Branch Practice Babbacombe

The January practice is often not very well attended as ringers recover from the Christmas festivities. This was definitely not the case with this practice. Quite possibly a record turn-out for the first practice of the year. A good range of methods was rung although these bells (not rung very often) are quite a challenge! We made a good try at Pudsey Surprise Major (method of the month) although we did not quite manage a full course. We also rang Stedman Triples and Cambridge Major along with staples Grandsire and Plain Bob and Little Bob Major. The writer would like to draw a veil over his handling of the third bell!!! Wendy has offered lessons!

February Branch Practice – Brixham

Brixham is very much at the Southern end of our branch and, with much publicised road closures as well, there seemed a good chance that there may have been a poor turn-out for this one. But.. we actually had a full tower and were able to admire the re-decoration under way in the tower. Often when we visit a tower the local ringers are conspicuous by their absence but definitely not the case at Brixham. They were really out in force to welcome us.

Brixham bells are what might be called an "acquired taste". You need to know the idiosyncrasies of each bell and one or two can catch visitors out! Having said that, we learned how to manage them during the evening with mainly call changes on all 10 and method ringing on lower numbers – this included Grandsire Triples on the back 8 and Cambridge minor on the front six. We were very impressed by a Brixham learner who had only been ringing a few weeks and managed to ring rounds on 10. Definitely good news for Brixham.

Very many thanks to Guy and the Brixham ringers for such a warm welcome.

February 8 bell practice – Upton

After the last two full houses it was inevitable that at some point we were going to have a practice that was less well attended. Upton was that practice, and there were several reasons. Clashing activities and illness seemed to be the main ones this time. However, we did manage to ring the full eight most of the evening even if we did not quite manage the "method of the Month" – Erin Triples. We had some good Plain Hunt Triples for local ringers and a good course of Stedman Doubles. Stedman Triples did not fare quite so well but Single Oxford Triples was achieved at the second attempt. Thanks to Don and the Upton ringers for allowing us to join their practice.

Derek Rogers RIP.

Stokeinteignhead ringer Derek Rogers died in January. He was 93 and had not rung for some time. He was active in the tower during the days of Bob Southwood and, as well as ringing his practical skills were often employed around the church including the tower and bells.
The bells were rung before and after the funeral, including some excellent "Whole Pull and Stand" as the coffin was brought into the church. Candle holders made by Derek were attached to most pews for the service by request of his Wife, Margaret, also a ringer in the past.
A Photo of Derek at https://photos.app.goo.gl/UTj9AvUVAvB1jRv2A 

Madeline Reeder RIP

Madeline and her partner, Andrew, have been regular (fortnightly) visitors to Torquay for quite a few years, ringing at St Marychurch and Upton but also joining in branch practices and outings when they coincided with their visits. She has been battling cancer for most of that time. Recently we heard the sad news that she had finally lost that battle – one she fought with great courage and dignity.
She was quite a late starter with ringing but threw herself into it with great enthusiasm. She was an avid quarter peal ringer and a born organiser. Skills she put to great use in her home towers in the Pershore area. She had organised a weekly quarter peal attempt for many years but she also set up tours abroad including Australia and her native America.
She will be greatly missed, and we send our sincere condolences to Andrew, her family and her many ringing friends. Photo showing her with Andrew - (sorry about the quality – taken from a larger group photo)
https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZBeF8g1APgG6xhUv8 

110th anniversary peal

Pealbase (a web based list of peals) is a wonderful resource for anyone interested in peal ringing. It now includes all known peals rung since 1913. For some time I have been researching the peals rung by my grandfather, George Bradley, who learned to ring in 1910 at St John's church, Whittle-le-Woods in Lancashire. I was delighted to find confirmation (on pealbase) of his first peal. This was rung on 1st February 1913. I only found it in the middle of January and was amazed that Mike Mears was able to assemble an eight-bell band and a suitable tower, at incredibly short notice. The method he suggested was Ribblesdale Delight Major and what a superb choice. It had great musical potential which was exploited to the full in a one-part composition by Alan Reading. My very grateful thanks to Mike and all the band for helping me to celebrate 110 years of Peal ringing in my Family. Unfortunately, Philip Stevens, who had kindly arranged the tower was not able to ring on the day. Details at https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=1592412 

Martin Mansley

Farewell to Lynne Hughes

Lynne has been ringing in Devon for quite a few years now having moved when the Met office moved to Devon. She has been based in Dawlish ever since, eventually becoming captain there. So, over the last 20 years she has become very involved with ringing in Devon having been Guild Education Officer followed by Publicity officer to mention just two of her activities. She is a keen quarter peal ringer and over the last few years has become a passionate handbell change ringer. At Dawlish she has taught many ringers including her own family. Speaking personally, she has been a strong supporter of Tower Talk – always ready to send news items for inclusion. She and Phil have decided to move to Cambridge and she will be leaving Dawlish very soon. We know her energy and enthusiasm will be much missed but she has left Dawlish ringers in a strong position and we know they will be keen to continue to thrive. We wish Lynne and Phil all the very best and we will be watching Bellboard keenly to see what you get up to next!

Ring for the King

This is the broad heading of a national publicity drive to increase the number of ringers – particularly targeting returning ringers. Campaigns have also been run locally. The ART co-ordinators of this project have had over 1000 enquiries and quite a few of them have been for Devon. Locally Katie and Robert in Bovey have been using social media to spread the word and have passed their contacts on to suitable towers. These are mainly on top of the ones coming in via ART. This is a really hopeful initiative at a time when we desperately need more ringers. Very many thanks to all involved in this exciting initiative. We look forward to reporting how the new / returning ringers are getting on.