THE PUBLICATION OF THE DURHAM AND NEWCASTLE DIOCESAN ASSOCIATION OF CHURCH RINGERS

THE D&N TIMES

ISSUE 1 JUNE 2015

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

GOINGS ON IN THE 2 UPDATE: RINGING TO REMEMBER SOUTHERN DISTRICT RACHAEL HOUCHIN, DURHAM GOINGS ON IN THE 2 CENTRAL DISTRICT Since the last issue of THE TIMES, the Ring- Bamburgh and Earnest Ransom Mundle of GOINGS ON IN THE 4 ing to Remember project has gotten under Jesmond. During May and June there will NORTHERN DISTRICT way, with commemorative ringing taking be ringing for Jack Stewart of Darlington, place across the Association. Philip Hall of Bamburgh, Cecil Sayer of RECYCLED 5 RINGERS If the scope and intention of this project has Sunderland and Archibald Hetherington of passed you by, then let me remind you: Allendale. NO BATS IN OUR 5 ! ‘Ringing to Remember’ is the Association’s Details of these soldiers, and the associated five-year long project which aims to remem- commemorative ringing, can be found on A STRANGE 6 ber the forty- ringers from the D&N pages 13-15 of this edition of THE TIMES REQUEST who fell during the First World War. and also on the Ringing to Remember Blog. BUSY TIMES AT 6 JESMOND ST GEORGE! The is truly a monumental task to under- If you are interested in getting involved in take, but it is the very least that we can do to ringing then please contact Rachael HOLY WEEK 7 RINGING recognise the sacrifice of these people. Houchin. If you have any further infor- The first piece of ringing was on 16th De- mation about any of the ringers who died EIGHT THEN 8 cember for Alix Oliffe Liddle of Darlington during the war, or wish to share details of EIGHT-SPLICED and continued with ringing for Thomas Hen- commemorative ringing then please get in FIRST 9 ry Wake and Wilfred Hereward Wake of touch with Ellen Crabtree.

ROPE SPLICING 9 WORKSHOP

ST. OSWALD’S 10 HARTLEPOOL BELL PROJECT

V.E DAY 11 RINGING

The 70th Anniversary of V.E. Day RINGING TO 13 KAREN DICKINSON, NORTH SHIELDS REMEMBER

FROM THE 16 Many towers of the D&N joined in with Ponteland, Sunderland and North Shields CENTRAL COUNCIL ringing on Friday 8th, Saturday 9th or Sun- also completing further ringing over the 17 day 10th to commemorate the cessation of course of the weekend. GIFT AID hostilities in Europe at the end of WWII. THE 2015 CALENDAR 19 Quarter peals were rung at Ovingham, Pon- teland, Hartlepool, Rothbury, Durham, Thank you to all involved! D&N DINNER MASONIC HALL DURHAM Willington and Shincliffe with Allendale, OCTOBER 24TH 2015 Lanchester, St Cuthbert's Darlington, Ry- Further details of the ringing that was carried out ton, Barnard Castle, Berwick-upon-Tweed, over the course of the weekend can be found on Hexham, Shildon, Bamburgh, Gosforth, pages 11and 12. ISSUE 1 PAGE 2

GOINGS ON IN THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT JACK HANLON, HARTLEPOOL

The year so far has been great for the contribute to the restoration appeal by by half a point – better luck next time. Southern District. We started it with a purchasing some raffle tickets at any Hexham, you need to watch out! There District Meeting at Darlington, Holy major D&N event. The raffle contains a have been 18 Tower Bell quarters at St Trinity, (somehow we managed to fine selection of Richards’s alcoholic Cuthbert’s so far this year, half of squash twenty-nine ringers into the beverages and will be drawn at the An- which were Surprise Major and, of very small belfry) and Hurworth. nual Dinner in October. St. Oswald’s which, three of these were spliced. This There is now regular ringing at St. was also host to a of is a great achievement for our ringers John’s as they have been greatly im- Caters in February, in memory of Rich- who continue to learn new methods proved by having a small working team ard. and practice them at our advanced attend to them last year. Stephen Recently, we held a 12 bell practice at practices and then solidify them by Duguid is trying to resurrect a band at Stockton and were joined by the Cen- ringing a long extent. Other quarters the church, and has attracted a few po- tral District. This collaboration worked rung include Surfleet, Stedman, Grand- tential ringers who are being taught at very well and was great to see a packed sire and Kent. Continued thanks goes St. Cuthbert’s. They had a very good -out tower. The night got off to an ex- to Chris Enzor for organising these write up in the Northern Echo, which citing start with a broken stay, but soon quarter peals. was good publicity for the church and it got back under control with some great At the time of reading, we will have is to be a hive of activity this year, with 12 bell ringing of Little Bob and Grand- enjoyed a very fine trip around North the Association 8 Bell Striking Compe- sire. There was lots of firsts; first on Yorkshire, ringing at six towers includ- tition being held on Saturday 13th June 12, first on 10, first plain hunt on 10 ing Felixkirk, Whorlton and Cowesby, (have you entered a team?!), and having and first broken stay, to name a few! to name a few. Over 30 people are on a Southern District Advanced Practice In the recent 6 Bell Striking Competi- the list to attend and we should have every other Tuesday. Our advanced tion at St. John’s, Newcastle, it was some great ringing and fellowship that practices are open to anyone to come very nearly a victory for St. Cuthbert’s day. along, but the minimum you need to be who narrowly missed out to Hexham I extend my thanks to all the ringers able to ring is Plain Bob Minor. A lot of who come out and ring for services, us, myself included, are currently practices, weddings and funerals, and ‘Battling with Bristol’! who continue to support and keep alive In March we held a great day out to our great tradition. Andrew Frost and Newcastle, where we rang at Heworth, Anthea Enzor do a superb job of Chair- St. John’s, Benwell, and Fenham. The man and Ringing Master respectively; battle of that day was most certainly without them and their enthusiasm our Benwell – these challenged even district would be a much less exciting our most experienced ringers! place. April saw St. Oswald’s Church in Har- tlepool host the Memorial Service for Please do get with Secretary Jack Richard Turner, a district stalwart who Hanlon [email protected] or was tragically killed in November of Ringing Master Anthea Enzor; acen- last year. This occasion was very much [email protected] if you want to know more a celebration of life, and was proceeded about what’s going on in the Southern Dis- by a fantastic bring and share dinner. trict. The service contained some good cho- ral numbers with the D&N Choir being ably conducted by Kris King. Richard Things go Bump when would have most certainly approved of you strike? Matthew Atherton’s performance of Widor’s Toccatta on the organ. Don’t Panic! We are hoping to have a significant CONTACT THE D&N amount of work done on the bells at St. BELL MAINTAINANCE Oswald’s and have already started re- Stephen Duguid and Kate Millar ADVISOR moving all the sand from the bell pits – at St. John’s Darlington Howard Smith a gruesome job! You could always help PAGE 3 THE D&N TIMES

