Front Cover: Chediston’s bells restored by Graham Downing
Even within Suffolk, the small parish of Chediston is not exactly well known. Situated in one of the last truly remote and rural parts of East Anglia, this quiet backwater of less than 200 souls boasts none of the services which are expected by most people in the 21st century. There is no village shop, no school. The nearest post office is in the market town of Halesworth, some 2½ miles away and the pub closed long ago.

Double Grandsire Triples by John Eisel
In my article on obituaries, entitled Edward Roberts, there was a record of a peal of Double Grandsire Triples, rung at St Mary’s, Shrewsbury, on 5th July 1803 and claimed to be ‘… the first Peal out of London in the above method.’ Now the Exercise is interested in the date of first performance of methods, and if the Felstead database is consulted, it will be noted that this statement does not seem to correspond with information contained in those records.

Letters
Good eggs - Jim Diserens
Hot pants and beer bellies - A Concerned Onlooker
Swan Carillon - Laith Reynolds
Forward LCA – lately the St James’s Society - Christopher J. Cooper

Why do we do it? – Part 2 by Graham Nabb
What motivates us to collect towers and how do we get involved? There are two stories from individuals who have derived great pleasure from collecting – one over a long period another more recently.

Obituary
Alexander J. Martin

What’s up that tower?
Chris Pickford explores Umberslade Baptist Church, Warwickshire
Although it might at first need to be pointed out, Umberslade Baptist Church is visible from the south as the motorist driving up the M40 approaches the M40/M42 intersection near Hockley Heath. The obelisk in the park is an obvious landmark. The church and its spire can be glimpsed among the trees beyond.

Thought for the week
It had gone on for just over two hours. The day was hot and humid. The air in the ringing chamber was becoming stale. Now, hands were hurting, brains were seizing up, feet had gone numb. But the ceaseless rhythm of the changes continued.

The RW Christmas card 2009 – could you design it?
The 2008 RW Christmas card was a great success, proving to be very popular with ringers. On sale at RR2008, it eventually sold out in good time for meeting postal deadlines. So, we’ve decided to produce another card for this year -– but it can’t be the same design in case some recipients recognise it as the same as the one they got last year.