Ringing news

Fannie Bell Webb

Wed, 08 Jul 2020 07:33:45 +0100

Fannie was a longtime and faithful member of New Zion Baptist Church in Beloit where she sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, served on the ...

Confederate Statues Being Toppled in Richmond

Wed, 08 Jul 2020 05:18:45 +0100

Bells from a nearby church began to peal, the crowd jubilant even in the sudden downpour near the end of the three-and-a-half hour job to secure the ...

Georgetown priest departs

Wed, 08 Jul 2020 04:56:15 +0100

After three years and three months of service to Georgetown, the parish ... I will always remember that beautiful bell announcing the consecration of ...

Meon Valley Memories: Turning fact into fiction

Wed, 08 Jul 2020 04:56:15 +0100

Come to think of it, there was no bell-ringing during the war, so just what were ... on the corporal who made our lives a misery during National Service.

Audrey A. Morgan

Tue, 07 Jul 2020 23:41:15 +0100

For many years, Audrey worked in the service department of Bell Telephone, Sharon, where she was well-known and made many dear friends.

President’s Blog #13

Tue, 07 Jul 2020 23:10:17 +0100

Last Friday was definitely a low point. There was much swearing in Moseley, Worcester and Wrotham when an ever-so-polite email dropped in from the Church of England Recovery Group asking us not to ring that Sunday after all. Then my computer crashed just to add to the misery. The next morning, we had a call with Mark and Brendan but it was clear that they wanted us to change our guidance and wait a bit longer.

I am not sure what percentage of churches did actually hold services in England on Super Sunday. There weren’t many in my home Diocese of Birmingham and I have heard of some particularly rural areas where there is no sign of churches opening for some time. Across the world the picture varies – ANZAB reporting 20 out of 64 towers open again, while in North America I understand a little ringing has happened at Orleans, Honolulu and Kent School. The Channel Islands and Isle of Man are relishing their Coronavirus-free isolation!

The prospect of ringing three for services caused Ann Davies to recall the words of the Serbian Orthodox priest in charge of the ring of three at Bournville in Birmingham (pictured) when three ringers (suspects include Messrs Pickford and Jones) asked if they could have ‘a little tinkle’. The custodian of the ultra-ungettable tower said “we ring for ze purpose and not for ze tinkle!!”

As work starts on the next stage of guidance it is difficult to see how things are going to change materially without infection levels dropping. However there are lots of factors to consider, including that not all ringing environments are the same. We’re also getting a group together representing prolific peal organisers to pool our thoughts on when and how we can move towards ringing’s longer form.

Now to some good news. The Churches Conservation Trust has launched its ‘Champing’ offer – 20% discount for ringers booking before 31^st July (use the discount code BELLS20). Champing is like glamping but kipping down inside one of their churches for a slightly surreal night’s sleep. Note that most of these churches do not come with showers so those booking for more than a few days will be thanked for not going within 2m of anyone else. Team Linford has booked to stay in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Warminghurst so we can visit Charlie’s adopted sloth, Flash, at Drusillas Wildlife Park.

If you are looking for more YouTube viewing after watching all 40 entries in the June YouTube competition, Steve Farmer has put together a superb series of videos on how to use a simulator. Search YouTube for “Practical Simulator Sessions” and you will find these, excellently produced in his garage (which to be honest needs a good lockdown clearout…)

Chris Ridley has been confirmed as the new leader of the Historical & Archive Workgroup. Chris has had a long association with the Council Library and other initiatives and is looking forward to developing this Workgroup so that our history and archives are able to inform and support other areas of the Council’s work. For instance, it has already been shown that the study of genealogy can get descendants of ringers wanting to learn and follow in ancestors’ footsteps.

The first peal on Ringing Room has been rung. Is it surprising that it has taken so long, or that it has been done at all? I cannot say too much as I was in it, and this is not a forum for me to blow my own trumpet. Oh go on, maybe just a bit – Parp parp!

We have launched a consultation on ‘Registered Smaller Societies’ which is a proposed change to the Council Rules to enable bell ringing societies that don’t have the 75 members needed for full affiliation, but which want to be part of the Council. Not all ringers and ringing are covered by territorial societies, and to be truly representative the Council should embrace smaller emerging groups. More details can be found in the Governance section of the website.

Booking some more holidays. Sign of the times that when we would have been heading off to the Far East for a tour of Vietnam and Thailand, we have booked a boat on the Llangollen Canal and made sure that it has three decent handbell chairs. Twin holiday focus of Latin vocab and Kent Minor.

