Category Archives: Events

Drew rings his first quarter inside

Yesterday Drew rang his first quarter peal inside. He rang very well, only slipping off the line a few times, but quickly getting back on the line. This also means that he has now achieved ‘Learning the Ropes’ Level 4. Thanks to all those who have helped Drew progress to this milestone, including those who have helped with the recent Saturday Morning Ringing School sessions, and the ringers at Moor House and Farnham. It was particularly appropriate that it was rung at Stone, following his grandfather’s funeral there.

http://www.bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=338025

Roger

Stepney holds its first 8 and 10 bell practice.

At the last AGM we agreed that Stepney should try and follow the format of Super Tuesday and have a slightly more advanced practice than normal. After consultation with a few people from other Middlesex tower in order not to clash with anything else, we agreed on the last Thursday of the month.  The first of these was held last Thursday.

We have done our best to spread the word and we did get extra’s at the practice. Thanks to Ginny, Colin and Derek who came along.  Several of our regulars were unable to make it, which meant that everyone got plenty of time at the end of a rope.  Cambridge Major, Grandsire Triples, Plain Hunt on 7 and Call Changes on 10 were rung.  We tried to concentrate on bell control, striking and rhythm rather than complexity as the back 8 and all 10 are not particularly easy to ring well.

In general the feeling was that the practice was a success though we were reminded how hard the back 8 and whole 10 are.

If you are interested in trying to ring a bit more on higher numbers then please come along to the next practice,  it will be on Thursday 27th April at Stepney from 19:30 – 21:30.  All welcome.

Carol Services and DRC Christmas Party

Christmas day falling on a Wednesday meant that most of the churches we ring at scheduled their carol services for the Sunday evening.  They mostly decided to ring at the same time too. Andrew Clark counted up the available ringers and scheduled ringing at Stepney, Bermondsey, and Rotherhithe which are the churches we regularly ring for service on Sunday mornings. Other years, the carol services have been spread around and we have managed to ring at more of them. This was Eva and Richard’s first carol services, so well done to them.

The weeks leading up to Xmas are usually very busy for DRC ringers and we were happy to ring for other special services at Limehouse, carol service at St George in the East, and Christingle service at Rotherhithe. Christmas Day finds many of our ringers out of London visiting family, but we were able to muster six to ring very nicely at Stepney.

The DRC party was scheduled to start at the Angel ( a regular end point for Bermondsey Tuesday practices) after the Sunday carol services. Trisha was able to get the upstairs room for us and arranged for them to provide food  supplemented by fine dessert efforts from Sarah, Elizabeth and Linda.

Andrew L informing the group how many rounds he has bought since the last DRC Xmas party.

Andrew L informing the group how many rounds he has bought since the last DRC Xmas party.

Jonathan is making steady progress through the two cases of bottled Sam Smiths beer that the landlord got specially for him.  I believe it reaches its sell by date in a few months, so any assistance will be appreciated.

Alison having a crafty nap during a quiet moment

Alison having a crafty nap during a quiet moment

Bg thanks to Gill for organising it this year.

2012 Xmas Party Handbells

The DRC xmas party was once again kindly hosted by Simon and Janet in their Wapping apartment. This year, following a lively discussion over whether it was a furkin or a polypin, a barrel of beer was provided. Ed clearly drank most of it, whatever it was called.

As part of the entertainment, a handbell ensemble played a selection of carols. I’m afraid my rubbish picturetaking doesn’t do it justice, but here’s a picture for the record.

Handbells at Xmas party. From left to right are: Jae Kyung (Leah) Kim, Greg Rose, Paul Burnell, Tom Lawrance (back to the camera), Barbara Caswell, Helen Ireland, Elizabeth LeMoine, Rie Watanabe, Lee Garlick, of St Vedast Handbell Ringers.

If there are more pictures or anecdotes available, I’ll happily add them to the post…….

Stag event at Rotherhithe

One of the more entertaining tasks as DRC webmaster is to deal with the various queries that come in via email that aren’t directed to a specific person or post. So, an enquiry back in December from a Best Man planning a stag event rather intrigued me.

 

Chris coaching the stag team

 

The groom was a ringer, so the best man wanted a ringing theme and wondered whether we could run a taster event for the group. The offer of payment focussed my attention and the DRC committee agreed that a fund raiser was always a good idea. Half a dozen helpers stepped forward and we all assembled on Saturday 8th.

There were 10 in the party and an early start was arranged for obvious reasons. Small groups were given individual coaching while the rest were taken on a tour of the bell tower and given a bit of history about the practice.

Groom judging the staggers ringing competition

 

After joining the helpers in rounds, the lads were put into teams for a striking competition judged by the groom. Not quite sure which team won, but we gave them a bottle of wine as first toast of the day. Andrew L also provided a left over bottle of rum brought back from Cuba several years ago. This was voted ‘worst drink ever’ by the staggers. The author suspects they drank worse before the day was over.

The staggers left for their next event which I think was curling if I heard properly. The DRC retired to the Mayflower to count their windfall. I think everybody enjoyed themselves and, who knows, perhaps we may gain some future recruits. A big thank you to all the helpers for giving up their Saturday morning.

 

Groom and the DRC helpers. Left to Right Elizabeth, Chris, Best Man, Morag, Mike,Andrew L, Andrew C