributions from each of our towers. Time will tell  I can use one hand to ring the bell and the what we are able to do. Andrew Woolley announced other to count places on my fingers. that the Calne St Mary Tower, Bells and Clock project Since November we have met every Friday except for has been granted the faculty to go ahead with the Christmas Day (even on New Year‘s Day) and we are work and that the fundraising is nearing getting close slowly improving, moving on to simple methods like to its target. That means that this coming year should Grandsire Doubles or Plain Bob Doubles. We will be see contractors appointed and a start date for the very pleased to get back to tower bells, but we are project, hopefully early in 2022. Congratulations are also incredibly grateful for the opportunity to practise due to Ken and Pauline Webb, who will have both in the virtual world. If anyone is interested in joining completed 50 years membership of SDGR in 2021. us do get in touch by email: [email protected] and Their names will go forward to the Guild AGM to be we can send you the information to join–or even set recognised as Honorary Life Members. up an individual Zoom call to give you some guidance. CALNE BRANCH BELL RESTORATION 200 CLUB Devizes Raise money for bell restoration and maintenance and win cash prizes Holy Cross, Seend During Covid For more information about the 200 Club or to request an application form, please contact the promoter, From Ann Blake: 2020 started as per normal by the Andrew Woolley, using the contact details: (H) 01249 ringing in of the New Year. Then it all stopped. We all 816260 (M) 07722 038262 email: [email protected] felt isolated and alone, no bell ringing, no social company, emails to each other but not face to face

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Branch News

meetings. Our Tower Captain, Len Murray, took it upon Dangers of the Branch himself to invite us all to a AGM! Zoom Meeting and then the fun began. We had all our regular ―On spotting an unsuspecting ringers taking part, plus those member dozing, Judith [Robertson] from the Rowde and from kindly suggested that, as he showed the necessary Melksham. Some we could see qualifications, he should be nominated as a committee member. This was quickly seconded, much to the surprise but not hear, others we could of the aforementioned member! I respectfully suggest hear but not see. We all people are more careful where and when they choose to eventually got there and doze off in future”. Face to Face No. 52, January 1992, started having zoom meetings Report of North Dorset AGM on 14 December 1991 by on Monday evenings instead of Hugh Walmesley White. the practices. The meetings were fun and encouraging. We “The following officers were elected: ... Treasurer, Les got to know more about each Dodd* ... (*This must be something of a record as Les had been a member of the SDGR for approximately 20 minutes other‘s work and hobbies, there were the quizzes when elected!)” Face to Face No. 57, May 1993, Report of from our ringing master and we were encouraged by Salisbury Branch AGM on 23 January 1993 by Barbara Len to send him photos of places we had visited Martin. Les writes (in 2021): ―I remember it well. The (when allowed to go out) and what we were all doing meeting had reached an impasse, the Treasurer did not to keep active at home or in the garden. He shared want to go on and nobody fancied the job. Being a new these online during the meetings and also kept us all boy I kept quiet. Silence reigned. I knew I could do it, so I up to date with Holy Cross and the tower. He shared raised my hand. No references were required, and I was pictures of the stripping down, cleaning and putting voted in. The branch was safe for another 19 years or so”. together of the Organ and pictures of Alan Bryer, our Steeple Keeper, replacing stays and maintaining the ringing chamber. Removing three strip lights and bells. We‘ve had weddings and funerals to ring for. (thanks to 8 hours work by a Westbury qualified The tenor was tolled for funerals, but for weddings electrician and ringer, Chris Jenkins) fitting 5x100 new methods had to be learnt as only three bells in LED lamps, the illumination is more in keeping with the tower could be rung, and ―three blind mice‖ 2021: and we can see! Two of the strip lights were needed to sound somewhat different for the bride and employed to ‗lighten the darkness‘ by the peal boards groom. The church entrance was made to look on the brown wood surround to the clock case. beautiful for one wedding with a floral arch surround Draught proofing some of the holes/ doors aids heat and alter bar [pictured above]. We have retained our retention. To christen it, and for Christmas morning, new ringers and we will also shortly have two new three 'Spring cleaners' (Di, Carolyn and Richard and ringers, Pam and Paul, currently living in Suffolk, who another St John‘s member (John New)) did ring even hopefully will be attending the tower when they have though the church cancelled Christmas services. completed their house move. They are taking part in During the cleaning process the church had a team in our Zoom meetings so we can all get to know each for two weeks fitting roof mounted solar pv and other. We have learnt about the ringing sessions on battery packs, which ‘sparked‘ (pardon the pun!) the Ding. Some of us have taken part and others have appearance of two PCC members. When the PCC not felt able, but we have all had some wonderful members saw the work out came ‗doesn‘t that look experiences that have kept our morale high and made much better‘. They didn‘t however offer money for us laugh at times. We had our Christmas party on more heaters! In total a good result with no more dim Zoom with mince pies, Santa Hats and jumpers. The light, lime wash, gloss paint, emulsion, etc. A fresh ringing at Christmas was just the treble, rung by floor covering is down but help with finding pew seat Steve Johnston, both before and after the service so coverings will be welcome at some stage-or lose the the congregation knew that the bells were still alive pews and get good comfy chairs! With the floor area and would ring again eventually. At Holy Cross we are at 7.5m x 4.5m and being 4m high it is a lot of floor/ all looking forward to a better year in 2021, wall to clear and little was done to the 4m high space improving our ringing skills and encouraging each above the ringing chamber. Next job is CCTV other. coverage of the church entrance (to spot the bride and groom leaving) and monitor the bells to add to New Look For St Mary‟s, Devizes the simulator use. Kit there: just needs installation!

