Mid Devon Tower Talk March 2022
Plain Hunt and Plain bob training morning
There can be few better places to hold a training event than Stokeinteignhead. With excellent bells, easy access and superb kitchen facilities it really is ideal. Add to that the warm welcome we always receive and perhaps it is no wonder that we all came away feeling really positive. With five "students" it meant that everyone could get plenty of "rope" time. At the same time a band of experienced helpers meant that each time there was the best possible chance of success. So it proved. Each student had a different focus from Plain hunt to touches of Plain Bob Minor. All were easily catered for, and the bells were kept going from 9.30 with a brief break for coffee and cake, until we were starting to wilt a little at noon! Without exception, our students made marked progress and there was a real feeling of achievement.
Thankyou to all who made it such a good morning – to the Stokeinteignhead ringers (especially Sheila for all her hard work in the kitchen), to all the helpers who worked so hard to provide steady bands for whatever methods were suggested and to the students for their obvious enthusiasm and willingness to learn.
Photos of the morning at https://photos.app.goo.gl/t4ouJVvuRdYWJiCq7
With many thanks to Janet Ritterman and Debbie Birt for providing them
International Women's Day
During the practice at St Marychurch on 8th March it was realised that we could mark International Women's Day with a "ladies" band. Very commendable rounds were achieved and this was repeated when the photographer admitted he had been too slow to get the first ringing!! The band was Anne Bailey 1, Wendy Rennie 2, Catherine Saunders 3, Jeanette Thompson 4, Anne England 5, Jo Franklin 6, Helen Mansley 7, and Wena Mansley 8. Photos at https://photos.app.goo.gl/zkibogZzz5AgZzep9
Branch 8 Bell practice – Upton
There had been a certain amount of doubt, behind the scenes, about whether this practice could go ahead. The rope boss on the seventh bell had become loose and was in danger of dropping off onto an unsuspecting ringer!! Last minute action by Neville, Nicola and Martin saved the day and the offending boss is now securely fixed. At the start of the practice Tower Captain Don Roberts thanked them for their work.
In the event we had a very good turn out and it was good to hear the eight in action – weekly practices at Upton tend to concentrate on the front six. A good variety of methods was rung including Erin Triples which was the method of the month. By special request of Don we also rang a full course of Bristol Surprise Major to which he rang the treble. Altogether a very enjoyable practice.
Branch practice Ugborough
Those who have rung on these bells in the past may remember them as a ring that were seriously out of tune and went badly. A few years ago a major project saw a completely new set of bells cast and hung by Taylors. Just before lockdown we had booked a visit but that had to be cancelled at the last minute. So, it was great to finally ring on these bells. What a contrast!! The new bells are an absolute joy to ring and listen to. At approximately one ton they are quite big but go superbly and sound magnificent – a real credit to the local ringers for raising the money and acting as volunteers and to Taylors for a superb modern ring. We were a little short on numbers, but we managed to keep the eight ringing to a variety of methods and Call Changes.
John Martin rings his 2000th peal
Congratulations to John Martin on ringing his 2000th peal. John is a former Mid Devon Branch secretary and present Guild secretary. The peal was rung at Tiverton with a band of very prolific peal ringers making his total the second lowest of the band. The whole band total was over 30k. In the evening following the peal John and Charlotte hosted a party to celebrate and mark his significant birthday (obviously can't divulge which one!) on the same day. The Brewery Tap in Exeter saw a large gathering of ringers who enjoyed a very convivial evening which included a sumptuous buffet and a superb cake, made, we understand by Charlotte's mother. Altogether a very pleasant chance to meet up with ringers from far and wide – particularly after not being able to meet in person for so long. https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=1508602
A quarter peal for Martin Dodd at last
It seems hard to believe that it is now over one year since we heard the shock news that Martin Dodd had died suddenly on Good Friday. Since then attempts to commemorate his life have been dogged by cancellations, mainly due to covid. We have previously recorded the memorial day / tower grab in his memory. We are now pleased to be able to report that a quarter peal has been rung to commemorate his life. After several attempts to arrange a date it seemed very appropriate that the successful quarter peal was rung a year and a day after he died. The band was mainly Teignmouth ringers, and we congratulate John Stern on his first Quarter Peal.
https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=1508871
Thanks to Fiona Rock-Evans for this photo https://photos.app.goo.gl/YEPx5DAgpKyaHuz18
Left to right – 1 to 4 front row, 5 to 8 back row
Future Events
Branch Six Bell practice Coffinswell Thursday 21 April 7.30
This has been advertised as a Surprise practice but at present an open 6 bell practice seems more relevant – we will, of course, ring some surprise minor if possible but please come to the practice if your minor repertoire has not reached Surprise. Special Method Norwich Surprise.
Mini ring afternoon Saturday 7th May
The final programme for this short tour has not been completely finalised. We will be starting at Bowerdon Farm mini ring at 2.15pm. We will then go to Buckfast Abbey Grange for refreshments. Unfortunately, we have had to make a change in the programme but we have substituted (subject to confirmation) the 5 at Rattery. The branch has not been to Rattery for a very long time so we hope they will prove popular. We then hope to finish at Kings ting tong. We will get final timings to you ASAP.
