Mid-Devon Tower Talk - Jul/Aug 21

Memorial Service for Alan Furse – St Michael's Teignmouth

There was a pleasingly large congregation for this service. Proceedings started with open ringing on the bells for about 30 minutes before the service which was taken by Rev Carol Green and Rev Sue Astbury. It was definitely a celebration of Alan and featured many aspects of his very full life. His handbell team – The Estuary ringers – played their signature tune - La Morisque by Susato as arranged by S Winter. And there were rousing hymns all chosen by Alan – Angel Voices ever Singing, Praise the Lord ye Heavens Adore Him and I Vow to Thee, My Country. Alan's personality came through constantly as we learned of his life as a schoolmaster – in particular at Blundels School in Tiverton. Of his love for chemistry and his joy in teaching this hard subject to others. This came through strongly in a moving tribute from his grandson explaining how much Alan had helped him with his own study of Chemistry as he awaited the results of his exams this August. We also heard of his love of music and in particular his work to establish and nurture the Estuary ringers. Of course, for ringers he will be remembered as a driving force in the Teignmouth bells project.

A very individual way that Teignmouth ringers remember their past members is by placing small plaques on a very large bell wheel hung in the area underneath the tower. At the end of the main service there was a final act when the plaque in memory of Alan was dedicated. The excellent Narthex was the venue for a sumptuous feast after the service. This was much enjoyed although there were definite butterflies in some of the ringers' stomachs. This was because they were about to attempt a quarter peal of Grandsire Doubles as this was Alan's favourite method. Several had only recently started practicing Grandsire so were understandably nervous. But.. they need not have been as the quarter was brought round successfully and there were many sighs of relief – very well done to Julia and Richard who were ringing a QP in the method for the first time. We understand the effort required Jason to have two ice creams on the way home!! Altogether a fine way to celebrate Alan's Life. RIP

https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=1530544 

Mini Outing

East Devon was the venue for this year and our chairman, Rodney Horder, had spent much time and effort to make sure things ran smoothly. We started at Combe Raleigh. These bells were rung as a three for many years but eventually the very enthusiastic local band had them augmented to an excellent ring of 6. We were delighted to find an excellent turnout of ringers including Cambridge University ringers Greg Chu and Kirsten Hawkins. Kirsten is originally from Combe Raleigh but Greg had travelled down for the day especially to join our outing! Next tower on the list was Feniton where our Group photo was taken. Tallaton was next stop and we were extremely fortunate to be allowed to ring here as the church was just about to be closed for extensive building work – in fact the first part of the job had just been completed and we were the first ringers to use the new floor to the ringing room. Final tower was Clyst Hydon where we were met by local ringer, Sue, who told us she had recently returned to ringing after a long layoff. She has recently been helping to teach new ringers at Clyst Hydon. She joined us for some Bob Minor and later rang the treble to Cambridge. She then told us that it was over 40 years since she had last rung it! We wish her well with teaching new ringers.

Final stop of the day was at the Keeper's Cottage Inn at Kentisbeare. All had pre booked meals and we found a very warm welcome and an excellent meal efficiently served. This was a chance to relax and reflect on a first class outing. Very many thanks To Rodney for all the arrangements and to all the local ringers and incumbents for giving us permission to ring.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/n8tHZvpUMBryKBSp9 

Torbay Steam Fair 2022

The Branch committee is keen to promote recruitment and public relations. It was felt that the Torbay Steam Fair might be a good place to do this. It certainly proved to be the case. We were extremely grateful for the enthusiastic support given by the organisers who found us an excellent site and gave us every possible encouragement.
The Frank Mack ring was the focus for our presentation. This was set up on the Thursday afternoon in an almost empty field. Ian Avery (custodian of the Frank Mack ring) also provided a Gazebo which allowed some shelter from the sunny and hot weather. Along with the mini ring we used the Guild display boards to give a flavour of what ringing is all about. By the Friday we found ourselves surrounded by other stalls and flanked by a 4x4 club and the Brixham Round Table. Most importantly we were not too far away from a stall selling Bacon Rolls etc!! Throughout the three days we had at least six volunteers manning the stall ang keeping the bells ringing to call changes or methods but also giving visitors the chance to have a go and learn a little about our art and science. We have got to say that some of the questions taxed our explaining ability to the full. E.g. "Why are some methods harder to ring than others?" Explaining that in lay terms is not easy! Altogether we estimate that over 200 people came along to chat or have a go – some seemed very inclined to take it further and maybe learn at their local tower – we certainly hope so. One of the abiding memories is how many people told us they really enjoy hearing church bells ringing – so good to hear.