From Richard Heath: Devizes Branch AGM a „Zooming After some 300 hours Success‟ spread over some 60

days, a small team of From Chris Bush: In this rather strange year, it was St John, Devizes decided that the Devizes Branch AGM on Saturday 9 ringers have cleaned January 2021 would have to be held via Zoom, as we and improved would be unable to meet up in person. We tried to (subjective) the include as many traditional elements of the day as ambiance in their

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Branch News

from a local family which greatly eases the remaining fund raising required [see page 8]. There are already five potential bell ringers eager to ring the restored bells. We were pleased to welcome Julian Hemper to the Committee. Chris Bush was elected as Publicity Officer following the retirement of Veronica Newman from the role. Other committee roles remained as the previous year and were re-elected en bloc. Of course, we also sadly lost Marion Moldon from the committee earlier in the year (RIP). Future ‗in person‘ events would be subject to the restrictions imposed by the current pandemic, but would be advised as soon as restrictions began to ease. With the meeting drawn to was possible. This meant that we held a ―Ding‖ a close, we had to imagine a traditional ringers‘ tea practice before and after the AGM, ably hosted by (those were the days). Despite the unusual nature of Giles Wood. An online service was led by Revd the AGM, it appeared to progress smoothly. Let us Richard Curtis of the Cannings and Redhorn team. We hope that next year we might be able to meet in then moved onto the meeting itself. There was a total person on 8 January 2022 at St James‘ Trowbridge of 38 attendees who managed to conquer the which has already been booked! technology to join the meeting. In a moment of silence, we remembered ringers we had lost during 2020. There were no nominations for HLM this year. Dorchester Five new members were elected: Margaret Glasgow (Corsley); Henny Mauwer (Corsley); Colin Wisbey Ramblings of a Chairman (Corsley); David Parsons (Trowbridge) and Gordon Taylor (Bradford-on-Avon). Their new members From Janet Ranger-Dennis: certificates have been posted, old school! Also What can I possibly write presented was a First Quarter Peal (on Ding) about when, for the past ten certificate to Andrew Lanham-Cook and a Personal months, there has been little Achievement Certificate to Carolyn Oliver for her first to no ringing. Last year, quarter peal on Ding (Carolyn is a probationer) [see despite the pandemic but page 13]. Many congratulations to all of them. remaining positive, our Current holders of competition trophies virtually Ringing Master, Robin Mears, presented these to the winners of 2020: arranged our normal branch  Novice Striking Competition trophy presented activities for 2021, with by Len Murray to Corsley. monthly practices and other  6-bell Striking Competition trophy presented annual events at different to Julian Ferrar for Melksham. towers. The Striking  Trophy for highest placed 6 bell tower in the 6 Competition in April was to be bell Striking Competition presented by Anne Picture taken from at Upwey, followed by our Willis to Jean Harkett for Westwood. December 2020 edition AGM in October and the Carol  8 Bell Striking Competition trophy presented of Tower Talk: http:// Service in December. Our by Julian Ferrar to David Godwin and John www.learningtheropes. calendar of events was not Sealy for Bradford. org/news/tower-talk- circulated to branch members  Charlie Andrews trophy (Chairman‘s award) issue-18 until we were more certain presented virtually to Giles Wood and David about the future. In January Norman for the development of Ding and Chris 2021 the branch committee made the decision to Bush for developing and producing the Branch cancel the Striking Competition due to the current Newsletters. situation with the Coronavirus. Most of us have not As in previous years, officers‘ reports had been rung since March last year and I am thankful to circulated to members prior to the meeting and these everyone who has kept in touch with each other, were speedily approved. The only slip up made was especially supporting those ringers who live alone. that the acceptance of the accounts, ably presented How marvellous that there are so many online events by Jean Harkett, was omitted from the meeting and to attend to keep us connected. It has been so nice to this will have to be ratified at the next branch see the faces of other ringers on the screen-I didn‘t committee meeting. It was proposed to change the know how much I missed them! I have been in touch accounting year to run from 1 October to 30 with our fellow ringers in the USA at Washington DC September each year, which would help with the National Cathedral. Under normal circumstances they preparation and independent examination of the would have rung on 20 January to celebrate the accounts required. Various bell restoration projects Inauguration of the new President but not this time, were reported on. Warminster Bells would be re-hung due to the current situation of both Coronavirus and in the first quarter of 2021, including the newly the unusual but necessary security measures that welded tenor and tuned bells. The South Wraxall bell were required. Wishing everyone good health-keep restoration project has received a donation of £40k and take care.

