Issue 30, June 2003

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News, Information and Trivia for Ringers in the Derby & Ilkeston Districts

2003 Arthur Ashby Cup and Horsley Cup Finals

The 2003 finals of the Arthur Ashby Cup and the Horsley Cup were held on Saturday 17th May. Bob and Ruth Smith were the judges for the afternoon. There were a total of 10 teams that had qualified through to the finals, 6 in the Horsley Cup and 4 in the Arthur Ashby Cup. This was the same number in the Horsley Cup, but was 2 less in the Arthur Ashby Cup than the number that competed last year. Unfortunately, West Hallam were unable to compete in the Horsley Cup on the day. Details of the results are shown below:

Tea and results were held in the village hall, and evening ringing continued at Denby. Congratulations go to the winners, Darley Dale and Etwall and to all the teams that entered the competitions. Our grateful thanks are due to the judges Bob and Ruth, to the incumbents of Horsley and Denby for the use of their bells and for the combined efforts of those who provided the refreshments and tea.

Pamela Timms

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Are you getting enough?

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A Wedding in the Tower at Netherseal

On 17 May Teresa née Wykes, tower captain at Netherseal since 1996, was married in her home church to Paul Vincent. Although Paul is not (yet) a ringer, the theme of the day was definitely ‘Bells’. The home band, supported by extra ringers from Derby Cathedral, turned out and did their best to ring the bride into and out of the church. Teresa’s favourite set of call changes is Tittums, so by mutual agreement we made sure to be ringing this piece at the appointed hour of 1 o’clock. But the bride was a bit late, so in the end there was a full 10 minutes of Tittums on eight !

During the morning the Cathedral band rang a quarter peal of Yorkshire Surprise Major in Teresa’s honour. We hope this was a complete surprise to her, as well, because we had tried to keep it a secret in the run up to the big day. The Derby ringers also performed some pieces on handbells during the signing of the register. Last but not least, Netherseal being a ground floor ring, as the bride came down the aisle she was able to call us to ‘Look To!’, which we duly did.

Congratulations and best wishes to Teresa and Paul.

Lynn Betts

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The Walk & Ring June 14th

It was like a gathering of the Clans in the car park at Overseal Church Hall when ringers and various members of their families assembled for the Walk and Ring on Saturday June 14th. There were twenty seven of us and four dogs - an excellent turn-out. Everyone was in high spirits, relaxed because it was such a lovely day. An easy walk had been promised; instead of following a blue line the only necessity was to follow a footpath - and the route had been planned already for us by Jenny and Chris. What more could be asked? Everyone set off for Netherseal.

Now, not being inclined to walk fast when it's hot, and also having a tendency to stop for a closer look at some passing feature, or a shoe lace comes undone etc. etc. this account is that of a 'back end' walker (in a manner of speaking), so I don't have much idea of what was happening at the 'front end', except that I kept catching sight of it - a long way ahead, disappearing into the shade provided by a short stretch of woodland, or strung out across green meadows or fields planted with maize, and occasionally catching up with it, such as when every one lingered to gaze at breathtakingly beautiful red poppies stretching across acres of open field.

There was an hour's very pleasant ringing at Netherseal, while some of the group rested in the shade of the trees in the churchyard and others bought ice creams and iced lollies from the village shop - an absolute bonus considering the heat.

Everyone set off back to Overseal, this time crossing deep ditches with nettles overhead (yes really!) and walking through fields of oil seed (and yes you can squeeze the oil out if you really try), potatoes, more barley (a beer drinker's delight), and into old trackways hedged with wild roses, honeysuckle and foxgloves, and fields with beautiful grasses along the margins. (Talking about the field of potatoes, - over the fence were some very healthy looking young cattle - and it did occur to some that it was the best possible preview of a traditional Sunday Lunch).

On reaching Overseal, and even though we were at the very hot, thirsty, and rather sticky stage, we rang for an hour - as only people can ring who know they're within striking distance of a pub - and the striking was pretty good as well. And so it was that we ended up at the Navigation Inn for some very well-earned drink and food - in that order.

One of the best things about this walk (and there were lots of good things) was that it was real family get-together - we enjoyed ourselves and each other's company so much. Chris and Jenny - thank you very much for 'fixing' everything with such care - it was a very good meeting.

CW

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Will anybody be there?

It is always one of my fears when organising anything that no one will come. Especially when I have been told over and over again in this past year, that ‘nothing works!’

Thankfully, quite a few brave souls from in and around Ilkeston District, ventured out into the pouring rain for quite a creditable ring at Sawley. We ably managed the ‘method of the month’ (Duffield Major!) but the touch just wasn’t going to have it.

Many thanks to Sawley for the use of their bells even though they had been out all afternoon at the Striking contest. Next months meeting still hasn’t been confirmed but IS NOT at Ripley as stated in the report. Watch this space.

Alison Barnett

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Ockbrook practice night

Over Summer, will be Thursday 7.30pm-9pm. Any visitors always made welcome, Good pub across the road, and ropes now levelled to a sensible height. Call me first to check (number in annual report).

Nick Daines

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Derby Cathedral Bellringers Open Day

Derby Cathedral Bellringers opened up the Ringing Room to members of the public on Saturday, 31st May. Trips up to the Ringing Room took place every 45 minutes beginning at 10.00 am with the last tickets at 3.15 pm.

After a brief introduction about the numbers, age and weight of the bells, the mechanics of ringing a bell were explained with the aid of our wooden model. Then handstrokes and backstrokes were demonstrated using a video camera to show the effect on the bell of quick and slow ringing. We then rang rounds and call changes on 6 to introduce the idea of bells changing position followed by a plain course of Plain Bob Doubles or Grandsire Doubles showing the progression to change ringing. The ringing demonstration finished with rounds on all 10 bells.

The visitors were then escorted further up the tower to see the bells from the viewing window into the bell chamber, and then were given the opportunity to listen to ringing on different numbers of bells on a prepared tape. Those visitors that were big enough were then offered the chance to ring a few backstrokes.

We had also put up lots of labels describing things in the Ringing Room, as well as some diagrams of some methods, and displayed copies of the Ringing World with interesting front covers. A set of handbells was also available and some younger visitors enjoyed trying to ring rounds on them.

It was a very tiring day for the ringers, but most of the visitors left smiling and they may even have learnt a bit about bellringing

Pamela Timms

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T = Toilet    TN = Toilet nearby    R = Refreshments

Also Youlgreave 13.00 - 14.30, but it is Well Dressing day and there will be no parking near the church. Ringing must finish promptly as there is a service.

All towers open for one hour.

Day tickets costing £15 will be available at the first six towers (These cover all 30 towers)
Or £1 per tower (except Stanton in Peak and Brackenfield which are £5)
Taxpayers will be asked to sign a Gift Aid declaration.

The above details will be posted to http://freespace.virgin.net/derby.da/openday/ - please check this page for any last minute changes.

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Go to Derby Diocesan Association of Church Bell Ringers