Extract from Mid-Devon Tower Talk -  July 2023

Branch 6 bell practice Abotskerswell

On a very warm evening the rather small ringing room at Abbotskerswell was perhaps not the best choice for a practice. At the same time, we attracted several visitors and managed to keep the bells going for most of the evening. We were pleased to meet Julia from Ireland staying with Mike and Jill Wigney and Helen Mansley with partner Matt. As usual, a good variety of methods was rung from rounds and call changes to 4 spliced Surprise Minor – good to see Nigel back on the end of a rope for this one. We have to admit that the heat got to us eventually but altogether a very enjoyable evening. Thanks to Abbotskerswell ringers for the warm welcome.

Branch 8 bell practice St James Teignmouth

When there is a branch practice on the same night as a tower practice the tower practice is often cancelled in favour of the branch one. Thus St Marychurch practice was cancelled to allow members to attend Teignmouth. In fact, two tower captains found themselves with an evening off ringing master duties as the practice was run by branch assistant ringing master, Mike Wigney. He was kept very busy in the churchyard rounding up the next team to ring. Several attempts were made to ring the method of the evening – Double Norwich and eventually it came round. This allowed several ringers a chance to ring it after a long break and, indeed this was very much the pattern for the evening with many ringers taking the chance to ring something they don't often get the chance to tackle. Several touches of Grandsire Doubles were rung along with Plain Bob Triples. For many the highlight of the evening was a very well struck touch of Stedman Triples even if it did get off to a slow start when no-one could work out who was conducting!

As always, very many thanks to the Teignmouth ringers for a very warm welcome – do hope you all enjoyed it as much as the rest of us did.

Joint 10 bell practice with South west branch

Many thanks to Rodney Horder for this report. 

Just 3 of us from Mid-Devon attended, all from Stokeinteignhead, braving a foggy Dartmoor for the drive over. Fortunately, there was good support from the SW Branch, and Sue King, Guild Education Officer, had come all the way from Sidmouth, making a total of 20 ringers present. Ringing included Plain Bob and Grandsire Caters, Stedman Triples, and a significant amount of Rounds and Call Changes.

We have found in the past that August is often a poorly attended practice so many thanks to the South West Branch for keeping the ball rolling. Look forward to next year when it is our turn.

Future Events

Raising and Lowering course – East Ogwell – Saturday 2 Sep

Many thanks to all who responded to offer help with this morning. We now have sufficient help and enough "trainees". This has been one of our most popular training sessions over the years and we really look forward to another great session at East Ogwell

Branch Outing Saturday 7th October

Please make sure this is in your diary – more information to follow very soon.