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Branch News

News from Long Bredy on 20th December and four of us rang for the Christmas Day service. You can hear some of these From Gwen Kinghorn and the ringers of St Peter's: on the Guild website: https://sdgr.org.uk/not-so- Here in Long Bredy, we have very much kept to silent-night-at-lytchett-matravers/ and you MIGHT ourselves and unfortunately due to the size of the even recognise a carol or two....or you might not. tower we have been unable to ring together since Whatever you hear it will at least be more than one March. We have adapted the treble bell so that we tower bell and we have had such fun and so many can chime it from the ground floor so we have been laughs along the way. In December we rang more able to call the villagers to church for each service. bells than we've rung all year! Sadly, we have tolled the tenor for the passing of four villagers. We ask the family first if they would like us ... a Cambodian New Year and ... to do this and after it is surprising how much comfort it has given them. We wish everyone a Happy and Healthy 2021, when possibly we can offer you a Ringers‘ tea in Long Bredy. [Hear, hear to that!] East Dorset

At Lytchett Matravers: Not So „Silent

Night‟ ... From Debbie Phipps: On 31st December 2020 Lytchett Matravers and friends rang in the Cambodian New Year! (yes you read that right). This was at 6pm our time but midnight in Cambodia as most of us were in bed by midnight UK time! Our last Ringing Room of the year thanks to our helpers. We rang diminishing rounds, then the Big Ben chimes, then the Tenor rang 12 times. Before that we rang the Cambodian Wave (Lytchett version). Actually it was a tsunami. Similar to a Mexican Wave, we had the first four bells making paces, the middle four bells dodging and the last four From Debbie Phipps: We have the bells, we have the bells making places. The waves came in slowly, build ringers, we have the enthusiasm [and Snowy the up and then died down again. Let‘s hope we can all Mascot, pictured centre]! Last year we had the meet up in person in 2021 to ring the tower bells and brilliant Clapper Chaos with us-this year we have welcome our two new ringers to the real thing. Happy Chaotic Clappers. We used to think our little cosy 2021. tower was friendly, warm and welcoming ... until this ... Virtual Ringing for a Virtual year! With no window, little ventilation, little space Service. between ringers and open to the rest of the congregation we have sadly only been able to ring one bell when we could ring at all. We then got closer to Christmas and the thought of just one bell ringing out at Christmas didn‘t really appeal. You can‘t stop the Lytchett Matravers band though, so we found a group of keen ringers, located the Branch Handbells and decided to give it a go. We have never rung handbells before so I had a couple of lessons from Alan and Kathy Bentley and got as far as trying out Queens, Kings etc and even progressed to ringing the first and last pairs for Plain Hunt. These skills now had to be urgently passed on to the rest of the Lytchett ringers. We were now beyond the first Lockdown and managed to get four ringers in the From Debbie Phipps: We already have a recording of garden to learn the technique of ringing hand and our ‗real‘ bells ringing out before and after our virtual back and then one more session with a different four. services. On Friday 15 January 2021 we duly Then the second lockdown came. Then it was managed to set up a mobile phone to do a recording mentioned that it might be nice to ring some carols. of virtual ringing by our band. We invited Stephen Eventually we collected together five carols. Hurray, [pictured top right] our vicar to join us for his first lockdown lifted and we managed two more practices virtual ring along with seven members of our band. I but this time with all of us. We were motivated and knew that Stephen had rung in the past so I was we were keen to be able to ring for the Christmas keen to ‗encourage‘ him to join in. To start with he services. Five of us DID ring before the Carol Service said ‗No‘ but I thought he would be fine just ringing at the back so I put him on bell 6. He was brilliant! We

