Ringing World 5120 (12 June 2009)
Front Cover: ‘Notable grabs’ Part 4 of Graham Nabb’s series on tower collecting
For anyone keen on collecting anything the rare item, or opportunity, is an exciting prospect and towers are no different.
Thomas Merton’s Thoughts on Bells
Between 1953 and 1954, Thomas Merton (1915-68), perhaps the most famous monk of the twentieth century who was then living in the silent Trappist Order of Our Lady of Gethsemani in Kentucky, USA, wrote a series of short meditations on various aspects of the spiritual life. These were first published in 1958 under the title ‘Thoughts in Solitude’. The sixteenth of Merton’s nineteen short meditations is one on church bells. In it Merton considers the role bells play in the life and work of the church.
Tenth anniversary of Wigton’s bells
On Mothering Sunday 1999 a service of consecration for the new bells was held at St Mary’s Church, Wigton. Wigton was proud to be the only church in Britain which, never having had bells hung for change ringing, installed eight newly-cast bells for the Millennium.
Marriage of Matthew Jeffery and Lorraine Bateman
Saturday, 2nd May dawned a bright, sunny day for the wedding of two very popular and hard-working members of the Northern Branch of the Lincoln Diocesan Guild.
75th anniversary of the ten bells at St John’s, Ranmoor, Sheffield by Pauline Heath
On Easter Eve, Saturday 31st March 1934 at 3pm, a service of rededication of Ranmoor bells took place and two new bells were dedicated by the Right Revd the Lord Bishop of Sheffield.
Letters
Goodbye to Honorary Members? - Robert Cooles
Bells and organ at Malvern Priory - George Morris
21stC tower correspondence - Mrs Jo Jones
Bailey brother - Peter Barker
From the E-Lists A round-up from the internet compiled by John Camp
The NAGCR list had doubts about where ‘north America’ was.
Moving Swiftly on …
The Swift Owners’ Club is a club for those who own caravans or motor homes made by the Swift Group. Owners get together in groups at weekends ‘rallies’ often with a theme in mind, so it was, that the last weekend in May saw a gathering of about forty-two outfits near Bourton-on-the-Water in the Cotswolds for those with an interest in finding out what bell ringing was all about.
O is for Open Day by Simon Linford
Obituaries
Valerie Mary Payne, Reginald W. Pye
What’s up that tower?
Chris Pickford explores… St Matthew’s, Northampton
The spire of St Matthew’s church is a prominent landmark on the skyline of the northern suburbs of Northampton. The church stands on high ground and it was built to impress. The architect was Matthew Holding - clearly influenced by J. L. Pearson – and the church was erected in 1891-3 and finished with the completion of the spire in 1895.
Association in peril
Dorset County Association – Future in the balance?
Will the DCA live to see its 30th birthday, or will 2009 be its last year? Dwindling attendance at practices and a reluctance of members to fill necessary committee posts has put the future of this once vibrant association at risk.
Thought for the week
For one reason or another, I have had to dip out of the weekly practice at All Saints, Maidstone since last autumn.
Long length attempt
The Cambridge Handbell Band’s attempt to ring 105840 Treble Dodging Minor over the weekend of 6/7 June would have surpassed the peal of 72000 changes in 100 methods rung by the same band in May 2007 as the longest peal ever rung in both number of changes and time taken.
