The Guild of Devonshire Ringers
RINGING ROUND DEVON is the quarterly newsletter of The Guild of Devonshire Ringers, and is circulated free to all affiliated towers. Any individual members who wish to subscribe should contact Lester Yeo. The cost is £2.50 for four issues (cheques made payable to Guild of Devonshire Ringers). It is also available on line on the Guild's website at http://www.exeter.ac.uk/gdr/, which holds back issues.
Any comments and inaccuracies in articles contained in this newsletter are the responsibility of the individual contributors, and the opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of the Guild.
Items for inclusion may be sent by email to lyeo@supanet.com .
George Calvert, who bought a house adjacent to the churchyard at Down St Mary, and then complained regularly about the noise of the bells, has died in Exeter at the age of 76.
He launched a series of legal challenges against the Vicar, for ringing a single bell before Morning and Evening Prayer, against the PCC, against the ringers, and against the diocese. He claimed that the sound of the bells was damaging his physical health.
None of these court cases was successful, and in 1999 Mr Calvert, with his wife Frances, moved to Exeter, to a double-glazed flat close to St David's Church.
The Guild and Association set up a fighting fund to assist the Down St Mary PCC in the courts, but the money was never needed.. In 1993 Mr Calvert sought an injunction against Marydown vicar, Simon Beveridge, but withdrew it subsequently.
In 1997, he asserted that his bowel problems were caused by new ringers being taught in the tower. The ringers fitted sound control, but still the case went to court, where it was dismissed on a technicality.
In 2001, he claimed £50,000 in damages from the church because he had been forced to move house because of the bells, ringing for long periods.
The funeral was on Wednesday 23 February at Exeter Crematorium. There were no bells.
On the previous evening, the Guild rang a peal of Edinburgh Delight Minor to mark his death.
Often Devon ringers point out that they haven't heard the results of the six- bell competition, or that such-and-such a person has died. With the support of the Devon Ringers Council, Guild education officer Tim King has set up a system to make this news get out more efficiently (at least to those with internet access).
DevonRinging is a new e-mail list for all wanting to receive news about ringing and ringers in Devon. All subscribers receive all e-mails sent to the list, The intention is to use the list to publicise coming events, as well as news of births, marriages and deaths, competition results, and anything else of interest to Devon ringers. DevonRinging is not meant to be a list for gossip or to discuss matters of general ringing interest, but items about training will be acceptable.
To subscribe (there is of course no charge), you should send an e-mail to DevonRinging-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. You will get an email back inviting you to confirm your membership. You can do this either by clicking on the supplied link or by following the other instructions in the email.
Once subscribed you can send appropriate email to DevonRinging@yahoogroups.com where it will be sent on to all of the other subscribers.
The Ottery St Mary Ringer's Outing is becoming the big "must do" event in the East Devon Calendar. The 2004 version, organised by Richard Coley, confirmed this view with its blend of good towers, good route and excellent company.
The coach it was filled with Ottery's best
Supported by stars from around the South West
The talk was of ringing of towers we had known
And one or two saying how fat I had grown
This year
We travelled through Exeter over the Exe
Then out beyond Crediton wherever next
Then Dick on the tannoy announced the first stop
At Winkleigh and there was the church on the top
Of a hill
We climbed up the steps and opened the door
We were greeted with coffee and biscuits galore
The ringing was good we made a good sound
But kindness like that is so rarely found
We were touched
Then on to Torrington perched on a hill
I've rung there before at least once but still
I'm drawn by the view from the car park in town
The ringing was good we let nobody down
We were hot.
After lunch from a lunch box Bideford loomed
I suppose from the outset our efforts were doomed
The ringing fell short of the standard we'd set
I guess after lunch it's a good each way bet
That it would.
But then on to Appledore a first for a few
Has any church got a more lovely view?
