an clogh - tdgr.org.uk · recommended the wearing of facemasks in church by volunteers, was...
TRANSCRIPT
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AN CLOGH
Newsletter of the Truro Diocesan Guild of Ringers July 2020
Truro Cathedral Ringing Master Robert Perry inspecting the bells at the Cathedral prior to the
recommencement of ringing there. (Relieved that the clappers have not been nicked!)
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Contents.
Editorial 3 An Apology 3
Coronavirus update 4 Interview with Jane Hitchens 5
Virtual Events Programme 10 Eastern District News 11
Andy & Jo Handbells 11 Pillaton Tolling for the NHS 13
Alan & Barbara 22 News from Liskeard 22
St. Ewe Restoration 23 Ringing for VE Day 25
St. Dominic Dumb Bell 25 The West Door at Lelant 27
News from Helston 28 Interview with Phil Tremain 28
Owen Borlase interview 33
Launceston St. Mary Launceston St. Thomas
8 Bells Tenor 16cwt 6 Bells Tenor 10cwt
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Editorial
Welcome to another edition of An Clogh in these very strange times, I hope that you are all keeping
safe and well and looking forward to not just normal ringing again but normal life.
There are some very interesting items in this edition including interviews with former President and
PRO Phil Tremain, as well as Jane Hitchens and Owen Borlase; these are very interesting reads and
special thanks to Hayley for all of the work that she has put into these. I would especially like to
thank Richard Warwick of Pillaton for an excellent article about happenings there including regular
ringing to thank the NHS.
I am sorry to have to announce the death of Richard Dorrington latterly of Bodmin and previously of
Bradoc and St. Winnow who died on 10th May 2020. I am sure that all ringers in the Diocese would
with to send their prayers and best wishes to Bryony and their family.
Congratulations are due to Alan and Barbara Sharples on their Diamond Wedding Anniversary and
also to Andy and Jo on their handbell achievements.
Thank you to all who have sent messages, news or articles, this is your newsletter and it is good to
hear from ringers and towers throughout the Diocese, please keep sending and I will be happy to
include it.
Ian Self
Editor.
An Apology
In the last edition of An Clogh, I published an image of the Howell family which I downloaded from
Facebook. I regret to say that I failed to obtain the permission of anyone in the image or indeed the
family and therefore should not have published it.
I would like to take this opportunity to apologise unreservedly to the family for any distress caused to
them as a result of the image appearing.
Ian Self
Editor.
Breaking News
As this edition goes to press, it has been announced that Sue McCaughey of Calstock, who is also the
Guild’s Bell Restoration Officer has been awarded the CCCBR Westley Award for Bell restoration. I
am sure that all Guild members and readers will congratulate Sue on this fine achievement.
Congratulations Sue.
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Coronavirus Update from the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers - Last
Updated 31st July (from the Central Council Website)
A number of things have happened this week which while not changing guidance, should be noted at
least.
The Church of England’s published guidance on facemasks from 21st July, which strongly
recommended the wearing of facemasks in church by volunteers, was reinforced by Boris Johnson
today when he announced that facemasks in church were recommended now and will be mandatory
from 8th August. Facemasks will need to be worn for ringing next weekend, and are strongly
recommended this Sunday. Wearing facemasks does not reduce the minimum distances approved for
ringing which remain as :
2m spacing between ringers (which will generally mean alternate bells)
1.5m spacing allowable if ropes fall in a straight line (ringers facing inwards not towards each other)
Adjacent bells can be rung by ringers from the same household
Leicester: The extended lockdown period will be eased from August 3rd and activities will return to
national guidelines. This may include ringing in accordance with CC Guidelines. Keep an eye on the
date though as these things have been known to change or be cancelled.
Guidance for places of worship is unchanged but it is advised that where possible prayer / religious
services should take place outdoors.
The social distancing guidance remains unchanged in places of worship. The Central Council
guidance above is specifically designed around the particularly circumstances in most ringing rooms.
We would like to stress again that the distance is 2m and not 1m with or without a mask.
There is now (in these areas) a rule that people may not gather in other people’s houses or gardens. In
other words only the residents of that household (and any formal support bubble) may meet inside or
outside that house / garden. This means outdoor handbell ringing in the affected areas will need to
take place in public outdoor spaces with proper social distancing, not in ringers’ back gardens.
Some towers have rung not in accordance with the guidance, usually just from ringers or clergy not
being aware of the guidance. On contacting the clergy involved, non-compliant ringing has been
stopped – in one case a tower closed altogether. The point is that if the guidance is not followed, the
ringing community will not be trusted, and there will be much less chance of any relaxation of
ringing restrictions.
Standing guidance:
The Church of England (working with UK Government) and the Church in Wales are in favour of
bells being rung in their churches, accompanying the opening of cathedral and church buildings to
the public. It is on the condition that ringing is in accordance with the guidance on these pages.
Public Health England (PHE) has reviewed the Council’s guidance, suggesting various amendments
which have been incorporated into the guidance given here. It has all been agreed with the Church of
England Recovery Group, whose support for ringing is greatly appreciated. The Central Council will
continue to pursue a similar situation for other jurisdictions in which there are bells.
The pace of returning to ringing will disappoint many bell ringers who are missing the activity that is
so much part of our lives. The Church is also missing the contribution that bell ringers make and
wants ringing to resume. The Church is however very sensitive to the safety of its volunteers and the
relaxation of restrictions will not necessarily be as rapid as it is in certain other settings where other
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factors are under consideration. Failing to follow this guidance could cause this limited return to
ringing to be reversed.
The opening of churches for services is very much down to individual Dioceses and incumbents,
taking into account many factors. It is important to work with incumbents and church authorities for
your own tower. Ringing remains at the express permission of the incumbent. Note that there is a
specific requirement in the Church of England guidance document that ringers have read this
guidance and undertaken the ringing risk assessment.
The Church in Wales announced a restart to services and has included the ringing of bells in their
guidance issued to parishes, which can be found here. Section 1 Paragraph 15 refers to ringing and
states “bell ringing is permissible, but bell ringers should observe two-metre physical distancing and
hygiene and cleaning regimes should be implemented. Careful consideration of how bell ringers will
access the building suitably distanced from other attendees needs consideration, e.g. different entry
points or staggered arrival times. Bell ringing arrangements should comply with guidance available
from the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers [ref to this site]”We have also included in these
guidance notes for checking bell installations prior to ringing. Please see our checklist below for
some key areas that may need addressing. The Cathedrals and Church Buildings Division of the
Archbishops’ Council confirmed that for jobs that cannot safely be done by one person, two or three
should enter the bell tower to undertake them, following social distancing guidance if they are not
from the same household.