GOINGS ON IN THE CENTRAL DISTRICT ROBERT CRIDDLE, BRANCEPETH

As usual, the past six months have been St. Brandon’s, Brancepeth DUSCR for taking part. Well done, rather busy for the Central District – too, to everybody who joined in the with a whole array of varied and enjoy- joint Central & Southern District 12- able events taking place. The first of bell practice at Stockton in April, which these was the Annual District Meeting was yet another popular evening. which was held in November at At an Association level, the District Lanchester, when the 2014 District hosted three events during the period – Officers were unable to escape re- the Carol Service at South Shields in election for 2015. The ADM was also December, the Tower Representatives’ tinged with sadness as the District Meeting in February (again, at Shin- marked the sudden passing of our good cliffe!) and the AGM in April (at Bran- friend Richard Turner. Although prin- cepeth). The AGM in particular was a cipally associated with the Southern well-attended and varied day – with District, Richard spent many years and also a rope splicing workshop in ringing on the steel bells at Willington, working around Durham, and a put a February. The workshop, organised by and on , mini-ring and tower lot of time and effort into helping inex- Ellen Crabtree, proved to be a huge bells at Brancepeth, followed by a su- perienced ringers – particularly Uni- success – with attenders from both the perb tea attended by over 75 people. versity of Durham students – to pro- Central and Northern Districts, who gress through Surprise Major quarter were ably assisted by expert volunteer Thanks are due to everybody who has peals through the use of the affection- tutors from as far away as Nottingham! helped to make the past six months ately named “Turner Ladder”. Richard Thanks are due to everybody who such a success for the District – espe- was a regular visitor at District events, helped to make this particular event cially those who have provided such and he is certainly sadly missed by a lot such a worthwhile morning. excellent teas at Shincliffe (particularly of people. tasty soup and bread), Brancepeth (lots The District’s second full meeting of of quiche and salads) and Ryton (very Rather unusually, the first two months the year was at Blaydon and Ryton in enjoyable cucumber sandwiches). We of 2015 saw District events taking place May – where we were unfortunate look forward to the second half of at the same tower: Shincliffe hosted enough to have to elect a new District 2015, which begins both the District meeting in January, Chairman. After over sixteen years in with our District the north-east, including six years as “firsts” quarter peal Chairman, Richard Bimson has made month during June the difficult decision to relocate to – when we hope Leicestershire – taking Izabelle with that many people him. The Bimsons have been enthusias- will rise to new and tic members of the District, particularly exciting challenges! at Brancepeth and Shincliffe, and will be very much missed by their friends in the area – they were presented with a Mr Bimson look- ing overwhelmed variety of gifts from the District at the as the CD thank AGM to wish them well. Alex Pym was him and Izabelle elected to replace Richard as Chairman for their contri- – so many thanks are due to both Rich- butions to the ard for his many years of service, and to district Alex for volunteering to take on this key District position. Please do get in touch with Rob Crid- On a ringing-related note, three bands dle (Secretary; [email protected]), took part in the District striking contest Ellen Crabtree (Ringing Master; at Heworth in March, and went on to [email protected]) or take a the Association final at St John’s, New- look on the D&N website if you’d like The mini ring being used to full castle, in May – well done and thanks more information on forthcoming Cen- effect inside the church! to South Shields, Durham St Nic’s, and tral District events. PAGE 4 THE D&N TIMES

GOINGS ON IN THE NORTHERN DISTRICT PETER DAWSON, NEWCASTLE

After consultation at last November’s their first chance to ring at a 12 (Leeds 6 BELL AGM, the ND officers are trialling Minster) outside our own Association. STRIKING COMPETITION RESULTS: some changes to the sequence of ND Mirroring our Association events to the 12 faults Hexham Method events this year. We have held two commemorate each D&N ringer who 12.5 faults Darlington traditional, ring, service, tea and meet- fell in the First World War, with a 14 faults South Shields ing events, in February at Newburn and quarter peal at the individual’s tower, 16.5 faults St. Nicholas, Durham in June at Bamburgh and Embleton. Howard has also organised quarter 17 faults Ponteland The beginning of March saw our dis- peals to be rung at Newcastle Cathe- 22 faults Hexham CC trict striking competition take place at dral. The commemorative plaque itself 28 faults DUSCR Cramlington, with 8 bands entering. is sited inside the Cathedral on a pillar On the same day we held a focussed at the bottom of the entrance to the Finally, looking to the coming months, ‘Cambridge S Major morning’ at SJB, ringing chamber. This is a project that our July event will be replaced with the Newcastle, in which three people want- will span five years. If you are interest- Hexham Abbey Challenge. Please see ing to progress from ringing surprise ed in being involved in the commemo- the advert insert on this page for de- minor to major was the focus. All rative ringing at the Cathedral, please tails. The Hexham Abbey Challenge is three ringers have made great progress get in touch. a call change striking contest on 10 and have been spotted ringing the prac- We have also hosted the final of the bells which Hexham hosts every other tised method at recent Association Association’s 6-Bell Striking Competi- year. It is intended to promote good events! A week later we assisted in tion, which was held was held at SJB, striking on 10 bells and to be accessible running a training day organised by the Newcastle on 9th May. It was a fun to most ringers. It is open to ringers Gosforth ringers aimed at providing a afternoon with plenty of sunshine, tea from anywhere, not just the D & N. A platform for ringing Stedman. Well and coffee. Well done to the Hexham team can represent a tower, but it done to those progressing and thank Method band and commiserations to doesn’t have to: it could be made up of you to the helpers at both events. As in the Southern District band from Dar- ringers from different towers and could the past couple of years we held the ND lington who very narrowly missed out! choose any name for itself. quiz evening, this year’s at Newcastle Cathedral on 30th March, once again Please get in touch with Secretary Helen Dawson ([email protected]) with Karen as our quiz master. This or Ringing Master Peter Dawson ([email protected]) if you’d like more also doubled as our April event due to information on forthcoming Northern District events. Holy Week falling on our usual Satur- day. Saturday 2nd May finally gave us the chance to move away from the tra- ditional Saturday event, with it being replaced by a two hour practice at Fen- ham. Initial conclusions were encour- aging – it was noted that attendance was strong from the beginning of the practice – which usually hasn’t been the case on meeting Saturdays. It was also the first opportunity for quite some time that we have had sufficient num- bers to ring the standard 8 Surprise Major spliced in a touch. We have held two further mid-week practices at Hex- ham and the Cathedral aimed at ringing on higher numbers. Although numbers were slightly lower it allowed for some focus for those who did attend. Thanks must go to Clive who organised a fantastic ND trip to the area around Leeds in April, some of the ringers got