Here we returned to the standard of yore
I put it down to the view from the door
And our skill
The cream tea as promised in Bideford town
Was less than ideal as the place was closed down
I own that it wasn't the summer, I'm sure
But isn't cream tea a part of the draw
Of the west
And then we were back on the trail once again
Shadows were lengthening sky was aflame
To Hatherleigh now we wended our way
And this was the tower that ended our day
It was fun
A fish and chip supper a room full of noise
A charabanc packed full of tired girls and boys
Sped back to Ottery and left us each one
With fond memories of a day in the sun
A success
Thank you Richard for organising another wonderful Outing. See you all next year. Laurie Palmer
The 2005 dinner started in the usual way, with drinks in the Imperial on the Friday night. As always it allowed the current students to mix with some of the past members, swapping anecdotes and moaning about all the students making the pub so busy. After the requisite standard of inebriation was reached the group split up and headed home.
This year's outing took place principally to the north of Exeter and the turnout was high, including one particularly special member, the new gnome, fulfilling his first official engagement as our mascot. The first tower was the eight at St. Martin le Tours, Exminster. The early start, combined with the slightly tricky bells meant the ringing was the worse of the day but we still succeeded in ringing some satisfactory call changes. After this it was off to the highlight of the day, the recently installed ten at Crediton. The ringing here was of a good standard, with some impressive Cambridge Royal and Grandsire Caters as well as well-struck call changes for the less experienced ringers.
The venue for lunch was the Fisherman's Cot at Bickleigh, which provided excellent food along with a picturesque view of the river flowing outside. The pub was thoroughly enjoyed despite a slight shortage of beer. After lunch we took a brisk stroll up the hill to our third tower, St. Mary the Virgin, Bickleigh, although some of the (allegedly) more mature members of the society chose to spend more time in the pub and only arrive for the last fifteen minutes of ringing!
The final tower of the day was St. Mary, Silverton, a tower which was the venue for many of the early ECG quarters. The bells proved to be exceptionally tuneful and some very high standard of striking was achieved. The ringing chamber, including a view of the back of the organ and a gallery overlooking the church also provided some interest, although I was too busy writing my speech to spend much time looking around.
The outing ended slightly earlier than usual, allowing more time for people to get ready. Owing to the unavailability of last year's venue, this year the dinner was held at the Exeter Golf and Country Club. The food proved to be excellent and this was followed by speeches and handbell ringing, Pip Rossiter gave an account of the societies activities of the previous year before a band of current students rang a course of Plain Bob Minor. After the Master's speech the band that rang the ECG's first handbell peal of royal treated us to some Little Bob Royal.
Having got all of the preliminaries out of the way, the serious business of dancing started, with due attention paid to health and safety requirements. The band were, as ever, highly entertaining and everybody thoroughly enjoyed the evening.
Sunday followed the usual format, with tea and coffee at the Boston Tea Party followed by lunch at the Malthouse and service ringing at the Cathedral. After ringing the current students headed to the new Wetherspoons while the older members, unable to stand the pace of another drinking session, went for tea and coffee instead.
Further details of the event, including pictures, movies and sound clips, are available by following the links from the GDR web pages at http://societies.ex.ac.uk/~change-ringing/
Ringing recruitment leaflets
Wendy Campbell says she has still got a couple of boxes of recruitment leaflets hanging around. These are the colour leaflets which were produced for Ring in 2000. If anyone would like a supply of these, please let me know as they are more useful in churches and other local resources than in my loft!
Two big anniversaries are to be celebrated in Tavistock in 2005. The nine hundredth anniversary of the granting of the Royal Charter allowing a pannier market in the town. The seven hundredth anniversary of the Royal Decree establishing Tavistock as a stannary town.
The local ringers celebrated both these events by ringing a peal of 5040 Plain Bob Royal on January 1st in 3 hours 11 minutes.
The ringers were as follows
1 Ann Smith 2 Sheila M Williams 3 David A. Pike 4 John G. Cook 5 Edwin C. Davis 6 Ian V. H. Smith (cond.) 7 James P. East 8 Geoffrey C. Hill 9 Andrew G. J. Mudge 10 George E. Mudge
It was the first time a peal had been rung by all our own ringers. It was a great achievement for the band, particularly when realising that it was the first peal for David Pike and the first of Royal for John Cook, Edwin Davis, Jim East and Geoff Hill.
Other events will be planned during the year to celebrate these major milestones in our town's history.