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Branch News finished off by ringing down ‗In peal‘ and then cancelled due to low finished in Queens. Comments from one of our advanced numbers, but a ringers “We all managed to ring a few rounds and Doubles training session moved on to Plain Hunt, which was a great took place instead. Four achievement for a few of us, who have yet to do this Branch training sessions method in the bell tower”. Jack Pease kindly edited were held in January and the recording to cut out all the bits when we fell February with four learners about laughing. At the end of the service on Sunday at each covering ringing up/down in peal and 17th January, Stephen explained that he had joined Stedman Triples. All Officers that were standing again us for our practice and then the following video was were re-elected unopposed. There were no shown: https://youtu.be/kxD8DYHzR2M. Comments nominations for Training Officer but Debbie Phipps from the congregation/ Facebook following the agreed to consider the post. The Chairman expressed service: ―The bell video was great fun” and ―Brilliant!” his thanks on behalf of the Branch, to Gill Curlett for the excellent job she had done as Training Officer First East Dorset Branch Online (she was moving towards the end of the year to Northern Ireland). The Chairman then offered his Ringing Practice congratulations to Laurence Turner [pictured above right] for reaching HLM status as a result of 50 years From Debbie Phipps: On of membership. A draft copy of the Branch Schedule Saturday 2 January 2021 for 2021–2022 was circulated beforehand by the East Dorset ‗Branched‘ Ringing Master (Jack Pease). The LEBRF Trustee out to embrace the new (John Riley) stated that there had been no way to ring with friends. applications by, or grants to, towers in East Dorset in We were delighted to the last year. welcome 13 ringers to the East Dorset Ringing Room. For two of the Wimborne Minster „Real and Virtual‟ ringers it was their first time in a Ringing Room From Alan Bentley: The and for one, only the second. Most of the others were inaugural meeting of the seasoned online ringers, though everyone agrees it is Wimborne Ringers, weekly, a slightly different experience to ringing in a tower. virtual practice occurred on We rang various methods from Plain Hunt to Bob 12th January 2021, with a Minor. We would like to thank everyone for their core of ten members enthusiasm and particular thanks to Alan Bentley for taking part, ably led by keeping everyone in the right place. It was agreed to Harry who was voted in as continue with a regular practice for the foreseeable our first meeting‘s ‗Virtual future on the 1st Saturday of the month. Tower Captain‘. Three ringers have volunteered to run the practices on a rota basis with a plan for each. It‘s sometimes useful Branch AGM „Well Attended‟ to have 1-to-1 sessions beforehand. Comprehensive notes had been sent out in advance. We have not yet From Cathy Neyland: achieved the same degree of rhythmic ringing in the The East Dorset virtual tower that we would normally achieve with Branch AGM was held real bells, although the striking has improved after this year via Zoom on th two subsequent sessions. We have tended to keep to Saturday 9 January methods such as Plain Bob, Grandsire and Stedman, 2021. No ringing on 8 bells. Also, in a different ‗medium‘ the beforehand, no Wimborne Minster bells (the real ones) featured on service, and no tea! I Bells on Sunday on 7 February 2021. See link to the counted 38 members. All the Officer Reports and BBC website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/ Tower Reports had been sent out beforehand. Ben m000s17c. David Warwick adds: It‘s a recording we Duke, the Chairman, welcomed everyone especially made ourselves when we were practising for the Robert Wellen (Guild Master) and Kathryn Tyson National 12-bell competition in 2018. It‘s the (Guild Hon. Assistant General Secretary). He then Wimborne band which entered for that competition, invited members to have one-minute silence in ringing the test piece. We sent the recording to the memory of Richard Cox (Child Okeford) who died in BBC and they‘ve just got round to using it- February, and Jill Barker, Tower Captain at St. John‘s presumably running out of more recent material! (Bournemouth) who died in July. No new members were elected to the Guild and there were no First Peal or Quarter Peal certificates ‗presented‘. The Ringing East Dorset Website-Relaunched! Master reported that in the first three months of Jack Pease has completed a total rebuild of the 2020: the Branch practice at Wareham in February Branch website: was very well attended, the focus method being Stedman Caters. The March practice at Kingston was www.eastdorsetbranchbellringers.org

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Branch News

on Saturday 5th December Marlborough 2020 at Chilmark, having rung, sung during the service and enjoyed our The „Christmas Three‟ at Pewsey teas. The branch programme for 2021 From Lesley Walford: would have been agreed Three ringers in St. and voted on and branch John‘s Pewsey, ringing officers elected or re-elected. The branch accounts on Christmas morning, would have been discussed and approved and other appropriately masked branch business matters arising attended to. From and distanced of course. Len Roberts: Since it has not been possible to hold an That‘s Nigel, me and AGM this year, the branch committee proposed the Ceri, dressed smartly following as a way forward: After discussion via for the occasion as you email, the Mere Branch Committee decided to would expect. We gave recommend that all existing officers, with the a stunning rendition of three blind mice (which was exception of Publicity Officer, remain in post for 2021, auto corrected on WhatsApp to three blond mice) and and that the accounts as published be adopted. It brought the bells down in peal (pretty much) was with regret that the Committee learnt that Pat perfectly. Happy days. Were we pleased or what! But Kennedy wished to relinquish the post of Publicity have a closer look at that impressive grey and white Officer and we‘d like to extend our gratitude to her jumper I am wearing [pictured centre]. If you saw me for the work she has done in promoting both Branch on zoom any time over the last few months you will and Guild events. We were grateful that David perhaps recognize the jumper as that which was on Hurrion [pictured above right], a Committee Member the needles during those meetings. Well here it is, all and ringer at Sturminster Newton, agreed to be finished, and extremely warm in any draughty bell nominated for the post. All these recommendations tower. I love it and it is now my bellringing jumper of were duly approved by the membership. For some choice for the winter months. If only we were allowed gardeners and BBC local radio listeners the name to ring the bells! Happy New Year everyone! David Hurrion might be familiar, but for the benefit of all, I decided to find out a little bit about him. David says: ―For the last 30 years I‟ve worked in journalism Branch Update writing for and editing various gardening magazines, as well presenting on radio and TV. As a freelance, From Julie Miles: I‟m now the Associate Editor of BBC Gardeners‟ World As the pandemic Magazine, an RHS tender plant committee member progressed in and show judge, and still get great pleasure from my 2020 the Branch own garden as well as living in such a glorious part of committee looked the country. Having lived in Dorset for over 30 years, at how we could I‟ve been lucky enough to ring at Sturminster Newton keep in touch with since the start of 2018. As a child growing up within our members [pictured above, 30 November, Plain earshot of the bells in a small North Norfolk coastal Bob Doubles training]. We re-introduced the Branch town, I‟d always been keen to learn to ring. I hope Stay in Touch magazine and met up a few times on that I can fulfil the role of Publicity Officer well and Zoom. As we move into 2021 we have put together please don‟t hesitate to contact me if you have any some more concrete plans, including monthly theory local stories.‖ sessions which will continue to be online throughout the year, online branch catch ups for the times we Bells and Songs for can't meet in person and our monthly simulator Christmas‟ practices have restarted and will be on Ringing Room until we can get back to St From David Hurrion: Sturminster Mary's, Marlborough. We Newton had the treat of being optimistically set our calendar able to ring four bells on so we could meet in person Christmas morning, and the from March but it looks like sound echoing out over the town we'll be staying online a little and across the River Stour was longer. undoubtedly something to cheer Mike Durkee the hearts of parishioners and traditionally writes a local residents. Among those „bell ringing song‟ for Mere ringing was Mere Branch a Christmas meal, this year he has Secretary, Michael Williams who New Publicity Officer recorded it and said: ―To be able to ring call posted it on YouTube: changes and a little plain hunt, From Michael Williams: In normal circumstances, we https://youtu.be/ even for just a few minutes, would have held our branch Annual General Meeting tk_fnJI5nSs raised our spirits inside the