ISSUE 1 PAGE 5

RECYCLED RINGERS JIM CROWTHER, WHICKHAM Jim is watching you During the 1960s, 70s, 80s and 90s a The exodus leaves a vacuum in the fam- ming, even after a long absence, you do considerable number of young people ily home and quite often these ex- not forget how to do it. Also, with learned to ring at Whickham. ringing parents will have plenty of new method ringing, such people require Typically...they grew up! found time on their hands...for bell very little relearning time. Also, during They left for university or, worse still, ringing. their long absence they mature and they got married and had children and, Here are some good examples of ex- return to the belfry with a wealth of once that happened, they were gone. Whickham teenagers who fell into one experience and can become much more Usually they were lost to ringing and or the other above categories and have significant in their own right. rarely seen again. Heard this one be- been successfully approached...and fore? Ring any bells? RECYCLED back into ringing. But I kept track of the vast majority of Bill and Brenda Davidson (now Ponte- them and then hung around with the land), Duncan Davis, Eve Howell and patience of a vulture waiting to swoop Christine Morrison (Whickham), Nora on either of the following circumstanc- Emerson and John Thompson es. (Tanfield). ‘Offspring Ringers’ include 1) Once the children reached the mini- Jenny Davis and Nia and Howell Hurst. mum bell ringing age... All are now ringing regularly and mem- Time for vulture sweep! bers of the D&N. I offer to teach their children bell han- I have had some refusals and setbacks, dling. This is quite sly, because the ex- also have some current works in pro- ringing parent has no choice but to gress, these ex-ringers are currently transport them, resulting in two ringers unaware! for the price of one. However, the number of successes Recycled Ringers (who were part of the 2) The other opportunity is when you demonstrates that this method of re Whickham band in the 1970s) enjoying have missed the first one. Wait till the the 2015 Whickham Trip in January. In establishing ringers is worthwhile and fact, 4 of them rang in the first ever D&N children leave the nest. fruitful, for there are positive benefits 6 Bell striking contest! Time for vulture sweep! with this trick. For ringing is like swim-

NO BATS IN OUR BELFRY! ANN CROSS, GOSFORTH

A couple of Saturdays ago after ringing mess teetering on this rickety old thing to celebrate V.E. Day, some of our but came to the conclusion that maybe band stayed on to have a massive clean it was just there out of the way. and tidy of not only the ringing room (Just to satisfy the curious, there were plenty but the bell chamber as well. Under Hard work did have its rewards though, of old pigeon nests and cobwebs, but not a the guidance of Vic Spong (who has and when the dusting and sweeping and sign of a bat anywhere!) been itching to do this for years!) we clearing were finished we de-camped to

donned dust masks, picked up brushes, the Upper Room of the Hall to tuck brooms and dusters, and cleaned the into a well-earned lunch of pizza, salad rooms from top to bottom, filling six and cakes. bin liners of rubbish from the belfry Our Tower Captain was still on ‘sick alone, including a number of old pigeon leave’ and not able to take part in all of nests and a considerable amount of pi- this, so we’re hoping that he notices a geon droppings. One item we discard- big difference in the surroundings when ed wouldn’t fit into a bin bag however: he next climbs the stairs. a wooden chair - or at least part of it, since most of the essential structure Thirteen year-old Gosforth was missing; it was more of a stool in ringer Charlie Lamb takes a break fact. We wondered just who would from helping clean up want to sit up amongst the bells and the the bell chamber.

PAGE 6 THE D&N TIMES

A STRANGE REQUEST DUNCAN DAVIES, FROSTERLEY

The landlord of the Black Bull in Frost- and the performers walked into the King, stepped into the spotlight. erley, Duncan Davis, had a strange re- spotlight. He lifted the mood with an entertaining quest from one of his customers. Duncan Davis, with the help of a model discourse on bell ringing throughout Apparently, her brother-in-law was bell, explained the principle of full cir- England and its vital role in keeping suffering from terminal cancer and he cle ringing while the audience watched brewers . wished to see the bells of the Black Bull the real bells turning, through the glass He was indeed a hard act to follow, but being rung. panel of the bell chamber. Matt Hetherington stepped up to the The date of Friday 13th of March was Rounds were explained as the bells mark and was able to impress the parts set and the landlord set about organis- rang in front of their very eyes with the of the audience who remained awake ing a bell ringing presentation. glitterati showing their mettle with a when he nonchalantly divulged that he The audience travelled up from some- flash of plain hunt on four. regularly rang a bell weighing a where in the deep south of England and Gradually, the science and mystery of smidgeon less than two tons. enjoyed a pre-performance supper in was unveiled in bite- Two ladies swooned and medicinal the bar. sized nuggets. brandy was brought from the bar. Theatre seating was set out around the Then came the "stand up”. The evening ended with the audience ringing cicle and dramatic theatre light- First on was Durham Bell Major, all participating in rounds on twelve ing lit the ropes. “Chirpy" Christopher Crabtree with an followed by a drinking demonstration Some of the glitterati of the D&N were enthralling talk on the history and herit- in the pub. enlisted for the ringing exhibition and age of the Durham Cathedral bells. Many thanks to Christopher Crabtree, the stage was set for a memorable even- His chilling tales of wobbly towers and Richard & Izabelle Bimson, Matt & ing. long spiral stairs unnerved the listeners, Jessie Hetherington, Matt & Jess At 8pm the audience filed in and took then, with them still reeling, none oth- Durham, James & Cat Morgan and Kris their seats, the house lights dimmed er than the President of the D&N, Kris King.