The Guild Committee selected the methods for the Guild Eight Bell competition, due to take place in October. Once again, two methods were chosen, both relatively simple, and one very well known. As the purpose of the competition is to extend the range of methods rung by the Guild, it is to be hoped that as many branches as possible will start practising Single Court Bob Triples!
252 Single Court Bob Triples 234567 ----- 752346 B 735624 763452 746235 724563 357246 B ------ 623574 B 652437 645723 674352 637245 526374 B ------ 435267 B 423756 472635 467523 456372 234567 B ------ 252 Grandsire Triples 234567 ------ 253746 762453 S 746325 357246 S 325674 643725 S 674532 256374 B 235467 ------ 243756 762543 S 756324 347256 S 324675 653724 S 675432 246375 B 234567 ------
The Troyte Ringing Centre at Huntsham and Bampton has planned a number of training events for 2005, in addition to the North-East Branch events taking place at Huntsham on the re-hung bells.
To view in greater detail visit the web site at http://www.troyteringingcentre.org.uk
This course requires a minimum of 10 persons and a maximum of 15. The fee will be £10.00 per person, payable in advance, and this includes rope fees, handouts, teas, coffees, biscuits, cakes and lunch on Saturday. The latest date for names is Wednesday 16th March.
This course requires a minimum of 8 persons and a maximum of 12. The fee will be £10.00 per person, payable in advance, and this includes rope fees, handouts, teas, coffees, biscuits, cakes and lunch on Saturday. The latest date for names is Wednesday 1st June.
This course requires a minimum of 10 persons and a maximum of 15. The fee will be £10.00 per person, payable in advance, and this includes rope fees, handouts, teas, coffees, biscuits, cakes and lunch on Saturday. The latest date for names is Wednesday 19th October.
To book a place(s) on the above courses contact Mike Hatchett.
This year our sister society the Devon Association of Ringers celebrate its 80th anniversary. Association Secretary, Jereme Darke, intends to have some memorabilia on show for the Annual Dinner and Dance on Saturday 19 March 2005, at The Waie Inn, Zeal Monachorum. He is also proposing to put together a booklet capturing memorable events that have occurred at Association festivals and functions over the last 80 years
The Association was formed in 1925 and there are still, thankfully, many certificates, trophies and photographs going back to that time. Jereme would also like to ensure that memories, whether passed on or actual, is recorded before it is forgotten. Any materials etc should be handed to Jereme by the date of the Novice Competition (12th March) where he will be at Tedburn St Mary, all afternoon. Alternatively contact him if you have material or queries at office@kingfishervets.co.uk
Three Devon ringers achieved a notable first at Bishops-Ting-Tong by ringing the Guild's first tower bell quarter rung entirely double-handed. James Grant says he lost count of the number of false starts - the first attempt lasted precisely one lead - but the band was in the tower for the best part of two hours, the quarter finally coming round at 9:45pm!
Sunday 23rd January 2005 at Bishopsteignton (Bishops-Ting-Tong) 1260 Plain Bob Minor in 38m 1-2 Elaine Grant 3-4 Matthew J Hilling (C) 5-6 James Grant First double handed quarter in the tower and by all the band.
An equally impressive achievement at the same tower was a peal of forty- one spliced Surprise Minor. Given the weight of the bells, the brain has to work double-quick, and to prove it was no fluke, the band (with a different treble ringer) repeated the achievement a week later.
GUILD OF DEVONSHIRE RINGERS BISHOPSTEIGNTON, Devon (Bishops-Ting-Tong) Tuesday 14 December 2004 in 1 hour 43 minutes 5040 SPLICED S MINOR In forty-one methods: Allendale, Alnwick, Annable's London, Bacup, Bamborough, Berwick, Beverley, Bourne, Cambridge, Canterbury, Carlisle, Chester, Coldstream, Cunecastre, Durham, Hexham, Hull, Ipswich, Kelso, Lightfoot, Lincoln, London, Morpeth, Munden, Netherseale, Newcastle, Norfolk, Northumberland, Norwich, Primrose, Rossendale, Sandiacre, Stamford, Surfleet, Warkworth, Wearmouth, Wells, Westminster, Whitley, Wooler, and York Ian W Avery 1 Lester J Yeo 2 Paul J Pascoe 3 Pauline C Champion 4 James Grant 5 Michael EC Mears (c) 6
The East Devon branch of Devonshire ringers is proud to announce the launch of their website. It was produced to show the members of the Devon Guild events that are coming up, all of the tower information such as when they practice and the weight of the tenor bell etc. It also shows any information that is relevant.
