Ringing World 5136 (2 October 2009)

Front Cover: The Thirteen Taylors of Great St Mary’s, Cambridge
Tales of a new ring by Gareth Davies
However comfortable and familiar the old jumper that is threadbare, patched and worn at the elbows, there comes a time when it has to be replaced. Such was the challenge facing the ringers at Great St Mary’s. Several of the bells had been re-cast or welded since the eighteenth century installation and most had been quarterturned and turned and turned again. The fittings were beginning to creak and both local and visiting ringers had commented on the deteriorating ‘go’.

Letters
CCCBR and English Heritage - Chris Pickford
EH – a lack of accountability - David E. Potter
No Major Surprise - A.J. Barnfield
Taylors, Eayre & Smith and EH - Pat Halls
Peal ringers – quality folk? - James Forster,
‘Shrewd and empathetic’ - Tessa Worthington

From the E-Lists A round-up from the internet compiled by John Camp
David Knewstub reported that a local MP had made his annual protest about the state government’s subsidy of Swan bells.

An American welcome by Peter Dale
I’ve known Ken Hollett as a neighbour and friend since 1982. Four years ago he and his wife Tish bought a house in Camden, South Carolina, where they live for much of the year.

Obituaries
Ron Andrew & Walter Champion

New CCCBR wooden jigsaw: “The Bell Foundry – stirring the molten metal with a willow stick”
This is the eighth puzzle we have commissioned from the Wentworth Wooden Jigsaw Company, as a way of raising funds for the Central Council Bell Restoration Fund.

A headstone at long last for Fred May
On 17th August 2009 another part of the story of Fred May’s somewhat elusive life took place in Plumstead (Cape Town) cemetery. Readers who have followed the story of this once forgotten but most influential ringer will remember that he died in poverty and was buried in an unmarked grave in 1956.