The Lincoln Guild Striking Contest Final

The Cup Winners Left to right:  Matthew Payne, Jim Benner, Barry Jones,
Joan Payne, Terry Maddison and Alan Payne.

The final of this year’s Contest was held in the Eastern Branch with eight teams competing at Willoughby for the John Freeman Cup and five at Alford for the Edward Colley Plate. The first two teams from the Branch Striking Competitions compete for the Cup and the third and fourth teams compete for the Plate.

Barry Brown and Mark Pendery from the Leicester Guild judged the Cup competition. First and second places were very closely contested, with Bourne (Southern Branch) winning, ringing 6 spliced surprise minor in fine style. Messingham (W. Lindsey) were the runners up.

Brian Buttery and Peter Sleight from Grantham were the judges for the Plate competition and were hidden in a summer house in a nearby garden. Although it was a bright, sunny autumn day it was quite chilly. Peter had to bounce a basketball around in order to keep warm but assured us that he didn’t miss too many faults. Scotter, (W.Lindsey branch) won the competition with Eagle (Central branch) runners up.

An excellent tea was provided by Eastern Branch members, and Branch and Guild secretaries, Kate Meyer and Les Townsend were thanked for their arrangements for the day.

The Ultimate Bell and Bike Challenge 10th August 2006

The Cycling ringers, from left to right: Ian Till, Richard Till, Lilja Helgadottir, Sue Faull & Rae Todd.

The aim of the day was to ring a quarter peal in each of the 6 branches of the Lincoln Guild, cycling in-between the towers, raising money for the Guild’s publicity and recruitment project.  The main team of 3 was made up of Ian Till, Richard Till and Lilja Helgadottir, with others making up the support team and taking part in various sections of the challenge throughout the day.

After an early wake-up call and a hearty breakfast, the first quarter of the day started at 6.45, Bob Minor on handbells in Messingham (West Lindsey branch).  The quarter completed, the cycling began.  The first leg of 20 miles was completed in 1hr17mins, and a quick quarter of Cambridge Surprise Minor at Middle Rasen (Northern branch) meant we were already half an hour ahead of the day’s timetable.  The next leg of the bike ride saw two new additions, Rae Todd and Sue Faull.

Still feeling fresh, the 8.84 miles to Wragby (Central branch) felt easy.  The third quarter of Single Oxford and Plain Bob completed we were even further ahead of schedule which allowed us to take advantage of the refreshments provided for us.  The next 20.14 miles were still pleasant and a picnic stop half way in Stixwould on a grass verge made it all very enjoyable, although perhaps not for Rae who had the only fall of the day in full view of the support team.  Unscathed and refuelled we carried on to the fourth quarter of the day, Cambridge Surprise Minor at Coningsby (Eastern branch).

The next leg was not so pleasant; the wind which had been a helpful tail wind all day became a headwind as our direction changed.  Sue had obviously worked this one out as she chose to use the support vehicles for the hard stretch, rejoining us when the wind was behind again.

23 miles later we arrived at Horbling (Southern branch) still an hour ahead of time, and feeling very optimistic.  The next quarter of Single Oxford and Plain Bob over, the end was in sight.  The shortest ride to Bicker (Elloe Deaneries), a mere 8 miles allowed for a sprint finish, which would have been a lot easier if we could see the Church and then find the gate!! But we had made it, ahead of time giving us time to order our food in the local pub ready for after the final quarter.  No beer was allowed as we wanted everyone on top form for the final hurdle.  As it was, the quarter of Yorkshire Surprise Major was achieved with no problems.

After 80.19 miles of cycling 6 quarter peals and nearly 14 hours later we were well and truly ready for a feast and we were given an excellent one at The Swan, where the kind Landlords even sponsored us!!  Late in the evening the bikes were piled into the carpet van which had followed us all day.  The long car journey home showed us just how big our Guild is and how far we had cycled. We would like to say a massive thank you to our amazing support team: John, Joy, Julie and Rebecca who had everything ready for us at each tower before our arrival, took photos and kept morale high all day.  Fortunately no bike repairs were needed but we couldn’t have done it without them.

Thanks to everyone involved, for all the refreshments provided at the towers, and to all our sponsors. We hoped to have raised around £500.  We all thoroughly enjoyed the day and cycled further than we ever expected (Ian said it would be about 65 miles when he first suggested the idea.  As if!)

Messingham, N. Lincs, Thistle Down, 10 Aug, 1260 PB Minor: Lilja Helgadottir 1-2, Richard Till 3-4, Ian Till (C) 5-6

Middle Rasen, Lincs, 10 Aug, 1320 Cambridge S Minor: Joy Till 1, Lilja Helgadottir 2, Richard Till (C) 3, Sue Faull 4, John Underwood 5, Ian Till 6

Wragby, Lincs, 10 Aug, 1260 PB and Single Oxford Minor, Lilja Helgadottir 1, Rae Todd 2, Sue Faull 3, Richard Till 4, John Underwood 5, Ian Till (C) 6

Coningsby, Lincs, 10 Aug, 1296 Cambridge S Minor, Joy Till 1, Margaret Parker 2, Lilja Helgadottir 3, John Underwood 4, Richard Till (C) 5, Ian Till 6

Horbling, Lincs, 10 Aug, 1260 PB and Single Oxford Minor, Rae Todd 1, Lilja Helgadottir 2, Sue Faull 3, Richard Till 4, John Underwood 5, Ian Till (C) 6

Bicker, Lincs, 10 Aug, 1250 Yorkshire S Major, Joan Payne 1, Lilja Helgadottir 2, Sue Faull 3, Jim Benner 4, Alan Payne 5, John Underwood 6, Richard Till (C) 7, Ian Till 8

Lincolnshire’s newest ring of bells – St Michael’s church Hackthorn

Hackthorn Church

It is unusual these days for a ring of bells hung for full-circle ringing to be installed in a church tower where no such ring has existed before. In Lincolnshire the ring of eight bells from the demolished church of St Peter at Arches Lincoln was installed in the recently built church of St Giles Lincoln in 1938. A porch tower was added to Holy Trinity church Martin by Timberland in 1911 but it was not until 1946 that a ring of five bells was installed. A treble was added in 1947. Fifty-nine years later a ring of six has been hung at Hackthorn.

In 1844-9 the church of St Michael Hackthorn was rebuilt except for the lower part of the tower. This was extended and it would appear that it had eventually been the intention to install a ring of bells which never happened and the parish had to make do with a bell from the previous church details of which are as follows :

[121] ora pro nobis beate edmunde [119] [Trans : St Edmund pray for us] [Founder ‘R C’ Nottingham mid-fifteenth century] Dia. 30”

It would appear that this bell was one of three bells from the medieval church as the following faculty dated 30 March 1764 suggests :

‘These bells belonging the said church one whereof is broke and one other thereby become useless that the said two bells weigh about ten hundred weight and are not worth more than thirty two pounds ten shillings at the most … permission to or licence to sell and dispose of … two bells …’ towards the repair of the church.

The fifteenth century bell became cracked and when the neighbouring church of Cold Hanworth was declared redundant in 1983 the bell from that church was transferred to Hackthorn.

