Sadly, we lost Jim Izzard (Philleigh), George Trudgeon (Charlestown), Tom Warne (St. Endellion) and Derick Prouse (Poughill), all stalwarts of their respective towers. R.I.P.
Saturday 1st June involved a drive outside the County to judge the National Call Change Competition at the Lord Mayor’s Chapel, Bristol. The Kernow Callies, master-minded by Jemma Hoare, and after exposure to “proper” Call Change ringing by myself, took part. She and the band worked hard to get prepared for this event with lots of practice and some coaching in the style of Devon competition ringing. I was not able to ring as I’d been asked to help judge the event and at the Costa next to the Church I found myself at the judges briefing with Chris Kippin who I know well. At about 6pm Chris and I entered the Church to face the ringers and give the results. Kingsteignton were victorious but our Kernow Callies rang very respectfully and Chris commented “What a rise” in his results speech.
I must give a special mention this month to Monty Hooper who has been ringing at St. Stephens in Brannel for 53 years. He was Tower Captain/Steeple Keeper for 40 years and still rings regularly. He celebrated his 80th birthday on the 2nd June and to mark this the following day the band rang 80 call changes (in two sets of 40). The 80 call changes were composed by John Purdey back in 2010. In 2020 Monty was awarded the St. Piran’s Cross for service to the Church and his local community. I have come to know him well over the years so thank you for all that you do, and have done, and I hope you enjoyed your birthday.
The 6th June marked the 80th anniversary of D-Day and many towers decided to ring for this event. I had composed a couple of call change peals for the occasion and was rather pleased to see that they were used outside of Cornwall. 16 towers recorded their performances on Bell Board but I’m sure many more actually rang.
On Saturday 8th June it was a full day out at the Devon Association of Ringers Major Final at Kentisbeare. Another day sat behind the pencil saw Down St. Mary victorious with 13½ faults and Shaugh Prior closely behind with 15½ faults. I was proud to be asked to judge at one of the most important events in the ringing calendar and although it was a hard day I did manage to get out of the pub unscathed afterwards! If you have never been to a Qualifier or Final I encourage you to do so and listen to this style of our Art.
The following Thursday, up ‘ere in the East, we had a very successful District Practice at St. Martins-by-Looe. Over 40 attended representing many towers across the District and some came from the North and Central which was great. With this sort of number it was hard to manage, being Eastern District Ringing Master, but I was pleased with the members’ patience and flexibility. Also, my Dad and Sue McClaughry helped getting everyone in the tower!
The Northern District held another successful improvers practice at St. Tudy – with some great cake I must add. Jemma made the long trip up from Kenwyn to be there – Education Officer on tour!
The bells at St. Dennis have now been rehung by Taylors and were test rung on the 27th June with the formal Dedication to be held on the 14th July. Great news to have these bells back in order again and getting another ring of 8 in our beautiful County.
The day after, Pillaton’s Tower Captain, Richard Warwick, celebrated his 80th birthday so before the Sunday Service a very well struck call change peal of 80 changes was rung to mark the occasion.
Band that rang for Richard’s 80th birthday at Pillaton
Last Saturday saw two events which unfortunately I was unable to attend – the Central District practice at St. Stephens in Brannel with over 35 in attendance and the TDGR Youth Team held a practice at Kenwyn before the upcoming RWNYC on the 6th July in London. The headquarters for this event will be at St. Mary-le-Bow, a 41cwt ring of 12, and 37 teams are scheduled to take part. I wish our band the best of luck and send thanks to Claire our Youth Officer and her team for making this happen for our Guild.
You can see that there is lots going on in the TDGR which is great, let’s keep it going and see what next month brings!
Keep ringing!
Owen Borlase
Guild President