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Branch News tower and gave us the hope that one day we‟ll be New Chairman at Branch AGM able to ring all six bells together‖. Last year, whilst restrictions allowed, the three socially distanced bells at St Mary‘s had been rung under the enthusiastic supervision of tower captain Nick Dallison. From Mike and Maggie Durkee: Thanks to Mary Wilson and Paul Scaife for ringing the bells at Mere on Christmas morning. There has been a great response which I wanted to share; its nice to see that we are appreciated and that it won't be too long before we can hear all church bells ringing out for a brighter future. Just a few of the ‗reviews‘: ―Thank you all it was very Christmassy with the bells ringing this morning‖; ―Well done, lovely to hear the bells ringing today‖; ―I loved hearing the bells today. Didn‟t realise how much I miss hearing them‖ and ―It made our Christmas Day, the ringing was beautiful‖. From From Ian Davidson: There is something to be said for Angela Ward: We are hoping to ring the Silton bells holding a Branch AGM on Zoom in January, not least on Christmas for the first time since March. being able to sit in front of a roaring log fire!! So it was for Pat and I, when on 23rd January 2021, the first virtual AGM of the Salisbury Branch took place. Salisbury After the initial enthusiastic chatter, the proceedings began with a short Act of Worship compiled and led Single Bell at Stratford sub Castle by the Revd Jane Shaw, a Branch member and Associate Priest in the Upper Wylye Team. During this From Jim Platt: We have been ringing a single bell at time members and past members who had died St Lawrence's before the Sunday service since July. during the year were remembered. Albert Spreadbury During the first lockdown I was the only person (Branch Chairman) opened the meeting by welcoming allowed in St Lawrence‘s church. As well as winding everyone, especially our Guild President and Guild the 1740 clock every day, I exercised the organ as Master, by thanking Jane for the service and the Diocese requested (playing House of the Rising congratulating everyone for making it on-line, noting Sun which is one of the few tunes I can play on a that 34 members were present and that there had piano or organ) and rang a single bell [not at the been 18 apologies. In his report Chris Caryer (Ringing same time?] I rang for VE Day and I also rang for Master) summarised those events that took place at Thursday NHS clap and for people who had died in the start of 2020 before things were brought to a the village including Ron Johnson, David Todd's wife, halt. He noted that there had been sporadic ringing in Mary, and a 104 year old lady. The latter gave me some towers between lockdowns and that some some ringing practice! David was always meticulous people had tried their hand at virtual ringing. Louise about ringing as soon as he heard someone had died. Gay (Treasurer) presented the accounts which I have tried to keep up the tradition. I am using the showed a surplus on the year due to the lack of number 4 as it is the oldest bell, 1594, which seems events. They were approved by the meeting. Finally appropriate for historic moments. all the Officers and Committee were re-elected except for the Chairman who stood down, after four years, for personal reasons. I agreed to step into the post Ding and Ringing Room Uptake for one year in the hope that somebody would come forward before the next AGM. Albert was thanked From Ron West: The Coombe (after the meeting) for all his efforts and especially Bissett ringers have kept in contact for instigating the Summertime ‗Bells and Beer‘ throughout the pandemic and have evenings which had been very popular. It is hoped rung for Sunday services as that these will continue in some form when we are permitted. Having heard about the able to get together again. workshops led by Giles Wood [pictured left] on 'Ding' they decided they would like to have a West Dorset go. We had our first session on Jan 12th 2021 at which Giles kindly joined us to help us. We have continued to meet weekly on Tuesday evenings and Going Forward! have now been joined by two other ringers, David and Chris. We are making good progress with plain From Nick Baker: Another year has passed since our hunt-it is good fun and we are getting in some extra West Dorset Branch AGM and what a strange year it has been! The first few months included Christmas practice in our own time with Bob! From Vicki ringing, eight bell plain and surprise practices and a Rowse: Also I am starting a virtual practice with the mini outing with skittles and an excellent supper Nadder Valley Ringers on Wednesday, using Ringing provided by Sylvia! On March 23rd it all came to an Room. abrupt end. The committee have concluded that even