In 1999 the Hackthorn Church Millennium Project Committee, which had been formed in 1997 with the specific purpose of installing a ring of bells, approached the Diocesan Furnishings Officer and asked, if Aisthorpe church became redundant and the five bells were no longer required, if it would be possible for them to be transferred to their tower which had never contained bells hung for ringing full circle. I was until recently Bells Adviser to the Diocesan Furnishings Officer and a member of the Redundant Churches Uses Committee and I came to realise that the future use of Aisthorpe church and bells was going to take a very long time to resolve and I suggested that I approach the Keltek Trust to see if a suitable ring of bells was likely to be available for transfer. This was agreed and by good luck the timing was just right as the PCC of Milton Oxfordshire had a few days earlier decided to replace their existing six bells with a completely new ring of eight! And so in 2001 bells 1, 3,4,5, and 6 became available with the second bell being retained at Milton. Four of the Milton bells were purchased with the tenor being donated by the Keltek Trust. After retuning the Milton bells with a new treble a ring of six bells has been hung at Hackthorn and dedicated by the Bishop of Lincoln, the Rt Revd John Saxby on Sunday 23 April 2006.

The dedication service was attended by many of those who had contributed by fund raising, teaching the local band of ringers or in any way contributing towards the success of this project. Colin Turner and his wife from Milton were present and David Kelly represented the Keltek Trust. The Master and Secretary of the Lincoln Diocesan Guild were also present and it was good that Brian Smith, Jim Sutherland, Margaret Parker and Mike Day who had worked hard to make sure that a local band was able to ring the bells for the first time after their dedication were present.

The Bishop of Lincoln Rt Rev John Saxbee dedicating the new ring in the presence of William Cracroft-Eley Chairman of the Millennium Committee and Hackthorn bellringers Cathy Andrews (left) and Bridget Cracroft-Eley

The service itself was memorable – the Cabra Singers made a superb choir and I was particularly impressed with Longfellow’s Carol “Christmas Bells” which was illustrated by young Tim Shaw playing eight very unusual “bells”. Even the youngsters from Hackthorn Primary School joined in with their recently acquired bell plates.

It really was a remarkable and most enjoyable service and I was pleased and privileged to be present with my wife. Everyone present agreed that Taylor’s Eayre & Smith had made an extremely good job of tuning the Milton bells and Hayward Mills Associates of hanging this new ring of six. Congratulations to everyone concerned!

Details of the new ring are as follows :

1. [Inscription Band] TAYLORS EAYRE & SMITH
[Waist] MILLENIUM 2006
[Lower Waist] HAYWARD MILLS ASSOCIATES NOTTINGHAM
Dia. 25” weight 3 cwt 1 qr 6 lbs Note E

2. [Inscription Band] MEARS & STAINBANK, FOUNDERS, LONDON, 1906
[Waist] “COME TO THY GOD IN TIME / COME TO THY GOD AT LAST.”
Dia 25.80” weight 3 cwt 0 qrs 21 lbs Note D

3. 1682 [Founder : R. Keene Woodstock] Dia 28” weight 3 cwt 7 lbs Note C.

4. JOSIAH LAMBALL & RICHARD HALLAM. * CHURCH : WARDENS. *
ROBT. WELLS. ALBOURN * 1787
Dia 30.80” weight 5 cwt 0 qr 21 lbs. Note B

5. RICHARD KEENE CAST THIS RINGE 1682
Dia 33.40” weight 6 cwt 0 qr 2 lbs. Note A


6. FFRANCIS YATEMAN ROBERT KEANE C. W. 1682. [Founder : R. Keene
Woodstock 1682] Dia 37.40” weight 8 cwt 0 qr 8 lbs. Note G

The quotation reproduced on the second bell is taken from a poem by Rev. R. S. Hawker Vicar of Morwestowe entitled “The Silent Tower of Borttreaux”.

Bells 2 – 6 have been hung by Hayward Mills Associates in a locally made galvanised steel ‘A’ frame to their design from canon retaining headstocks. The new treble is hung above. The original fifteenth century bell has been repaired by Soundweld and hung from two metal girders across the old frame for use as a Sanctus/Priest’s bell. The Humphrey Wilkinson bell is unhung resting on the metal grillage which has been placed above the new frame and under the old frame which has been left in situ.

The Lincoln Guild AGM

The Annual Meeting of the LDG was held in Lincoln on 29^th April 2006 and was the best attended in recent years. As is traditional the day started with Holy Communion in the Ringers’ Chapel at the Cathedral. The Business Meeting took place in St Gile’s Church and the Master, Sue Faull, gave a particular welcome to Aidan Hopkins who, although now living in the South has always tried to attend this meeting but missed last year owing to a very serious illness. Barbara Rand and A. R. Heppenstall were elected to Honorary Life Membership of the Guild and Emma Southerington is now Peal Secretary. All other officers were re-elected. In her presentation of the Annual Report the Master said how good it was that there was so much activity and enthusiasm throughout the Guild with particular emphasis on the large number of young ringers. It was confirmed that the subscription for adults remains at £10 per annum. Junior members and those in full-time education pay £3. Associate and Non-Resident Life Members pay £5. The peal fee remains at 25p per rope.

The acquisition of the Saxilby Simulator as the focal point of an interactive, mobile display about bellringing was discussed with enthusiasm and it was agreed that this would be a tremendous help in recruiting ringers around the Guild and making the general public aware of what bellringing is all about. Grants are being sought for this initiative.

Sue thanked Trevor Hardcastle for the hard work involved in compiling and editing the Annual Report and also Phil Green for designing an excellent cover and printing once again such a fine quality publication

After lunch a new venture took place – an eight bell Striking Competition at Washingborough. This was judged by Derek Tysoe who announced the results later in the day. It was good that all six Branches of the Guild were able to take part, the test piece was a plain course of Cambridge, and the Southern Branch came first with the Eastern Branch worthy runners up. Whilst waiting for the results three members rang a handbell peal in the church vestry!

General ringing for those not taking part in the Striking Contest took place during the afternoon at Potterhanworth, Branston and on the ‘Pots’. Ringing at the Cathedral took place both before and after evensong.

The Striking Competition winners from the Southern Branch
(Left to right) Ernest Orland, Sarah Andrews, Alan Payne,
Jim Benner, Jonathan Clegg, Emma Southerington, Chris Sharp, Paul Andrews.

So ended a very full but enjoyable day.

The Lincoln Guild Striking Contest Final

The final of this years Contest was held in the West Lindsey Branch with eight teams competing at Bottesford for the Cup and five at Messingham for the Plate. The first two teams from the Branch Striking Competitions compete for the John Freeman Cup and the third and fourth teams compete for the Ted Colley Plate.

Denis Frith was the judge for the Plate which was held at Messingham and he presented the results in his own inimitable style!  Five teams took part and Bourne were the clear winners with Saxilby the runners up. Ian Lloyd judged the eight teams competing for the Cup at Bottesford and Market Deeping were the winners with Messingham close runners up.

Back row: left to right : Alan Payne, Emma Southerington, Paul Andrews
Jim Benner, Terry Maddison, Barry Jones, Rev Brian Harris.
Front row: left to right : Sarah Andrews, Jonathan Clegg, Joan Payne, Canon Ernie Orland.
Matthew Payne also took part in the competition but was not available for the photograph

It was particularly pleasing to see so many young ringers taking part in the competition. Unusually both competitions were won by teams from the Southern Branch of the Guild.

Refreshments prepared by the ladies of the West Lindsey Branch were available throughout the evening and we were very grateful for this. After the results had been declared many of us took the opportunity to ring or view the recently installed ceramic ring of six installed in the Till family garage!

OBITUARY Philip Herbert Reynolds 1929 – 2005

 

With the passing of Philip we in the LDGCB have truly lost a good friend and a talented bellringer. In his own eyes he was just an ordinary man, but in his life’s work this proved to be very different and he involved himself in many other aspects to help others.

Philip was born in Swineshead, one of three children, where he lived and worked all his life except for the two years he spent at Blandford Forum on National Service.

In 1948 he learned to ring at Swineshead, where he quickly fell in love with the art of Church bell ringing. For the next 55 years, many as tower captain, he rang the bells virtually every Sunday for morning service. In addition, he was responsible for climbing the steps 3 or 4 times a week to wind the church clock, until it was electrified.

