Ringing World 5184 (3 September 2010)

Front Cover: John Meikle’s music bells: the story of Scotland’s first carillon by Peter Rivet
The first carillon bells in England were those supplied to Boston Stump in 1867. They were cast by van Aerschodt, of Leuven (Louvain) in Belgium. The building certainly looks the part as “Boston Stump” is remarkably like many church towers in the Low Countries. Except for the absence of an onion dome, it is strikingly similar to that of Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk at Breda in the Netherlands.
But north of the border, there was one much earlier carillon than this: the 23 bell instrument at St Giles Cathedral (also sometimes referred to as the High Kirk of St Giles, since the Church of Scotland is Presbyterian in form) in Edinburgh. This occupies a prominent place on the skyline of Edinburgh’s Old Town, and is easily recognised by its distinctive crown steeple.

Letters
Barking philosophy - Richard Offen
In defence of “scar[r]ed” ringers - Jonathan Moore
In defence of ‘trepid’ ringers - David Timmins
Be constructive and kind - Cathy Baker
Ringing and education - David W. Struckett
Biodiversity ringing - Peter Hawcock
Midsomer Murders - Geoff Dodd

Learning: what helps, what hinders
4. Ringing Stress – situations which hinder learning – Part 2 by Wendy Graham
Here is a second selection of situations which some ringers find hinder progress, along with suggestions to teachers on how to minimise this.

Notes of a meeting between CCCBR, CBC and EH representatives
A meeting took place on 23rd April 2010 at Church House, Westminster, between representatives of the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers and officers of the Church Buildings Council and English Heritage.

Another striking success for YACR Western Branch
Following the great popularity of last year’s striking competition/BBQ social event, it seemed a good idea to have another bash at the same formula, especially as the Addingham and Ilkley ringers had already rashly agreed to host the event again on the third Saturday in May.
However, in the week running up to the competition, things were not looking too good. There were few names for the BBQ, only a modest number of team entries, and it was far too cold to be standing in a field eating sausages.

Obituaries
Reginald George Tickner, Ian Joseph Lloyd, David Banks

Wedding of Sandra Stallibrass and John F. Underwood at Lincoln Cathedral on Saturday, 24th July 2010
On a bright sunny Saturday, two members of the Lincoln Diocesan Guild – John (West Lindsey Branch) and Sandra (Central Branch) – were married, quite appropriately, in the Ringers’ Chapel at Lincoln Cathedral.
The ceremony was conducted by the Very Revd Philip Buckler, Dean of Lincoln Cathedral (and President of the Guild). As there is no organ in the Ringers’ Chapel, music for the ceremony was provided by two members of the Lindum Accordion Club, of which John is a member.

Thought for the week
We rang the cathedral bells for a student service last night. Young people full of hope and joy and vigour. One of our Xhosa learners broke a stay. I replaced it afterwards.
I tolled the tenor this morning for the Requiem Mass and Funeral of the widow of the gentleman who was Tower Captain when I arrived in Grahamstown. She was born in Cheltenham, came here as a teenager, served the cathedral as Sacristan for forty years.

Tail Ends 86
Who is to ring which bell? There appear to be two basic approaches. The first is to cry “Catch hold!” The eager rush forward. Sometimes, the same ringer seems to always ring the same bell: it becomes his bell. If challenged, he replies “Well, I know where the fourth starts”, which probably means he has no idea of any other place start. Ambitious people often try to ring beyond their ability, sometimes by grabbing a heavier bell than they can handle well: the result can be heard as uneven striking. “Fill in” is the next command. Those who were not quick enough the first time drift towards a vacant rope. From my experience, this is the method used at many practices and often for Sunday service ringing.

Wedding bells 55 years late
When Verity and Peter Dally married in SS Peter & Paul Church, Ilford in 1955 there were no bells rung. Indeed, due to theirs being a ‘mixed’ marriage, one being Roman Catholic the other Anglican, they were not even allowed hymns during the ceremony!