Peterborough Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers
Rutland Branch
2010
Farewell to our Ringing Master and a good friend.
As many of you are aware, Christopher O’Mahony is leaving at the end of July to take up a new and challenging post as Director of ITC at Harrow School. I know you will all join me in wishing Christopher every success in his new role and we let him go with a slight touch of envy for the ringers around Harrow who will benefit from his social as well as ringing skills. As a reminder to all, Philip Spence has drawn a wonderful cartoon of Christopher on his way!
A few words about Christopher, our departing Ringing Master from Alan Wordie our new Ringing Master.
It was with some trepidation I asked the new staff arrival at Uppingham – Christopher - if he might assist me encourage bell ringing at Harringworth on a Monday evening each week, and I was delighted when with genuine Australian enthusiasm he agreed. Subsequently he has hardly “missed” a Monday, reporting for duty promptly at 7.30pm. This sounds like a letter of reference, which is something Christopher does not need. His abilities and skill are legendary. We have been incredibly lucky to have Christopher putting us right (sometimes 4 at a time) as learners venture from Call Changes into Methods. I will particularly miss the “comfort blanket” of Christopher’s corrections. Now I will need to try and develop the art of seeing more than my own bell position, to be able to help others!!
For the more advanced ringers in Rutland, Christopher has encouraged (challenged) us to stretch comfort zones. Personally I have achieved Cambridge Surprise Minor and Major as well as conducting a quarter peal and this is only due to the Christopher Challenge - Thank you. Sometimes we all need the challenge to find the time to achieve and you spotted this with me.
Such commitment to Harringworth has meant when contacted by Christopher to assist with the Glaston or USB practice on a Friday evening he has generally received support. Something to do with Give and Take - expertly recognised and “without pressure” secured by Christopher.
It would be wrong in such a tribute not to point out Christopher’s ability to socialise. Whether in his apartment in Uppingham, the pub or a village hall during a striking competition, you can see his desire to ensure that all around him are enjoying themselves. This is what bell ringing is all about – Fraternity. This is why we are part of a Guild of Bell Ringers: an association of craftsmen, who maintain the highest standards whilst also looking after each other. My Guild motto is simply “the pint after practice is as important as the practice”.
As Ringing Master Christopher has led from the front in both raising standards and fostering fraternity and we wish him every success at Harrow when he moves this summer. There will always be a welcome for you in Rutland, either when ringing or just passing through.
Thus on behalf of Harringworth, and possibly also Glaston and other villages near to Uppingham, thank you for all your support and friendly input during your time here, and good luck for the future.
Alan
When we meet for our next branch meeting one voice will be missing - noticeably so - because it is unmistakably Aussie! Christopher will be leaving Uppingham for higher things – can that be possible? – and we shall miss him. The branch has benefited over the past 3 years from his friendly enthusiasm and ringing skills, not to mention his amazing ability to remember names. Thank you, Christopher, for the encouragement you have given to us, also the confidence to know we'll be able to continue with the good work you've initiated. We wish you every success in your new post and good ringing in and around Harrow. We hope we'll see you from time to time when a little respite in peaceful Rutland lures you back.
On a personal note, I would like to say a heartfelt thanks and cheerio to someone I regard as a good friend and mentor. I totally concur with the sentiments written by Alan, as far as the branch is concerned, he has helped and encouraged many, from absolute beginners handling bells for the first time to more advanced ringers learning rounds and call changes and of course, the goal we aim for, ringing methods. He has also somehow persuaded and encouraged ringers such as myself that we can actually conduct!
On a social note, the Sunday morning coffee at Don Paddy’s after ringing at Uppingham will not be the same, nor will the Monday visits after practice to the White Swan at Harringworth.
We’ll miss you mate.