James Harris has created this site because he was given the position of Publicity officer, which involves writing a report for the 'Ringing Round Devon' and says he took it upon himself to do this because he feels that it will be beneficial to people who are members of the Guild and have internet access.
So please visit the branch on the web at: http://eastdevonringers.bravehost.com.
Also, remember to sign the guest book with your comments. There may be some difficulties at the moment but it will be active as soon as possible!
Monkton Parish Church has sadly been closed and put up for sale. As a result the ring of six bells (not included in the property sale) are available. For installation elsewhere.
Geoff Hill of Lamerton and Tavistock suffered a heart attack the same evening that he was elected as Chairman of the S.W. branch on January 22nd. I always knew the post, as chairman in the S.W. Devon branch was a difficult one but didn't expect it to have this drastic an effect on Geoff!!! I am pleased to report that he is making good progress and is now able to do light work on the farm. I think it will be several weeks before he is able to ring with us at Tavistock. Geoff had just retired from the post of branch Ringing Master; he had worked very hard to encourage ringing throughout the branch. We wish him a speedy recovery back to full health in the not too distant future. GEM
We are sorry to note the deaths this winter of three ringers who united both traditions of ringing within the county of Devon.
George Whiddon had in recent years concentrated on call-change ringing, but was in the first peal of Grandsire Triples at Newton St Cyres. His funeral was at Dean Prior in January, followed by interment at Newton.
Derek Jewell, to whom the Combe Martin ringers paid tribute in last quarter's RRD, died in January. As well as trebling for Swimbridge, he rang in a number of notable peals for the Guild, including the long length at Buckland in the Moor; he also rang in the first CY peal by Devon members. He regularly attended the College Youths dinner and at the Appleton dinner (where he sang 'Devonshire Cream and Cider'), and many ringers from London and Oxford were at his well- attended funeral. See page 12 for Jim Phillips' obituary.
Jack Thomas of Whitestone died unexpectedly while ringing in February. Although Whitestone remained a call-change tower, Jack kept up his Guild membership, and always made method ringers most welcome.
In addition, many readers will remember Tom Wright of Down St Mary who died some years ago. His widow has now also died.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Peter Bill who has finally attained grandfatherhood. Isabelle Bill was born last month, and Peter organised a peal at Bishop's Ting-Tong to celebrate. It is also good to note that Carol, Peter's partner, is recovering so well after her illness.
Congratulations also to James and Elaine Grant whose fortieth birthdays are at the beginning of March.
The PR workshop in Northampton on Saturday 16 April is open to all interested in publicising ringing.. For full details contact prsec@cccbr.org.uk
At the Guild Committee meeting it was proposed by Richard Shere that Bill Ford be recommended to the Guild as a Vice-President at the Annual Festival. This was heartily endorsed by the committee, and below, Richard gives some of Bill's many achievements as a ringer and member of the Guild.
Bill learnt to ring at Thorverton when a teenager (over 50 years ago) and joined the Devon Guild at this time as a ringing member. During World War Two, a Home Guard came to his father's house because he was Church warden and told him to ring the bells because the invasion had started. Bill's father told Bill to go and ring the bells. Bill went to the Thorverton belfry with a friend who didn't know how to ring. He said they didn't quite know what to do so both got hold of a couple ropes and just swung the bells until they started to sound. Bill said it was not long before a Police Constable arrived to order them to stop because it was a false alarm!
He worked for many years in the Swindon area and was Tower Captain at Broad Blunsdon for many years. He became a non-resident member of the Devon Guild while working out of the County until early retirement in the mid 1980s brought Bill back to Thorverton to live and he resumed resident membership.
Soon after his retirement he set to with sound control in Thorverton tower enabling extended ringing on the bells and encouraging bands to make good use of the Tower with a rare refusal to a request from bands for Peals, Quarter peals or general ringing.
