Ringing World 5271 (4 May 2012)

Front Cover: Annual Report and Foundry Focus - John Taylor & Co
Another successful year of growth and investment
The Company started 2011 with a full order book including a number of prestigious projects at home and overseas. Major new rings for Cornhill and Worcester, a number of augmentations and two significant carillon restorations in the USA had to be tackled amid the steady flow of re-hangs and single bell work.
We are pleased to report that 2011 was a financial success as well. The freehold of the Foundry building was secured and the Company was able to invest in apprenticeships, staff training and development and the modernisation of plant and machinery. We have concentrated on re-establishing the high standards of design and manufacture for which this Foundry was renowned, witnessed by the more than 600 complete rings of bells cast during the past 100 years or so that are still basically as good as the day they were installed. Fundamental to this is the retention of our craft skills and passing these on through our apprenticeship programme.

Letters
Crambo - S. P. Lloyd
Crambo or Stedman? - Eddie Martin
Diamond Geezer - Chris Gould
Quarter Peal Analysis - Chris Rogers
Another country - Ernie de Legh-Runciman
Olympic questions - Revd Andrew J. Davey
Earlier Olympic Bell - John M. Jelley
Events at Thornbury - Ian Vaughan
Quick leaner - Nicky David

‘An Olympic Clanger?’ – a response from John Taylor & Co.
“Everything you read in newspapers is absolutely true, except for that rare story of which you happen to have first-hand knowledge.” – Erwin Knoll
The story entitled “An Olympic Clanger?“ – RW 5270 p.430 – included a reprint of the lead story from the Loughborough Echo. This subsequently appeared in The Daily Telegraph, Daily Mail, Daily Mirror, Sport and elsewhere. It underlines the truth of the above quotation.

Alphege – Who was he?
This year we are ringing in celebration for all kinds of special events; the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the London Olympics, the centenaries of Scott’s arrival at the South Pole, his subsequent death with four companions and the sinking of the Titanic, but one little known anniversary, which probably has as much significance to this country as those mentioned, is the 1,000th anniversary of the death/killing of St Alphege. Who was he you may ask?

Association of Ringing Teachers
The Association of Ringing Teachers (ART) was established on 4th March 2012. Ringers participating in the Integrated Teacher Training Scheme (ITTS) become eligible for membership once they have completed the training modules.
ART is responsible for the delivery and development of the ITTS and the Learning the Ropes progressive scheme for learners. A Management Committee has been constituted with members drawn from the Central Council Education Committee, the CC Ringing Centres committee, the Ringing Foundation and other centres of excellence.

Moves to close Withernsea Church
We understand that moves are being made towards the closure of the 15th-century St Nicholas’ Church in Withernsea, near Hull. The church has a ring of six bells (tenor 13cwt in F#) and a service bell (hung dead) originally intended as future 2nd for an octave.

Obituary
Revd John Howe Greene

Thought for the week
When my mother had reached a certain age group she would often answer enquiries as to her state of health with “I’m fine as long as I don’t need to do anything”. Having now caught her up, as it were, I begin to know what she meant, only too well. However, total inaction, if such a thing is possible, must be rather boring. Although it may be increasingly arduous to persevere with one’s activities it seems best to do so as long as you just about can. Bellringing is certainly a case in point.