In 1955 Philip rang in a record multi-method peal of Surprise Minor at Frampton where, ringing next to him, and conducting the peal, was a young Miss Rhoda Brown. After much ‘hunting and dodging’, they were married in November 1955.

Philip rang in 310 peals, many of which he conducted, and with many local youngsters ringing their first peal, some of whom have become very prominent ringers countrywide.

In the 1970’s he represented the Lincoln Guild on the Central Council and for services to the LDG both he and Rhoda were awarded the rare honour of Life Membership. For many years he bound the Guild’s copies of The Ringing World, he produced magnificent church notice boards, not only for Swineshead, but for other local churches, and local belfries contain numerous peal boards, all painted and written by Philip, taking many hours of his time and always at little or no charge. He also found time to make the tops of the Wardens Staff and to produce kneelers for the church, which were cross-stitched by his own hand. And somehow he found more time to play in the Swineshead Brass Band playing the cornet and tenor horn.

He had been a chorister, server, cross bearer, sidesman and churchwarden, also a member of the Lincoln Diocesan Synod and Lay Chairman of the Deanery Synod.

In 1998 both he and Rhoda were awarded the Borough of Boston Civic Award for outstanding contribution to the Parish of Swineshead, the Parish Church and to bell ringing – most justly deserved.

For many years it was his great ambition was to re-hang Swineshead’s worn out bells and Philip and Rhoda were responsible for amassing over £10,000 for the Belfry Repair Fund. A bequest made locally at Philip’s suggestion made the project possible in 2003 and restoration took place, with much of the work being done with the help of his son David, also a ringer, giving Philip the pleasure of seeing the project through to its completion. However, his illness advanced rapidly and within a few weeks he would ring no more.

Philip and Rhoda’s grandson, Michael, has started to learn the art of bell ringing, carrying on the family tradition. We all wish him well and hope that he finds as much pleasure as did his grandad. And as mentioned by Michael Belcher in his eulogy at the funeral he will in a few years time be able to say “My grandad was a bellringer, but he wasn’t an ordinary man – my grandad was an extra-ordinary man”.

Philip passed away peacefully on Sunday 11^th September 2005.

The funeral was held at 2pm at Swineshead on 16^th September 2005.

G.John Collett.

Acknowledgement is due to Michael Belcher, who has contributed greatly to this article.

John & Betty’s Golden Wedding Anniversary Garden Party 20^th August 1955
in aid of the Belfry Repair Fund, Eastern Branch

John & Betty Collett, who were married at the church of St. John the Baptist, Burford, Oxfordshire on 20^th August 1955, have held a garden party for the BRF for the two previous years and decided this year to combine it with their golden wedding celebrations.

After cancelling the marquee on Thursday it was hastily reordered on Friday and thanks to Bill Daubney, was erected Friday evening, together with gazebos of various shapes & sizes.  However fears of Saturday being wet were entirely unfounded and the day turned out to be dry and warm, if little cloudy.

After all the guests had been warmly welcomed, some of whom had travelled from as far as West Oxfordshire, Belgium and Manchester, we were entertained by the Priory Handbell Ringers, led by Tom Freeston, tower captain at The Stump, Boston, who included two of the hymn tunes that had been sung at the wedding.

Anne Beever (right) and helper with pig roast
photo © Tom Freeston

Then followed the excellent pig roast, provided by Mrs Ann Beever, tower captain at Bicker,  with salads, salmon, desserts and cheeses, all provided by ringers and/or their wives.

Brenda Stephens at keyboard with Brian Bunting on mandolin.
 -photo © Tom Freesto

Further entertainment followed with Brenda on her keyboard, accompanied by Brian Bunting and his mandolin, with various people joining in by dancing on the lawns. There was also 9 pin bowling, won by Ted Vere and Aunt Sally won by Richard Collett. The prize china pigs for the Aunt Sally had been hand made by Sue McMullen, a ringer at The Stump.

Phil and Dots 'Pots'
photo © John Collett

Further entertainment was available during the afternoon with Phil and Dots mini ring, which appeared to be in constant use by the ringers present. A quarter peal attempt was unfortunately lost – was this first time a quarter has been lost through being pelted with crab apples? Not by the guests!

The raffle draw - James and John Collett
photo © Tom Freeston

A raffle raised over £200. Garden plants were available, thanks to Valerie Wild, out treasurer. Thanks are due to all those who in any way contributed to the success of this very special day, far too numerous to mention by name and a sum of around £1100 was raised for the BRF.

During the afternoon a presentation was made to Sue & Keith Buckingham, who are shortly moving to Shropshire, of a water colour of Raithby-by-Spilsby church, where they have been ringers for the past 8 years. It will be a very sad loss to our branch and we wish them well for the future.

The following quarter peals were rung to celebrate John and Betty’s Golden Wedding.

Swineshead, 19^th August 2005.
1260 Grandsire Triples.

Viv Simpson 1. Gill Bland 2. Rhoda Reynolds 3. Brian Bunting 4. Owen Northwood 5. Tom Freeston 6. G John Collett  7. Ian Bland 8.

Boston 20th August 2005.
1282 Boston Surprise Royal.

Margaret Parker 1. Sue Buckingham 2. Caitlin A. Meyer 3. Dot Mason 4. Christopher CP Woodcock 5. Ben F Ricketts 6. Paul Meyer 8. Keith N Buckingham 9. Phil Mason 10.

RECENT ACTIVITIES ELLOE DEANERIES BRANCH

Several members of the Branch attended the ringing and barbeque event at and around Sibsey Mill organised by Eastern Branch. We all had a thoroughly enjoyable time and extend our thanks for the invitation.

The Holbeach and District Ringing Outing on Saturday 18th June 2005 were attended by a band of some 18 ringers. A total of seven towers were visited starting with St Mary, Swineshead in the East and finishing at St Mary, Welton in Central Branch. The weather was wonderful and packed lunch was enjoyed on the attractive green in front of All Saints Nocton. Many thanks to all the tower captains for their help in accommodating us and for the opportunity to enjoy ringing so many bells with different characters on this most successful tour.

The “Open Towers” event on Saturday 9th July 2005, with ringing in Long Sutton, Gedney and Sutton St James was well attended and we were pleased to welcome visitors from Eastern Branch and elsewhere. The teas at Sutton St James once again reached there own exceptional standards for quality and volume - well done! Ringing continued until after 8.00p.m


Irnham Lincolnshire now has seven bells!

Irnham is a pleasant little village off the beaten track near Bourne. St Andrew’s church is hidden behind trees near Irnham Hall which was the seat of the Luttrell family until the mid-nineteenth century when the Woodhouse family acquired the estate. The original owners of the estate had always been Roman Catholics and preferred workers and tenants of that persuasion. Two Catholic priests are buried in the churchyard and a Catholic chapel was taken down when the Woodhouse’s purchased the estate and it was rebuilt at Corby Glen.

In 1620 George Oldfield I cast three bells in a minor key and it is probable that these were in fact recasts of an earlier ring of three. These were augmented to four by Thomas Norris in 1670 and in 1908 John Taylor & Co rehung these four bells in a new low-sided cast iron frame. In 1919 Taylor’s added a new treble and extended the frame.

To mark the culmination of a four year restoration of the church a rather unusual augmentation has taken place. A new treble has been added to the ring of five bells and a replacement for the original treble of the ring of three cast in 1620 a semitone sharper to convert the ring to a major key have been added. The 1620 bell remains and is hung for full circle ringing which means that the existing minor five has been retained whilst Irnham now has a nice major ring of six.