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Branch News before the current national lockdown it wasn't going the five available ringers so that‘s bells were rung to be possible to hold an AGM in any meaningful each Sunday morning until the next lockdown form. We decided that a virtual meeting would not brought it to a stop. Unfortunately two of our ringers appeal to a great number of people. We have decided have resigned in the year, one through age and one that we will treat this year as if it didn't happen and has moved house. I fear we may have lost our hopefully rejoin our 2020 programme in 2021 at the learners as well, so the band is rather fragile but we approximate point we left it this year. The committee will see when life gets going again. At Beaminster the have all agreed to stay on for another year in their church clock has no face, but marks the time each current roles. We will also make it possible to elect quarter of an hour with chimes. Five times a day the new members if there are any at this time. Although mechanism plays the tune ‗Hanover‘. Hearing that we have not been ringing for the last eight months tune sounding out daily through the town is a our officers have still been working behind the reminder of the church and it‘s lovely bells. scenes. From David Barrance: Going forward I believe that things may well change in terms of how the For The Less Church works locally. I have heard from East Devon Experienced sources that there are plans afoot to more tightly merge Team Ministries, reducing the number of From Ben Duke, our Handbook and services in each individual church, and look more Annual Report Editor, material due to be towards rotational Sunday Worship. published this spring, but which could not because of Covid: https:// News from Bridport sdgr.org.uk/annual-report-2019/ To be serialised in four parts.

From Jan Summerton: The bells Part 3: Plain Bob Doubles were able to be rung on Christmas

Day and again on New Year‘s Day The work for each bell at the end of the first lead. 2021 at St. Mary‘s. There was an Bell 2 At the end of the first lead, as the treble leads, bell article in The Bridport News on New 2 dodges 3-4 down i.e. it hunts down to 3rds place (at Year‘s Eve explaining how the hand-stroke) which has to be pulled a little harder so that Christmas ringing was done and the next backstroke strikes in 4ths place; on the next how it would be repeated for New handstroke the sally has to be caught a little higher so it is Year. It also happened to be the rung more quickly to strike back into 3rds place and then 85th birthday of Sam Dunn, who continues to hunt to the lead. Bell 3 makes 2nds place over the treble and leads again. has maintained the church clock and Bell 4 makes long fifths, over two bells alternately, in this been a ringer for many years. In the case bells 2 and 5, so both backstokes in 5ths place are Pictured: the article, the reporter, Bradley White, over bell 2 and both handstrokes are over bell 5. device being wrote: ―With Covid-19 restrictions Bell 5 dodges 4-3 up, so after striking in 4ths place at operated by bell putting a stop to the bell ringers handstroke while hunting up the next backstroke has to ringer Tony meeting, the group made use of a cut in to 3rds place but in order to get the following Wakeling. rare bell ringing system ... called an handstroke back into 4ths place to continue hunting up the Ellacombe apparatus...Prior to backstroke in 3rds place has to be pulled rather harder than normal. 2020, the device had not been used for many years, but has continued to be maintained by bell ringer Circle of Work Sam Dunn. For this reason, the group has decided to rename the device „the Samathon‟”. From Elizabeth Skinner: My husband and I are moving away from 2nds 3-4 down Bridport in a couple of weeks to North Stoneham, Eastleigh in order to be nearer our son, daughter-in- law and little grandchildren. I'm sorry to be moving out of the SDGR area and shall miss ringers in the 3-4 up Long 5ths West Dorset branch. I have already made contact with what will be my local tower (St Nicolas, North Stoneham). I don't know any ringers in that diocese, Ringing Plain Bob Doubles by where you pass the but I am sure there are lovely people and look treble (this assumes there is no call at the next lead end). forward to joining in the ringing there. If you pass the treble in 1-2, make Next work: dodge 2nd over it and lead again 4-3 down Bells Still Ring at Beaminster If you pass the treble in 2-3 on the Next work: make

way up, dodge 3-4 up 2nds over the From Jill Parr: It should be our tower AGM this week treble (January 2021) but, like everything else, it has been put ‗on-hold‘. Last summer, when limited ringing was If you pass the treble in 3-4 on the Next work: dodge allowed Chris Luckraft organised a rota of ringers so way up, do long fifths 3-4 up that three or four bells could be rung safely each If you pass the treble in 4-5 on the Next work: 4 blows Sunday. I must say thank you to Chris for organising way up, dodge 4-3 down in 5ths