An Interview with Jane Hitchens
Full Name, Current tower(s) you ring at, any current position(s) held.
Mrs Jane M Hitchens. My home tower is Gulval where I am the Tower Captain.
Where and when did you learn to ring, who taught you how to handle?
I learned to ring at St Clement, Truro, after moving to Cornwall with my family in 1967.
We lived in Tresillian and started attending St Clement Church. The bell ringers were
fundraising for two new bells and I was encouraged to learn to ring. I thought I would
give it a go despite none of my family ever having been ringers and I have never looked back. I was
taught by the Tower Captain, Neil Hitchens, who later became my husband.
Where have you previously rung & have you held any positions of responsibility (e.g. Tower
Captain/Steeple Keeper/Secretary)? In those days we were a very active band of ringers around Truro and I rang regularly at Truro
Cathedral and Kenwyn where I subsequently became a member of the choir. I went to University at
The University College of Wales, Aberystwyth where I joined the band of locals and students at
Llanbadarn Fawr. I was a regular member of the band there for four years during term time. St
Buryan and Penzance have been local towers where I have rung regularly for many years until
recently.
What do you love about ringing? The things I love about ringing are good striking on any bells regardless what is being rung. I also
enjoy going on outings with my fellow ringers (Below: St Michael’s Way Walk & Ring, May 2017.
Journey’s End! ) I also enjoy ringing at new towers in different areas. I particularly enjoy the
challenge of ringing well on heavy bells such as St Buryan.
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Please name some ringer(s) that have been an inspiration to you or have taught you something.
Who were they & what was so inspirational?
Anthony Davidson and Alan Carveth were inspirational to me when I was a young ringer and both of
them gave me a great deal of encouragement in learning new methods. They also introduced me to
peal ringing while I was in Truro. Adam Beer was another ringer who was inspirational if perhaps
somewhat over enthusiastic. We found ourselves out all over Cornwall most evenings of the week
ringing quarters of weird and wonderful methods. It was fun though! Chris Venn was also an
inspiration. Without his enthusiasm and encouragement I don’t think I would have learned so many
new methods or rung so many well struck and enjoyable peals and quarters.
Have you ever taught anyone to ring? If so, how many people and what did you learn whilst
doing so? I have never really taught anyone to ring from scratch as it terrifies me when things go wrong and I
would not like to communicate that to the learner! I am always happy to give advice at a later stage
though or demonstrate how things should be done.
Tell us something that other ringers won’t necessarily know about you… One thing that most ringers will not know is that I once broke a stay on the 5th at Truro Cathedral
when they were a ring of ten. I must have been quite young and I do not remember who was there at
the time. It was quite a scary experience. I did not at first realise what was happening and wondered
why the bell suddenly seemed so heavy. It was not until everyone shouted “let go” that I found
myself dropping from about six feet up onto the ringing chamber floor startled but thankfully unhurt!
What were you currently learning to ring before the current restrictions and what would you
like to be able to learn next?
Before the current restrictions I was ringing with a band learning Bristol Royal though I was happy
on the treble. I think Bristol Royal is a little beyond my capabilities these days both to learn or to
ring! I am happiest ringing well on six or eight bells and do not necessarily want to learn anything
new now.
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What’s the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you whilst being involved in ringing? In January 2019 I was in a peal band at Stithians. I was ringing the treble to Surprise Minor which
was on the 50th Anniversary of Neil Hitchens’ first peal at the same tower. Things were going
reasonably well until about five minutes from the end when I made a slight mistake (most unlike
me!). This would not have been a problem except that Chris Venn was getting bored and started
giving me funny looks and generally messing around. This resulted, to everyone’s shock and
amazement, in Chris letting go of his rope which went snaking around the ringing chamber while he
tried to catch hold of it again saying “keep ringing!” which we did. Fortunately he regained control
of the rope and joined in again and the peal came round a couple of minutes later. Needless to say,
we all fell around laughing at the end. I don’t think I have laughed as much in years! (Below pictured
after the peal L-R Dave Ralls 2, Sam Nankervis 3, Chris Venn 4, Chris Pickford 5, Neil Hitchens 6 &
Jane Hitchens 1)
Are you a member of any non-territorial guilds or associations? If yes, please give details of
when you joined, how & what convinced you to do so.
I am a member of the Welsh Colleges Society of Change Ringers. I
joined in 1971 when it was the University of Wales Society of Change
Ringers. It seemed the natural thing to do while I was ringing in
Aberystwyth. We had great times together on the many outings and
tours I took part in, some of which I organised when I was secretary in
1973. I have, as a result of being a member, rung in most towers in
Wales and many in parts of England on summer tours and dinner tours.
I am still in contact with several ringers from those days and
occasionally still attend dinners or tours.
I am also a member of the Ancient Society of College Youths which I
joined in 1999. I believe I was only the third lady to become a member.
I was encouraged to join by several local members in Cornwall and by
Jim Phillips who proposed me and Chris Pickford who seconded me. I
have rung one or two quarters and peals for the Society and have
attended meetings and dinners but we are rather a long way from where
most of the action occurs. (Hayley Young: Jane is also a member of the
Society of Strapping Lads! I am in awe of Jane’s achievement pictured
right, in St. Buryan tower.)
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What do you consider to be your biggest achievement in ringing? My biggest achievement in ringing was perhaps being part of the band in September 1976 which
rang the first twelve bell peal for the TDGR at Buckfast Abbey with a band all resident in Cornwall.
It was also the first time I had ever rung on twelve bells. Another personal achievement was ringing a
peal of 8-spliced Surprise Major (details below), something I had been hoping to achieve one day.
What do you find difficult about ringing?
The thing I find most difficult about ringing is twelve- bell ringing. I have never been comfortable
with more than eight bells and find it difficult to see the bells I am supposed to follow when ringing
method.
What can you do for the TDGR and what could it be doing for you?
I served the TDGR as Western District Secretary for 5 years organising seasonal ringing festivals,
meetings and The Western Branch Dinner. As a member of the TDGR my main aim is to try to keep
Sunday service ringing going at Gulval. It is not an easy task! I am also happy to help out as an extra
ringer to assist in the progress of local ringers.
Do you have any current or future ringing goals or aims? – Please describe them, big or small.
I do not have any future goals or aims other than to keep ringing to the best of my ability. I have
already achieved more than I ever expected to! (Below: Candlemas Quarter Peal Band, Gulval,
February 2019).
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What is your favourite ring of bells of all time & why?
