Mid Devon Branch Tower Talk July 2025

Beyond Plain Bob Training Morning – Stokeinteignhead

What methods should you consider learning once you have mastered Plain Bob minor? This was the problem set for participants at this morning course. Several suggestions were made and most of these were tackled by, at least, some of the participants. Little bob was suggested as a step towards Treble bob and several courses were rung. This led easily to Kent Treble Bob which several had asked for. Back to plain methods for St Clements which was a relatively small step from St Simons Doubles which several ringers had experience of. Probably the most popular method was Cambridge Surprise Minor and much work was done on this method.

The Stoke ringers had really "gone to Town" to welcome us and cups of tea and coffee were available throughout the morning. At the half time break we were able to sample the fantastic cakes provided by Jenny – she really had done a great job for us.
After the break it was back to work again with more Kent and Cambridge. All in all a very useful morning. Many thanks to Mike Wigney for running the ringing and to all the helpers for providing steady bands throughout the morning. But... a particular thankyou to all the Stokeinteignhead ringers for such a warm welcome.

Surprise Minor Practice June 2025 Bishopsteignton

Following the success of the first of these Friday practices it was decided to make it a regular feature of the branch programme. Another good attendance and a variety of methods was rung. Cambridge (of course) but also Norwich, including a touch and York which was much more successful than last time. More importantly, we remembered to bring milk so the mid morning refreshments could be enjoyed whilst we caught our breath half way through. York can be described as London below the treble and Cambridge above. We also rang London above and below the treble – in other words – London itself.

This practice is definitely a popular move as many experienced ringers spend hours teaching learners (as we should) but rarely get an opportunity to stretch our own ringing skills. Many thanks to Roger Avery for making us so welcome and again joining us for some Stedman Doubles.

Branch mini-outing

Again, Rodney Horder put together an excellent programme for this outing. We started at the tiny village of Warkleigh which seemed to consist of not much more than a farmyard! With very long ropes and a small ringing chamber many ringers were happy to have one ring, But.. the church itself was full of interest and well worth investigation. Of particular note was a cross made by local farmers explained on a nearby notice.
Next was the fine eight at Chittlehampton. The bells were enjoyed but for many the stand-out event was a certain ringer from St Marychurch who decided to sit on an old oak chest in the church. That was fine until she got off it when the burglar alarm went off.

Those bells vied for best of the day with our next 8 at South Molton. These glorious sounding bells were a real treat. Highlight here was a nice (fairly fast) call change "peal" which really brought out the quality of these bells.

We were a little concerned at our last tower (Bishops Nympton) when no-one turned up to let us in. Fortunately several ringers chatted to the next door neighbour who turned out to be the church warden, she did not seem at all surprised that we had been forgotten and immediately let us in. Yet more long ropes (a theme for the day) but the main feature was the very narrow staircase (you could barely get your feet on the steps). The bells were a pleasant Gillette six and we enjoyed a variety of methods on them,

For those who had booked a meal there was an "interesting!" drive to Uplowman but all agreed that the welcome in the pub was worth the drive. The Redwoods Inn knows ringers very well as it is the watering hole post peal for the weekly band at Huntsham. Everything was ready for us and we were soon seated and enjoying pre meal drinks. Our host soon took our orders and before long a huge Cauliflower cheese was placed on each table along with other vegetables. These accompanied our individual orders. All agreed that the food was an excellent end to the day. Around 25 ringers were present including Tim Bayton, our Guild President. This when there had been serious concerns that we may not have enough!

Once again a big thankyou to Rodney and Sheila for organising a superb outing. The fact that they had done a "dry run" meant that the final programme had copious notes explaining parking etc. Way above and beyond! A big thankyou too to the local ringers who came to meet us and gave us permission to ring.
Photos at https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZkWbd8iX8SrVEQYs7 

Branch Practice Kingskerswell

Rather a disappointing turn-out for this one but it meant that the local band benefited from experienced support. Eight bells were limited to call changes but much useful work was done on six including Plain Bob Doubles and Grandsire Doubles. The East Anglian section of the Mid Devon branch was represented by Catherine Saunders playing a flying visit to coincide with both the mini-outing and this practice. One of the highlights of the evening was a very well struck 120 of Grandsire Doubles which meant that Alesha Leggett gained her Guild Certificate. As always, at Kingskerswell, we had a warm welcome and all enjoyed ringing on these lovely bells in their very pleasant ringing room.
Photos at https://photos.app.goo.gl/bgtm3i3QMPXe89Pw9 

50th Anniversary of ringing resuming at St Marychurch

Following the bombing of the church and the horror of the deaths of so many, it was felt that the church may never be restored but it was, and many visitors now may be surprised to see how well new has been matched to old. For the local ringers there was one sadness. They were not allowed to inspect the bells until 1975. At this point there was much work needed to remove years of bird droppings and general decay. Despite this the ringers persevered and eventually the bells were able to be rung once again. This first ringing was a major landmark in the history of St Marychurch and we have many reports of people openly weeping with joy to hear the bells again. Indeed, one of our present band, Jeanette, clearly remembers recording the ringing after school when standing in Church road with her father.

Exactly 50 years to the day after that event a celebration was held in the tower. Now, of course, there are 10 bells. And much use was made of them. The evening started with open ringing of rounds on 10 progressing to Call changes and Plain Hunt on nine. Prior to a break, Don Roberts celebrated his own 50 years at the tower by calling a touch of 111 Grandsire Triples with an invited band representing present and past ringers at the tower.

During the break tower captain, Martin Mansley, welcomed everyone saying how delighted he was to have 25 ringers present representing most of the branch towers. He said how delighted he was that Don Roberts was able to be present and take part in the ringing. He briefly outlined some of the events of the last 50 years and Don recalled the large number of bags of guano that had been removed before that first ringing. Apparently, his allotment had never grown such good vegetables before or since! Only three ringers are now still around of that first band and Don was the only one able to join us for the evening. Apologies had been received from Ian Avery. Mention was made of some of the many ringers who have rung these bells in that 50 years and are no longer with us. These include Ernie Pryce, Keith Fursdon, Tony Pearson and Bill Simmonds. It was mentioned that from a very early stage following the return of ringing there was a dream that the tower should contain 10 bells. Several of the ringers present were able to recall the joyful day when the 10 bells rang out for the first time.

Refreshments of soft drinks and biscuits were enjoyed and more ringing continued including attempts at Yorkshire Major and (almost) three leads of Bristol Major. A bob course of Grandsire Caters was more successful. Don decided he needed to leave before the end and he received heartfelt applause as he left the tower.

We are immensely grateful to all the ringers who gave such amazing support, and it was a real pleasure to hear how well the 10 bells were rung by several ringers who very rarely ring on 10. Thankyou all.
Photos at https://photos.app.goo.gl/vyNXUA1m8Rhr5hG68