BUSY TIMES AT JESMOND ST GEORGE! LORNA TAYLOR, JESMOND

On the 22nd of April I was contacted have a student who will return after hall where all of the congregation were by BBC Radio Newcastle Alfie & Char- summer break. All are committed to able to give their thanks to Geoff. Well lie’s Breakfast Show who were investi- learning the art. The students enjoy deserved! gating Ringing for England. being part of the community as they We also rang for the ‘beating the Libby Alexander from ‘Ringing for are a long way from home such places boundries’ on Rogation as pa- England’ had invited them to interview as Japan, Hong Kong, China and Vi- rishioners set off on walking the bound- Geoff White (Tower Captain) and me, etnam. They are very attentive stu- aries of the parish to conclude with a Lorna Taylor (Tower Secretary), to dents. barbecue at the end on St. George’s discuss St. George’s and the signifi- Monday 4th of May was the commem- Green. cance of the day. We also gave a tour of oration ringing for the remembrance the bell and ringing chambers and a of Ernest Ranson Mundle who died on demonstration and a tuition lesson for 4th May 1915, aged 35. The young interviewer Emily. The interview went man was also St George’s Church out on the breakfast show and later that Warden’s son. day. Comments were made on the Sunday the 10th May during our interview as raising the profile of bell ‘Rogation Sunday Service’ Geoff ringing. White, bell ringer and Tower Captain St. George’s continue to recruit stu- for over 50 years at St George’s dents from the Newcastle University Church, was presented with a gift of a volunteer group-Newcastle University painting of St George’s Church and Student Community Action Newcastle Tower by Peter Rogers, a well-known Geoff White receives his gift (SCAN). These are mainly internation- local artist in Jesmond. Afterwards thanking him for fifty years as St al students who are here to study be- there was cake and Cava in the church George’s Tower Captain tween 3 to 12 months and currently we

PAGE 7 THE D&N TIMES HOLY WEEK RINGING ANTHEA & CHRIS ENZOR, HEIGHINGTON

There is not usually much ringing dur- with whose help the mini ring was in- ing Holy Week in the Southern Dis- stalled, and to Kris King under doctor's Durham & Newcastle trict... orders post surgery, who directed op- Diocesan Association erations. We are also grateful to Ellen A throw away comment from Karen Crabtree who provided advice on muf- The Granary, Darlington Maughan, tower captain at St Cuth- fling the smaller bells to make them D &N mini ring bert's, Darlington, along the lines of bearable for a quarter peal! The bells "Hey, Chris, will the D & N mini ring were dismantled and stored in a bed- Tuesday, 31 March 2015 in 39 fit in that new room of yours?" had room until the D & N AGM at Bran- minutes (10lb) unexpected consequences! Rising to the cepeth. As a result of this experience challenge, measurements were taken we would like to encourage other tow- 1282 Superlative Surprise Major and it was deemed that it would, with- out its winch. Never one to miss an ers to make use of the mini ring as it is opportunity, son Andrew, booked a valuable resource and great fun! 1 Chris Enzor them for a Tuesday night quarter peal, 2 Anthea Enzor the first in the ‘belfry’. 3 Ellen Crabtree 4 Alex Pym The bells were rung on four nights dur- 5 Izabelle Bimson ing Holy Week, including the quarter 6 Hayley Messenger peal. Thirty eight people, from five 7 Andrew Enzor (C) different towers in the Southern Dis- 8 Christopher Crabtree trict and quarter peal ringers from the First tower bell quarter peal in the house! Central District, had a ring, with ages First surprise major: 6 ranging from 8 to over 80. One ringer even came back for more! A large quantity of tea, coffee and more im- portantly cake, were also consumed, Want to know thanks to all those who came bearing homemade goodies. more about Everyone managed to handle the bells the Mini Ring? well, including two non-ringers. We rang lots of rounds and call changes to get used to the mini ring technique, Contact the Education Officer: often described like "milking mice". The mini ring was used by thirty Other highlights included plain hunt eight people from five different triples (a first for several ringers), Kent towers in the Southern District [email protected] TB Minor and Cambridge S Minor with and a quarter peal band from the St Cuthbert's ringers, Stedman the Central District. Doubles with the Heighington band, and of course, the quarter peal of Su- perlative, with a handling incident very close to the end! The ring remained up for Easter Sunday when more family joined us for "Christmas Dinner" which we ate un- derneath the belfry! (We did not have it in December because of the builders!). Another seven non-ringing relatives enjoyed learning how to handle the bells and rang some quite respectable rounds. Thanks go to Rob and Josie Criddle,

ISSUE 1 PAGE 8 EIGHT, THEN EIGHT-SPLICED MATT HETHERINGTON, NEWCASTLE

Ideas like this tend to be met with some ness of the cathedral ‘light’ eight, we ing it happen so well. The next chal- enthusiasm when first cooked up, usu- succeeded in a decent quarter leaving lenge? I wonder if we can fit ten quar- ally over a few post-ringing pints, but just the bonus eight spliced to go. With ters of surprise royal into a day… then, more often than not, they fail to sore arms, hands and brains, everybody follow through. However, when An- put in their best efforts to ring a su- drew announced his idea of ringing perbly struck quarter on the 37cwt THE STATISTICS quarter peals in each of the standard back eight to provide a fitting end to a Total Time: hugely enjoyable day. Excellent ringing eight surprise major methods all in one 11 hours, 45 minutes day, it appeared he was quite serious had been enjoyed in every tower and about what he was suggesting. So, after no quarter had ever been in doubt. Total ringing time: a few discussions about how to ‘do Each member of the band had rung 6 hours, 59 minutes something like this properly’ (i.e. if each bell at some point during the day you’re ringing eight in a day, you might and each person had conducted a quar- Total changes rung: as well ring the methods spliced at the ter (some more willingly than others). 11,370 end for a bonus ninth quarter peal; and By 8pm, twelve hours after starting, we this last, hardest challenge must of were able to retire to the pub where course be on the hardest bells – the much beer was consumed in celebra- back eight at Newcastle Cathedral), a tion of what we had achieved. Thanks band was gathered and Andrew began go to Andrew for having such a good with his logistical master-plan. idea and putting all the work in to mak- And so, on Saturday 24th January, at a time conducive to star-gazing, we set off for South Shields to begin what was hopefully to be ‘quite a long day’. By 9.45am, quarter peals had been achieved in Lincolnshire and London (with a ‘girl power’ band placing) and we were due our first food break and a ‘cruise’ on the Pride of the Tyne across the water to North Shields. Pudsey ticked off, we jumped on the metro to Whitley Bay where Bristol followed by Cambridge was the focus. Fortunately, the metro into Newcastle takes a good half an hour, allowing for much needed lunch to get us through Rutland and Yorkshire at St. John’s. Fuelled by the excellent baking of Andrew’s better The ‘Eight, then Eight-Spliced’ band, from left to right: Kris King, Rob half, we just had Superlative to go to Criddle, Andrew Enzor, Matt Hetherington, Jessie Hetherington, complete the eight. Despite the tricki- Ellen Crabtree, Chris Enzor, Peter Dawson