My favourite ring of bells is St Buryan. I have had many years of pleasure ringing there on Sundays
and Friday practice nights. There used to be nothing more relaxing and therapeutic than some really
good ringing on a Friday evening after a stressful week at work. A pint in the pub added to the
experience of course!
The Team at the start of St Dunstan’s Walk & Ring at Lelant. May 2019.
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*Proposed* Programme of virtual TDGR events 2020
*Event subjects and hosts maybe subject to change, we will endeavour to inform in advance of any changes
to the schedule below.
All events will be hosted on Zoom due to the success of the first virtual event. If you have not already
subscribed to the TDGR mailing list, we strongly urge you to do so, as all zoom invitations for the events
listed below (and alterations) will be publicised using the TDGR mailing list and TDGR guild website.
Date Start Time Who Subject
02/08/2020 20:00 Matt Lawrence CCCBR Volunteer and Leadership group.
Matt has offered to run a Recruitment and retention workshop with the TDGR
09/08/2020 20:00 Lead Speaker: Lesley Belcher. Intro by Phil & De Tremain
Talk about Association of Ringing Teachers (ART)/listening skills
16/08/2020 20:00 Back by popular demand: Guest Speaker: Chris Pickford
Bells in Cornwall. No stranger to our Cornish shores or bells, Chris will talk about Cornish Bells – Creating Recording for TDGR Archive
23/08/2020 20:00 Lead Speaker: Jane McCutchen TDGR PRO – TBC!
30/08/2020 20:00 District Ringing Master (TBA) to host Virtual Guild Practice using Ringing Room
Forthcoming requests & ideas…
Taylors re: founding and casting inscriptions
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News from the Eastern District
It would be very easy to say that nothing has really happened in the Eastern District since the
lockdown started in late March, but that would be an over simplification. Admittedly there has been
very little group tower ringing but we have turned to other activities.
Groups have sprung up to grapple with the mysteries of Zoom and Ringing Room and individuals
have taken to Abel, Mabel and Mobel.
Within the towers around the district individual ringers have celebrated the anniversary of VE day,
commemorated Grenfell Tower, rung in support of the NHS and carried on ringing on Sundays. It
has all helped to remind the community that we exist.
For those who have not been able to ring during lockdown, the prospect of services resuming gives
hope of some return to an enjoyable practice.
Sue McClaughry
Andy and Jo’s Handbell Challenge
Boris said we couldn’t go ringing anymore so what were we going to do instead?
Even normal handbell meetings at Hurland Rd had to be abandoned, with matters reduced to
watching each other eating biscuits via Zoom.
After a strange first month in lockdown, with Jo working silly hours from home and both of us self
isolating as we had symptoms of ‘you know what’, we thought about getting our handbells out.
We had rung a couple of quarter peals of Plain Bob Minimus in the past and noticed that several
other couples were ringing quarters of minimus to ease the boredom, so could we?
There are eleven standard minimus methods that can be rung; we thought we might try just one or
two... which turned into three or four and the rest is history; within about a month we had rung
quarters in all the methods.
A standard handbell session would involve an occasional false start or two, ring a quarter peal of
generally 1272 changes (achieved by ringing 53 plain courses), then spend a few minutes practicing
the next method...all within the space of about half an hour, leaving plenty of time for the virtual pub.
Along the way there were, of course, a few ‘incidents’:-
Our cat ‘Mr Pickles’ threatened to interrupt a few times, but eventually he became our tried and
tested umpire.
A persistent delivery driver rang the front door bell with such gusto that we lost concentration in one
attempt with only a minute or so to go. The next attempt was abandoned around the half way point
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after we were attacked by a swarm of bees coming from the fireplace. What do you do if you are
locked down and driven out of your house at the same time... eek!
After the friendly beekeeper had dealt with the bees we were back to ‘situation normal’ and
progressed through the methods on a regular basis.
Then another problem!.. Due to pressing family commitments the last two methods had to be rung in
a single evening with no losses. We made it in the nick of time!
Our exploits have thrown up some very silly statistics such that our house is the leading location for
quarter peals and Jo is the leading quarter peal conductor, so far in 2020 for the TDGR, Jo having
only called a handful of quarters before.
Several have been very complimentary of our exploits, others have said we were just plain nuts and
were probably right!
Now we are looking for the next handbell challenge. Andy Smith and Jo Wenborne
Details of the Quarter Peals.
18/04/2020 25m 1272 Minimus (3m) Joanna Wenborne
Andrew G Smith C
28/04/2020 25m 1272 Double Bob Minimus Joanna Wenborne
Andrew G Smith C
30/04/2020 27m 1272 Reverse Bob Minimus Joanna Wenborne
Andrew G Smith C
07/05/2020 25m 1272
Reverse Canterbury Place
Minimus Joanna Wenborne C Andrew G Smith C
08/05/2020 25m 1272 Single Court Place Minimus Joanna Wenborne C Andrew G Smith
09/05/2020 26m 1272 Reverse Court Place Minimus Joanna Wenborne C Andrew G Smith
13/05/2020 26m 1272 Double Court Place Minimus Joanna Wenborne C Andrew G Smith
14/05/2020 26m 1272 Canterbury Place Minimus Joanna Wenborne C Andrew G Smith
19/05/2020 25m 1272 Double Canterbury Place Minimus Joanna Wenborne C Andrew G Smith
21/05/2020 27m 1272 St Nicholas Bob Minimus Joanna Wenborne C Andrew G Smith
21/05/2020 26m 1272 Reverse St Nicholas Bob Minimus Joanna Wenborne C Andrew G Smith
The Band
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Pillaton: Tolling for the NHS
Since the early days of the lockdown, as in many other towns and villages, Pillatonians assembled
outside their houses at 8pm on Thursday evenings in a weekly show of appreciation for the NHS and
other key workers. This involved clapping, banging of saucepans etc., and Maire and I joined in by
jangling a few handbells. Neighbours asked us why we couldn’t toll the church bells as a prelude to
this activity, but at that time the church was a complete no-go area, so that was not allowed.
However, since mid-May I was given exclusive access to the church by our vicar for that purpose,
and I thought it would be a good idea to post some information about the bell I was ringing and some
of the story behind it on the newly formed Pillaton in Cornwall Group’s Facebook page. The idea
was to try to instil a spark of interest in the bells in what was then a (literally) captive audience with
lots of time on their hands, and perhaps to encourage one or two of them to come and join us. This
was gratifyingly successful, with an unusually large number of “likes” and many comments saying
how much people had missed hearing the sound of the bells and expressing their fascination with the
stories behind them. So, with the probability of there being few articles submitted for this July issue
of An Clogh, I thought a transcript of these posts together with the photos that accompanied them
might be of some interest to a wider audience. So here goes.
