Alan Furse RIP
Thanks to Julia Brett for -
Alan and Gill had many ringing friends and those who knew Alan will understand how much he was sustained and felt blessed by the love of his family and friends, his faith and his ringing. Alan faced illness in recent months unafraid and surrounded by his loving family and church community.
Alan and his wife Gill both learnt to ring in the North East branch. It became a passion. On moving to Teignmouth they enthusiastically joined the local band. Alan was a founder member of The Teignmouth Bells Project (TBP). He, together with Gill, raised a great deal of awareness, not to mention funds, for ringing in Teignmouth and our Branch. Alan was our current TBP Secretary and was working with other committee members until a recent operation in March. We all hoped for a return to health, which, sadly, was not to be.
Following an emergency hip operation during the covid period, Alan had stuck to ringing hand bells. At a Guild AGM at Tiverton Alan and Gill took part in a handbell tune ringing session run by the St Marychurch handbell ringers. This ignited his passion for handbell tune ringing. He did not just ring hand bells, he led his own hand bell team. His and his hand bell Band's performances were always the highlight of the Teignmouth Christmas Fayre. Light, bright, musical and fun. Always filled with the joy of Christmas.
His enthusiasm for all things ringing was passionate and supportive. Few can forget his ringing outings, which were always interesting mini adventures. Just what ringing outings should be! He served on the Branch committee and brought his very considerable intelligence and thoughtfulness to Branch matters.
The Teignmouth Band, like his many church bell ringing friends, will miss his gentle encouragement and calm positivity. He mentored many, and the Teignmouth Band have benefitted greatly from his long years of support. It was always a pleasure ringing with Alan and we miss him very much.
The Teignmouth Band understand that there will be a private family cremation, followed by a Thanksgiving service at a later date.
Quarter Peal at St James Teignmouth
We are delighted to report that the Teignmouth ringers rang a quarter peal of Plain Bob Doubles to celebrate the lives of the three Teignmouth ringers who have died in the last 12 months: Martin Dodd, Jean Wilson and Alan Furse. Very well done to them, although we are sorry that it is to mark such sad occurrences. It does really show their determination to continue and expand on the work that these three people were so passionate about https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=1517055
