Issue 20, August 2002

Contributions for Issue 21 are needed before August 31st, 2002

Address for Strike Notes :
, 51 The Plain, Brailsford, Ashbourne, Derbyshire, DE6 3BZ

City of Derby Silver Jubilee

As part of the celebrations taking place throughout the summer, an open day was held on 20th July during which each of the towers within the city (Allestree, Spondon, Alvaston, Chellaston, St. Luke’s, Cathedral and St. Peter’s) was available during part of the day. When the idea was proposed to the Association, we were told that an open-topped bus would be available to transport ringers from tower to tower but as the day drew near it became apparent that it had been double-booked. Frantic negotiations took place that eventually yielded what in the event was a much better proposition (after all, it was bound to rain when a picnic lunch was planned at Elvaston Castle) - a Derby Corporation double-decker, complete with a rear boarding-platform and pole, and a two-man crew, vintage 1964 - the bus, not the crew!

Some ringers taking part had travelled to Derby from various far-flung parts of the country (Woking, Luton, Gloucester and, closer to home, Birmingham) and in many cases did not expect to visit every tower, so the number of people travelling by bus was small. However it was not one to be missed, especially the delights of ringing at Chellaston without stays on two of the bells, and of negotiating between two lines of parked vehicles in Peet Street on the way to St Luke’s.

All in all, a successful day - over 20 people visited all of the towers and a further 75 individual tower tickets were sold raising a total over £100 for the BRF. Special mention must be made of the four ringers from Findern, where there are two bells which are swing-chimed. They travelled on the bus and were able to have a go at either chiming or ringing backstrokes, with assistance, and even handstrokes, at several of the churches. Thanks to Alec for keeping an eye on this group for most of the day, to Chris Willis for booking the towers and to Peter Youds and the DCC for the bus.

Steve Harpham

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Derby Cathedral 2002 Ringing Expedition to Lincoln

This year’s Derby Cathedral outing was to Lincoln on the 13th of July. Twelve of us met at Derby Station bright and early to take the train Lincoln (on the way we had the excitement of going over Newark flat crossing and a little detour into Newark Northgate station!)

A route march to what can only have been the furthest north east corner of Lincoln (via a couple of unintended detours) took us to the 8-bell tower of St Giles. Here we rang the first of the day’s attempts at Lincoln Surprise Major.

A route march back into the city centre took us to the pub for lunch. After this another route march took us to the 6-bell tower of St Botolph. Here we managed to ring Norwich Surprise Minor amongst other things, which was quite an achievement considering the bells felt like they were hung on square wheels.

The next tower, St Peter at Gowt, was disappointingly close as it was only a five-minute walk. Here the ringing chamber was located in the loft of the tower. After we had rung the bells up and the dust had settled we discovered that this too was a ring of six. Cambridge and Primrose Surprise Minor were among the methods rung here.

The next route march (this time including a steep climb) took us to Lincoln Cathedral, via a much needed ice cream shop located in the former St Mark’s station crossing- keeper’s hut. At the cathedral we rang some plain hunt on 12, more Lincoln Surprise Major and admired the view from the balcony. Some of us weren’t too keen on this bit, particularly looking downwards! We then walked back to the station (via the bus station in George’s case) to catch a train to Newark.

At Newark the obligatory group photos were followed by some rather sedate (due to the weight of the tenor of course) ringing on the 10 bells. Here the ringing included some Surprise Royal and Stedman which made sure by the end we were all tired, hungry and thirsty. We caught another train to Nottingham, where we dealt with the hunger and thirst with some delicious food and beer at the Fellows, Morton and Clayton pub. By now just tired, and possibly not quite so sober, we returned on the last train back to Derby. On the way some of the group apparently discovered the joys of reclining seats for the first time, while others simply went to sleep…….

I feel a few words of thanks are due for such an enjoyable day out: -

• To the towers of Lincoln for letting as ring their bells.
• To Central Trains for running impeccably all day (and to Railtrack for refraining from having engineering works on the line that day).
• To the clouds for being somewhere else.
• To Tony in his capacity as ‘Hop-a-long’ for putting up with all the walking.
• and lastly, but definitely not least, to Meriel for her superb organisation of the outing that not only provided some enjoyable ringing but also gave us an intensive walking fitness programme.