May 21
I am now permitted to toll a single bell this evening at 8pm as part of our weekly show of
appreciation for the NHS and other key workers. It’s sad that we are not able to ring all eight, but the
rules currently state that only a single designated person can enter the church to toll a single bell, and
that hand-sanitiser must be used both before and after. In any case, it is likely to be a considerable
time before you will hear the full eight again, because social distancing for this activity is simply
impossible!
This evening I will toll the 2nd
bell, which weighs 3cwt, 1qtr and 27 lbs (about 180 kg). It is the
second heaviest bell in the tower and is of special significance because it was donated to the church
by Sheila Bridle in 2009 when we augmented the ring from six to eight bells. I was lucky enough to
have seen it being cast at Whitechapel on 11 September of that year. The inscription on Sheila’s bell
reads “In memory of Graham Bridle. Given by his wife and sons” and on the reverse “Whites of
Appleton Church Bell Hangers. 2009. Whitechapel”.
I will try to ring a different bell each Thursday and give you a bit of information about it.
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May 27
Tolling of a church bell as a prelude to our weekly show of appreciation for the NHS and other key
workers, together with a bit of information about the bell itself, seems to have been generally
appreciated, so I will repeat it tomorrow at 8 pm. The two oldest bells in the tower are the 3rd
and 4th
,
cast by John Pennington in 1809. Back in the 18th century the Pennington family of Lezant and
Stoke Climsland were the finest bell founders in the West Country. They went through Cornwall and
Devon, casting wherever there was sufficient bell-metal provided by the parish and there was clay
deep enough to make a casting pit and the mould for the bells. The Penningtons cast some 480 bells
between 1710-1818. Bells were generally cast close to the church, in Pillaton’s case probably in the
field next to it. Making a clay mould and casting a bell which
turned out with a perfect note without any subsequent tuning,
was, to my mind, nothing short of genius. Most bells of
whatever age can be identified by marks inscribed on them by
the bell founders who cast them, and these two bear the shell mark of John Pennington.
Unlike last week, I’m afraid I cannot show any pictures of this
process – photography wasn’t invented until 1826!
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Because the rules currently state that only a single designated person can enter the church to toll a
single bell, I was in a quandary as to which of the two I should ring tomorrow. However, fortunately
we now know that Covid-19 related rules are flexible and can be interpreted according to our
intuition, so I will throw caution to the wind and toll both - sequentially rather than together so I will
actually only be tolling a single bell. There may be a few seconds silence between the two, so don’t
start clapping and banging too soon!
Together with all the other bells they went to Whitechapel to
be tuned when the two new ones were being cast in 2009.
Originally metal would have been chipped away from the
edge of the bell until the correct note was obtained. A church
bell has several harmonics, called partials, or overtones, and
each must be tuned along with the prime note according to a
musical standard. The tuning of a bell is both an art and a
science accomplished by first notating where each of the
partials are found, then shaving metal from the inside of the
bell thus lowering the note. This procedure is carried out on
a lathe and the frequency of each note can be checked
electronically so that absolute purity and accuracy is
achieved. The prime note of both bells has not been changed
from the original, but it is purer and the bell is slightly
lighter.
The 3rd
bell in D#
weighs 3cwt-3qtrs-11lbs (about 200kg)
and is inscribed HENRY WOOLLCOMBE RECTOR I.P.
1809 (I.P. is strangely for John Pennington)
The 4th
bell in C#
weighs 5cwt-0qtrs-8lbs (about 250kg) and is inscribed. NICHOLAS RAWLE HERRING, JOHN BREEN. C.W..I.P. (I’ve no idea who these chaps were)
June 3
We have agreed to continue our weekly show of appreciation for the NHS and other key workers, so
tomorrow (4th
June) I will toll the 6th and 7
th bells as a prelude. Both these bells were cast at the
Whitechapel Bell Foundry in 1909 and have particular significance because of their connections with
the Lucas family, who have lived and worked in this area since at
least the 15th century.
The 6th bell in A
# weighs 6cwt-2qtrs-15lbs (about 330kg) and is
inscribed G. FOWELL, W.C. LUCAS CHURCHWARDENS
1909, and the 7th bell in G
# weighs 8cwt-0qtrs-18lbs (about
400kg) and is inscribed G. LUCAS, E.T. ELLIOTT SIDESMEN
1909
George Lucas (1850-1936) was the great grandfather of Colin
Lucas of Ashdon Farm, who many of you will know and was
once one of our ringers. George farmed at Leigh and William
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Lucas was his brother who farmed at Park Farm (on the little road between Amy Tree and New
Bridge). The first photo shows Colin with his son Tim and grandson Ross with the 7th
bell when it
was returned from Whitechapel after refurbishment in 2009. Actually four generations of the Lucas
family were alive at that time, but Colin’s father (also George) was 86 at the time and sadly suffering
from ill health. Before refurbishment these two bells, like the others, were in a sorry state. The
second photo shows the 6th
with its original English elm headstock on its way down from the tower
and the third photo, refurbished and with its new metal headstock, on its way back up. The last two
photos show the 7th, also on its way back up, with the shiny inside resulting from tuning on
Whitechapel’s lathe.
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June 10
Facebook comments suggest that some villagers “probably feel 10 weeks is an apt & important way
of saying thank you to all NHS & social care workers & key workers” and that “some will feel that it
is time to stop”. However, for me one of the positive spin-offs of the Thursday clapping has been
that I have got to know several of my neighbours in the Row so much better. Socially-distanced
chatting after this exercise with neighbours who have hitherto just been nodding acquaintances is
something that I would miss. I would like to think that the smaller than usual turnout last Thursday
was due to the miserable drizzly weather rather than being a “turning point”.
So, tomorrow I will continue to toll one of the church
bells at 8pm. This time I will ring our heaviest bell, the
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tenor, which is in F#
and weighs in at 10cwt-1qtr-27lbs (about 530 kg - half the weight of a small
car); although before refurbishment and tuning at Whitechapel it was nearer 12 cwt (600 kg). It was
one of the original 1909 Whitechapel bells, fixed to its English elm headstock with iron bands
passing through lugs in the top of the bell. I based the bell hexagon in the Armistice Tree mosaic on
this photo, with some artistic license with respect to the colour!
The inscription (photo 3) reads RICHARD
HOCKING. RECTOR 1909. GOD SAVE HIS
CHURCH. GOD SAVE THE KING. PRAISE GOD.
AMEN.
