Chris | Docklands Ringers

Gill Harris, a member of the Stepney band, will be running the London Marathon in a couple of weeks time to help raise funds for the rehang of the bells at Southwark Cathedral. Southwark Cathedral is a tower supported by many of the Stepney ringers including Jonathan and Chris who ring there regularly.

Please sponsor Gill here: www.virginmoneygiving.com/GillianHarrisBells

More details about the rehang

The last major work to be carried out on the bells was in 1965 when the lightest six bells were re-hung on (then) modern fittings. With regular use the fittings inevitably wear over time and it is now necessary to replace them and re-hang the bells. This will have the following benefits:

The bells will continue to be heard for the next generation rather than being allowed to fall into disrepair
The bells will be made physically easier to ring with modern fittings making the “go” of the bells easier.
The bells will be made easier to get good rhythmical ringing by correcting the timing variations between the bells (known as “odd-struckness”)
Although they will inevitably remain challenging due to their weight, fewer visiting ringers and members of the local bellringing associations will be put off by the bad go and odd-struckness (see above), so the bells will be available for more people to ring.

To achieve this, the intention is to remove the bells from the tower in order to:

Carry out tightening and strengthening work on the frame
Make alterations to some of the bells to enable them to hang in correct alignment
Make alterations to some of the bells to enable the clappers to hang straight within the bell
Re-hang the bells in the existing frame (1735 and contemporary with the bells), with all new fittings

From quotes obtained in 2009 it is anticipated that this work will cost in excess of £100,000.

For some, there was no chance of being in Westminster or catching TV coverage. We’d be ringing throughout the build up, service and balcony appearance. On Friday 29th April, fifteen ringers undertook a little challenge: to celebrate the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton with quarter peals in five Docklands towers.

On the Surrey side at 9:30, at St James, Bermondsey we rang 1290 changes of Grandsire Doubles conducted by Ryan Noble who joined us from Aylesbury for the day’s first three quarters.

At St Mary, Rotherhithe, Mixed Doubles was conducted by Roger Booth: 60 Stedman, 720 Grandsire and 480 Plain Bob. For Gill Harris on the 3, this was her first mixed quarter. Just about managing Stedman, we switched to Grandsire without problem. Twenty minutes later, Roger prepared everyone in advance for the change to Plain Bob. It came and went with ease, duly delivering success in just under 45 minutes.

There followed lunch and a welcome drink at Rotherhithe’s historic riverside pub, the Angel.

For our three afternoon attempts we crossed the river to Middlesex. At Christchurch, Isle of Dogs we found conductor Tom Pinnock nervously waiting: it would be his first attempt as conductor. He prepared us with his intended composition, we set off at quite a pace and in just over 40 minutes scored a very good Plain Bob Doubles. Tom’s conducting was first class with no mis-calls.

Entering St Anne, Limehouse churchyard we passed through a wedding street party before climbing the tower for Grandsire Doubles. Quite hard work – a few of us being weary from earlier activities – it was a relief to reach ‘that’s all’. Roger’s slightly longer than originally intended composition marked a significant first for Greg Rose (treble): his first away from cover. Greg rang superbly – one would never have known it was his first. The wedding party revellers applauded us on our way.

Finally, Plain Bob Minor at St Dunstan, Stepney, where the band chose the back six, would round off the day. Although quite a workout, especially for conductor Peter Jasper who was bright red in the face within 10 minutes of turning in the 28 cwt (1.5 tonne) tenor, they sounded superb. A quarter struck pretty well in places was scored, despite a little hiccup near the end, in just under 50 minutes marking another first for Greg: his first treble to Minor.

Five quarters attempted and scored by an extended band some of whom are reasonably new to ringing were happily rounded off by a few drinks and dinner at Wapping’s Prospect of Whitby pub.

The ringers were: Andrew Larsen, Roger Booth, David Giles, Morag Todd, Mike Todd, Simon Fraser, Tom Pinnock, Elizabeth LeMoine, Gill Harris, Greg Rose, Chris Giddins, Peter Jasper, Mariko Whyte, Liam Sims and Ryan Noble. Thanks to everyone who took part and to Jonathan Slack for organising – a really enjoyable day.

All five quarters can be found on Campanophile under Docklands Ringing Centre 29 April 2011.