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Obituaries

F Alan Knight (HLM) all the ringers regularly for Sunday services and weddings. (27th February 1940-28th October 2020) He had a lovely gentle disposition and was always friendly and willing to participate and could always be relied upon. From Mark Symonds: Francis Alan We will certainly miss him and his cheery smile. His funeral Knight was born in Whitchurch was held at St. Mary's Bridport on 4th December 2020. Canonicorum, west Dorset, on the 27th February 1940, born in the Paul Francis McCombie house that the Knight family owned (16 June 1959-24 December 2020) from 1884 until 2005. Alan lived with his father, mother and sister Sylvia. From Heather McCombie: We have Their house in the centre of the heard from the Coroner that Paul's village was in earshot of the local death on 24 December 2020 was Church; the Church that would play a caused by a sudden cardiac arrest due big part in Alan's life. He joined the to coronary artery disease and choir from a young age and at the myocardial fibrosis. This is surprising age of 10 learnt to ring. He was as he was always so fit, had a healthy elected a member of the Salisbury lifestyle and never showed any Pictured in 2015, Guild in 1952. After leaving school symptoms-however this had obviously Brenda and Alan Alan followed in his father‘s footsteps been developing for some time and I (Dorset Echo: and joined the Post Office and later gather it is not unusual for heart https:// would become postman for disease to remain 'hidden' in this way www.dorsetecho.co. Whitchurch until his retirement. Alan until something triggers a fatal crisis. uk/news/). met Brenda Travers in 1957 and they We believe that the strenuous exertion on a very cold married in 1960; they moved into a morning was the trigger, alas. The funeral took place on new bungalow in the village where Thursday 21st January at Semington Crematorium. However they would live all their married life. Two children followed, a due to the crisis situation with the pandemic attendance was son Andrew and a daughter Amanda, who along with Brenda limited to 15-20. Graeme Byfield attended to represent the would all end up ringers at Whitchurch. The Knight family Warminster bellringers. The service was webcast and the have been living in the Parish for over four hundred years Guild Master, representing the Guild attended by this and been associated with the ringing at Whitchurch for means. It is hoped that once things get back to some sort of nearly two hundred years. When two new bells were added normality, and not least that we get our bells back, we can in 1603 Mr John Knight was churchwarden. In 1912, when arrange some sort of ringing tribute to Paul. Thank you all two more bells were added, Charles Knight Senior was tower for your lovely messages. It's been such a massive shock, captain. His son Charles Knight Junior (Alan's Grandfather and still seems quite unreal. and sixty years a ringer at Whitchurch) took over as captain and in 1931 was able to ring the eight bells at Whitchurch Geoffrey Findlay (ALM) with his three daughters, three sons and one of his grandsons. Frank Knight (Alan's father) took over as captain From Alison McFee: Geoffrey moved to in 1954 and served for twenty four years until a accident at Ramsbury in 1981 and was soon home left him paralyzed from the waist down. Alan would persuaded to take up bell ringing by the become captain a few years later, a post he would hold until combined efforts of some neighbours. 2002 when he retired due to ill health. He retired as He was taught to ring by Ronny Price churchwarden at the same time. Alan always maintained (Tower Captain at Holy Cross for many that ringing played, and plays, a important part in the years) and quickly became a very church community, and he took great delight in teaching valued member of the Holy Cross many children and adults from the village to ring the bells at ringing team. He very much enjoyed his Whitchurch. Alan and Brenda remained loyal ringers for time as a ringer and in particular taking many years and both served on the West Dorset Branch part in this very old and unique English Committee. Alan became an Honorary Life Member of the tradition as well as contributing to Guild in 2002 and Brenda the same in 2009 after both village life. Geoffrey also arranged the Holy Cross Open reached 50 years membership of the Guild. He rang many Tower days and took great pleasure in showing visitors quarters and Frank his father, conducted a Peal of Stedman around the ringing chamber and bell tower. Geoffrey had to Triples at Whitchurch which included three local ringers. retire from ringing about 4 years ago and sadly passed away They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on the 9th on Christmas Day 2020. July 2020. Although unable to ring over recent years Alan always took a keen interest in village life. His passing leaves Stay Updated a large hole in the local community. [On examining on the Central Council (CCCBR) website: PealBase, it appears that Alan rang only one peal; the tenor to Stedman Triples, at Lyme Regis on 19 February 1963]. https://cccbr.org.uk/coronavirus/

Also on our own Guild website and in Guild Bulletins via Peter Fuszard your Branch Secretary.

