Six members of the Guild travelled up to Coaley in Gloucestershire to take part in the National 6 Bell Call Change competition. Corneeesh Creeeeme were placed a worthy 9th being up against several teams who were well practiced due to the upcoming Devon 6 Bell event on the 14th June. Durring travelling home Julian and myself had just got back to Manaton and diaster struck – a flat tyre! Apart from this a very enjoyable day was had by all and hopefully more teams from Cornwall will enter next year.
St Bartholomew, Coaley, Glous
On Saturday, 14th June the West held their District Striking Competition at Gwinear. Three trophies were contested – The Charles Ball Memorial Cup (Rounds), The Harry Miles Memorial Cup (Call Changes) and St. Pol-de-Leon Cup (Method). The respective winners were Wendron, Lelant and again Lelant. Several bands entered and enjoyed their day. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend as I had a full day out at the Devon Association of Ringers Centenary Major Final at Zeal Monachorum. This was another day for me “sat behind the pencil” and Down St. Mary were victorious once again with 16⅔ faults, closely followed by Bow with 17½ faults. I was proud to be asked to judge their Centenary Competition at the tower were it all started in 1925. Judging these things is always hard but I was sat with my fellow judges and scrutineer in very comfortable surroundings just below the Church. 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 day a group of helpers, led by myself, went down to Ladock to strip out the bells ready for re-casting (3rd,4th,5th,6th), re-hanging in a new cast iron frame. By the evening we had managed to get all the fittings stripped and removed from the tower. Simon Adams from Taylors arrived late the same evening and during the next 3 days Simon and the little team removed the bells and wooden frame. The bells were placed in the Church for everyone to see and created much interest in the village and further afield. Such a great project to create another class ring of 8 in Cornwall.
Ladock bells following the strip down
Ladock bells in the Church
Up East at St. Dominic we rang a Quarter Peal in memory of Margaret Beckett, aged 94, mother of Chris. I was able to get 1294 changes with the use of some Plain Bob Minimus. Coincidentally, this was Dad’s 175th QP. In the afternoon four of us ventured up North to ring another QP at North Tamerton, this being the first on the bells since re-hanging and included Rob Corney the recently retired Northern District Ringing Master.
Congratulations go to Howard Stafford of Truro Cathedral who rang his first Quarter Peal. This marked his 40th year of ringing at the Cathedral and was also to congratulate band member Nicki Carveth’s appointment as Mayoress of The City of Truro.
Saturday, 28th June was another busy day. The Central District had a practice at Crantock, the Youth were having their final practice before the National Youth Competition in Birmingham, and I was waiting for a bus at 0600hrs!!! I went up to Bristol to listen to the National 12 Bell Striking Competition at St. Mary Radcliffe. Nine teams were competing – ASCY, Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Exeter, Guildford, St. Paul’s Cathedral, SRCY and York. Several of our Guild members also went along to listen. Bristol was victorious with 96% and Birmingham came second scoring 93%.
St Mary Redcliffe Church
Finally, this month, our PRO Matthew has been sorting out a new Instagram account #cornwall_ringing for all those who are interested.
Keep ringing!
Owen Borlase
Guild President