Details of the bells are as follows :

Treble [Inscription Band] RING OUT WILD BELLS
[Waist] THE RESTORATION OF THIS CHURCH 2004
[Reverse waist] 20[T]05
Diameter 25.866” weight 3 cwts 3 qrs 25 lbs Note F

2. [Iinscription Band] [Rose decoration]
[Waist] PEACE BELL / A. D. 1919
Reverse waist] [T]
Diameter 28” weight 4 cwt 1 qr. 27 lbs

3. [+ 1] GOD SAVE THE KING 1670 [Founder : Thomas Norris]
Diameter 30¾” weight 5 cwt 25 lbs

4 [160] TEMPORE SONI MELLISH ANNO DOMI [160] 1676
Diameter. 31¼” weight 5 cwt 2 qrs 26 lbs Note C

5. [+ 116] I sweetly toling men do call to taste on meats that feeds the soole 1620 [154] [Founder : George Oldfield I]
Diameter 35½” weight 7 cwt 2 qrs. 10 lbs

6. [+ 116] My roaringe sounde doth warning geve that men cannot heare always lyve 1620 [154] [Founder : George. Oldfield I]
Diameter 38⅜” weight 9 cwt 3 qrs. 22 lbs Note G sharp

Details of the 1620 bell are as follows:

[+ 116] All men that heare my mornfull sounde repent before you lye in ground 1620 [154] . [Founder : George Oldfield I]
Diameter 33½” weight 6 cwt

John Taylor Bellfounders Ltd of Loughborough, who hung the two bells and provided the additional framework, cast the treble. The fourth bell was the tenor of the ring of three bells in the now closed church of St Leonard, Ragnall, Notts which became redundant in 1993. It is one of the last bells cast by George Oldfield I of Nottingham.

A Service of Blessing and Dedication took place on Sunday 19^th June 2005. The dedication was by the Right Reverend Dr Alistair Redfern Bishop of Grantham and he commenced his address by asking if any of the congregation knew Barry Fry! I think he was rather surprised when quite a number raised their hands. The Bishop said that he was introduced to the ways of bell ringers when he was a lecturer at Ripon College Cuddesdon and Barry was a Theological Student. Barry taught a band from amongst his fellow students to ring at Cuddesdon.

After the service there was a fine tea prepared by the local ringers and friends. Ringing followed on the new six.

The Saxilby Simulator

Lincolnshire now has another interesting bell installation. This is a set of six dumb bells connected to a computer in a garage at Saxilby. This has been designed, engineered and built by David Horrocks and Tom Blyth

Each dumb bell consists of a weighted solid wheel, a pendulum slider, stay and rope. Each ‘bell’ weighs about 35 kg and each wheel has a diameter of 3 feet. The ‘bells’ are not at all difficult to ring and handle just like a 12 cwt ring of six. The sallies are nearly full size so the handling is like normal tower bells.

This is an incredible piece of engineering which is very different from the usual “mini-ring”.

They were officially opened on the afternoon of Saturday 14^th May 2005 and the first quarter peal was rung on Friday 6^th May 2005.

Eastern Branch Summer Barbeque 2005

The Annual BBQ was again held last Saturday, 4^th June 2005 at The Sibsey Trader Windmill, complete again with all its sails and apparently in good working order, by kind permission of Mr Ian Ansell.
 

Earlier in the day there had been ringing at Wrangle and Sibsey, both well supported, before the main event in the evening.  Some 90 ringers and friends attended the BBQ including visitors from the Elloe Deanery and Central Branches. The BBQ food was excellently organised by the ringers and their wives of Fishtoft and salads and sweets were aplenty, supplied by many ringers.

A Raffle was held which raised £115.00 and thanks to Ben Meyer for this great effort.

Unfortunately, proceedings were badly interrupted at about 8.30 pm due to heavy rain, but from all reports, everybody thoroughly enjoyed the evening.

Thanks are due to so many that it would be difficult to name them all, but the organising was greatly on the shoulders of our hard working Secretary, Caitlin, and were certainly owe her a vote of thanks.

Some £492.00 was raised for the Belfry Repair Fund, far in excess of what we raised last year.
Once again, a great effort by all.


Foreign students at The Stump

A group of foreign students have been taught to ring, at The Stump, Boston. They all attend the Boston College, where they are studying for their A levels.
 

L-R, Franzeska Moll, from nr Munich, Germany
Andre Barros Penafiel, from nr Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
and Katrin Bierdumpel from nr Kiel, Germany.

They all commenced ringing last October (2004) and within a very few weeks were ringing for services in rounds and and call changes. Franzeska and Katrin were ringing the treble to Bob Doubles before Christmas and Franzeska has in fact now rung a quarter peal and we hoping that Katrin will soon follow.  Andre is not quite so far forward, but is ringing 12 changes from any bell with no problems.

Unfortunately, Franzeska leaves for Germany this coming Saturday (11^th June), Andre leaves on Sunday and Katrin leaves sometime in July.

However, we are hopeful that Andre will be returning for another year to study at The Boston College and to join us again.

Certainly, will miss them all greatly, as they have all proved to be excellent students, not only in the art of bell ringing, but socially as well.

We all wish them well for the future.

John Collett

A memorable quarter

by John Ketteringham

Canon Edward Cook of Dunholme is understandably very proud of a quarter peal he rang at Kings Norton in December. It was the first quarter by Ted's grandson Robert aged 14. Other members of the band were Robert's parents Rosemary and Tony Parker and his godparents Richard Wheelhouse and Jo Field.

Robert learned to ring earlier last year and his ringing in the quarter was first class.

(L-R) : Tony Parker (4); Jo Field (6); Rosemary Parker (2)
Canon Cook (3); Richard Wheelhouse (5).
Robert (1) is standing at the back.

Lincolnshire Young Ringers Peal

by John Ketteringham

Congratulations to everyone on the following achievement

Lincoln Diocesan Guild
Bicker, St Swithin's Lincolnshire,

Thursday, 31 March 2005 in 3 hours, (7-3-15)
5152 Lincolnshire Surprise Major,
Composed by: S Humphrey,

1 Tom Blyth, (15, West Lindsey Branch)
2 Jonathan J F Stokoe, (13, Southern Branch)
3 Lilja Helgadottir, (18, West Lindsey Branch)
4 Ben F Ricketts, (18, Southern Branch)
5 Richard Till, (20, West Lindsey Branch)
6 Mathew D Hardy, (21, Southern Branch)
7 Rev Brian Harris,
8 Christopher CP Woodcock, (18, Central Branch)

Conducted by Christopher CP Woodcock.

Rung mainly by youngsters from the Lincoln Diocesan Guild with the help of Brian Harris standing in at the last minute.

First Peal in the method for: 1,2,3,4,5 & 8.
First Peal of Major as Conductor.

Total age of the youngsters in the band: 123 years, Average age of the youngsters in the band: 17.57 years.

Prince Charles in Lincoln 1979

by John Ketteringham

The following article was published in the Lincolnshire Gazette for March 2005 in response to an item on page 21 of the February issue (News in Brief).

The photographs show Prince Charles with the Cathedral Bell Ringers talking to Mr Walden, Other ringers who can be seen are Les Townsend, David Townsend' Bert Lowman, John Freeman and John Ketteringham.

The second photograph shows the Prince signing the Distinguished Visitors Book in the Cathedral Ringing Chamber with Jack Millhouse (Master of the Cathedral Company) in the background.

During Prince Charles time at RAF Cranwell I understand on several occasions he made private visits to Lincoln Cathedral. It is not surprising that, when in Lincoln in 1979, he should take the opportunity to inspect the roof timbers of the cathedral. We bell ringers were very privileged to be in the South West tower waiting to ring after the Prince left the cathedral.

