The first weekend in March was a big one! The Northern District held their AGM at one of the tallest towers in Cornwall – Altarnun. Beforehand there was ringing at St. Clether, the unique ring of 5. The back two bells date from c1499 with the 3rd cast by John Beaskam in 1680 and the two Trebles in 1893 by M&S. John Beaskam was a Cornish founder active from 1641-1714 and allegedly came from Millpool near Bodmin Airfield. Five of his bells are now listed for preservation and remain in Cornwall, with the largest being the 6th in the peal of 8 at Lanlivery.
However, I digress, so back to Altarnun. The M&S eight were put to good use before the service which was then followed by the meeting. Julian took the Chair and some new Officers were elected. Sue Shadrick stood down as Secretary and Liz Gliddon as Treasurer. Wendy Couch of Week St. Mary was elected to the position of Secretary and Gytha Hall of Altarnun as Treasurer. The vacancy of Ringing Master was duly filled by Neil Clements. I would like to personally thank Sue and Liz for the dedicated 8 years of service to the Northern District and the Guild, and also Rob for temporarily running the Improvers practices.
The following day I travelled down to St. Dennis for the unveiling of the commemorative plaque regarding the restoration of their fine 8. Local entertainer Johnny Cowling did the unveiling and even had a go on the tail of the 7th as he’d let it slip that he used to ring at St. Merryn many years ago! Stephen Bradbury and his team have put so much effort into getting these bells rehung and forming a band, which would not have been possible without the guidance of Phil Tremain. It was my utmost pleasure to be present for this very special occasion.
On Saturday, 14th March the Central District held their AGM at Ladock. Members got the chance to ring on the newly recast (3-6) and rehung bells and it was good to ring with some newly elected members from Charlestown.
Wednesday, 18th saw me driving down to St. Budock, just outside Falmouth. Lots of Western members and friends descended on the wonderful hospitality of the Budock ringers. It was a pleasure for me to mingle with people who I don’t usually see much of. I also met the new Tower Captain of Mabe who had brought along a group of University learners with some of them ringing on the tail during an interlude in the main ringing – such great news for the District and ringing in Cornwall in general.
The third Saturday this month was rather busy for the Badge! I met Caroline and Sue M outside my house at precisely 0800hrs to travel down to my final Standing Committee meeting in the Chair. We welcomed some new members and discussed another packed agenda. Following on from this we travelled back to St. Dominic for the Eastern District AGM with ringing beforehand commencing at 1330hrs. An 8 year old from Talland had a go on the Treble and our training bell as well as ringing the tail for some rounds during the open ringing. There was a great turn out from many different towers, including Helen, Bryony, Robert and Ian S, the latter three I’d seen at Kenwyn in the morning!
The service was conducted by Andrew Doney, Tower Captain at Linkinhorne, with the organ being played by George Roberts, one of the local band members, and the lesson read by Sue M the District Secretary, so it was a real ringers event. My mother and other ladies from the band (thank you all) put on a wonderful spread for the assembled company.
St Dominic Church (Malcolm A Day)
I had to rush off at 1630hrs to attend the East Cornwall Association of Ringers Final at Lanreath. 11 teams competed in two sections – A and B. In the A section Lanlivery 1 were victorious with 11 faults and Lanlivery 2 won the B section with 18 faults. St. Columb Major retained the Shield for highest points. The judge was our very own John Blatchford of Callington and I acted as “scrutineer” for him following the last peal. At the end of the competition I did manage to have a rise, some changes and fall. So that was my busy day – walked in at home around 2130hrs for a cuppa before bed!
The Cup and Shield of the East Cornwall Association of Ringers (Matthew T G Rodliffe)
On the 25th March the Northern District were in action at Lanteglos by Camelford for their monthly improvers practice under the direction of the new Ringing Master, Neil Clements. I was unable attend but I have been informed the evening was success.
The local band and friends of St. Dominic marked the passing of Terry Darke by ringing a very well struck Call Change Peal using a composition which was composed and named for him back in 2002. Three of the band had rung the same bells at the same tower in 2002. Also on the previous Monday evening a Quarter Peal was rung in his memory – Grandsire Triples, Terry would have not minded as the Tenor was covering behind!
The band with composer and external conductor who rang the Call Change Peal for Terry at St Dominic (Owen J Borlase)
The final weekend in March was again rather hectic. A well struck Quarter was rung in memory of Marion Trick which involved Sarah Hatton (Calstock) who rang her first quarter peal since a full peal in 1988! Then, at the invitation of Hayley, I travelled down to the Cathedral to conduct a Quarter Peal of Plain Bob Cinques which was dedicated to my time as TDGR President. Whilst I was in Truro my Dad travelled up to Stratton for the try out on their bells following the recent refurbishment and rehanging. Another class ring of bells put back into Rolls Royce condition for future generations to come.
Th installation at Stratton before restoration (Owen J Borlase)
The next day Ladock bells were rededicated by Bishop David. Prior to the service a well struck Quarter Peal of Grandsire Triples was rung by the local band members and those that had helped with the restoration project. General ringing followed before the 1530hrs service. The Bishop gave a good sermon relating to the project and the importance of bells within the Church in general. I would like to congratulate all those involved at Ladock and the PCC and Tower Captain for investing in their bells and doing the right job for the parishioners and ringers for years to come. I was happy to offer my time, blood, sweat and tears to this project which now gives a quality light ring of 8 which should not by missed on any ringing outing!
The Guild AGM will be held at Ladock on the 16th May so hope to see many of you there.
The final District AGM is for the Western area and will take place on the 11th April at St. Buryan.
Keep ringing!
Owen Borlase
Guild President
