Don Drayton 1914 - 2010
It was with much sadness that the Reading Branch of bell ringers heard of the death of Don Drayton. Don had been taken into hospital and peacefully passed away on Sunday, 2nd May. He was 95.
Don was a member of the Tilehurst St Michael’s band for nearly 60 years and regularly contributed to Sunday service ringing, practice nights and was also involved over the years in many striking competitions.
In September 2002 I conducted an “interview” with Don for St Michael’s parish magazine just after the Reading branch of the Oxford Diocesan Guild of Bell ringers had awarded him a 50 year long service certificate at its half yearly meeting.
Don started ringing at Mapledurham in 1946, and was taught by Revd Sherwood, whose nephew was the Rector at St Michael’s, Tilehurst. He told me “As with the majority of ringers, it was from a call for help. I was involved with the church and on various committees and the Vicar took me in to the belfry one night and said “have a go”.” On a Sunday morning, Don would cycle to help out at St Mary’s, Burghfield after ringing at Tilehurst. In later years when he moved to Sonning Common, and then to Kidmore End he started his Sunday by reading the lesson there then coming to Tilehurst to ring for the 9.30am service and then on to St Giles in Reading for more ringing and on to St Mary’s in Reading if possible.
He also held the office of Chairman of the Reading Branch of the ODG for many years.
When I asked him if he had any ambitions in ringing (he was 88 at the time) he replied “Oh yes! I would love to ring a quarter peal of Cambridge Surprise Minor by the time I am 90!” Unfortunately this was not to be. He told me that he had not kept any ringing records, but that his first peal was Plain Bob Major rung at Shiplake.
On looking back over the Tilehurst quarter peals, I note that he rang over 100 here, including one of Grandsire Triples for the celebration of his 90th birthday in 2004.
His last quarter peal rung at Tilehurst was on 6th January 2005 for Epiphany. He then attended Sunday service ringing whenever he was able to until 2007, but in the latter time he found the stairs a struggle and was adamant that we had put in an extra step each week!
Don was a true gentleman in all senses of the word. He was quick to praise and encourage and the first to admit his mistakes. In answer to my question “What is the main enjoyment of ringing?” he replied for all ringers by saying “The friendship. Wherever you go you are welcomed.”
Don enjoyed a full life being involved in many organisations and was willing to have a go at anything, including after a day’s ringing tour, an evening out playing ten pin bowling – which, incidentally, he won!
His funeral service took place on Friday, 14th May 2010 at the small church in Kidmore End which was full to capacity. Over 30 members of his family were there together with many ringers, Masons and golfers. Everyone there felt privileged at having known Don especially for his kind and thoughtful ways.
Although we had not seen Don for some time he was always in our thoughts; we shall miss him.
Rosa Bardwell
St Michael’s, Tilehurst, Berkshire