From Jan Summerton: Pete was a member of the St. Mary's, Bridport band from 1983 until 2012. He was Vice Captain in 1996 and 1997. His wife, Eileen Grandsire Doubles on Zoom was Secretary and Treasurer of our band for many years and they were both Tuesday 2nd March at 7.30pm. committed ringers, along with their The session will be presented by Chris daughters, Tricia and Debbie. He was not Bush. All Welcome. Bookings by email:

interested in ringing peals, or striking [email protected] competitions but really enjoyed ringing with his family and

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„The Back Page‟

Channel Islands Join Us ... In d u r i n g L e n ‘ s Z o o m meeting, rounds and plain Lockdown hunt was rung under the guidance of Alan (Deputy From Helen McGregor: Left Tower Captain) to surprise and congratulate Len and it is is an aerial photo of St hoped to continue with Ding practises in the future. Anne‘s, Alderney, home to the only 12 bell peal in the Channel Islands. Having For A Ringers‟ Tea-Fourth Slice: been augmented in The Dark Side summer 2013 and now in a From Len Murray: [as featured brand new frame, the left] Don‘t you miss the Ringers‘ bells are a very 'ringable' Teas? I know I do. Towers are 13cwt, as evidenced by graded by the standard of the tea they provide just as much as the being chosen as the venue ringing quality of their bells and for the successful attempt of the longest peal on 12 ever condition of their ropes and rung-25,056 changes of Bristol S Max in October 2017. We sallies! Over the years I have do not require all our visitors to ring for 16hrs and 7 minutes often made cakes for teas, coffee -so as soon as visitors are again permitted we look forward walnut–always a popular choice. to welcoming all our new SDGR friends. From Jane Le Conte: However, this recipe was my Well I couldn‘t let Alderney outdo Guernsey! Town Church mother‘s favourite chocolate cake, although I‘ve adapted it slightly and (not one to brag!) it did get first place in the Guernsey booked its AGM in the expectation of meeting face Seend Flower & Produce Show a couple of years ago! You will to face; with a week to go we were plunged into a second need to preheat the oven 180°C (160°C fan), Gas Mark 4, lockdown and so the meeting was held over Zoom. Tower grease and line an 8 inch (or whatever the metric equivalent Captain, Duncan Loweth produced his report [extract is) cake tin and tie a collar of double thickness brown paper below], in which he reminded everyone how-as Duncan puts around the outside. Ingredients: 150g soft margarine, 250g it-‖joyous it is to be part of a band”. ―We must be mindful of dark brown sugar, 3 large eggs, 250g plain flour, 1½ tsp how lucky we are to have been ringing at all this past year baking powder, 1tsp bicarbonate of soda, 225ml hot water with 2tbl spoons of black treacle dissolved in and allowed to as our friends in Jersey and the UK have suffered such a cool (or 225ml Guinness if you prefer), 75g cocoa. Method: long time away from their towers. During lockdown a few of Cream the margarine and sugar until light and fluffy, add the us kept the little grey cells firing by ringing on Ringing Room eggs one at a time beating thoroughly after each is added– although we suffered more poor Wi-Fi related fire-outs than easier if you have an electric mixer. Sieve together the dry method mistakes. However, Jane, Joseph and I did ring a ingredients and fold into the creamed mixture, adding the quarter peal of Bob Minor in hand on the site with only one liquid until you have a loose batter–add 50ml of vegetable oil interruption when Jane‟s cat jumped on the laptop and to make your cake really moist! Bake in the centre of your oven for one hour, check it is cooked by inserting a knife or clicked all the wrong buttons! I hope that in many ways skewer into the middle–it should come out clean. Leave to 2021 will be a very different year to 2020 but I cannot deny cool slightly before removing from the tin. When cold split in that in the tower we ended the year on a definite high. It two, sandwich together with chocolate buttercream and finish has not been luck or magic that has brought us here, rather the outside with whatever you like–this one is slathered [what the hard work, concentration, time, effort and energy you a lovely culinary word!] with more chocolate buttercream and have all put into your ringing and the care and support you piped around the crown…enjoy! [Boy, that looks good!!] have shown each other. The bells do not make a bell tower, Many, many thanks to our four bakers, Sheila, Andrea, the ringers do, and you have made the Town Church belfry a Debbie and Len for our Ringers‟ Tea-marvellous. To others joyous place to be and for that I thank you”. who have sent in recipes, thanks also, they will be published in forthcoming editions. Now I must put the kettle on .... Len‟s Surprise „Ding‟

From Chris Purnell and Alan Bryer: During lockdown, Len Murray, Tower Captain at Seend, has regularly kept in touch with his local ringers by hosting a Who Zoom call each Monday instead of the is the usual Tower Bell Practice. This has been „Real‟ much appreciated and has been great Vicki fun with photographs and yarns shared on by all. When it was realised that Len Zoom was going to retire at the end of January, several of his Sunday Service ringers decided to learn to ―Ding‖ so that ??? they could mark this important event at a time when nothing else was allowed. On Monday 1st February 2021

Face to Face is the acknowledged Newsletter of the Salisbury Diocesan Guild of Ringers First published in 1975, the publication is now produced three times a year and circulated free to all affiliated towers throughout the Guild, as well as going to various other bodies. On the Guild website: https://sdgr.org.uk/face-to-face/ Compiled and edited by Robert Wellen Tel: 01747 825131 E-mail: [email protected] Guild Hon Gen Sec: Vicki Rowse Tel: 01722 714877 E-mail: [email protected] Webmaster: Ian Mozley E-mail: [email protected] Guild website: https://sdgr.org.uk/ Printed by https://www.helloprint.co.uk/ No copyright infringement is intended with the use of any text, images or graphics used in this publication.

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