Mid-Devon Tower Talk - June & July 2024

Raising and lowering day Saturday 8th June St Marychurch

Previous courses for raising and lowering have been held at East Ogwell, Whilst the light 6 there are ideal for getting up and down numerous times in a morning, the slightly cramped conditions are not ideal for a larger group. Hence the change to the front six at St Marychurch where there is plenty of room. We were a little short on helpers this time so we used bells 2-6. This seemed to work very well.

We were pleased to see Catherine Saunders making another trip from the East Anglian branch of the Mid Devon Branch(!!). She very kindly provided some of the refreshments for the morning. She also kept a very useful log of who had done what – it is very easy to lose track of what each person has done!

We realised that several of the ringers had not rung in the tower before, so we had a brief ring on all 10 for them to be able to say they had rung in the tower. It was very clear by the end that great progress had been made when 4 of the trainees rang together in a very creditable rise.

We also rang 80 changes of Plain Bob Doubles with the helpers to mark the 80th anniversary of D Day (see below).

As always, very many thanks to the helpers for giving up a morning – we are sure you feel it was time well spent.
Photos at https://photos.app.goo.gl/6xE7DMu38D3PWwJ26 

Ring out for peace

The 80th anniversary of D Day was designated a time to "Ring out for Peace". Towers in the branch area responded magnificently and most of the ringing was recorded on Ringing World Bell Board. We hope we have not missed any.

Combeinteignhead quarter peal

For several years the band at Kingsteignton have provided ringers to ring the bells at Combeinteignhead for Sunday services. Six of those ringers entered the National Six bell Call Change competition at Bristol (Lord Mayor's Chapel). They came away with first place – many congratulations to them. They then came "home" and with the same band ringing in the same order rang a quarter peal of Cambridge Surprise Minor. This is thought to be a "first". https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=1744502 

A great effort by all – well done. We are fairly sure a similar band could have rung Grandsire Triples, if not Surprise Major!

Branch Mini-outing Plymouth and South Hams

Anyone who has been a branch member for even a relatively short time must know by now that our Chairman (Rodney Horder) knows how to organise an outing – and this was another excellent day. Laira in Plymouth was the first tower with a relatively light 8 rung from the ground floor. Parking here was a slight issue but eventually everyone managed to get to the church where Rodney got proceedings underway in the absence of the branch ringing master (on wedding duties). Several people mentioned sadness about the slightly run down situation in this deprived area of the city.

It was then time for the heaviest ring of the day at Plympton St Mary where the bells just top the 1 tonne mark. By now the full complement of 21 ringers had arrived. Much of the ringing featured our less experienced ringers and it was great to see them really getting used to bells outside their home towers. We did manage some Grandsire Triples and Stedman Triples as well. The highlight for one ringer was the chance to ring the tenor – well done, Jason!.

Just down the road was Plympton St Maurice with a slightly lighter ring of eight, Again, plenty of opportunities for our less experienced ringers in rounds and call changes.

The final tower was at Diptford and we are delighted that no one was tempted to stop at the Avon Inn – our venue for the evening – when they drove past it. This was our only 6 of the day and for some the first experience of extra-long tail ends. This is my excuse for messing up the touch of Cambridge Minor!! Somehow or other everyone coped but it was clear that tiredness was starting to creep in a bit. So... What a good job this was our last tower and we soon made the short trip back to the Avon Inn at Avonwick.

By now the party had reduced but we were quickly seated at our reserved table, the friendly staff made us very welcome and the meals were swiftly served. The only setback was a slightly spilled drink as the pub erupted when England scored the winning goal. This was a wonderful way to end a very well attended outing. A very big thankyou to Rodney and Sheila who not only booked the towers but did a "Dry Run" so that we all had detailed instructions about towers and parking etc.

Thanks to all who sent photos Rodney Horder, Julia Brett and Richard Wills – still have not found the group photo: https://photos.app.goo.gl/7jku8qhs83cmZdPdA  

Roger Avery is 85

Many congratulations to Roger Avery of Bishopsteignton on celebrating his 85th birthday. Roger's daughter rings at a tower that is almost as far away as possible in this country – Inverness! So, any chance that they have they love to ring together. The other members of the band were delighted to join them in this celebration, especially as we have been invited to return in five year's time. The occasion had a tinge of sadness as Roger asked that the quarter peal should also be in memory of his brother-in-law who had died on the previous day.
https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=1751108 

Future events - Training morning Sat 31st August

Planning is underway for this training session on Plain Hunt and basic method ringing at Ilsington, starting at 9:30. We need volunteers to help so please let me know at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.