The DRC now has six new teachers with three mentors following the Ringing Foundation’s course towards becoming accredited bellringing teachers. The first step was taken on 27th November when Pip Penney delivered the initial training day at St Anne, Limehouse.
Lunch in the crypt
Jonathan and Tom try new ways of releasing coils
Practical training session
Pip Penney with Gill Harris
“The members of the Docklands Ringing Centre are very pleased that their current Chair, Jonathan Slack, has been elected a member of the Ancient Society of College Youths.”
Jonathan Slack elected to the College Youths
On 19th February 2011 we will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of the formation of the current band of ringers at Bermondsey. If you’d like to be involved in a quarter peal attempt on the day, please contact Andrew (Tower Captain). Programme at Bermondsey on the day:
2.30 p.m. Tower will be open to visitors
5 p.m. Service of Thanksgiving for the bells and the ringers
5.30 p.m. Open ringing
7.30 p.m. Dinner at a local restaurant (please contact Alison – Bermondsey tower secretary – for more information and to book a place).
Three regulars of the Stepney and Bermondsey bands entered the 2010 London Marathon in a successful attempt to escape erecting and ringing the Charmborough ring. While Jonathan and Gill have completed several marathons in London and elsewhere, this was Andrew’s first effort. As Jonathan concentrated his training efforts during his lunchtimes, Gill and Andrew caused alarm among the residents of Stepney, Bermondsey and Greenwich by running at night after ringing practice accompanied by much whingeing (from Andrew) and exhortation (from Gill). All the runners finished and were happy with their times. Despite many supporters along the route, sightings of the runners and pictures were hard to come by with the exception of this fine example (somewhat surprisingly supplied by the participant) which will surely inspire a new generation.
Andrew taking a breather at the 21 mile mark
The three runners celebrated in the Mayflower afterwards before posing at the regular Stepney practice the following Thursday.
Jonathan, Gill and Andrew upon hearing the news that their applications to run in the 2011 London Marathon had been rejected.
On a sunny day in April, a combined Stepney/Bermondsey outing set off in a collection of moderately priced cars and Chris’s entry for ‘pimp my ride’. Gill Harris had arranged a challenging itinerary of 5 towers ending up at Waltham Abbey where at least half of the group had their first experience of a twelve-bell tower. Although Gill had arranged an optional running route between some of the towers, the girls seemed to prefer a ride in Chris’s car than putting in some tough miles. A pub lunch was served in the Fish and Eels at Dobbs Weir and a pleasant day was had by all. Many thanks to Gill for her efforts and to the photographer for ignoring the towers and concentrating on the ringers. p.s. the editor takes no responsibility for outrageous comments arising from his jealousy of other people’s cars.