Richard was Rector of Pillaton for 54 years from
1894-1948 and raised a considerable number of
children in the seven-bedroom rectory with his wife
Frances Elizabeth Margaret. One of his younger sons
was a ringer at Pillaton and a small plaque in the
ringing chamber simply reads “Remember Frederick
Robinson Hocking 1900-1973. Maire and I remember “Robbie” quite well, and rang with him at
Emanuel which was our local tower when we first moved to Plymouth in 1971 before coming to
Pillaton in 1973. Richard Hocking was reputedly rather fierce but, unlike him, Robbie was a gentle
and rather doddery old man when we knew him and, like his father, almost stone deaf. There are
some amusing anecdotes relating to Richard’s deafness, one of which I can’t resist relating here. The
head teacher of the school opposite the church (now the village hall) was a Mrs Smith who the rector
thought was a terrible woman because she was a Methodist and should never have been allowed to
run a C of E school. He was convinced that she had got the appointment by false pretences and
should be thrown out. She said that she had made sure the selectors knew of her faith but, as the
rector was absolutely stone deaf, he had no idea what was actually said at the interview.
The 4th
photo shows the refurbished tenor in the ground-floor vestry on its return from Whitechapel
and about to be raised up through the ceiling
hatches. Jo Bower (as she then was) gives an
idea of its size, and we managed to squeeze it
through the vestry door with just millimeters to
spare on either side. Its deep tone will sound
very funerial on Thursday, probably matched
by the mood of the weather, but I think it will
be a poignant reminder of the 40,000 plus souls
we have lost despite the heroic and brave
efforts of our NHS and carers.
I am looking forward to the day when we will
be able to ring out all eight bells together in
celebration of the fact that, as in New Zealand, the pandemic is finally behind us.
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June 18
Our weekly show of appreciation for the NHS and other key workers will continue at 8pm this
evening, although one or two people in the Row have decided, as God did when he had just created a
24-hour period of alternating lightness and darkness on earth, to call it a day. This time I will be
tolling the 5th
bell of the eight (the 3rd
of the 1809 three and the 1909 six) as a prelude to this event.
This bell is in B and weighs in at weighs in at 5cwt-3qtrs-26lbs (about 300 kg) bearing the inscription
THIS BELL WAS RECAST 1909. DIGBY COLLINS ESQUIRE J.P..D.L. PATRON OF THE
BENEFICE OF PILLATON. The letters J.P. stand for justice of the peace, and D.L. for a deputy
lieutenant (whatever that is).
The photos show the removal of this bell with its Whitechapel founders mark replacing the
Penningtons shell, being loaded for transport to London and its return refurbished.
Digby Collins was a big cheese at this time. He lived at
Newton Ferrers house which was built around 1685-95 by
Sir William Coryton and restored in the 1880s for him.
Together with Augustus Coryton of Pentillie castle he was
one of the principal landowners in this area. He was Lord
of the Manor and Patron of the living of Pillaton rectory,
which was in his gift and held at that time by Richard
Hocking. Nothing happened around here without his say
so. The question I have often asked myself is why should
a perfectly good bell cast in 1809 by John Pennington be
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sent to Whitechapel to be melted down and the bell-metal used to cast a new bell with the same note?
The only logical explanation I can think of is that Digby Collins wanted his name on it, but perhaps I
am being too cynical!
July 5
I will be tolling the church bells again this evening at 5pm in association with our final show of
appreciation for the NHS on its 72nd
birthday. This time I will toll the treble and 5th bells, the only
two that I have not used on previous occasions. I gave some information about the 5th on June 18
th,
but the whole thing was abandoned on that evening because of the atrocious weather. So that leaves
me with the treble to tell you something about. This is one of the two new bells cast at Whitechapel
on 11th September 2009. It is in F#, weighs 3cwt-1qtrs-19lbs (about 170 kg), and was a gift from
Maire and me to the ringers of Pillaton. We were very privileged to have been able to follow the
whole process from beginning to end: watching the casting, the Hallowing, helping with the
installation and meeting Bishop Tim at the dedication of the bells on 19th
June 2010, as shown in
these photos.
21
I was also delighted to have rung this bell for the first
full peal on the augmented 8 bells, 5088 changes of
Cornwall Surprise Major, which took nearly 3 hours,
and I’m grateful to those living near the church for
their tolerance!
If any of my ramblings about the bells have sparked a
glimmer of interest in bells and bell ringing in anyone
in the village (ages between 9 and 90), why not come
and give it a try? Bell ringing is a team activity that
stimulates the brain and helps keep the ringers fit.
Many consider ringing to be their contribution to
church life, but the majority do it for the pure pleasure and the company it brings. Unfortunately,
though, the ringing chamber is one of those places where social distancing is simply not possible, so
it may be some time before we can start ringing again. Watch this space.
(Postscript. Tolling of the treble and 5th on July 5 was caught on an aerial video of Pillaton by a
drone, which I posted on the Bellringing in Cornwall group’s Facebook page on July 6).
Richard Warwick
22
Alan and Barbara – Diamond Wedding Anniversary
I am sure that all ringers across the Diocese will wish to congratulate Alan and Barbara Sharples who
celebrated 60 years of marriage on July 23rd
. Congratulations to you both.
News from Liskeard.
Just a bit of a tale. We all decided that ringing 4 bells would sound awful. So I have been chiming
them now for 3 weeks since they have started the Sunday services. First attempt bell no two rope was
odd on chiming cage, wouldn’t chime. So the next Sunday my brother came up with me to check that
bell will clapper!!
We found a knot of rope wouldn’t go through hole so sorted it. However the following Sunday Bryan
came up to do some bulb changing on our tube which keeps our ropes dry. I went to chime no 2 bell,
still no good. I’ve just been do a few call changes & one hymn without bell 2 unable to do much
more.
So when I finished up we went again looked a clapper, nothing wrong. Then the penny dropped, me
looking around I said Bryan I can’t see any clappers outside the other bell, oh we both said of course
the clapper should be inside the bell. We both felt pretty stupid. I turned wheel Bryan got clapper
under quite hard to do. Nobody’s been up there since we lowered them at start of lockdown. It’s not
where has the clapper gone, how the hell did it escape to the outside. It’s a mystery. Anybody ever
heard of that?
Take care stay safe. Jenny.
(Ed. Answers on a postcard please...)
Jenny Stott Tower Captain of Liskeard
23
News from St. Ewe.
When our builder removed a slate high up inside the tower, there was a whoosh of air and it was
immediately obvious that this hole � provides ventilation that was missing ever since someone
blocked it some unknown time ago. You might remember that the source of our problems was
wringing wet stonework.
The questions for your An Clogh readers:
Neither the builder nor the surveyor (Chris Hunter of D Scott, Truro) had run into this sort of thing
before. Do other towers have this?