Bill set up a quarter peal band to ring all sorts of quarters of triples and then moving into spliced triples slowly increasing the number of methods up to 15 in 1989 & 1990. On retirement also became a regular attender at the weekly Exeter St Mark's practices until only a short while ago.
Bill was the main push to augment the Thorverton bells to 10 in 1994. Thus enabling the Devon Guild the readily available use of a 10 bell tower for practices, quarters and peals which before then was difficult to achieve in the County.
Bill regularly joins in Branch practices held at Thorverton as a helper and is still an excellent teacher. Since retirement he has also been a regular helper at Silverton's practices.
Between October 2003 and July 2004, sound recordings were made of all the thirty-two peals of five or more bells that hang within the boundaries of the Dartmoor National Park. The project was the inspiration of Andrew Stevens, ringer and the current tower captain at St Thomas Church, Exeter. In 2001/2002 Andy had been involved in 'soundscape' recordings with Dartmoor-based Aune Head Arts (AHA) and approached them with his idea for recording Dartmoor's bells.
The idea for Dartmoor Changes came to Andy through his association with a project in 2003, when fifteen towers were selected to represent the best of Devon bell-ringing, both call-change and method. The bells, including those at Exeter Cathedral, were recorded, and the CD, Glorious Devon Bells, was produced as a limited edition and sold to raise money for the Devon Bell Restoration Fund. All the recordings were produced by Andy. Three of the towers selected, Dunsford (6), South Brent (6) and Buckland-in-the-Moor (8) were within the boundaries of Dartmoor National Park and it seemed a logical progression to go on and record all the Dartmoor peals.
As part of developing a successful application for Local Heritage Initiative grant, the idea had to be developed to include specific links with the community. Accordingly, the project developed its terms of reference to include some study of the relationship between bell-ringers and the communities they serve. So, as well as recording the bells, many interviews with the ringers and local residents were also collected. In addition, a program of six 'Listening Walks', led by Andy, took all-comers around chosen parishes, while the local ringers were recorded ringing the bells. The six walks explored Chagford (8), Belstone (6) and Gidleigh (5) to Throwleigh (6) in the north and Shaugh Prior (6), Walkhampton (6) and Cornwood (6) to the south.
All the digital recordings and associated photographs collected have now to be edited and produced as a three-set CD collection and booklet. The 'launch' day is to be at Widecombe-in-the-Moor (8) on 6th August 2005, to co-inside with the annual invitation, 6-bell striking competition. This would seem to be an appropriate occasion since several of the Dartmoor teams will be represented, each ringing a peal of '60 on thirds'- a distinctly local tradition. On the day, several of the local towers will be available for visitors to 'grab', and there will be opportunities to view a specially commissioned video by Marcus Vergette and Jonnie Williams. This contains sequences recorded inside the Whitechapel bell foundry and some unusual footage of the Hosanna bell in Buckfast Abbey. The video is called Ring of Bells and has already been shown in the Spacex Gallery.
Recording the thirty-two towers has been a wonderful exercise in co- operation between the production team and the local ringers, although there were occasions when some expertise had to be imported! At Buckfast Abbey, Peter Bill had to obtain special permission to ring the bourdon bell, 'Hosanna' that is normally only rung at times of great significance to the resident monks. A recording was made of the seven-and-a-half ton bell being raised to its maximum 180 degrees and then being joined by the regular peal of twelve for a touch of Grandsire Cinques. The twelve, plus the two accidentals, were all lowered in peal at the end of the session. The chromatics in that scale were quite interesting to hear!
There had been some doubt about whether the six bells at Bridford could be rung, since they had been declared un-ringable in the past. However, the ban was waived to enable an assorted group of ringers, mainly from Exeter, to ring for the recording. The situation at Sampford Spiney was even more doubtful with the present 'five' awaiting both restoration and also the addition of a sixth bell to the existing frame. Nevertheless, under the supervision of the area safety officer, it was possible to record the bells being chimed in 'rounds'.
