Monday 8th saw a Quarter Peal on the back 6 at Pillaton to wish Rosy R all the best as she leaves for university at Cardiff. It was really nice that Claire Below our Youth Officer was able to ring in the band in which the other five members rang in her first Quarter Peal. Rosy has been an absolute asset to ringing in East Cornwall and we wish her all the best for the future.
On Wednesday 10th I once again travelled down West to give a talk on bells to the Helston History Club.
Saturday 13th saw the Western District hold their Autumn Festival at Wendron. Another successful day of ringing which was preceded by the 8 at Helston which some members had not rung on before. Unfortunately I could not attend as I was ringing in East London.
The following day I met up with Rachel M and crew in the very wet car park at Dobwalls to ride together down to Kenwyn for a Quarter Peal. We rang a nice Grandsire Triples to mark the forthcoming marriage of Alice, eldest daughter of Rachel and Andy. Rachel has now rung the same bell to the same method as her great-grandfather H.M.Smeath.
Andy & Rachel with her great grandads peal board in Kenwyn Church (Kim Sudell)
A Quarter Peal was rung at Phillack to mark the 85th birthday of Roger Sullivan of Carbis Bay.
On Wednesday 17th Julian and I again went across the border for an open practice of the Tamar Valley Guild of Ringers at Hatherleigh, recently re-hung by Matthew Higby in a new frame, fittings and now rung from the interemediate chamber. There was a lower attendance than usual so they were pleased to see us!
66 Call Changes were rung at Wendron in celebration of the 50 years of service to St. Wendrona’s Church by Ray Spencer. During that time Ray has been Captain of the Tower, Churchwarden, Sacristant, member of the PCC and Chair of the Governors of the C of E school. Well done Ray.
The following Saturday the Northern District were in action at Altarnun for their Improvers practice. This was another useful session when many got the chance to do things they do not usually do! In the afternoon I was behind the pencil again at the Devon Association of Ringers 8-bell competition at Moretonhampstead. These are an excellent Gillett & Johnston octave cast in 1922, recently having a complete overhaul by Taylors, with a new foundation grillage back in 2018. The competition this year was in two sections – Intermediate (Queen’s peal from the stay in not less than 15 minutes) and Main (Queen’s peal with rise and lower in not less than 20 minutes). The Kingsteignton band were once again victorious but only by 1.25 faults over the Coombe Martin team. It was a cracking day out and good to see younger ringers coming through the ranks, including one younger member ringing for Kingsteignton’s winning team at the first attempt.
Moretonhampstead Church in the beautiful sunshine (Ian P Self)
On Thursday, 26th the Eastern District held a practice at St. Mary’s, Callington with a good number attending including some representatives from both the Central and Northern districts coming along too. Many had not rung at Callington before. The picture below shows me stood in the assembled company in the ringing chamber of the first ever and only other Eastern District member who was Guild President, Dick Mitchell.
The President in Callington ringing chamber overseeing the Eastern District practice (Jo Tomlinson)
The Western District were also in action at Tuckingmill and again had good attendance numbers. I am pleased to see that these District practices remain valued by all who attend.
As I write the Central District will be at one of the four ringable 5’s in Cornwall – sorry not to be there but Sarah and I are on our way to the airport for a holiday.
Keep ringing!
Owen Borlase
Guild President
