Ringing World 5165 (23 April 2010)
Front Cover: Stimulation through simulation at Morpeth
by Richard Major for Morpeth Clock Tower Bell Ringers
I first encountered the concept of ringing simulators many years ago when I purchased a DOS version of ABEL. I was impressed by the concept but the constraint of just using keyboard controls (with no possibility of connecting to the local bells in Oswestry at that stage) left me feeling it was little more than a novelty. This early contact probably conditioned my mind as to what a simulator was.
On moving to Morpeth, having a secular tower in the middle of town, I found there were residential properties with windows only one narrow carriageway distant from the louvres. Not surprisingly the local council impose strict limitations on the amount of ringing allowed. Thoughts turned to the possibility of a simulator allowing more frequent use of the facilities (perhaps not for the purist!) and the availability of a grant suggested this should be investigated further. I recall becoming irritated when looking at advertisements in The Ringing World when several devices were all described as simulators despite having differing functions. In particular the Saxilby Simulator stood out as being what is generally described as a dumb bell rather than the more accepted definition of a simulator (more of this later).
From Across the Pond
A round-up of reports from towers in the North American Guild of Change Ringers
I wanted to begin this month’s tower spotlight with the fun fact that the eight Trinity Cathedral bells in Miami, Florida are the southernmost bells in the North American Guild family. But a tiny, doubtful voice niggled in the back of my head and I trotted to my trusty globe; I found that when I traced my finger from Miami to Hawaii, a new fact emerged: Hawaii’s bells are the westernmost AND southernmost. There’s an interesting snippet of trivia for you, should you care to use it. You’re welcome.
What’s up that tower?
Chris Pickford explores … St Michael’s Mount, Cornwall
There can be few views more eye-catching than St Michael’s Mount in Cornwall. A fortified mansion and former abbey church on top of a high granite outcrop surrounded by the sea, it is an unforgettable sight. It is familiar landmark to people who have seen it in holiday brochures or on the television as well as to those who know it. Pictures tend to show the Mount in its summer clothes, however, and the accompanying photograph taken by my father offers an alternative view of the island fortress surrounded by winter waves.
Letters
Ringing Roadshow - Andrew Nicholson
Warding off Alzheimers - Jim Lambard
Great Tom - Fraser Clift
Bells in music - Stuart Piper
Ring as we Run - Trevor Church
Getting back on course - Robin Emley (aka ‘The Fusilier’)
Revd F. E. Robinson’s 1,000th - John Eisel
Last chance to save Hanley bells – please help!
For over 20 years the future of the fine Gillett & Johnson ring of ten bells at St. John-the-Evangelist Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent has been uncertain. The church has been closed all this time with no access and no prospective alternate use. The tower was used for many years as a climbing/abseiling facility. Pigeons have filled the tower with debris and detritus and the top has become structurally unsound.
And now for something completely different:
A five day retreat on bellringing at Abbey House, the Bath & Wells Diocesan Retreat House in Glastonbury
Monday 21st – Friday 25th June 2010
A retreat on bellringing has, as far as we know, never been attempted before, the idea coming about in 2009 during discussions at the Glastonbury Retreat House on “New things to Retreat about”? To say the least it will be a completely new experience for everyone concerned, both for those running the retreat and those participating.
Obituary
Joan Mary Peel
Thought for the week
“What’s in a title?”
Many years ago whilst in East Anglia serving as a Minister of a Non-Denominational Free Church, many of the villagers affectionately called me ‘The Chapel Rector.’ I always tried to live it down as it wasn’t true! At the same time I had other titles – not just ‘Rev’, but ‘Chairman’, and then later ‘Hon. Vice President of the East Elloes Deanery Branch of the LDG.’