We're having to provide ingress and egress for bats farther down the tower anyway. We think it's too
small for jackdaws and rooks, but easy entry for bats and swallows. From the point of view of the
bells, would it be best to leave the opening completely open, or sealed with stainless steel mesh (as
the lower openings will be). The opening faces north east, which is out of the way of the prevailing
winds. Does anyone have comments / advice on this?
Barbara Musgrave, St Ewe
Pictures above show the recently discovered hole towards the top of the spire.
Dave Ralls also writes: As one of the people who helped get the bells out I was asked if I wanted to
go up the scaffolding. Philip Robson is doing a lot of work on the tower and escorted a couple of us
up.
The frame is due back sometime in August though the work involving the tower will take quite a
while yet.
24
Dave Ralls at the top of the spire. The tower surrounded by scaffolding.
Looking up into the spire
25
Phillack ring for VE Day.
Phillack Tower has been as silent as all the other towers in Britain, except for one day in May.
It was VE Day, and I had heard that one of the Royal British Legion members was going to attend
the War Memorial, carrying the Legion banner, to mark the Two Minutes Silence in memory of
those lost in the Wars.
For those Two Minutes, our worthy Tower Captain, Michael Smaldon, tolled the Number Six bell.
We are not sure how many heard the bell, as the wind was blowing strongly in the wrong direction,
but we felt proud that the occasion had been marked in this traditional way. Bells have been rung
over the centuries to mark special events, and long may that continue.
Other than that, we hope to be ringing for the service at Phillack Church on August 9. It depends on
the powers that be! We wish fellow ringers safe and well, and look forward to being able to ring
again.
Tina Morgan, for Phillack Tower.
And St. Euny Redruth.
Clive Reynolds also rang for 5 minutes at 3:00 pm to mark the 75th Anniversary of VE Day.
St. Dominic Church Dumb Bell.
Has your tower ever thought about having a dumb bell? I didn’t until my son Owen suggested the
idea. My next question was why do we need it? He replied that it would be an aid to teaching, point
out bad habits for the existing ringers and help with rope-sight. Also our learners would be able to
practice more during each session. I asked our band and they also thought it was a good idea.
(Whether that was to keep on the right side of the Captain or Owen I’m not sure!). So, in 2019 the
process began.
The PCC were persuaded, helped by the fact that there would be no expense to them as the ringers
were prepared to cover the costs, and a Faculty was
obtained for the installation in the middle chamber of the
tower. The only stipulation was that it must not cover the
trap hatch.
Phase 1 – Simon Adams of John Taylor & Co. Sourced a
second-hand cast iron headstock and Owen began
fabricating a steel bell frame designed to the dimensions I
had taken in our middle chamber. As the ropes come
down through the middle chamber the positioning was
critical. I wanted to get it between the 5th and Tenor so
that any potential learners (when able to be left on their
own) could follow a bell whilst the rest of the band were
26
Still ringing.
The frame parts had now been manufactured and during the day
whilst Owen was at work it was my job to drill and assemble all
the pieces. One weekend Owen searched through his garage
paraphernalia and found other fittings while I sat having a well-
earned cup of tea! We then fitted out the dumbbell and assembled
it on the garage floor ready for testing. A weight was required so
Owen managed to get two large channel sections but his little
welder at home couldn’t cope with the job so one of his friends,
Andy, fixed it for us.
Phase 2 – The installation day arrived. All the parts were lifted into the
middle chamber with the help of Mike Erith. The following day Owen and I
spent several hours hanging the dumbbell to get it just right – then came the
trial. Even though the weight was big it did feel light on the end of the rope
and the standard stay and slider sounded like a drum beat so we could not
leave it like that. One morning I phoned Owen at work saying “Have ee got
a radius slide and dingler handy?” and by the afternoon I had converted it
with great results! A little tiny click is the only thing that can now be heard,
so all in all it was a success. Long may it be used in the future.
The dumbell with original stay and slider
Kevan Borlase – Tower Captain of St. Dominic
27
News from Lelant – The West Door.
The West Door at St. Uny Lelant is about to be improved by having all it's holes and gaps stopped.
Up till now the inner door and blue velvet curtain, installed by the ringers many years ago, kept the
gales at bay in the winter, and opened in summer to admit cooling breezes through the outer door's
holes.
The system worked well, but in the cause of recent upgrading, and recognising the West Door as the
fire/emergency exit, the ringers inner door was removed, to the surprise of many. The newly exposed
stones do look lovely , though the architect's assertion that airflow up and down the Tower stairs
after the door is 'sealed' will provide perfectly adequate ventilation for ringing purposes does not
quite inspire the confidence intended.
The 'Emergency Exit' is not ideal, as those less nimble would find the two sets of steep steps up
from the floor of the church somewhat of a challenge.
Some bells in some churches are already ringing again, but we have been told it will be 'some time'
before that will happen in Lelant. I think everyone misses hearing bells, and it will be even longer
before hymn singing is possible. Thank goodness the birds are tweeting better than ever.
St. Uny Lelant's West Door showing it's gaps.
Janeve Bainbridge – Lelant.
28
News from Helston.
We at St Michael's Church, Helston, have unanimously agreed to suspend any form of Bell Ringing
at both Helston and Wendron until the end of September, when we can then revisit the risks and
hopefully if the Coronavirus is still on the wane, we can return to some form of Sunday service
activities. This decision was reached following close examination of risk assessment and the fact that
as Captain of the Helston team I did not want to expose any ringer to potential health issues. The
risks to life far outweighed any social and other commitments required to safely ring the church
bells.
So the bells remain silent for the time being.
I have put Helston forward for the WW2 Victory in Europe celebrations of World peace on 15/8/20
where at 1110am that day I will till the tenor bell 75 times to recall this historic and memorable
event. Closer to doing this I will place a piece in our local papers here to inform the townsfolk of the
VE Day celebrations by tolling the tenor bell. I am sure the residents and other visitors to our town
will observe and appreciate our input here.
Whilst our towers are in lockdowns both the bells at Helston and Wendron have been inspected by
the tower keepers to ensure all in order whilst not bring used.
It is proposed that during August and September ...weather permitting....that several our the teams
will meet for a hour of an afternoon at my home address...the set of handbells in storage at Wendron
have not been rang in anger for many years. The set of I think 16 bells are in good condition and
sound marvellous. Sessions of tuition on ringing the handbells will commence initially with bell
control before moving hopefully onto rounds and s few call changes when proficient enough....which
I'm hoping will take about two months..(Forever optimistic I am)....these gatherings with the
handbells will continue our togetherness and social aspects at the tower with our teams.