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PAM GOES OVER THE TOP….

A hundred people from all walks of life abseiled down Derby Cathedral’s medieval tower over the weekend of 20/21 July, to raise money for the new Cathedral Centre and Derby Mountain Rescue Team by whom the venture was jointly organised.

These included:

The Managing Director of the Derby Evening Telegraph
The Vice-chancellor of Derby University
The Mayor of the City of Derby
The Canon Pastor of the Cathedral
The Assistant Manager of the Cathedral bookshop
The Secretary of the Friends of Derby Cathedral
One of the Assistant Vergers The Appeal’s Fund-Raising Manager
And...
“The Master of the Bells“.

Initial estimates are that around £15,000 was raised. Pam‘s brave effort contributed £150.

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A GRAND DAY OUT

On 14th July a team of researchers set out north to establish the true facts about Last of The Summer Wine. Since to admit being a fan of this TV programme carries the same stigma as listening to Wake up to Wogan, the journey was heavily disguised as “The Annual Four Towers Ringing Outing” (Belper, Mugginton, Duffield and Breadsall). The group credentials were highly suspect since Breadsall was not represented; fortunately stand-ins from St Peters Derby and Sutton-on-the-Hill put their reputations on the line and joined us. The Sutton-on-the-Hill team preserved anonymity by travelling separately from the rest of us who were in the Belper Community Mini Bus. Street cred for the younger members of the party was further protected by their attempt throughout the day to gain a world record for playing Pokaemon Blue, believed to be 5040 non stop games with none repeated.

Our organiser had determined the most direct route to Holmfirth to be via Barnsley and Penistone, all coincidentally having 8 bell towers! Following a 7.30 start, an attempt to explain our 40 minute early arrival at Barnsley by saying “the bus went faster than expected” was met with derision and we retired to the local McDonalds for a McBacon Roll, McCoffee and McDoughnut. The standard of ringing reflected our half awake state but some blamed it on the difficult 5th bell.

We travelled onwards to Penistone where two plain courses of Duffield both finished in rounds. Flushed with success we moved on to Holmfirth.

There was not a single “Last of the Summer Wine” character to be seen anywhere and a scout was dispatched to the information centre. It turned out the town was famous for the production of naughty post cards, not what we had expected! Sid’s café had the kitchen in the wrong place and Nora Batty’s house was “The Wrinkly Stocking Tea Room”, clearly we had slipped into a parallel universe. When all seemed lost our Holy Grail was found in the ringing room – a man called Clegg appeared on the peal board. He existed after all! To add to our sense of achievement the Pokaemon Blue games reached 2521; the record was on!

Having avoided a “famous hot Yorkshire sandwich” for lunch we returned homewards via Kirkburton, Almondbury and Thornhill (all 8 bell towers). At Almondbury there was competition from a brass band at a garden fete in the Rectory. Ringers who sampled the cream teas reported the brass band came a poor second in volume but won hands down on rhythm.

Sadly the Pokaemon Blue record was not broken but the Sutton-on-the-Hill team achieved their first ringing on 8 bells. Everyone enjoyed the day; even the weather was good.

Mike Banks

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A Rose by Any Other Name

When in Melbourne, do as the locals do! Just in case you didn't know, apparently a tradition, its origin now lost in the mists of time, has grown in Melbourne of calling all publicans by their generic name, of which not many people will be aware. So if you should happen to be drinking with Melbourne ringers, don't be shy, grasp the bull by the horns and address the man behind the bar as Ron! It doesn't matter whether or not you happen to know that his name is really Keith, he will be quite happy to answer to Ron - he has become used to it and expects all ringers to call him so.

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Diary Dates: August 2002 - September 2002
 

10th August   Treasure Hunt at Darley Abbey & Darley Park. Start 1.30 – 2.30
                       from St Matthews Church car park. Bring a picnic. Small charge.
19th August    6 bell practice at Brailsford - 7.30 pm Stedman Doubles, Norwich Surprise Minor
14 Sept           Car Outing
16 Sept           6 bell practice at Brailsford - 7.30 pm Stedman Doubles, Norwich Surprise Minor, Morning Exercise D Minor

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Go to Derby Diocesan Association of Church Bell Ringers