Ringing World 5142 (13 November 2009)
Front cover: The Olney Bells Project by David Phillipson
As you cross the valley of the Great Ouse, on the A509, into the market town of Olney in North Buckinghamshire, the skyline is dominated by the 185’ tower and broach spire of the 14th century church of St Peter and St Paul.
Reports of the London 12-bell Contest for the Whitechapel Trophy:
From Philip Earis (Judge)
In his 1922 poem The Waste Land, T. S. Eliot mentions Magnus the Martyr:
“…the walls Of Magnus Martyr hold
Inexplicable splendour of Ionian white and gold”
From Jonathan Slack
(Member of the Southwark M-band)
It was my first 12 bell striking competition. I’d only been ringing on 12 for about two years. What could I be possibly be thinking of agreeing to ring against the likes of the ASCY, the SRCY and St Martin’s?
From Paul Mounsey
(interested spectator)
When did I last go to a serious striking contest not either ringing or judging? Probably the Oswy Street Cup at Dunham-on-Trent. Only on six that, but ringing of the highest quality. Would it be the same today?
Letters
'Team Taylor' – is it complete? - Mrs J. Barton
Increasing number of peals rung - Phil Tocock
Taapaataapaa - A. Robin Heppenstall
Call Change query - Pat Halls
Child Protection - Chris Mew
Carlisle ringer convicted
A ringer at St Andrew’s Church, Thursby has pleaded guilty at Carlisle Crown Court to 13 counts of making indecent images of children.
From Across the Pond
A round-up of reports from towers in the North American Guild of Change Ringers
Aloha! In last month’s tower spotlight, we were on the east coast of the United States, at the Old North Church in Boston. This month, we will be traveling to the extreme western boundary of the States to, as you can surmise from the greeting, Hawaii. In the capital city of Honolulu, on the island of Oahu, stands the beautiful stone Cathedral of St Andrew’s.
Young Ringers’ Day at Wolborough
The Young Ringers’ Day at Wolborough is becoming an established annual event. Thirteen young ringers aged 9 to 18 came from all over Devon on 11th July, along with several ringing parents/drivers.
Obituary
John Wilson
What’s up that tower?
Chris Pickford explores … Tardebigge, Worcestershire
Does the unusual name Tardebigge sound familiar? If so, it is probably for one of two reasons. Either you’re a canal enthusiast and know of the place for its notable flight of thirty locks on the Worcester and Birmingham canal (try “Tardebigge flight in a minute” on You-Tube to check it out) – or you read the amusing account of this year’s 12-bell final by Paul Carless in The Ringing World (p.846) of 21st August.
Thought for the week
Teamwork
A long time ago, we were having our usual Thursday night practice. The evening started off uneventfully enough with the raising of the bells. When the sixth bell was about halfway up, there was a loud crash. An investigation followed, and it was found that the stem of the clapper had broken just above the ball. Fortunately, the broken-off part had not landed in any of the other bells.