Only the bells at Buckfast Abbey, Buckfastleigh and Bridford were rung in method by visiting bands. All the other towers rang Devon call-changes and, in several, the tradition of raising and lowering the bells for each ring was maintained. In all these towers, virtually all the calling was done from the treble.
The decision to include only those churches that stand within the boundary of the national park was a difficult one to make because there are parishes that have strong Dartmoor connections, but where the church itself is physically outside the boundary. Two examples are Okehampton where the ringers were keen to be included - and there is an active 'method' ringing band at Tavistock, although they had already been recorded for the Glorious Devon Bells project mentioned above.
One question that needed addressing from the start was whether bell-ringing is alive and well within the Dartmoor parishes. During the recording days, we only met one or two youngsters and they were the children of regular ringers. The importance of family and friends was self evident in maintaining the tradition and, apart from in-comers who were already established ringers, recruitment seems to be entirely achieved through word of mouth. But this is how things have been for a long time. In the 1922 publication English Country Life and Work (© 1976 by B T Batsford Ltd. London), Ernest C Pulbrook wrote, "England used to be known as the Ringing Isle, but in too many places, old ringers lament that, in spite of more leisure, young recruits seldom appear in the belfry."
Where numbers are thin on the ground, the modern way of servicing the needs of all the Parishes is to establish a pool of ringers who, between them ensure that there is ringing for the Sunday service at least. The band at Chagford led by Julia Endacott also cover the needs of Drewsteignton, Gidleigh and Throwleigh. The 'Moorland Ringers' look after Lustleigh, Manaton, North Bovey and Moretonhampstead! And so on! Quite rightly, the car gets its fair share of bad press, but, these days, it has a vital role in providing mobility for ringers whose dedication is applied to more than one tower.
The Exeter Express and Echo on 28 February 1939 carried the following article about the recasting of Alphington bells. It should be noted that the old tenor (cast by Thomas Bilbie) did not have the inscription "The Bible cast us all"!
In 1882 some of the earliest copies of 'The Bell News' carried an interesting advertisement by Messrs Gillett, Bland & Co. of Croydon showing two large flanged-top bells, each weighing over two tons, which they had cast in 1881 for the new Eddystone Lighthouse.
When my twelve year old son came across this advertisement in 1979 he was intrigued and wrote off to 'The Ringing World' asking if these bells still existed as they were not in the list of bells over two tons in his well-thumbed copy of Dove's Guide. There was no reply—but the matter was raised again in November 1988 by Alan Blair, who pointed out that there were no bells visible in a photograph of the lighthouse which was taken in 1959. I followed this up by suggesting that the most likely way of finding some precise information on the fate of the bells would be to make a direct approach to Trinity House. This was eventually done in 2002 by Alan Buswell but the brief disappointing reply he received was as follows — "It is correct that the present Eddystone tower had two bells as a fog signal when it was built. These were removed later but we have no knowledge where they went."
The quest for information continued and Chris Pickford was able to gain access to the Croydon foundry records which gave the actual weights of the two bells as 40-3-11 and 41-3-14. Later in 2004, Chris turned up some more positive information concerning the bells, in an article on the centenary of Gillett & Johnston, which was published in 'The Ringing World' of 21 January 1944. It stated quite simply that "Croydon's Town Hall clock and bells were made by G & J in 1894 but it is not generally know that some of the metal used came from the melted down bells of the Eddystone Lighthouse."
Therefore after only thirteen years at the lighthouse the bells appear to have been superseded by foghorns, but it is pleasing to learn that the bell metal was re-used to good effect. Jim Phillips quoted from an old book in his possession which said that "in foggy weather the bells were rung automatically o as to give two sounds (possibly C# and C) every half minute. This was presumably done by some sort of clockwork mechanism which used a rotating barrel driven by suspended weights to operate the two large chiming hammers.
Outline diagram of the lantern gallery platform showing the relative positions of the cantilevered brackets, the bells and external chiming hammers.
Exeter: Heavitree
The single bell at the Blessed Sacrament Church, Heavitree, the third heaviest bell in Devon, is ringing again, following an inspection by Guild towers and belfries advisors.