We were waiting in the roof space between the two western towers when Prince Charles came towards us led by Dean Oliver Fiennes. He was introduced by the Dean to John Walden the oldest ringer present and after a short chat with us he went on into the ringing chamber. The bells were set at back stroke and he went to grab one of the ropes but was very quickly stopped by Jack Millhouse the Master of the Cathedral Company of ringers.

Prince Charles had had a few lessons in handling a bell rope whilst at Cambridge University but nevertheless there could have been rather a nasty accident! After signing the Cathedral Distinguished Visitors Book he turned to us and made an appropriate remark before going out onto the west front to wave to the people gathered below. As the visitors walked down the stairs and out of the west front we started ringing in honour of the Princes visit.

All Saints, Wragby, Lincolnshire

By John Ketteringham

Wragby church tower contains a ring of six bells with a tenor weighing just over 8 cwt. Two bells date from the fifteenth century, two were cast in 1697 by William Noon and two in 1890 by Warner’s. In 1974 the bells were rehung by Taylor’s lower in the tower and the floor below became the ringing room. Unfortunately this meant that the conditions for the ringers were far from ideal. The staircase was dangerous with very narrow treads and the treble ringer had to stand on the very edge of the top step! To make matters worse the noise was deafening. I have to admit that I always avoided actually handling a rope at Wragby whenever I could which was a pity because the hospitality and friendship here is legendary. I did ring one peal and rather stupidly ‘volunteered’ for the treble. This was one of the most uncomfortable peals I ever rang because I just dare not move my feet at all or I would have fallen down the stairs!

The Tower Captain, Jim Sutherland, had, for many years, wanted to improve things. After strenuous fund raising it was a great pleasure to be able to be part of the very large congregation at the dedication of the new staircase and ringing room on 5 July 2004. The dedication was by Rt Rev John Saxbee, Bishop of Lincoln and I don’t have to tell anyone who knows him what an enjoyable occasion this was. Bishop John learned to ring in his hometown, Bristol, so understands much of what ringing is all about. It is quite remarkable how all the new work blends in with the old but what a difference. Wragby ringers now have a decent rope draught; the lighting both in the ringing chamber and, most importantly for people like me, the lighting on the stairs is perfect. Perhaps above all the noise level is just right. How I wish I was 20 years younger and able to take advantage of the new work – never mind my wife has had a pull much to the surprise of both of us!

Jim Sutherland showing the display about the bells to Bishop John

The dedication service concluded appropriately with a few comments by a very proud Jim Sutherland who spoke of Faith, Hope, Charity and Dreams. Jim thanked all those who had helped him to achieve his hope and dream and had faith with him that one day this service would be held. Many people had contributed of their charity by attending events but he mentioned in particular retired carpenter Ron Applewhite who had been the foreman, Mike Day who had been the ‘slave’ and actually did the carpentry. Tony Barker had completely re-wired the tower and Hugh Bourn, the local builder, had contributed the timber. Most importantly Steve Wright had been the tea boy and Jim described himself as the ‘slip pot, fetch and carry man!’. After Jim had completed his thankyous the Bishop presented him with a handbell, a plaque detailing the improvements and an illuminated record giving details of the bells. These now hang in pride of place in the new ringing room.

You may wonder why this report has taken so long. The fact is that work at Wragby didn’t finish with the dedication – it is an ongoing saga and I wanted to report the completion of the entire project. The new ringing room is now complete with fitted carpet and curtains. A new access has been made to the bell chamber. Two dumb bells have been hung so that eight bells can be rung by means of a simulator. There is even a video link to the bells and Wragby is now a fully functional ringing centre which can be used for training purposes. I am particularly pleased to know that ringers are being taught at Wragby in preparation for the dedication of the new six at Hackthorn.

So Jim’s entire dream has become a reality. A tremendous achievement and I personally congratulate Jim (and his long suffering wife, Margaret) and the many people who have contributed to the success of this remarkable and much needed project.
 

Prime Minister meets Lincoln Cathedral Bell Ringers

By John Ketteringham

I recently received from a collector a postcard depicting Lincoln Cathedral. Nothing remarkable about that you may think but it was signed on the back by a number of well known Lincolnshire ringers. At the foot is a note which reads ‘Rang here 20-V-44 and also met John Curtin Prime Minster of Australia’. At the top of the card the signature ‘Kenneth Hall, Penwortham’ has been inserted.

The bell ringers signatures

At first I thought the ringers from Lincolnshire had perhaps visited Penwortham and Kenneth Hall had met them there. As there were two ringing meetings in Lancashire that day it seemed possibly that they had decided to have a days outing. I then decided to check Prime Minister Curtin’s movements at that time and uncovered what to me seems a fascinating story.

The Second World was at its height with heavy fighting taking place in Italy and I was rather surprised to discover that ringing meetings were taking place. The Australian Prime Minister had travelled to England via the USA and arrived in this country on 30 April. The main purpose of the visit was a meeting of Dominion Prime Ministers. We now know that it was probably at this time that they were briefed on DDay although they were probably not given the actual date which was 6 June.

Prime Minister John Curtin talking to Station Commander, 460 Squadron,
Group Captain Hugh Edwards, VC, DSO, DFC..
Reproduced with permission from the John Curtin Prime Ministerial Library Records
of Frederick McLaughlin JCPML00018/36

On 10 May John Curtin was granted the Freedom of the City of London and on 19 May the honorary degree of Doctor of Law was conferred on him by Cambridge University. Whilst in England the Prime Minister visited a number of Australian service units and from Cambridge he flew to RAF Waddington. He spent the night of 19 May at the White Hart, Lincoln and the following morning he travelled to Binbrook to visit 460 Squadron of the Royal Australian Air Force. This Squadron had suffered a greater number of casualties than any other Australian unit.

The official itinerary records that the Prime Minster left Binbrook by road at 230 pm and was expected to arrive in London at 7 pm. However, it seems probable that the Prime Minister decided to visit Lincoln Cathedral on his way.

It so happens that the Annual General Meeting of the Northern Branch of the Lincoln Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers was taking place at the Cathedral that day. Did the Prime Minister hear the ringing and decide to climb St Hugh’s Tower to investigate? Perhaps he was shown the unique Ringers Chapel and there met the ringers. It must have been quite a surprise for the ringers to meet the Prime Minster of Australia!

The card is signed by John A. Freeman (Master of the Cathedral Ringers), John Walden, Harold Marcon, John F. Hodson. Frederick W. Stokes, Charles McGuiness and Ken Mayer who were all ringers at the Cathedral. Other signatories are Leslie Lunn (Lea), A. T. Amies (Blankney) and E. Bragg. The latter was from Aldershot and as he is known to have been a Major was probably stationed in Lincolnshire.. In addition to those who signed the post card the Cathedral Ringers Visitors Book contains the signatures of the following ringers who attended the meeting : Nolen Golden (St Peter Mancroft Norwich); B. Bee. (Nocton, Lincoln); M. Lings (Scunthorpe, Lincs); G. F. Burton (Desborough, Northants) and J. G. Lacey (Scunthorpe, Lincs).

Including Kenneth Hall there are 12 signatures. Perhaps this was the first time that Ken Hall, who was in the Navy, had rung on 12 bells and he had asked the band to sign the postcard as a memento of the occasion.

Perhaps, not surprisingly, because of security implications, there are no newspaper reports of Prime Minister Curtin’s visit to Lincolnshire. This postcard could have so easily been lost and I am most grateful to Adrian Westfield for sending it to me. I intend depositing it eventually in the John Curtin Prime Ministerial Library, Perth, Australia.

