Ringing World 5131 (28 August 2009)
Front Cover: Oxford Society’s 275th Anniversary Ringing Day
Robin Hall reports on a day of celebratory ringing amidst the dreaming spires and explains the significance of "Potbellies, Gloucester Old Spots, Large Whites and Saddlebacks"
Everyone thought it was a splendid idea when Michael Williams suggested having a ringing day as part of our 275th anniversary celebrations and a date was chosen. Nobody had any idea what a ringing day was supposed to consist of, but Michael seemed so sure about it that nobody dared to question him. A few months later Michael confessed that he had no idea either, so we had to get our heads together and think of something.
Supporting work with young people by Roger Booth
The Ringing Foundation is anxious to help promote work with young people. We have therefore set aside £10,000 to support worthwhile projects which involve work either inside or outside the school environment. We now seek applications for grants from Guilds, Associations, Districts, Branches, Towers, Ringing and Teaching Centres and other ringing groups.
Letters
Warm welcomes all round - Mandy Shedden
Alan Cattell and Scraptoft - John S. Bennett
“Tarnished campanology?” - Cecile Cross
In the wake of the Ashes … - Ron Shepherd
The bells of St James, Stedham, West Sussex
The six bells hung for ringing in St James Church, Stedham, are in dire need of refreshment and modernisation as they have become increasing difficult for the present bell ringers to ring them Sunday by Sunday. The Church’s PCC have asked three bell hangers to quote for the substantial rehanging and modernisation of all the bell fitments in order that they may continue to be rung effectively for the next 100 years.
From the E-Lists A round-up from the internet compiled by John Camp
Adults were inclined to worry about being thought stupid.
Cider with Mandy
For the “Martini” group of ringers from Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, plus a growing contingent from Staffordshire, Mandy had chosen Somerset as the venue for this year’s tour. Early arrivals on the Sunday met at Matthew Higby’s campanile in Chilcompton. For many, it was their first experience of sitting down to ring and in Matthew’s absence Jason kindly looked after us.
Obituaries
Kathrine Adams, Malcolm Butcher
Wirral Young Ringers’ outing to Keele by Rebecca Davies
On Tuesday, 11th August eleven of us went on a Wirral Young Ringers’ outing to Keele. This was the fifth event this year which has been organised specifically for young ringers, but this was the first time that we have gone on an outing outside the Wirral.
Thought for the week
Anthony Ellis’ Thought for the Week (31/7/2009) set me thinking. Why do I ring bells? Why do you ring bells? Why do we ring bells?
Bath & Wells Diocesan Association – another first
When an organisation is 120 years old, there is less scope for a “first” in its activities. We remember the advent of Striking Competitions and the first Annual Dinner for instance, but these were a long time ago and when a suggestion was made at the Easter Annual Meeting this year that a gathering should be held of all the Honorary Life Members, our new Master, Revd Tim Hawkings took this up energetically and offered to host such a meeting at his home at Axbridge.