Preb. John Scott and James Clarke visited the tower in December, and were pleased to reassure Fr John Deeny VF, the parish priest and Catholic Dean of Exeter, that in spite of rumours to the contrary the 77 cwt bell could safely be sounded.
As a result, Fr John quickly recruited a team of ringers, who with instruction from Heavitree tower captain Ian Campbell, are taking turns to swing the magnificent bell before mass on Sundays. The large bell, which rings easily because of a well counter-balanced clapper, has the note of A flat. This was carefully chosen when the bell was cast to be in tune with the tenor of the Taylor's eight at St Michael's just across the road. The church was consecrated by Bishop Barrett in 1932, and follows the form of a Roman basilica, with a brick tower at the west end.
A chance meeting between the vicars of Ottery, Devon and Crowthorne, Berks, in the High Street of Exeter, in the early days of May, brought up the subject of ringing; it soon transpired that the fertile brain of the Rev. M. Kelly had produced a programme for a tour in South Devon on similar lines to that which took place in North Devon three years ago. A further meeting in Oxford was arranged later on, when all preliminaries were settled and a programme, which was strictly adhered to, drawn up. Monday, September 30th, saw the brothers Pitstow start at 9a.m from Paddington; these were joined at Reading by the Rev. G.F. Coleridge, the three being reinforced at Didcot by Mr Washbrook, and at Swindon by the Rev F.E. Robinson.
Newbury 2005
Listed are some of the organisations or individuals which hope to be exhibiting at the Newbury Roadshow this autumn. In addition the foundries and bell hangers, and various Central Council committees will all be represented, and many more. See http://www.ringingroadshow2005.org.uk/ for further details.
BELL ACCESSORIES
Ellis Ropes Ltd
Foilprint
Gay's Stays
Chris McKay - Turret clocks
Outhwaite - Rope makers
Pealboards.co.uk
Sound Solutions - Sound control
Tower Time - Church clocks
Wilf Grove - Velcro muffles
SOFTWARE
Beltower - Software
David Bagley - Electronic aids
Fortran Friends - Teaching
Chris Hughes - Abel simulator
Edward Lupton - Peal composing
Douglas Nichols
Ringing Master Software
TowerBase - Towers data base
WinRK - The Ringers' Database
MEDIA
Aardvark Music - Sheet music
Aune Head Arts - Dartmoor ringing
Mary Bone - Annual Reports
CSL Recordings - Compact discs
Campanophile
Cantate Recordings
Church Green Books
Steve & Sue Coleman - Books
David Hilling - Water colours
Mainframe Video Production
Chris Pickford - Publications
The Whiting Society - Booklets
OTHERS
Aitch - Ringing chuckles
Bell Jewellery
Berks and South Bucks Bat Group
Tom Blyth - maintenance
Alan A J Buswell - Quarter peals
Fire Ring Courses
Clare Stagg (Knitwear)
Sherbourne Teaching Aids
Obituary
In 1967 he joined the ringers at Swimbridge (famous for a former vicar Jack Russell who started the terrier breed, originally for hunting rabbits). Swimbridge were a crack Devon Association band at that time and Derek took over the second bell for competition ringing following the death of Charlie Milton. It was at Newton St Cyres, following a competition, that he was formally initiated in the Swimbridge band in the local Inn by the Captain pouring beer into Derek's trousers! In 1973 Swimbridge won the Devon final at Plymtree with Derek ringing the second. Derek took over ringing the treble for Swimbridge and led the team in many a perfect competition rise, sixty on thirds and an excellent fall in peal. He was to lead the Swimbridge band for twenty years during which they took home many a competition trophy. Derek also had a fine singing voice singing with the local operatic society.
Derek joined the local Freemasons in 1977 becoming Master of Concord Lodge, Ilfracombe in 1988. Derek was proud of his membership of the College Youths and celebrated 50 years membership last year (2004)
Derek enjoyed the very best in Devon call change ringing and also method
ringing. I well remember ringing a peal of Stedman Cinques with Derek at High
Wycombe. It was a College Youths peal conducted by David Hilling and I recall
that Derek rang faultlessly throughout the peal, another fine indication of his
ability on the end of a rope.
Jim Phillips.
Pages formatted by Ian Campbell
Updated 20/03/2005