Mid Devon Branch Tower Talk Spring 2025

10 Bell practice St Marychurch

There was a very good turnout for this practice and a useful evening was had. Several ringers were experiencing 10 bell ringing for the first time so plenty of time was spent on rounds and call changes on 10 and there was a definite improvement as the evening went on and confidence grew. We also had several goes at Plain Hunt on nine and again the ringing improved as confidence grew. There was also ringing on the lesser numbers, and good use was made of the front six for those who were happier ringing six bells. A couple of good touches of Grandsire Triples allowed some ringers to renew their acquaintance with this popular method. All in all, a very useful evening.

Branch 8 bell practice Dawlish

This year the Branch has reduced the number of Saturday evening practices but this one proved very popular to the point where ringers needed to go downstairs to reduce the crush in the ringing room. Tower Captain Mick was in charge and kept the bells ringing with a variety of methods from Call Changes to Stedman Triples. Grandsire and Plain Bob Triples were particularly in demand. Very many thanks to Mick and the Dawlish ringers for their warm welcome.

Surprise minor practice Bishopsteignton

This was a new venture for the branch and was very much an experiment. The committee had noted the number of retired ringers, many of whom were fairly experienced. This surprise minor practice on a Friday morning was the result. A good variety of methods was rung from Cambridge, London and Norwich to the rather "off the wall" Old Torquay which we managed to ring twice. All these had been notified in advance but a request for York found us slightly un-prepared – perhaps next time.
Many of those present remarked that they really appreciated the chance to try something harder than they can ring in their own towers in a relaxed setting. There was a strong opinion that we should repeat it and another one has been booked for the fourth Friday in June, again at Bishopsteignton. It is always a pleasure to ring on these bells and receive such a warm welcome. We were delighted to include a touch of Stedman Doubles for tower captain Roger Avery to join in.

VE 80th anniversary ringing

Although the request from the government for all church bells to ring at 6.30 on the 8th May was unrealistic, ringers did their utmost to ring as much as possible on that day and we have noted ringing at

Many apologies if I have missed any - The Ringing World this week has many pages tightly packed with reports of ringing – very easy to miss something but it does show how keen ringers are to do their bit to celebrate such events, VJ 80 later this year is another opportunity.

Bell Sunday at Dawlish. Many thanks to Deborah Wallis for this report

Bell Sunday is celebrated on the Sunday nearest to St Dunstan's Day on the 19th May. This year it was marked in Dawlish by a special service led entirely by the bellringers.

The congregation were given a brief history of bellringing and shown specially shot footage of the local bellringers in action and of all eight bells ringing. There was spontaneous applause when handbells were used to demonstrate the difference between call changes and method ringing. The service also included a general knowledge quiz about bells of national and international significance and appropriate prayers and Bible reading. We sang the Bellringers' Hymn and 'Ding Dong Merrily on High' and concluded with a CD recording of the bells of Exeter Cathedral.

After the service some of the more intrepid members of the congregation were taken up the tower to see the bells for themselves while others drank coffee and ate bell shaped biscuits. The bellringers were pleased to receive many favourable comments about the service and more generally about the place of the bells in the life of the church. It was a well-received opportunity to raise awareness of who we are and what we do.

Many congratulations to the Dawlish ringers for their efforts. From time to time we hear complaints about bells, but it seems that the majority of people are very supportive of them. Recently we were passing a church where a visiting band were ringing and heard an un-solicited comment "isn't it nice to hear the bells ringing!".

Flower Festival at West Charleton

There is no doubt that this tower is a very isolated out-post of method ringing so it was pleasing to have an invitation from Tower Captain Nick White to ring a quarter peal during their flower festival. A Mid Devon branch band rang a very enjoyable quarter of Cambridge minor. This was particularly pleasing because it was the first time Nick had been able to ring one on his own bells. This church is under threat of closure and with an excellent set of bells we do hope they manage to work out some compromise.
https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=1855523

R I P Bryan Tuckett

We were sorry to hear the news that Bryan Tuckett had died in Hospital on Thursday 29th May. Bryan lived and rang at Ipplepen but was also a member of the band at Upton. He was a supporter of our branch for many years and rang the tenor on several occasions for the branch entry in the Guild 8 bell competition. We understand that Don Roberts was able to visit him in hospital. We send our condolences to his family.

A Quarter peal of Cambridge surprise Minor was rung at Kingsteignton in memory of Bryan and another Brian – Brian Drake. Brian was Chairman of the Devon Association for many years along with many other roles and a major player in cattle breeding
https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=1857538

Future Events

Beyond Plain Bob Training morning Saturday 7th June Stokeinteignhead
This is our next event on the calendar. This is a great opportunity to extend your repertoire from plain bob. Contact Nigel Birt or Julia Brett to check for places.

Guild AGM Kingskerswell
Yes, it does seem unbelievable that 7 years have flown by and it is our turn to host this event again. You should have had details about this day so we look forward to seeing you there.

Branch mini-outing
Again, Rodney Horder has put together an excellent programme for this outing – you should have full details and we look forward to an enjoyable afternoon.

Coming Events

Mid Devon Branch Tower Talk Spring 2025

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