I am most grateful for assistance in compiling this article from Les Townsend (Master) who searched the Attendance Registers and Visitors Book of the Cathedral Company of Ringers; to George Dawson for searching the Ringing World; Emma Corbett of the National Library of Australia and David Wylie of the John Curtin Prime Ministerial Library.

HAXEY HOOD

On the afternoon of 6^th January every year a traditional game known as the Haxey Hood is played at Haxey in the Isle of Axholme Lincolnshire.  The game is said to have originated in the thirteenth century when a certain Lady de Mowbray who was the wife of John de Mowbray a landowner on the Isle of Axholme was out riding.  As she was riding over the hill between the villages of Westwoodside and Haxey her hood was blown away by the wind.  Thirteen workers in the field rushed to retrieve it but the young man who captured it was too shy to give it to her ladyship so one of his mates took it to her.  She thanked him and said that he had acted like a Lord whereas the young man who had actually caught the hat was a fool.  So impressed was Lady Mowbray by this act of chivalry that she made the villagers promise to re-enact the incident ever since.

The re-enactment over the centuries has become known as "The Haxey Hood Game" and takes place on whichever day of the week 6 January falls except Sunday. At twelve noon work in the village comes to a standstill and people begin to gather to witness the traditional ritual.  At 2.00pm the church bells are rung and down the street in procession comes the "Lord" and his eleven "Boggins" together with the "Fool".  The "boggins" and "fool" are chosen at a meeting on 26^th December (St. John’s Eve). The "Lord" wears a red coat and top hat covered with flowers and he carries a stick made from thirteen willow wands and bound thirteen times.  At the church gate the "Fool", standing on an old mounting block, makes his traditional speech of welcome to the waiting crowd.

The "Lord" then leads his officials and the people to the highest ground in the parish where the "Boggins" form a large circle. He then calls on a distinguished visitor to throw the first "hood" in the air.  The hood is made from a roll of sacking about two feet long and three inches in diameter.  It is up to any man to try and catch it and run away from the crowd.  If he is tackled he must immediately throw it in the air unless the challenger is a "Boggin" in which case the hood is "boggined" and it is returned to the "Lord" who then throws it up in the air again. The game continues until 3.30 p.m. when all the captured hoods are redeemed.

Nowadays the "hood" is made from leather and the character of the game has changed. Four teams made up from hundreds of men take part and the game resembles a giant rugby scrum.

The intention nowadays is to propel the hood to the door of one of four pubs in the parish. The hood remains in the winning pub until the following year when it is redeemed by the Lord for use on 6^th January.  Unfortunately for the last few years the traditional bell ringing has not taken place and it is good to know that this year the custom was revived and a quarter peal was rung before the start of the Game.  Incidentally this year the winning pub was The Loco!

John Ketteringham


THE LONGEST PEAL EVER RUNG

What a remarkable achievement - the longest peal ever rung! How do they do it?

Ancient Society of College Youths
Coventry, West Midlands
12 Cecily Road
Saturday, 2 October 2004 in 17h6 (11G)
50400 Treble Dodging Minor (70m)
one extent each Melrose D, Sherborne D, Evesham D, Wooler S, Whitley S, Dover D, Balmoral D, Fotheringay D, Chepstow D, Skipton D, Pennine TB, Peveril D, Leasowe D, Melandra D, Beeston D, Tewkesbury D, Sandiacre S, Carlisle S, Chester S, Munden S, Ely D, Wilmslow D, Bogedone D, Rostherne D, Knutsford D, Lincoln S, Combermere D, Vale Royal D, Crowland D, St Werburgh D, Coventry D, Sandal TB, London Scholars' Pleasure TB, Capel TB, Kingston TB, Killamarsh TB, Wath D, Oswald D, Edinburgh D, Kentish D, London Victory D, Hull S, Primrose S, Berwick S, Hexham S, Norwich S, Neasden D, St Albans D, Charlwood D, Wragby D, Disley D, Duke of Norfolk TB, College Exercise TB, Ockley TB, Norbury TB, Trinity Sunday TB, Pontefract D, Barham D, Pembroke D, Berkeley D, Kirkstall D, Bourne S, Cambridge S, Beverley S, Surfleet S, Westminster S, Old Oxford D, College Bob IV D, Newdigate D, Willesden D
Composed by: Traditional
1-2 Philip J Earis 3-4 Andrew J W Tibbetts (C) 5-6 David J Pipe

The longest peal ever rung.

Umpires: Robin Hall, John Thurman, Jim Clatworthy, Rod Pipe, Cecilia Pipe, Paul Bibilo, Stuart Hutchieson.

There is a recording of parts of the peal including the last extent.

FESTIVAL OF THE PLOUGH, EPWORTH


On Sunday afternoon, a band of West Lindsey branch ringers and associates rang 2 plain courses of Bellfast Surprise Minor on the bells of the Lichfield Diocesan Mobile Belfry, which was stationed at Festival of the Plough for the day. The agricultural event is held in a field near Epworth annually, and raises thousands for charity every year.

For the first time this year, the Lichfield Diocesan Mobile Belfry was present, and ringers throughout North Lincolnshire turned out to man the ropes. Many members of the public came into the belfry, and were given a short lesson on how to handle a bell. These handling sessions were interspersed with short touches of a variety of methods, including the Belfast which was rung successfully on two separate occasions. The festival started in the morning with a short service to bless the ploughs conducted by the Methodists, and the bells were rung before this.

 
CHIME TIME AT CATHEDRAL - reproduced from the Lincoln Chronicle of Tursday September 16, 2004

By Mike Lyon

Jennie Paul and Andrew Higson from John Taylor Bell Factory with a set of
hand bells for visitors to have a go.

Organisers of Lincoln Cathedral's first ever bell-ringing festival struck the right note when hundreds of closet campanologists got into the swing at the minster.

The two-day event included tours of the cathedral towers and ringers' chamber and a chance to see Great Tom, the building's largest bell - and actually the thirteenth biggest in the country - whose ring is familiar through uphill as it chimes the hours.

There was also a portable bell chamber in the nave on which people cold try their hand at bell-ringing on a smaller scale, as well as bell plates and various artefacts connected with bell ringing in the city.

Spokesperson Helen Brown said: "The portable bells had a very pretty sound and lots of people tried those during the two days. The festival was certainly a big success but it takes a lot of organising so we are considering staging it every two years rather than annually."

Cathedral roof tours, which include Great Tom take place on the first and third Saturday of each month to the end of October - details 544544.

The following two photos show a Cathedral Verger learning to ring on the Willoughby Campanile and Margaret Parker and Brian Smith 'ringing with the foremost ringer in the world' as the publicity leaflet said. He is of course, Mike Henshaw, President of the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers.

LINCOLNSHIRE YOUTHS RING QUARTER OF LINCOLNSHIRE!

Washingborough, Lincolnshire
St. John the Evangelist

Saturday, 28 August 2004 in 43 mins, (12-1-11)

1250 Lincolnshire Surprise Major

1. Helen Scarf, (14) West Lindsey,
2. Lilja Helgadottir, (17) West Lindsey,
3. Richard Till, (20) West Lindsey,
4. Mathew Hardy, (21) Southern,
5. Paul Caruana, (23) Central,
6. William Dawson, (19) Central,
7. Ben Ricketts, (18) Southern,
8. Christopher Woodcock, (c) (18) Central,

Rung by young members of the Lincoln Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers, representing the Central, West Lindsey and Southern Branches of the Guild,

Total age of the band: 150 years,
Average age of the band: 18.75 years,

First Quarter in the method for: 2, 3, 6, 7, & 8,
First Quarter of Major as Conductor,

Rung as a farewell to the ringers of 3, 4, 6, 7 & 8, as they start/go back to University, Also rung to Congratulate the ringers of 7 & 8 on passing their A Levels and getting into University and also to the ringer of 2 on doing well in her first year of A Levels.