I will update again as to how things progress with our safe return to Church Bells as well as the
handbells sessions in my garden. (Hope the neighbours are out Thursday afternoons).
Apart .all well at Helston and Wendron....stay alert and safe around your towers.
Bob Woods.
An interview with Phil Tremain
Full Name, Current tower(s) you ring at, any
current position(s) held.
Philip James (Phil) Tremain, I ring at St Columb Major
where I have been Tower Captain for 21 years. (Phil is
pictured here on the left receiving The Cross of St.
Piran from Bishop Philip on Sunday March the 8th
2020)
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Where and when did you learn to ring, who taught you how to handle?
I started learning to ring at St Columb on Wednesday 20th
October 1965, aged 11 (my mother kept a
diary so I know the exact date). I went along to a practice to watch my best friend ring, but there
must have been some mix-up and the only other person to turn up was the then vice-captain Alan
Rodliffe (Pictured on page 2). What else was there to do but spend the evening teaching me to ring?
I was a slow starter although things improved once they realised I am left-handed. In the reverse of
what usually happens in ringing families my dad started three months later, he was a natural.
Where have you previously rung & have you held any positions of responsibility (e.g. Tower
Captain/Steeple Keeper/Secretary)?
I have only ever rung at St Columb (pictured here early Easter morning 2019) where I was a deputy
to Alan Rodliffe for many years. When he retired after 34 years as captain I took on and so between
us we have now done the job for over half a century. I'm delighted to say that at 81 he is still ringing
regularly.
What do you love about ringing?
I sometimes say that ringing is the only thing I've ever
found in the way of hobby/sport/pastime that I was
any good at, which brings forth wry comments like
“ho, ho not sure about that!” If I ask myself though
what I miss most about ringing during the present
period of lockdown (April 2020), it must be the
friendship and opportunity to socialise with so many
like-minded friends (plus a few contrary ones for
good measure!).
Tell us something that other ringers won’t necessarily
know about you…
In St Columb at Shrovetide we
play a game called Hurling which
involves throwing a silver ball
around
the streets. I won the ball in 1977.
(Photo of Phil Tremain carried by
his brother David and David Goodwin (also both ringers) after carrying the
ball over the Nanskeval boundary - Saturday hurl 1977).
Hayley Young: Impressively, it seems that winning the ball is something
that St. Columb Major Tower Captains do. As TC, Frank Tucker (Alan
Rodliffe’s predecessor) did in 1910.
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Please name some ringer(s) that have been an inspiration to
you or have taught you something. Who were they & what was so
inspirational?
I've already mentioned Alan Rodliffe (pictured on the left: after
goaling the ball for the Country - Saturday hurl 1969). who taught me
to ring and enthused me and many others.
Alan Carveth made me very welcome at Kenwyn when I started
method ringing in the early 1980s, together with Anthony Davidson
who conducted almost a third of my modest 63 peal total.
More recently Norman Mattingley has introduced me to handbell
ringing (although in his enthusiasm he did hit me on the knee with a
bell once!).
Have you ever taught anyone to ring? If so, how many people and what did you learn whilst
doing so?
I have lost count of the number of people I have taught to ring, having been involved since
helping out as a teenager at a neighbouring tower where there were … girls! Good bell handling
is essential if a band is to achieve good striking, and particularly when attempting method change-
ringing, but is often sadly lacking. I am a member of, and enthusiastic proponent for, the work of
the Association of Ringing Teachers.
What were you currently learning to ring before the current restrictions and what would you
like to be able to learn next?
At the monthly surprise major practice which I organise we had been ringing Bristol and
Cornwall (not at the same time!). Both are very musical and enjoyable methods, I'm not sure I
have any ambitions to go a lot further, but never say never.
A few years ago I started change-ringing on handbells which I really enjoy and find mentally
stimulating.
What’s the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you whilst being involved in ringing?
Not exactly funny but something I get reminded about from time to time is locking my keys in the
car one dark, wet and windy night at Morwenstow. I held the umbrella while some of the others
prised the window open; it was pointed out that I was meant to be providing shelter for them, not
just me!
Are you a member of any non-territorial guilds or associations? If yes, please give details of
when you joined, how & what convinced you to do so.
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I was invited to join the College Youths and have rung one
peal for the Society. I retired from peal ringing after ringing
XL Surprise Major together with Robert Perry for our 40th
birthdays, over a quarter of a century ago. I enjoy ringing
quarters.
What do you consider to be your biggest achievement in
ringing?
With the help & support of others, maintaining a band at St Columb for the past two decades
which rang, until the present hiatus, for every Sunday service and almost without exception all
eight bells. (St. Columb Major band pictured above outside Burrington church, near Bristol, in
2019.)
What do you find difficult about ringing?
Coping with more than eight bells (hand or tower). Understanding why everybody isn't as
obsessed about it as I am!
What can you do for the TDGR and what could it be doing for you?
If I can rephrase the question slightly into the past tense, I served the Guild as Public
Relations Officer for 34 years, and did a triennium as President which I very much
enjoyed. Closer to home I was eight years as Central District Ringing Master and
remain Pydar Deanery Steward. Not actually under the Guild banner but in the wider
context I continue to organise training & other activities.
There is some debate nationally about the future of territorial associations following
the recent root & branch restructure of the Central Council. I don't know what the
TDGR could be doing for me beyond providing a sense of belonging; perhaps that
question needs to be addressed to the current officers? There's a saying “if you
always do what you always did, you'll always get what you always got” but I think
that is actually optimistic given that we live in a much changed and changing world.
Do you have any current or future ringing goals or aims? – Please describe them, big or small.
My main aim is to maintain a strong band in my home tower and when the time comes to pass it
on in good health to my successor. I get a lot of satisfaction from seeing others who wish to
progress and helping them to do so, and I hope to continue to do that for quite a lot longer yet. At
a rather trivial level I am trying to ring quarters on all 366 dates, and have just passed the 300
mark.
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What is your favourite ring of bells of all time & why?
It's very difficult to compare a glorious 10 such as Inverary or a
magnificent 12 like Evesham with a sparkling little six of which
we have some good examples in Cornwall. Eight bell ringing is
where I'm most comfortable though and there are a number of
splendid octaves, amongst them Chewton Mendip & Ditcheat in
Somerset. However having undertaken the pilgrimage to Stratton
(8 bells. 21-3- 16 (1112kg) in Eb pictured right) for many years at
St Andrew's-tide to ring against and very occasionally beat, the
cream of the Devon teams those bells remain my absolute
favourites.
What motivates you to arrange your ringing events?