The aim of THE TIMES is to share information and news of events between the three Districts. The next issue will be published in December, so any items for the period June-November The D&N Times should be sent to [email protected]

ISSUE 1 PAGE 9 FIRST PEALS KAREN DICKINSON, NORTH SHIELDS The first ever true peal was rung in the tower of St. Peter Mancroft, Norwich, in May 1715. To commemorate the 300th anniversary of the first peal a request was sent out around the ringers of the world to see if first-pealers could be found to ring their 'firsts' to coincide with this anniversary. As usual, the D&N rose to the challenge! St Mary the Virgin, Ovingham St Michael & All Angels, Newburn All Saints, Gosforth Wednesday, 29 April 2015 in 2h32 Friday, 1 May 2015 in 2h35 Saturday, 2 May 2015 in 2h38 5040 Plain Bob Doubles 5040 Plain Bob Minor 5040 Plain Bob Minor 1 Barbara Sutton 1 Barbara Davies 1 Barbara Davies 2 Kristopher King (C) 2 Simon R Harper 2 Alice E Ritchie 3 Victoria L Halford 3 Karen Dickinson 3 Andrew J Cairns 4 Simon R Harper 4 Peter KD Dawson 4 Karen Dickinson 5 Clive R Moon 5 Jeremy R Housden 5 Geoffrey Mole 6 A Neil Ramsey 6 Andrew J Cairns (C) 6 Jonathan M Ladd (C) The first peal on the bells. First Minor: 2. First in method: 4. 100th First peal for Alice Ritchie (2). First peal: 3,4,6 at first attempt. peal for the Association: 6. First as conductor. A 50th birthday compliment to Simon. For the tercentenary of the first Peal at St. Rung with best wishes to Paul Cross, Tower Peter Mancroft. Captain, for a speedy recovery. Check out the Central Council’s dedicated First Peal website at: www.firstpeal2015.org Rung to mark the tercentenary of the first peal at St Peter, Mancroft.

ROPE SPLICING WORKSHOP ELLEN CRABTREE, DURHAM

No Strings Attached It’s Knott as Difficult as You AsMight Expect the experts, two of whom had travelled the completed for Brancepeth, Heworth 50 Shades of Splicingabove demon- length of the A1(M) to share their tips and Gosforth among others. strates, it’s clearly a chal- on keeping two bits of rope attached lenge to come up with a witty title for a together for as long as possible, with Many thanks to Jim & Janet Crabtree report about a rope splicing workshop. the help of marlinspikes, rolls of tape, for leading the workshop and the ex- Shincliffe Village Church Hall was the explanatory worksheets and a projec- pert tuition of Kelvin Appleby, Kris venue for the Central District Rope- tor. King and Christopher Crabtree. The Splicing Workshop on Saturday 21st After trying out some test splices (long D&N has purchased three marlinspikes February. Twelve splicing ingénues and short) on short pieces of coloured for association members’ use – if you’d came along to learn the art of splicing synthetic rope, participants moved on like to borrow one please contact Ellen bellropes, ably assisted by five splicing to splicing the real thing, with ropes [email protected]

Various demonstrations of Susie &Rob with their Megan with her rope Josie’s short splice ‘concentration faces’ joint-splicing effort for Brancepeth Drinking tea + eating biscuits = better splicing

ISSUE 1 PAGE 10

ST OSWALD’S HARTLEPOOL BELL PROJECT ANDREW FROST, HARTLEPOOL

The bells in St. Oswald’s Church in Hartlepool were first hung over 100 St. Oswald’s , Hartlepool years ago. An original and unique ring of 10 Warner’s bells, they have had little maintenance in the intervening years. Now that Hartlepool has an active and enthusiastic group of ringers who prac- tice at St. Oswald’s every 2 weeks and ring there every Sunday morning, it was decided that something should be done to get the bells ringing well. Richard Turner encouraged Jack Hanlon (Tower Captain at St. Os- wald’s) to take a project forward and it was warmly supported by the vicar of St. Oswald’s and the PCC as well as by the ringers. The best quote for the work, plus in- stalling scaffolding over the font, The basic work is to lift provide sound proofing. There is some showed that a considerable sum was from the frame, remove clappers, 4 inches of the stuff across the whole of needed to get the job done. Addition- wheels, pulley boxes etc. and either the floor and some of it has become ally, readers may know that, once the refurbish, repair, or replace parts. pretty solid. We estimate there is bells are lifted and examined, there is Readers who know St. Oswald’s ring- around 3 cubic metres and it has all had likely to be further expense! ing chamber will be pleased to learn to be removed prior to the start of the The Hartlepool ringers have managed that the faculty will include removing project. Teams have, so far, spent to raise funds from charitable trusts as the old clock and box from above the 9 around 6 hours on the job and there is well as a grant from the local ward and tenor and removing the cross likely to be another 4 hours work to councillors! The D&N BRF has granted beam. Jack has 10 new ropes, courtesy do. Those shovelling the sand into money and the church PCC, despite the of a local company, so all should look buckets wear respirators and then oth- parish being among the most deprived and feel very good once the project is ers carry the buckets to the ground in the country, has guaranteed some complete. floor where sacks are filled and taken to funds. The Durham DAC has approved Spare some sympathy for the ringers the local tip. the faculty subject to local objections and some of their partners: we believe and it is hoped the that it will get signed that it was when the bells were hung There will be a further report in the off by the end of June (2015). that they laid sand on the belfry floor to next D&N Times. PAGE 11 THE D&N TIMES