Matt Lawrence from Lilleshall has joined V&L and taken on a “Recruitment and Retention” brief. Matt masterminded the R&R workshop at the ART Conference on behalf of V&L. There is also a new Facebook group called Bell Ringing Recruitment and Retention – some people have actually managed to recruit people into ringing via Ringing Room and will be looking forward to converting them into tower bell ringers. Just shows what’s possible if you try.

The second of my three favourite ringing days of the year didn’t happen, following on from the 12 bell final. The RWNYC would have seen hundreds of young ringers gather in York for this annual festival of youthful skill and coloured team shirts but alas we will need to wait another year.

Patrick Deakin has started the latest of his Facebook competitions where people vote for their favourite ring of bells in a particular category, starting off with 32 and deciding each round on a knockout basis. Following victories for York Minster in the Heavyweight 12 bout, and Inveraray in the Cruiserweight 10 bout, he is now pitching ton-plus eights against each other in the Super Middleweight category. Will it be one of the Somerset classics (i.e Chewton Mendip) or a young pretender? Watch the drama unfold over coming weeks.

Finally some sad news. The Black Bull at Frosterley, home to a ring of 12 with a tenor of 0-2-21 by Matthew Higby, has closed permanently. Hopefully a new home will be found for the bells, on which seven peals have been rung (but not one by me so I am still keen).

Simon Linford
President CCCBR

Northbrook and Glenview celebrate Fourth of July — at a distance

Tue, 07 Jul 2020 22:11:15 +0100

In Glenview, the Our Lady of Perpetual Help bells rang out at 8 p.m. as part of the bell ringing organized around the time the fireworks display would ...

Prince George Will Miss This Royal Birthday Tradition by a Matter of Days

Tue, 07 Jul 2020 20:00:26 +0100

However, there's one royal tradition that Prince George will miss out on (by a ... rings in (literally) birthdays of the royal family by chiming the church's bells. ... Beatrice—receive normal birthday celebrations, just like us plebeians. ... Why Kate Middleton's Engagement Ring Was at Risk During Her Latest ...

Foundry UMC bells ring loud and clear calling for justice for George Floyd

Tue, 07 Jul 2020 19:11:15 +0100

Ginger Gaines-Cirelli, Foundry UMC Senior Pastor, said love of God and neighbor is at the core of everything her primarily white church congregation ...

PPP money helped keep staff paid at Bell's Brewing, Catholic churches and the Grosse Pointe ...

Tue, 07 Jul 2020 18:03:45 +0100

Crain Communications got an even bigger one -- between $5 million and $10 million. Bell's Brewing was also in the $5 million to $10 million group.

Dove updates during 7-18 Jul

Tue, 07 Jul 2020 17:12:12 +0100

As part of the transition to the new Dove database, we will be pausing the publication of new "bell level" updates (also known here as pNBR) from 7 July. In the course of the next week we will be publishing the "tower level" updates collected since 1 June. We will continue to receive updates to towers and bells and publish these provisionally from 18 July. Therefore please continue to submit updates as usual. Thank you for your patience in viewing these.

Church services resume in King's Lynn

Tue, 07 Jul 2020 15:48:45 +0100

Joshua Bell, Assistant Curate of St. Peter's and All Saints', said: "It was a great joy to gather as our church family across our two churches, to greet each ...

Gen. Robert E. Lee is the only Confederate icon still standing on a Richmond avenue forever ...

Tue, 07 Jul 2020 13:51:29 +0100

The fall of the Jackson monument the day before was so dramatic — torrential rain, thunder pealing, church bells ringing — that “Spike Lee couldn't ...

Free, outdoor carillon concert series returning to Oakland University

Tue, 07 Jul 2020 10:56:15 +0100

It's the fifth year for the university's Summer Carillon Concert Series, ... The fully chromatic, 49-bell carillon inside Elliott Tower was the last to have its bells ... enjoy a relaxing evening listening to the sounds of this unique instrument.”.

Free outdoor carillon concert series returning to Oakland University

Tue, 07 Jul 2020 10:56:15 +0100

The fully chromatic, 49-bell carillon inside Elliott Tower was the last to have its bells and keyboard be cast by the Petit and Fritsen Royal Bellfoundry in ...

Ceremony at Shannon's Cross today to mark 40th anniversary of fatal shooting of two Gardai

Tue, 07 Jul 2020 10:45:00 +0100

... 3pm to facilitate people attending the service. Church bells will ring out in Loughglynn, Fairymount, Ballaghadereen, Castlerea and Knock at 2.20pm ...

40th anniversary of Roscommon garda shootings marked

Tue, 07 Jul 2020 09:03:45 +0100

Midlands Correspondent. Church bells have rung out in four Co Roscommon villages to mark the 40th anniversary of the shooting of two local gardaí.