SUMMONED BY BELLS

On 3^rd and 4^th September as part of the Study Days 'Summoned by Bells' the Willoughby Campanile will be erected in Lincoln Cathedral.

The Willoughby Campanile

The bells will be available for ringing on 3^rd and 4^th September. For further information telephone (01522) 888897.

After having practiced on the Willoughby campanile why not visit the Epworth Plough Festival which is to be held on Sunday 19^th September from 10 am until 4 pm.

Lichfield Mobile Belfry

Amongst the many attractions will be the Lichfield Diocese's Mobile Belfry. The admission to this Charity Fund raising event is £3.50 so why not come along to High Burnham Farm and have a ring!

YOUNG LINCOLNSHIRE RINGERS PEAL

All Saints Nocton, Lincolnshire
Tuesday, 10^th August 2004 in 2hr 42 (8 cwt)

5040 Minor (5 methods)

7 exts, 1: Kent Treble Bob, 2: Oxford Treble Bob, 3: Cambridge Surprise, 4:
Single Oxford & Plain Bob, 5: Cambridge Surprise, 6: Plain Bob, 7: Cambridge Surprise,

1. Tom Blyth, (14) (West Lindsey)
2. Lilja Helgadottir, (17) (West Lindsey)
3. Jonathan Stokoe, (13) (Southern)
4. Mathew Hardy, (21) (Southern)
5. William Dawson, (19) (Central)
6. Christopher Woodcock, (c) (18) (Central)

Rung by young members of the Lincoln Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers representing the Central, Southern and West Lindsey Branches,

Total age of the band: 102 years,
Average age of the band: 17 years,

First Peal on six for: 3 & 5,
First Peal as Conductor at first attempt,

First of Kent Treble Bob Minor for: 2,3,4,5 & as conductor,
First of Oxford Treble Bob Minor for: 2,3,4,5 & as conductor,
First of Single Oxford Bob Minor for: 2,3,4,5 & as conductor,
First of Cambridge Surprise Minor for: 2,3 & 5,
First Peal of Treble Bob for: 1,
Most methods for: 2,3 & as conductor
 

What the Cool Ringer is Driving!

THE EASTERN BRANCH SUMMER GARDEN PARTY

As for last year, in excess of 40 persons turned out for the Garden Party held at John and Betty Collett's in Boston on the 17^th July despite the awful weather forecasts that we had been receiving all week.

Thanks to Bill Daubney, we were able to get hold of a couple of large tents, and fortunately were used only once due to the very heavy thunder storm mid-way though the afternoon.

There was nine pin bowling won by Tom Palmer of Fishtoft and Freiston. He opted for the second prize, as he had himself given a wood salad bowl, turned by himself. This was won by Ted Vere (a non-ringer, but married to one of the handbell ringers). The Aunt Sally prize this year was again a porcelain pig, kindly made and donated by Susan McMullen, a ringer at The Stump. After a four way play off, this was won by Wayne Ansell, a ringer from Kirton.

Other garden games were played for fun and all that attended agreed that the party was a great success.

Thanks are due to The Priory Handbell Ringers for providing entertainment, including a mini 'last night at the Proms', hence the flag waving in the photo's. Thanks also to all the willing helpers, for proving such a fantastic variety of food, also to all those who gave raffle prizes, or who provided cakes and plants for the stalls.

In all a grand total of £350-00 was raised for the Belfry Repair Fund. A great effort.

A THIRD RING OF TWELVE BELLS FOR LINCOLNSHIRE

Lincolnshire is to have a third ring of twelve. A faculty has been agreed for the addition of four new bells to the ring of eight at Barrow-on-Humber. As many of you know these are one of the finest ring of eight bells in the County.  In 1953 Taylors recast two of the existing six bells and added two more. The new eight was hung in a new steel frame.

WRAGBY'S NEW RINGING CHAMBER

The new ringing chamber and staircase at Wragby was dedicated by the Bishop of Lincoln on Monday 5^th July 2004. What an amazing difference this has made.  It was rather an hazardous undertaking ringing the treble but with the new staircase and lighting etc it is a pleasure to ring these bells. Congratulations to Jim Sutherland and all his helpers and fund raisers for a job well done.

TWO NEW BELLS FOR GRANTHAM

Two new bells to provide a light eight at St Wulfram's Grantham were dedicated on 11^th July 2004 and it is expected that they will be hung on 16^th August by Hayward Mills Associates. Sound control is to be installed at the same time. .Details of the bells are as follows :

1. [Crown] 150
[Reverse Crown] 748
[IB] [Vine leaf decoration]
[Waist] FREDERICK WILLIAM PINCHBECK/BELLRINGER
1936-1997
[Reverse Waist] 20 [T] 04 Dia. 27"
weight 5 cwt 2 qrs 4 lbs A flat

2 [Crown] 748
[Reverse Crown] 173
[IB] [Vine leaf decoration]
[Waist] THE GIFT OF/ST. WULFRAM'S SOCIETY/OF CHANGE RINGERS/DENIS A.
FRITH - TOWER CAPTAIN
[Reverse Waist] 20 [T] 04 Dia 27½"
weight 5 cwt 2 qrs 6 lbs Note G


LINCOLNSHIRE BELLS AND BELLFOUNDERS

The above book was sold out very soon after publication and the compiler and editor John Ketteringham is seriously considering publishing a reprint which will include a comprehensive Addenda. He can only do this if there are enough subscribers to cover most of the cost.

The book is a record of around 2400 Lincolnshire bells hung mainly in churches but school and house bells are also included.  The earliest of these dates from circa 1150 and over 300 bells are pre-Reformation.  As much as possible is included in the book about each bell including inscription, weight and diameter. The fittings are also of considerable interest with many of the bell frames of great age.

Hitherto unpublished information is included about all the bell founders known to have worked in the Diocese and this includes the author's own research into the origin of the founder of the amazingly decorative inscriptions on the bells at South Somercotes which bear the date 1423.

Included in the book are around 270 drawings of lettering and maker's marks found on Lincolnshire bells.

This is a book which should be in the library of anyone who is interested in bells and bellfounding.

As well as the 270 drawings mentioned above there are a further 136 illustrations and the total number of pages in the reprint will be about 400 which will include a list of subscribers.

If you are interested and would like to subscribe should the reprint go-ahead please contact John Ketteringham by email at john.ketteringham27 -at- ntlworld.com or telephone him on 01522 888897 or write to 27 Bunkers Hill, Lincoln, LN2 4QS.

NEWS FROM THE CENTRAL BRANCH (Reprinted from the Ringing World)

The Central Branch striking competition was held on Saturday 15^th May at Thorpe-on-the-Hill, originally an unringable three, now augmented to a delightful light six (tenor 4 cwt 1qr 19 lbs). Having told the judge that there would not be many teams, eight bands entered ringing from Call Changes to Cambridge Minor. The evening was spent listening to some excellent ringing, drinking tea and munching cakes that were generously supplied by the Thorpe ringers.

The results were surprising but encouraging; Lincoln Cathedral won ringing Cambridge, 2nd were Potterhanworth ringing Call Changes.

These teams go forward to the "Cup" competition in September. 3^rd were Eagle ringing Bob Doubles and 4^th were Caythorpe ringing Call Changes; these teams go forward to the "Plate" competition, also in September.  So proving, that you do not have to be experienced method ringers to do well in a striking competition. Our thanks go to Phil Pitchford for judging the competition.

On Bank Holiday Monday the Central Branch organised a "Rabbits" striking competition for inexperienced ringers, 40 ringers and friends met at Nocton, an excellent 8cwt six, where five team leaders were chosen and their teams were then drawn out of the hat. Five minutes of Call Changes was the test piece with two minutes practice allowed and an independent ringer also allowed in the belfry as 'moral support' to the nervous.