70TH ANNIVERSARY OF V.E. DAY

V.E. DAY RINGING IN DURHAM rations by ringing his first 120 of 9th May 2015, Shincliffe, St Mary, CHRISTOPHER CRABTREE, DURHAM Grandsire Doubles. 120 Grandsire Doubles 1 Christopher Winkless-Clark The Cathedral staff promoted V.E. Day 2 Oliver Winkless-Clark On 8th May 1945, the UK celebrated ringing to the public with reporters 3 Jean Woodward the end of war in Europe. The Durham from Star Radio, BBC Radio Newcas- 4 Yvonne Collingham Cathedral attendance register shows tle, BBC Radio Tees and ITV Tyne 5 Keith Hayton (C) that eleven ringers participated in a Tees descending on the Cathedral to 6 Julie Winkless ‘Victory Ring’ and 70 years later the report before and during the quarter 1st extent of Grandsire - 2 ringers of Durham joined in with na- peal. tional commemorations. On Saturday Thank you to everyone who took part. 9th May 2015, a Durham-based band 10th May 2015, Brancepeth, rang the eight Cathedral bells that were St Brandon, present in 1945 to a quarter peal of 9th May 2015, Durham Cathedral, 1344 Plain Bob Triples Plain Bob Major. 1264 Plain Bob Major 1 Peter Molony The Durham Cathedral Guild register 1 Jess Durham 2 Stephen Lloyd suggests that, contrary to popular opin- 2 Megan Corless 3 Catrin Morgan ion, ringing continued throughout the 3 Hayley Messenger 4 Megan Corless war. The register also notes special 4 James Morgan 5 Richard Newton ringing for ‘Victory in Egypt’ and 5 Alex Pym 6 Adam Rebick ‘Victory in The East’. 6 Ellen Crabtree 7 James Morgan (C) 7 Robert Criddle 8 James Huskisson Durham Cathedral was not the only 8 Matthew Durham (C) tower in and around Durham to ring for the 70th anniversary weekend. A 10th May 2015, Willington, quarter peal was rung at St Nicholas’ 9th May 2015, Durham, St Stephen, 1270 Doubles church (Durham Market Place) at the St Nicholas, 1320 St. Simon’s Bob (10 Original; 1260 Grandsire) same time as the Cathedral quarter and, Doubles 1 Catrin Morgan on 10th May, quarter peals were rung 1 Jean Woodward 2 Ellen Crabtree at Brancepeth (DUSCR) and Willing- 2 Catrin Morgan 3 James Morgan ton. An all-Shincliffe band took the 3 Keith Hayton (C) 4 Peter Molony opportunity to allow one of their 4 Gavin Neill 5 Chris Mansfield (C) younger ringers, Oliver Winkless- 5 Adam Rebick Clark (aged 12), to join the commemo- 6 Michael Lamb 10 May 2015, Durham, St Nicholas, 1260 Minor (2m) 720 Norwich Surprise, 540 Plain Bob 1 Chris Mansfield 2 Hayley Messenger 3 Gavin Neill 4 Jessica Durham 5 Matthew Durham (C) 6 Susie Mansfield

 The Durham Cathedral QP Band PAGE 12 THE D&N TIMES

70TH ANNIVERSARY OF V.E. DAY

CHRIST CHURCH BELLS RING OUT V.E. DAY RINGING AROUND THE ASSOCIATION ON V.E. DAY Sunderland Minster MICHAEL SCOTT, NORTH SHIELDS Rang at 11.00am on Saturday 9th May

Christ ringers, ably assisted by St. Mary the Virgin, Ovingham ringers from St. Paul’s, Whitley Bay, rang on Sunday, 10 May 2015 in 2h32 (5cwt), 5040 Plain Bob Doubles Friday, May 8th to commemorate the 70th 1 Peter K D Dawson anniversary of V.E. Day. 2 James Crowther 3 Neil W Halford In June 1940 the Government gave out an or- 4 Kristopher King der that all church and chapel bells were to 5 Victoria L Halford (C) remain silent, only to be rung in the event of an 6 Richard T Gilbert invasion. Following the allied victory at El Ala- First peal: 3,6. mein in 1942, Winston Churchill asked for all First as conductor (2nd peal) church bells to be rung in celebration. The bells fell silent again until Easter 1943 when St. Mary the Virgin, Ponteland the ban on ringing was lifted, the risk of inva- Saturday, 9 May 2015 in 2hours 30 minutes, 5040 Minor sion having receded. As most bell ringers were One extent of Kent TB and two extents each of Cambridge S, St. away serving in the forces it fell to volunteers Clements CB and PB Minor including Ethel Southworth, Athel Thornton, 1 Karen Dickinson Nancy Miller and George Heckels to gently 2 Julie Bell the bells. 3 Barbara Davies 4 Howard E J Smith 5 Peter K D Dawson 6 Stephen B Bell (C)

St .Aidan, Hartlepool Friday, 8 May 2015 in 45 mins,1260 Plain Bob Doubles Rung on the back 6 1 Liz Halford 2 Kirstie Heslop 3 Bernard Gilby 4 Andrew Frost 5 Jack Hanlon (C) 6 Matthew Mack Also to celebrate the birth of Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte of Cam- bridge on Saturday 2nd May 2015

All Saints’, Rothbury Saturday, 9 May 2015 in 43 minutes, 1260 Plain Bob Minor 1 Gillian Wheeler 2 Colin Wheeler 3 Roger Ashmore 4 Ken Quick D. Hamby (Whitley Bay) J. Scott, G. Lang (Whitley Bay) 5 Matthew Cracknell P. Bishop, M. Scott, P. McEwen 6 Christopher Teasdale (C) Also to celebrate the birth of HRH Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana of Cam- bridge on 2nd May 2015

ISSUE 1 PAGE 13

ALIX LIDDLE, WE REMEMBER YOU. St Cuthbert’s, Darlington press coverage of the ringing at Dar- lington, including two articles in the Northern Echo (before and after, in- cluding video footage) and a snippet on the front cover of the Darlington & Stockton Times. In addition a quarter peal of 1250 York- shire S. Major was rung at Newcastle Cathedral, where the D&N plaque is St. Cuthbert’s Darlington held. Corporal Liddle, the son of James and Stranton, Hartlepool Frances Liddle, was born in Darlington A plethora of ringing took place on and had worked as a clerk in an ac- Tuesday 16 December 2014 to com- countant’s office before joining the war memorate the life of Darlington ringer effort. He married Clara Main, the Corporal Alix Oliffe and the Hartlepool daughter of an engineer, on 27 April Bombardment. 1914 at Holy Trinity Church in Dar- The St Cuthbert’s Darlington band rang lington and the young couple moved to a commemorative quarter peal of 1260 Sylvan Grove in the town. Plain Bob Triples in memory of Cor- He was killed by one of the first shells poral Liddle. fired during the Hartlepool Bombard- There was a great deal of excellent ment.