Whalley couple celebrate 'bell-ting' Golden Wedding Anniversary in style despite lockdown

Tue, 07 Jul 2020 08:30:00 +0100

The couple met in the belfry of Clitheroe Parish Church where they subsequently married on July 4th, 1970. Bell ringing has played a major role in their ...

Whalley couple celebrate 'bell-ting' Golden Wedding Anniversary in style despite lockdown

Tue, 07 Jul 2020 08:30:00 +0100

Bell ringing has played a major role in their married life ever since. They continue to ring at Whalley Parish Church were John has been the tower ...

Dwight L. Bell's newly released "Beautiful But Cunning: From The Noah Series" tells the origins of ...

Tue, 07 Jul 2020 04:56:15 +0100

Bell shares, "This story is based on Genesis 3:1–15, told in the serpent's point of view. The serpent tells his children what happens to their ancestors.".

Dwight L. Bell's newly released “Beautiful But Cunning: From The Noah Series” tells the origins of ...

Tue, 07 Jul 2020 04:56:15 +0100

“Beautiful But Cunning: From The Noah Series” from Christian Faith Publishing author Dwight L. Bell is a stirring fable that shares the lives of the ...

RSA held service outside memorial due to bell tower safety fears

Tue, 07 Jul 2020 04:45:00 +0100

RSA held service outside memorial due to bell tower safety fears ... He lamented the silence of the Carillon bells whose ringing "raises the hairs on the ... "If you look at the crowds that turn up there on Anzac Day, it's an integral part of ...

RSA held service outside memorial due to bell tower safety fears

Tue, 07 Jul 2020 04:45:00 +0100

This was followed by the 2016-18 work on the bells, but the total $3m of upgrades failed to address weaknesses in the bell frame, upper tower and lower ...

Elsie Bell

Tue, 07 Jul 2020 02:52:30 +0100

A funeral service will be held at 4 p.m. (CDT) Wednesday, July 8, 2020, at Somerville Community Church in Somerville with Pastor Harley Nickless and ...

Bennington Rotary marks Fourth with bell ringing

Tue, 07 Jul 2020 01:00:00 +0100

"Service above Self." Catherine McClure, a former superintendent of the Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union, presented Sweet with a plaque ...

Bennington Rotary marks Fourth with bell ringing

Tue, 07 Jul 2020 01:00:00 +0100

Bennington ship's bell on the grounds of the Town Offices, and recognized the Mount Anthony Chamber Singers and their choir director, Lynn Sweet, for ...

Elizabeth "Betsy" Bell Smith

Tue, 07 Jul 2020 00:48:45 +0100

Elizabeth "Betsy" Bell Smith, age 85, of Bella Vista, Arkansas, passed into eternal rest July 5, 2020. She was born August 25, 1934 in Blytheville, ...

Aunt Helena

Tue, 07 Jul 2020 00:37:30 +0100

Fans of Bookmark Napa Valley will certainly recall Lisa Napoli, the ... Until full church services can safely resume, Pastor Burke Owens says the St. Helena United Methodist Church's bell will ring at 4 p.m. every Wednesday “to honor ...

Bell County Judge Executive discusses recent COVID-19 cases

Tue, 07 Jul 2020 00:15:00 +0100

“We've had some travel obviously, folks going on vacation, you know we had several cases that were born out of a church service and then you know ...

White, Bobby

Mon, 06 Jul 2020 23:41:15 +0100

He was an active member of Hillcrest Baptist Church. ... Brown (Rick), Stacey Bell (Keith) a niece Porche White and a nephew Jordan Bell. A graveside service will be held Wednesday July 8, 2020, 10 am, Keownville Baptist Church ...

'Senseless crime': The victims of July Fourth shootings

Mon, 06 Jul 2020 23:30:00 +0100

Authorities said gunmen got out of a car and started firing rounds. ... Bell's family described the 23-year-old single mother of two small children as a ...

James Scott "Jim" Crane

Mon, 06 Jul 2020 19:56:15 +0100

Jim Crane is survived by his Mother Marilyn Bell Springs of Fresno, CA; his ... The service will be streamed via Facebook live from Hannah Crane's ...

Mary Bell Logan

Mon, 06 Jul 2020 19:45:00 +0100

Mary Bell Logan, 90, of Greenwood, died Sunday, July 5, 2020 at Greenwood Leflore Hospital. Graveside services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at Itta ...

RACHEL SHENK: Fireworks in Goshen serve as reminder of Fallas

Mon, 06 Jul 2020 19:22:30 +0100

RACHEL SHENK: Fireworks in Goshen serve as reminder of Fallas ... From the patio that overlooks the old city of Valencia, I can hear the 2 o'clock bells ring around me from ... They put out a festive glow, perfect for this evening walk.

