On Sunday, May 20th, Stepney novices beat a band from Hackney to retain the MCALDG North and East District Novice Cup . The band included (back row) Ed Bucknall, David Giles as conductor, Julian Cass, and (front row) Andrew Smith, flanked by Alison Hammond and Trisha Shannon (who intends to keep on defending this trophy for another 20 years).
The winning band
Article and photo supplied by Trisha.
There’s nothing like becoming Tower Captain to highlight one’s ringing shortcomings. Imagine my delight when offered a place on a training event geared towards developing and honing some basic conducting skills of which I am wanting. This was offered by Michael Uphill – in fact, it was his last appearance as Surrey Training Officer.
It was a good morning and thoroughly instructive. The Surrey website now features Michael’s article on the Devon Short Peal in which he describes his very good reasons for including it in his training curriculum. His article is followed by a student ‘review’ (well, he did ask).
www.surreybellringers.org.uk/news/using-call-changes-improve-striking
So, go on. Ask me to conduct a Devon Short Peal.
Following Gill’s run last week-end, she sent the following email to the Docklandsringers email group –
Dear Everyone
I just wanted to write and say thank you to all those who sponsored me for the London Marathon and in support of Southwark Cathedral Bells. The total amount raised is phenomenal. I really enjoyed running the marathon (for once!) and feel humbled by everyone’s good wishes.
It is good to be able to repay something back to the world of bellringers having been in receipt of so much training, support and encouragement – mostly and especially from Andrew and Jonathan, but also from people in every tower I go to where there is always a welcome and inclusion in the ringing.
I’ve put a race day picture on the www.virginmoneygiving.com/gillianharrisbells where you can see just how much money has been raised. (When I can get the gallery working, I’ll upload a few more!)
Thank you very much again
with very best wishes
Gill
I watched Gill run past the 10 mile mark on Salter Road at Rotherhithe and had to sit down and rest afterwards with the effort. I think I’ve seen Gill three times from this point (as it is opposite a rather good blues band) and thought this was the most relaxed and happy I’ve seen her.
I’ve attached a few photos that Gill and Trisha sent me.
The happiest marathon runner of the day
Gill times her run past St James, Bermondsey for 12:00
The DRC staged an ‘open day’ following service earlier today at St James, Bermondsey. Following extensive local advertising including leafleting and radio appearances, DRC members set up static displays and entertained visitors inside the ringing chamber where demonstrations of ringing were provided.
The event was designed both to engage the local community as a ‘good neighbour’ and to attract potential recruits to ‘taster’ sessions on the following two Tuesday evenings (April 17th and 24th, 18:30 at St James, Bermondsey).
A good mixture of congregation, local residents, passers-by and dog-walkers were enticed into the church. Response from attenders was good and elicited a number of expressions of interest who have since been emailed with details of the upcoming taster sessions.
Visitors to the tower watching the ringers
Showing the visitors the ropes
‘It was very nice to see you at our open day here at St James Church today and we hope you enjoyed the ringing demonstration. If you would like to experience the art of bell ringing for yourself please come along to one of our practice evenings which are held every Tuesday. On Tuesday 17th and 24th April we will be holding some special introductory classes with teachers on hand to help get you started and guide you through the basic bell ringing technique. These classes will start at 6:30pm and finish at 7:30pm when our usual Tuesday practice starts. Please feel free to stay as long as you wish into this practice session also. The entrance to the tower on these evenings will be through the far right hand side door as you face the church. If you come along after the practice has started please ring the top doorbell, which will be lit up, and someone will come down to let you in. Look forward to seeing you. Kind regards Alison Hammond, Tower Secretary’
A demo of bell-handling to tower visitors
Many thanks to all the DRC members who set up the event and helped out on the day. Thanks also to Simon and Ed for the pictures.
Elizabeth and Morag appeared on the Robert Elms show today on BBC Radio London talking about the history of the Docklands ringers, bell-ringing in general, and the upcoming Open Day at Bermondsey this Sunday morning at 11:40.
You can listen at http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/p00q98tw at 1.10 into the show.
A fine, nerveless performance from Morag and Elizabeth. A media career beckons. You heard it here first.