THE HARTLEPOOL BOMBARDMENT

The Hartlepool Bombardment was a German naval attack on the seaside towns of Hartlepool, Whitby and Scar- borough. In total, the bombardment Arts Centre, Hartlepool resulted in over 120 fatalities and al- most 600 casualties, many of whom were civilians. The raid had a huge impact upon British public opinion at the time and was depicted in propa- ganda to encourage men to enlist and defend their country. The soldiers who died during the Bombardment were the first to be killed on British soil for nearly two centuries. Ringing to com- St. Aidan’s, Hartlepool memorate the centenary of the bom- bardment was arranged at all four tow- ers in Hartlepool. The bells at Stranton were rung at 8.10am, the time the first shell landed. At noon the bells at the Arts Centre were rung and at 7pm, three quarter peals were rung simultaneously at the Arts Centre, St Aidan’s and St Os- wald’s. St. Oswald’s, Hartlepool Arts Centre, Hartlepool ISSUE 1 PAGE 14

THOMAS HENRY WAKE & WILFRED HEREWARD WAKE, WE REMEMBER YOU.

Thomas and Wilfred Wake were from short duration, being killed early in Bamburgh, where their father Richard action on the same day and only a few was the Castle lodge keeper. Although yards from each other”. Both are re- there were five years between the membered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) brothers, the pair were close, being the Memorial, Belgium, on panels 8 and youngest of five sons. Whilst Thomas 12. was a painter, employed by Mr R W According to the same newspaper San- Mackenzie of Seahouses, Wilfred dra Willoughby, the Wakes’ great- worked as a tailor for Messrs R Coxon niece, still has the poem that an un- and Sons, Seahouses. The brothers known Northumberland Fusilier com- were keen sportsmen, fond of cricket posed in the trenches on the day after Thomas Henry Wilfred and football. ‘Tommy’ as the elder was he saw the brothers fall. He called it Wake Hereward Wake known, played the latter at county- The Canny Lads from Bamburgh and it level for the North Northumberland tells of their tragically short war (right Football League. panel). Thomas and Wilfred Wake, both ring- On Sunday 26 April 2015 two quarter THE CANNY LADS ers at St Aidan’s, Bamburgh, joined the peals were rung to commemorate the FROM BAMBURGH Northumberland Fusiliers at Alnwick lives of Private Henry Wake and Pri- shortly after the outbreak of war in vate Wilfred Wake, ringing brothers We soon got face to face with Huns, Who had their big ‘Jack Johnson’ 1914. They trained together and, in the from Bamburgh. The first was a quarter guns, spring of 1915, both were sent to Ypres peal of 1344 Plain Bob Major rung at They tossed the shrapnel in by tons, on the Western Front where they were the Wakes’ Home tower, St. Aidan’s On the canny lads from Bamburgh. killed after just two days. Thomas was Bamburgh.

25 and Wilfred was 20. The second was a quarter peal of 1250 And it just seemed to be our luck, According to the North East at War, a Cambridge Surprise Major rung at But on we went with British pluck, contemporary newspaper cutting re- Newcastle Cathedral, where the D&N When a piece of shrapnel came and ported that “unfortunately for these plaque is held. struck, two gallant youths, their luck was of Two canny lads from Bamburgh.

They faltered, then on their face they fell, Beside them I knelt down as well, And how they died just I can tell, The two canny lads from Bamburgh.

Rather than be German slaves, They lie buried amongst the braves, I wrote on wood across their graves, The two canny lads from Bamburgh.

They volunteered to cross the sea, To fight for king and country, And fell for England’s liberty, Durham & Newcastle Diocesan 1 Christine Barraclough The two canny lads from Bamburgh. Association, 2 Sue Hanson 3 Nick Harrison All the boys join in and send, Bamburgh, Northumberland 4 Ron Hanson Their best respects to all their St Aidan’s, 5 Rosemary Ross friends, 6 Deborah Bearder On Providence, it all depends, Sunday, 26 April 2015 in 51mins (14 cwt) 7 Jeremy Housden (C) On the canny lads from Bamburgh. 1344 Plain Bob Major 8 David Barraclough ISSUE 1 PAGE 15

EARNEST RANSON MUNDLE, WE REMEMBER YOU.

Ernest Ranson Mundle was born in received at the Battle of Ypres. He was the life of Private Ernest Mundle, ring- Winlaton on 8 December 1880. He 35 years old. er at St George, Jesmond. The first was was the son of Arthur Mundle, of 42, His mother was still alive when he died by the Jesmond ringers who rang a St. George’s Terrace, Newcastle-on- and his will left all of his effects to her. 1036 of Grandsire Triples. The second Tyne. Arthur was churchwarden at St On Monday 4 May 2015 two perfor- was A quarter peal of 1328 Bob Triples George, Jesmond, where Earnest was a mances were rung to commemorate at Newcastle Cathedral. bell ringer. Many records suggest that Ernest was married to Annie, although there is no evidence of a marriage. He left England on 3 May 1912 on the Empress of Ireland bound for Quebec, Canada, to serve in the 5th Battalion (Saskatchewan Regiment), Canadian Infantry. He eventually settled in Mel- ville, Saskatchewan. Two years later, the Empress of Ireland sank following a collision with the Norwegian collier SS Storstad in the early hours of 29 May 1914. Left to Right: The Jesmond ringers Jeg Gray, Geoff White, Lucy Armstrong, Earnest died on 4 May 1915, of wounds Jim Crowther, Samuel Hunt, Steve Bell, Julie Bell, Matt Hetherington

ISSUE 1 PAGE 16

FROM THE CENTRAL COUNCIL KATE FLAVELL, PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER TO THE CENTRAL COUNCIL

MAGNA CARTA 800

800 years ago the sealing of Magna Carta by King John for the barons marked the beginning of modern times, where a mon- arch does not wield absolute power. As such, Magna Carta mania is starting to sweep the land and church bell ringers eve- rywhere are encouraged to make their own contribution and be part of history. 14th June is the Grand Ringing Day, in conjunction with LiberTeas, where Communities across the UK (and overseas) are being encouraged to organise or attend a local event, to create a simultaneous moment of reflection and celebration of their freedoms and rights. Ringers are encouraged to formulate plans for commemorative ringing on 14th and 15th June, with suggestions that they might take part in, or organise, some general ringing to coincide with tower open days or LiberTeas, pieces of ringing in- volving 800 changes, peals or quarter peals. For churches or schools with just one bell you might consider ringing 800 blows or organise a ringing relay where each ringer chimes 50 or 100 blows each! The BBC will broadcast ‘Bells on Sunday’ at 5.45am on Radio 4 on Sunday 14 June from All Saints Odiham. Festivities will begin in The Bury in Odiham at Noon, with the Greywell ringers entertaining the mustering crowd, before a Cas- cade of bell ringing commences at 12.15pm (to commemorate the year).