Ringing is not a solitary pastime but a team activity, which is surely one of its attractions. If you
want to do a lot of ringing then you have to bring together other like-minded individuals, ideally
people whose company you enjoy and who share a desire for good striking. That is the thinking
behind Kernow Old Codgers.
We have already discussed training and my Pydar Improvers' practice
(affectionately known as PIMPS) has the strap line “rounds and call-changes
in a friendly & supportive environment”; coffee & cake is important too. At
the other end of the spectrum is a surprise major practice which I think
others enjoy but to be honest is largely for my own benefit!
Hayley Young: I would recommend taking a look at further historical photos of St. Columb
Major ringers or hurling, please do have a look at the St. Columb Bellringers website or their
Facebook page.
33
An Interview with Owen Borlase
Full Name, Current tower(s) you ring at, any current position(s) held.
Mr. Owen John Borlase, St Dominic and Pillaton, the current Eastern District Ringing Master.
Where and when did you learn to ring, who taught you how to handle?
I learnt to ring at St Dominc (pictured below), taught by my father Kevan. My first lesson was on
Wednesday 5th
April 1995.
Where have you previously rung & have you held any positions of responsibility (e.g. Tower
Captain/Steeple Keeper/Secretary)?
I am the current Steeple Keeper at Pillaton. I
did many years as the TDGR Bell Restoration
Officer inspecting many towers and sitting on
the Standing Committee.
What do you love about ringing?
Service to the Church, giving something back to
the local community, meeting new people from
every walk of life and going to the local pub afterwards! I met my partner Sarah through
ringing. And of course, good striking!!!
Please name some ringer(s) that have been an inspiration to you or have taught you
something. Who were they & what was so inspirational?
Robin Woods – for asking Dad if I might like to try ringing; My Dad – for teaching me to ring
and to conduct Call Changes; Ron Johns – a call change ringer and member of the band who
encouraged me to progress; Richard Warwick – this man taught me method ringing; Mary
Burn for assisting my method ringing; John & Anne Body for giving me the chance to
progress my advanced method ringing and pushing me to call/conduct method peals.
Have you ever taught anyone to ring? If so, how many people and what did you learn
whilst doing so?
Yes, quite a few but too many to remember! I would say that the biggest thing I have learnt
while teaching is that people learn in different ways and you have to be able to
communicate information at their levels. It is critical in the early stages of their ringing
career.
34
Tell us something that other ringers won’t necessarily know about
you…
I played snooker against Steve Davis in St Austell at a charity event for
Children’s Hospice Southwest (pictured left).
I have an FdSc in Mechanical Design and
Manufacture (with Distinction).
What were you currently learning to ring before the current
restrictions and what would you like to be able to learn next?
Nothing really, just keeping on top of my Call Change striking and methods on my
home made dumbell in my garage using Abel.
Hayley Young: Pictures below show the dumbell that Owen has made and installed himself in
the roof of his garage. Owen has installed a sensor onto the wheel of the dumbell to link it up
to Abel (for those who don’t know, Abel is for Windows PCs, is the most popular change
ringing simulator in the world). This homemade set- up allows Owen to ring any call change
compositions or changes in the same way as he would in a tower.
I have also been doing a bit of Call Change composing on higher numbers trying to get more
musical passages out of the touch without being too long!
35
What’s the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you whilst being involved in ringing?
There are so many stories I could tell you and write a book!!! But probably the funniest is what
happened was, Dad and I were on a trip organised by Henry Trewin (a very well-known ringer in
the Northern District) in a heavy ten somewhere up the line. We were met by an old gentleman with
a walking stick who said, “well then boys and girls, it’s been rather damp up here, the front six
are down and the back four is up, here is the key drop it into my cottage when you have finishes.”
So I open the Tower door and we venture up the stairs to the ringing room and Henry chooses the
band to rise the front six,
Dad says to me, “ere they don’t sound too bad I bet the ten’s good!” Henry says, “Owen can you
ring the 9th
and Kev can you ring the tenor please?” Dad walks up across the boxes, unties the rope
and gets ready, this tenor being well over 35cwt. Meg, the lady ringing the treble says the usual and
the front 9 pull out successfully and leave Dad behind. I then say to Dad, “Come on you’ve rung
bells bigger than this, give it a bit of welly!” the rest of the band are in fits of laughter. We set in
and Dad says, “I’ll give her a bit of a bounce”. So off we go again, and Dad heaves the great tenor
out to the sound of half a ton of water hitting the belfry floor and the stream coming through the
rope hole just in front of Dad. The ringing collapses and Dad calmly says, “she goes a lot better
now!”
Are you a member of any non-territorial guilds or associations? If yes, please give
details of when you joined, how & what convinced you to do so.
Yes, the ASCY. I was proposed and seconded by two local members in 2005. I am very
proud to be a member and found it an honour that the members who nominated me thought I
was good enough and had given enough back to ringing in my local area and the County.
There are not that many of us who are born and bred
Cornish members.
What do you consider to be your biggest
achievement in ringing?
Call Change ringing wise – helping ringers who do
not want to go method ringing to ring a Call Change
Peal (i.e. a 120 of Doubles in Call Changes without
repeating any rows). Method ringing wise - Calling
my Dad’s first peal at St Dominic in 2006 (Pictured
Left). A peal of Doubles with the majority of the
band who helped us with our method ringing.
What do you find difficult about ringing?
Keeping everyone happy. Ringing is a very difficult
thing to get right and I think some ringers do not
realise what organisers of our art go through trying
to cater for everyone’s needs!
Owen pictured right with a very large slider.
36
What can you do for the TDGR and what could it be doing for you?
Very interesting question. I think we need to push ringing and have a massive drive on its status in
the world. Recruitment and Retention. We need to recruit ringers and bring people in from all walks
of life to our amazing art but this is not the total goal. The TDGR and all ringers need to retain the
ringers we have and get ringers back who are lapsed as I do feel this part is missed throughout
ringing in general, locally and nationally.
Do you have any current or future ringing goals or aims? – please describe them, big or small.
To do all I can to keep ringing going in the County.
What is your favourite ring of bells of all time & why.
Hard question! Of the 785 towers I have rung at there are so many to choose from,
but I think I would have to say Evesham The Bell Tower. Fantastic bells, audible
in the ringing room, easy going, sound cracking inside and out.
In Cornwall it would have to be St Stephen-in-Brannel for the same reasons, plus I
Have done some bellhanging work for them in the past
Owen pictured right with a very large slider!
Above photo: This was me on the Tenor at East Retford ringing Call Changes with some of my
Devon friends on a Sunday morning by permission of their local band.