At the same time a Treasure Hunt and Quiz was set around the church; what a good job it was a beautiful day. One question was why are the snakes smiling?

The answer was because they were going into the Ark - the answer given was because they were looking up the angels skirts! ! !

Team 2 led by Margaret Parker won the striking competition and "two many cooks" won the Treasure hunt and Quiz.

In case of a tie break ringers had to complete a limerick given the first line:

On a Bank Holiday Monday in May.
To Nocton we came for the day,
To put to the test,
Whose ringing is best, It was me, I don't care what they say! -

On a Bank Holiday Monday in May,
Keen young ringers were clanging all day
Complained the old vicar
"1 don't want to bicker,
But you've driven me missus away!"

These were the two best and are printable.

Everyone had an enjoyable day and all decided that it should be repeated next year. Potterhanworth, who will have six bells by then offered to host the competition. We all accepted.

DOT MASON
Branch Secretary

YOUNG RINGER'S QUARTER PEAL

Details of the following quarter peal have been extracted from Campanophile. :

Ewerby, Lincolnshire St Andrew
Saturday, 26 June 2004 in 50 mins (15 cwt)
1296 Plain Bob Caters

1 Ben Meyer (12) (Eastern)
2 Helen Scarf (14) (West Lindsey)
3 Jonathan Stokoe (12) (Southern)
4 Lilja Helgadottir (17) (West Lindsey)
5 Mathew Hardy (21) (Southern)
6 Tom Blyth (14) (West Lindsey)
7 Andrew Fiddy (17) (Southern)
8 Richard Till (19) (West Lindsey)
9 Christopher Woodcock - Conductor (18) (Central)
10 Paul Kibblewhite (17) (Northern)

Rung by youngsters from the Lincoln Diocesan Guild representing 5 out of the 6 branches.

Total Age of the band was 161 years and the Average Age of the band was 16.1 years.

First Quarter on 10 for 1,2,3,6,10,
First Quarter of Bob Caters for 4,5,8,
First Quarter of Caters as Conductor,

DEDICATION OF POTTERHANWORTH'S AUGMENTED BELLS

The three bells at St. Andrew's Church Potterhanworth are to be augmented to six and re-hung during July and August by Hayward Mills.

The bells are to be Dedicated on Saturday 4^th September by the Bishop of Lincoln. The Service starts at 2pm or 3pm (will confirm this nearer the time). There will then be food and drink after the service whilst the local band attempt to ring the first quarter peal on the six bells. After this there will be open ringing on for everyone.

You are all invited to attend the dedication service and join in in the open ringing after the service.

For more details email

EASTERN BRANCH SUMMER BARBEQUE 2004

On what turned out to be fine evening the Eastern Branch held their third annual barbeque in the lovely setting of Sibsey Trader Mill (by kind permission of Mr Ian Ansell, miller at this fine National Heritage property).

Earlier, in the afternoon, ringing had taken place on the recently rehung eight at Swineshead, where thanks are due to Rhoda and Phil Reynolds for providing us with tea and cakes. Then followed an hours ringing on the eight at Sibsey.

The BBQ, as was the ringing, was very well attended (by some 85 adults and children) and included visitors from The Elloe Deaneries and Central Branches.

L-R: Wayne Ansell (head chef) ringer at Kirton-in-Holland
with Gordon Colson, ringer at The Stump, Boston

The BBQ's were well organised by Wayne Ansell and his helpers, with additional items such as salads, pastas, desserts etc, being provided by many ladies of the Branch and thanks are due to all for the hard work that everyone put in to ensure the event was such great success.

L-R: Janet & Tom Freeston (Tower Captain at The Stump) and friends Mavis & Ted Vere	L-R: Judith Withyman (Pinchbeck) Edward (Kirton) with his mother and father, Valerie Wild (Treasurer Eastern Branch) and Brian Bunting (Pinchbeck).
L-R: Emma, Samantha and Ainsley, young ringers from The Stump, Boston.	Friends from Central branch

Appetites must have been very good, with very little of the vast amounts of food being left at the end. As amusements, there were 'Pig Pelting' and 'Splat the Rat' games for the children (of all ages!) and all those attending thoroughly enjoying this social occasion. It is hoped that the event will be held again next year.

The evening was rounded off with the draw for the raffle prizes (all kindly donated) and with the ringing of hand-bells. The magnificent sum of about £348 was raised for the Eastern Branch Belfry Repair Fund.

The next social event in the branch, will be John & Betty's Garden Party, to be held at 13, Burton Close, Boston, commencing 2.00pm on Saturday 17^th July, to which all ringers and their friends are invited to come and enjoy an afternoon of refreshments, stalls and garden games. For further information phone John or Betty on 01205-350879.

BROADCAST FROM SWINSHEAD

The BBC Bus recently visited Swineshead and one of the highlights of the broadcast by Radio Lincolnshire was an interview with Rhoda Reynolds who has been ringing at Swineshead for many years. As well as explaining ringing Rhoda was able to describe the recent rehanging of the bells in a new frame. Rhoda was given moral supported by John Collett and Tom Freiston who both ring at Boston Stump and were also interviewed. After the interview John and Tom joined in a touch of Plain Bob Minor with the tenor covering. The other ringers were Brian Bunting of Pinchbeck, Anne Beever of Bicker, David Reynolds of Swineshead, Wayne Ansell and David Collin both of whom ring at Kirton-in-Holland). Rhoda was to have been the eighth ringer but Radio Lincolnshire’s Lucy Wheeler decided to carry on the interview whilst the ringing was taking place. This not only deprived the band of a ringer but the interview rather spoiled the ringing for at least one listener!

Radio Lincolnshire’s interviewer, Lucy (Wheeler) climbed the tower steps to the ringing chamber and had a five minute bell-handling lesson which consisted mainly of holding the tail end only (for safety reasons!), but she immediately kept a tight pull through and it was suggested that she approach her local tower to continue the lessons and she did pull the bell off a few times.

More of the interview was to have been broadcast a few days later but as, so often with broadcasting, other events took priority.

L-R: John Collett, Lucy Wheeler (Radio Lincs) Rhoda and Philip Reynolds & Tom Freeston
 

WEST LINDSEY OUTING TO NORTH SHEFFIELD AREA MONDAY 3^rd MAY 2004


The following teenage ringers rang rounds on the 12 at All Saints Rotherham.
Tenor 35 cwt.


 

RINGING TIMES AND OTHER DETAILS

As I travel about the county and further afield I am surprised how difficult it is to find details of the bells and ringing times.  I wonder why it is that bell ringers are so reluctant to display these details in a prominent place in the church?  Surely most church porches have a place where such a notice could be displayed.  This would be of use and interest not only to visiting ringers, and surely we want to encourage these, and visitors in general who would I am sure appreciate this.

BELL RINGING PUBLICITY

Lincolnshire people are very backward in publicising themselves. When I was living at Warsop and lodging with the local tower captain, Herbert Rooke, every Sunday morning after service the local reporter would call and invariably there would be something in the local paper about the activities of the ringers.  I am sure that local volunteer newspaper reporters would be only too pleased to have reports from ringers. Ringing in my opinion needs all the publicity it can get.

GRANTS FOR THE RESTORATION OF CHURCH BELLS

I have prepared a leaflet summarising the main conditions upon which certain bodies will make grants towards the cost of bell restoration. Copes of this can be obtained from Brian Lilley who is the Furnishings Officer for the Diocese of Lincoln.  His address is Brian Lilley, Church House, The Old Palace, Lincoln, LN2 1PU

Revised: 30th November 2006