Mid-Devon Tower Talk - July 2026

Branch 8 Bell practice Kingskerswell – June 2026

Another of our very successful Friday morning advanced practices took place at Kingskerswell on Friday 26th June, with 13 members present making good use of these easy going bells. Although these practices are billed as 'advanced', these are general practices where members are encouraged to begin or continue their journey into more advanced ringing, through the learning and ringing of Surprise Major. If you are an experienced ringer and feel able to join us, you would be made very welcome....and enjoy free coffee and biscuits. We were delighted to be joined by Guild Master Wendy Gill - she has been a regular attendee at recent practices and it was lovely to have her with us again, as her year as Guild Master drew to a close the following day.

As ever, we were made very welcome by Philip Stevens and enjoyed a variety of methods, including Grandsire Triples, Stedman Triples and Cambridge S Major, with ringing overseen by Ringing Master Mike Wigney. Not everything came round, but some steady progress was made. We also enjoyed coffee and biscuits as usual, which has become an enjoyable aspect of the morning, giving plenty of time to chat and socialise.

Branch Mini Outing – North of Dartmoor

The attractive moorland village of Belstone was the first stop on our mini outing, arranged by Rodney Horder, our Chairman. These pleasant bells did present something of a challenge due to very long ropes where we were not allowed knots. Despite that we enjoyed our visit even though one car only just made it in time having visited several other villages on the way due to sat nav issues!

Inwardleigh was next and it was interesting to find a list of methods that the local ringers were working on. And... nice short ropes. This ground floor ring really were a pleasure to ring. We were all looking forward to the newly rehung 8 at Hatherleigh. They are now rung from an upstairs ringing room and your scribe was not the only one who found the wood covered spiral steps a bit of a challenge. The eight bells sounded delightful and we really enjoyed our visit - a few more experienced ringers would have helped with the only eight of the day.

The final tower was Sampford Courtney where a rather grumpy villager left a slightly bad taste for some with his complaints about the bells. At the same time, it was obvious that tiredness was starting to creep in. All this was forgotten at the New Inn just down the road from the Church. Everyone had ordered beforehand and we were promptly and efficiently served a superb meal that was universally agreed as the best tower of the day. As always, Rodney and Sheila had made superb arrangements; and we thank them and all the local ringers for a very enjoyable afternoon.

Photo at https://photos.app.goo.gl/nnBwgypwjyxnTYHN7 

Jan Stainer – funeral

Jan's funeral was held in the village church at Kingskerswell which really was very dear to her. Jan had grown up and lived in the village all her life. As the vicar said "If you lived in Kingskerswell and were not friends with Jan, it was your fault!". The bells were rung before and after the service by a mainly local band but with a few branch members who remember Jan as a ringer and one time branch secretary. The church was completely packed with many standing at the back of the church and most of the ringers up on the gallery.

Jan had planned the whole service meticulously and the theme of trees was a constant throughout. Her sister, Liz spoke movingly of her big sister and the way she had always tackled her many challenges head on and with a big smile on her face. Husband Ray also spoke and there was much laughter. After the service the bells rang out once more to honour a lady who will be very much missed in Kingskerswell.

We can find no better way of ending but with her own words.
"When you think of me (and I hope you do often), always think of me with a smile, as I think a "smile" is worth its weight in gold! And a smile is for ever and a "smile goes miles", it will reach me in heaven. Jan Stainer.

This photo shows her standing next to the new 5th bell at Kingskerswell which replaced the old third – "her bell". https://photos.app.goo.gl/MNhoqx7cQGteahmG7 

Moving on in Method ringing – 6 and 8 bell course

Earlier on in the year the branch tried a new approach to training with a two day format – Friday evening followed by Saturday morning. This had proved very useful. so a second one was organised. This time two eight bell towers were used so trainees could choose either 5/6 bell or 7/8 bell methods. Kingskerswell was the venue on Friday. Although start was slightly delayed due to a service in church we were soon working hard under the leadership of Education officer, Geraint Thomas. Each trainee had decided what they wanted to work on and this was almost a half and half split between Doubles and Triples. A welcome break was had for coffee and a chance to network – it was great to see the less experienced ringers sharing with each other.

The Saturday morning session was at Wolborough and despite a slight problem with locating keys (thankyou, Wendy!) we soon had the bells up and were underway once more. Several of the "trainees" were keen to improve their rope-sight and a variety of touches were rung to mix up the coursing orders as much as possible. Others were working on Bob Triples both on the treble and inside – one ringer was able to achieve their first touch of triples inside by the end of the morning and we also had a brief session of Plain Hunt Major. All agreed that the formula of a two-day course was very helpful. Several votes of thanks were given to the helpers, without whom these courses would not happen. The traditional group photos were taken in the sunshine outside the church.

Several photos of the day at https://photos.app.goo.gl/3A4cnfZgytRMmaUs9 

Advanced practice July – Bishopsteignton

The holiday season definitely affected attendance at this practice. Having said that, we had some ringers who are not normally available for these weekday sessions. We were also delighted to welcome our new Guild Master, Jon Rose. Methods included Berwick, Norwich and Primrose with plenty of Cambridge. Once our more experienced ringers worked out what to do, we also rang treble bob hunting – to quote our leader for the day (Mike Wigney) "it is a little bit false!". Each row is repeated! It was a very helpful way of introducing the treble work for Surprise and Treble Bob methods. Our attempts to ring spliced Berwick and Hexham eventually led to an agreement that it was one step too far this time and definitely a "work in progress".

Don Roberts has called a quarter peal to mark his 96th birthday

Although some of the band struggled to hear instructions during this quarter peal, no one had any difficulty hearing the clear and accurate calls from the conductor. Very many congratulations to Don for calling 1296 Plain Bob Caters in a masterful fashion. It seemed like a gathering of ringers from way back in the Mid Devon branch and all were quick to congratulate Don. Is Don the oldest ringer to call a quarter peal? If you are able please press the "like" button on the Bellboard entry. Lets see how high we can get it!
https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=1995494 

Future Events

Branch Joint practice Buckfast Abbey Saturday 15th August 14.00 – 15.30

We are very privileged to be allowed to ring at Buckfast Abbey on Saturday 15th August. Please come along if you can particularly if you have experience on higher numbers so that we can support those who are less familiar with higher number ringing.