FIRSTPEAL2015

The Central Council have created a new website: www.firstpeal2015.org to promote the FirstPeal2015 initiative. It con- tains information for the following: The public in explaining what a peal is and the history surrounding it; ringers who are considering ringing their first peals by including encouraging “first peal stories”; the wider ringing community in how they can publicise and encourage people to take part in this initiative in their local areas. If you have any first peal stories you’d like to share to help encourage others attempt their first peal then please send them to us by using the form on the website (click the loud speaker)! It doesn’t need to have happened this year and it doesn’t need to be particularly long. A short paragraph will do, although more would be great. Photos are also welcome but please send them to: [email protected] with a note to say which story they refer to. We can’t guarantee all stories will be uploaded but we’ll try our best! For inspiration to get you started see the stories already uploaded: http://www.firstpeal2015.org/category/first-peal-stories

HERITAGE OPEN DAYS

This year the Heritage Open Days will be on 10th—13th September. Next year, we are keen to link these with ringing awareness days in 2016. To do this we need your help! Firstly, have any of you run successful ringing awareness or recruitment days linked to Heritage Open Days in the past? If so we’d like to hear from them please so we can put together something for the Ringing World to learn lessons and to en- courage others to do the same or similar. Secondly, we would like to run a couple of pilots in September this year ahead of rolling out something much bigger next year. We are looking for a rural tower and an urban tower that would like to work with us in September this year to see how it might work. If you are can help out with either of these initiatives, please contact Kate Flavell at: [email protected]

Want your voice to be heard by the Central Council? Then send your comments and suggestions to one of our Central Council Reps: Barbara Wheeler Howard Smith Matthew Cracknell

ISSUE 1 PAGE 17

GIFT AID ANTHEA ENZOR, D&N TREASURER

Do you pay your own subscription to the D & N?

Do you pay income tax and/or capital gains tax?

If you answered 'yes' to both of these questions, would you like the Chancellor of the Exchequer to give more money to the D & N?

Well, you can make him do just that!

The D & N can claim an extra 25% on top of your subscription and any other donations you may make, for example to the Bell Restoration Fund, if you complete a Gift Aid declaration. This is completely painless and requires you to do very little.

YOU SIMPLY NEED TO SIGN A GIFT AID DECLARATION - SEE NEXT PAGE

If you are not sure whether you have already completed one, please do another one as it is better to have two than none at all, but if you want to check, just contact me at [email protected] or on 01325 710362.

The declaration should be sent to me by post at: The Granary, 3 High Carlbury, Piercebridge, Darlington, DL2 3TT or scanned and emailed to [email protected]

Please note that you only need to complete a Gift Aid declaration if you pay tax. You can cancel your Gift Aid declaration at any time if your circumstances change. If you are in any doubt, or have any questions, just ask me.

PAGE 18 THE D&N TIMES 2015 D&N Calendar (Further details can be found at the Association Webpages)

Month Date Event Contact Details

THE PUBLICATION OF THE DURHAM June 3rd Monthly Practice—Fenham Barbara Davies/Bill Davidson AND NEWCASTLE DIOCESAN 6th Northern District Meeting, Bamburgh Helen Dawson ASSOCIATION OF CHURCH BELL 7th Ringing to Remember, Sunderland Ellen Crabtree RINGERS 9th SD Advanced 8 Bell Practice, St. John’s Darl. Anthea Enzor 13th 8 Bell Striking Competition, Ovingham Karen Dickinson THE D&N TIMES 17th Midweek Guild, Chester-le-Street/Tanfield Pat and Niki 19th Ringing to Remember, Allendale Ellen Crabtree 23rd SD Advanced 8 Bell Practice, St. John’s Darl. Anthea Enzor 26th CD ‘Firsts’ Month Grande Finale, Frosterley Ellen Crabtree WWW. DANDN. ORG

July 1st Monthly Practice—Fenham (tbc) Barbara Davies/Bill Davidson 4th Hexham Abbey Challenge Dorothy Simmons COMMENTS, 11th Ringing Ramble—Shildon/Darlington Karen Dickinson QUESTIONS OR NEWS? 15th Mid-Week Guild Summer Trip, Yorkshire Pat and Niki

Contact the Editorial Secretary, Rachael Houchin: August 1st Norther District Practice, Morpeth Helen Dawson 5th Monthly Practice—Fenham (tbc) Barbara Davies/Bill Davidson E-mail: [email protected]

September 2nd Monthly Practice—Fenham (tbc) Barbara Davies/Bill Davidson 5th Northern District Meeting, tbc Helen Dawson ‘THE SPLICE OF LIFE’ 16th Mid-Week Guild, Heighington/Sedgefield Pat and Niki 19th Central District Meeting, Sunderland Minster Robert Criddle Bell ropes live a difficult life; they’re pulled and coiled and sometimes even dropped. This means that every now and then, they need a bit of TLC to splice up their life and, if you were paying October 3rd ND 10-Bell Practice, North Shields Helen Dawson attention whilst reading page 9, this can 7th Monthly Practice—Fenham (tbc) Barbara Davies/Bill Davidson be done in several ways. So... 17th Central District Practice, tbc Ellen Crabtree 21st Mid-Week Guild, Hexham Pat and Niki Can you: 24th ANNUAL DINNER, Durham Masonic Lodge Karen Dickinson

A. Name the type of splice performed on this rope;

November B. Name the unseen 4th Monthly Practice—Fenham (tbc) Barbara Davies/Bill Davidson ringer who performed 7th Northern District AGM, Gosforth Helen Dawson the handiwork; 18th Mid-Week Guild, Benfieldside/Blackhill Pat and Niki 21st Central District AGM, St. Oswald’s, Durham Robert Criddle C. Name the tower for which the pictured rope is intended?

Answers and further condiment December 5th Northern District Christmas Social (tbc) Helen Dawson based puns to tba Mid-Week Guild Christmas Dinner Pat and Niki [email protected]

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