None of this could have been done without the enthusiastic participation of branch members who so willingly gave up their time to promote ringing – we thank them all most sincerely. Mike Canon of Heavitree gave us much useful advice and visited us with his half size traction engine – Thanks Mike. Obviously, the weather had a lot to do with the great turn out but there was much enthusiasm for doing it all again – watch this space! A few photos at https://photos.app.goo.gl/uTmy6ohkYEcFo4HG7  More in RRD  

Don Roberts – 92 not out!

Many congratulations to Don Roberts who turned 92 at the beginning of August. Don is as enthusiastic as ever about his many passions – Ringing, Swimming and Family history among them. A 240 of Doubles was rung to celebrate during the Torbay Steam Fair. Congratulations to Debbie Birt for her first touch "with rope and wheel".
https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=1533000 

10 bell practice St Marychurch Saturday 13th August

We had a very pleasing response to this practice and it was a real pleasure to welcome our colleagues from the South West Branch. We managed to keep the 10 bells ringing throughout the evening to a variety of methods from Plain Hunt to Surprise Royal. Highlights included a two course touch of Stedman Caters. It was good to see less experienced ringers attempting something new – the whole point of this sort of practice. Perhaps the Cambridge Royal should have been attempted earlier in the evening as by the end of the practice there were definite signs of fatigue!! Altogether a very useful evening – thankyou all – particularly those who had travelled a long way to be present.

 Keith Fursdon – RIP

Keith learned to ring at Torre in the 1960s where he was also in the choir. He was taught by Bill Harvey and eventually became Tower Captain there before the church became Greek Orthodox in the 1970s. He was a clockmaker and restorer by trade and looked after many of the public clocks in Torquay. He had hoped to reach 60 years winding and looking after the clock on Torquay harbour which he would have achieved in February next year. At St Marychurch we never needed to worry about changing the clock in March or October – Keith would see to it!. He was very well known locally and had appeared in the local press and television on several occasions.

He had quite a number of interests – particularly music and was a member of several choirs over the years. Bowls was another passion and he had been club president and was fixture secretary at the time of his death. Whenever he was free, he was keen to keep up with his ringing and rang regularly at St Marychurch up to his final illness. He had been married to Elaine for over 50 years and we were told at the funeral that she took up Bowls so that she could see a bit of him from time to time!

The funeral service was held at St Luke's Church in Torquay. This is a large Victorian church but has no bells. All of Keith's interests were represented at the funeral – The bowlers being conspicuous in their whites and a large joint choir giving impressive performances of American Trilogy and Morte Christe. Several ringers were present and Mike Tompsett, Peter Bill and Martin Mansley rang a plain course of Plain Bob Minor on handbells as their contribution. The whole service was one of celebration which started with the Blue Danube had three rousing hymns (O Praise ye the Lord, Lead us Heaveny Father, Lead us, Praise my soul, the King of Heaven) and ended with the Redetzky March from a recording of the New Years Day Concert in Vienna. We were encouraged to clap along in time. Altogether a very fitting send off. RIP Keith.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/w2DiQoWox1YRcpSw6 

August 6 Bell practice – Bickington

The advertised special method for this practice was Carlisle Surprise and it was very pleasing that so many people had come along having learned this method. We rang it several times along with Cambridge and Stedman Doubles but a touch of it defeated us. Our time was limited to one hour but this gave more time for after ringing refreshments and there was a good representation of ringers at the Welcome Stranger pub where ringing and the World were put to rights over a pint or two! Many thanks to Robert Brown for welcoming us and to all who had so enthusiastically spent time on method leaning. Perhaps we should visit this interesting group (Carlisle above the treble) of methods again very soon.

Denbury
A news item on the BBC website tells us that Denbury bells are back and on their way into the tower. The work includes augmentation to 6 and a new upstairs ringing room. We look forward to trying this new 6 – the old 5 were "interesting" to say the least! Nicholson Engineering are in charge of the work.