Front Cover: Another Big Ben anniversary
Clock chime heard for the first time over Westminster
31st May was the 150th Anniversary of Big Ben becoming a time keeper; the clock mechanism’s going train was first set in motion on 31st May 1859 – some six weeks before the quarter chime and striking trains were activated for the first time on 11th July that year. So tomorrow is the 150th anniversary of the great clock bells first being heard over London.

100 years of the University of Bristol: But can you fix it for George?
The University of Bristol’s recent centenary celebrations were serenaded by ringing across the city, lead by one rather special bell: Great George. Getting over 50 ringers involved for simultaneous ringing was the least of the challenges, as Great George attempted to steal the show in more than one way. Matthew Tosh explains more …

The World’s Largest Bells
Nine years have passed since the list of bells weighing over ten tonnes was published; and a few corrections have been brought to my notice since then. The building in which Little John in Nottingham hangs is called ‘The Council House’ and not ‘The Exchange’; and the weight of Emille in South Korea is given locally as 18.9 tonnes.
During this time, however, several more bells over ten tonnes have been cast; and a few more older ones have been discovered. The following additional list is intended to bring that of 2000 up to date.

Letters
Sex offender not welcome here - Vic Turner
Disgusted - David Blackborow
How to turn the screw? - A. W. Froggatt
Simon Linford’s alphabet - Chris Pickford

Stephen H. Wood remembered
In his Ringing World article of November 14th 2008 concerning the CC Rolls of Honour, Alan Regin asks for relevant information on ringers who were killed in WWI and WWII. This article concerns one such West Country ringer.

The Tenor Man
It was a hot afternoon and the sun was streaming in through the stained glass window of the ringing room making me feel drowsy. I’d spent the morning cleaning up ready for the annual tower open day next week and now I’d sat down to splice new tail ends onto two of the well-worn ropes. Not a task I particularly enjoyed, nor was I very good at it but it needed doing so I decided that practice might – one day – make perfect.

Ringing Around the Olympics 2012
Since we last updated you, things have been moving on apace in the effort to get our proposed ringing school at Leyton off the ground.

Obituary
Timothy William Griffiths

A ringing endorsement for a new guide dog by Toseef Ahmad
I would like to give a big thank you to the ringers who gave up their time to come to the tower at St John the Baptist church, Kirkheaton, Huddersfield on Friday, 12th June 2009. They had agreed to come to the tower so that my guide dog instructor (David) could see how my new guide dog (Pedro) would respond in the ringing chamber and to get him used to the idea of me bell ringing.

Carry on ringing!
‘A woman in possession of a pension book, disabled parking badge and an attendance allowance is in need of a mini ring’, as I am sure Jane Austen would have agreed!

Thought for the week
Humility
Teaching other people how to ring bells can have a salutary effect upon the teacher as well as opening out endless possibilities for the learner.