Christabel Collins, 86; service Saturday

Mon, 06 Jul 2020 19:11:15 +0100

Friends are welcome to attend the service. ... Leon Gilbert Jr. of Florida; grandchildren, Marissa Jenkins, Christina Barrow, Brent Bell, Felecia Hansford ...

New look for local Greek food festival

Mon, 06 Jul 2020 19:11:00 +0100

As for the new method of food service, “It'll be almost like Subway or ... “We are trying to bring back our original church bell and build a bell tower for it, ...

Staffordshire couple celebrate one of first marriages since lockdown

Mon, 06 Jul 2020 18:15:00 +0100

Staffordshire couple celebrate one of first marriages since lockdown ... We couldn't even have bell ringers or an organist. ... a shame because it was just too difficult so we had to work out who was in bubbles with who for the pictures.

50 Years ago in Burke County

Mon, 06 Jul 2020 16:11:15 +0100

Safe driving award: SP4 Troy O. Carswell, son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul J. Carswell ... Ledford entered service in July 1969 and trained as a clerk at Ft. Benjamin ... The new exchange cost $750,000, and Southern Bell added two new full ...

Rev. Dr. Joseph Weber

Mon, 06 Jul 2020 16:00:00 +0100

Flower contributions can be sent to Bell Baptist Church 300 Hackberry St., Luling, LA 70070. Final care entrusted to Treasures of Life Funeral Services ...

Merrimack Valley region town crier for July 5, 2020

Mon, 06 Jul 2020 15:15:00 +0100

□Sunday church services at the Boscawen Congregational Church begin at 10 ... Live streaming of the services starts at 10:30 a.m. ... A door bell has been installed to let the staff know that you have arrived for your appointment.

Wedding bells to ring again in Solhull - but with strict restrictions in place

Mon, 06 Jul 2020 13:43:24 +0100

They're now getting ready for a "scaled-down" service at the end of the month, with a blessing and reception to follow next year. Annabel, aged 29, said: ...

Bishops issue appeal for Philippines' biggest broadcaster

Mon, 06 Jul 2020 13:00:00 +0100

Church bells traditionally ring to call worshipers to prayer as well as to ... “We point out the divisiveness of his latest threat to press freedom, coming as ...

Monday After: What was Zoar like 150 years ago?

Mon, 06 Jul 2020 10:56:15 +0100

... the antique church, the distant bell even then ringing out the evening song, that labor ... Welcome to the historic village of Zoar 150 years ago. ... “The service began with a hymn, followed by a long sermon, during which every time ...

Name that church: This week's guest church is in South Craven

Mon, 06 Jul 2020 10:45:00 +0100

Bob Swallow , of Settle, says he lived in Burton for 26 years and he helped to lower and later rehang the bells after refurbishment, a peal of six prior to ...

A sad anniversary and the COVID-19 fiscal snapshot; In The News for July 6

Mon, 06 Jul 2020 10:11:15 +0100

As per tradition, the bells of Ste-Agnes Church will ring at noon in tribute to the victims. ---. Also this ... Opposition parties have laid out their demands ...

Couple who were among the first to have a post-lockdown wedding had to use hand sanitiser ...

Mon, 06 Jul 2020 10:00:30 +0100

... began have revealed they 'loved every second' of their celebration. ... on Saturday after years of planning the day, in a celebration with no bells, ... Sarah added: 'We couldn't actually get the ring on, so we used it to get the ring ... make the most of even the smallest outdoor space this summer Promoted.

Bells of solidarity

Mon, 06 Jul 2020 09:26:15 +0100

Parish staff Kier Dela Cruz rings the bell at the San Roque Parish Church on Monday. The Diocese of Caloocan rang its church bells to show support ...

10 reasons everyone in the military community should watch Hamilton

Mon, 06 Jul 2020 05:52:30 +0100

... on Friday. Here are 10 reasons why every service member and veteran should watch it. ... There are screams and church bells ringing. And as our ...

War memorial Carillon bell tower safety plans in place - government

Mon, 06 Jul 2020 03:15:00 +0100

Plans are in place for public safety at the earthquake-prone National War Memorial Carillon bell tower in Wellington, the government says. Carillon ...

The more I believe the more I dislike COVID-19

Sun, 05 Jul 2020 17:41:15 +0100

That's when I discovered one of the finest ladies of my childhood, ... Where the sirens sing and the church bells ring and the junk man pounds his fender ... for the ice cream vendor; out into the cool of the evening strolls the Pretender.