Extract from Mid-Devon Tower Talk - January 2022

Kingskerswell celebrate New Year 2022

Kingskerswell ringers were pleased to be able to ring in the New Year this year, after last year's absence. We had planned to have an evening together in the church prior to ringing, with more people than we had 2 years ago, which was very shortly after the completion of the restoration of our bells with our new balcony ringing chamber. Because of the Covid pandemic we had to scale back our plans, but we still had a very successful evening. 15 of us met in church at 11pm for drinks and mince pies and 9 ringers then proceeded to the tower. We rang the old year out half muffled, as is our tradition, before ringing open at midnight. Our ringing was publicised beforehand on the village Facebook page and we received many complementary comments.

Branch Practice Bishopsteignton

The first practice of the year saw a welcome return to Bishopsteignton. These bells were completely transformed a few years ago and are a delight to ring. It was good to meet again in person and the ground floor ring was another bonus – slightly against this was the need for ventilation so the large door was kept open letting in the cold January night. Anyone needing to warm up could slip into the church for a few minutes where the temperature was very welcoming.

It was good to see some of our new members from Bovey Tracey and we hope they found the practice useful. The special method was Double Dunkirk Bob Minor. This is basically Stedman slow on the front and upside down Steman slow on the back with the plain hunting treble acting as quick bell. Most people were happy on the front three places but at the back there are many pitfalls to trap the unwary! This was rung several times and there was real enthusiasm for this rather novel method. Of course, there was plenty of other fare and the proceedings started with a very well struck 120 of Grandsire Doubles. Methods from Bob Doubles to Cambridge were also rung – in all a vey useful evening – very many thanks to Roger and the local ringers for the warm welcome.

Jean Wilson RIP

From Julia Brett
The Teignmouth Band of Ringers has lost another ringer. Jean Wilson died on Friday 7th January; Jean was our former Treasurer, until November 2021 when John Stern took over.
She was not a Guild member, but there may be many who knew her through her work with the Teignmouth Bells Project. Jean rang mainly at St James' Teignmouth, but she was a founder member and massive supporter of the Teignmouth Bells Project. Jean was a warm, capable and welcoming person who helped make a real difference to ringing in Teignmouth through her TBP fundraising work. She sadly had to give up ringing during Lockdown when she was diagnosed with cancer. She made no secret of her prolonged and difficult cancer struggle, which she fought with dignity and grit. It really is a sad day for us. We have lost another of our own.

Another sad blow for this band but we know that they will continue the work that Jean, and Martin Dodd, spent so much time and effort on. We offer our condolences – we know that the Teignmouth ringers really value the support they have had from the Mid Devon Branch.

More News from Teignmouth

After their sad losses the Teignmouth band have re organised and the new officers are
Tower Captain – Roger Treweek
Deputy Tower Captain – Richard Barter
Secretary - Julia Brett
Steeple Keeper – Martin Brown
Treasurer – John Stern

We know that the Branch will support the band as they work hard to keep the two towers – St James and St Michael – ringing week by week.