David
Our trip to Peterborough Cathedral and Castor was a great success, despite the disappointment at not being able to tour the galleries and tower of the Cathedral. 18 ringers from Rutland went, and we were able to ring a number of methods as well as rounds and call changes for a special evensong – it was the occasion of the installation of the new Mayor of Peterborough. For those who had not rung at the Cathedral before, it was a thrill to be in such a magnificent place and to experience ringing on 12 bells. We were made very welcome by Robin and Judith Rogers, and, as this was our second visit for evensong, Robin would like this to be a regular event in our branch diary. The weather was beautiful and Castor was on full swing with a flower festival, so we were able to relax over a delicious tea and explore the church in all its floral glory before ringing for their evensong. There is an air of efficiency in the Castor ringing chamber – smart chairs, whitewashed walls and a notice board full of informative notes plus a chart of ringing progress! Every Saturday morning, the tower hosts an open beginners’ practice for the Peterborough branch. The villagers are spared the inevitable clashes, because it all happens on the simulator. It takes real dedication to keep such a facility going, and we were full of admiration. The next outing will be in September and promises to be equally enjoyable, so, if you missed this one, don’t miss the next. Details below.
Branch outing on Sat 11th September
Here is the plan for the day. It should be great fun and a good opportunity to ring at some very good towers. As Alan mentions below, it is for ringers or any competence so please do come along
Format for the day is as follows.
1230 – 1330 WEEKLEY St Mary The Virgin 6 Ground Floor 1330 – 1415 Weekley Park Picnic Lunch 1430 – 1530 GEDDINGTON St Mary The Virgin 6 Balcony 1600 – 1700 DEENE St. Peter’s 6 Ground Floor 1715 – 1815 STANION St. Peter’s 6 Ground Floor 1830 – 1930 WELDON St. Mary’s 8 1930 onwards Possibly Bulwick Drinks/Supper
Rather than racing between towers, we will ring for an hour at each, with the aim of ringing methods for all levels of competence. Thus, if you might only be ringing rounds and call changes you are very welcome. The aim is to advance skills and styles, and one good way to progress is by ringing in a variety of towers.
So why not join us to ring in 5 towers that are close and accessible to Rutland or if you are not free for the full programme dip in and out as you wish.
The picnic will be bring your own, and we will eat by the Star Pond in the grounds of Boughton Park.
Any questions please contact Alan Wordie (07802 215 294) PROGRAMME 2010-2011
August
QP month Sat 11. Sep. 10 2-5.00pm Practice at Geddington(6), Stanion(6) and Deene(6) +a picnic/walk perhaps in Fermyn Woods Country park Sat 18.Sep. 10 pm Guild Summer Festival at Guilsboro’ 8-Bell Striking Comp. Sat 09. Oct. 10 4-6.00pm Practice at Caldecott(6) and Lyddington(6) Sat 13. Nov. 10 6-9.00pm Practice at Hambleton (5)(first hour) and Oakham(8)
December
Ringing for Christmas Sat 01.Jan. 2011 All day Quarter Peal Day Sat 15. Jan. 2011 3-9.00ish Branch AGM at Whissendine(6) and Mkt. Overton(5) Sat 26. Feb. 2011 7-9.00pm Practice at Gt. Casterton(6) and Ryhall(6) Sat
19.Mar. 2011
Branch dinner to be arranged
DISCUSSION POINT – we need members’ views
Over the past 2 years the issue of the Guild subscription has been raised at Branch and Guild meetings, and opinions in favour of change seem to be more strongly held in the Rutland Branch than in the rest of the Guild. If change is to be effected, the action has to start either with the (Guild) General Management Committee or with at least 20 voting members requesting it in writing to the Guild Secretary. Notice of the meeting (which could be the Guild AGM or a special meeting) would have to be published in the Ringing World, and a two thirds majority would be needed for any proposal to change the rules to be passed.
The committee decided that it would be helpful to outline the ideas that have been raised so far for all branch members to read, in case the issue is raised at the Branch AGM, so I will do my best to set them out here.
At present, the subscription rate is £5 for members and associates, but it is waived for those over the national retirement age and full time students pay half the full subscription. In fact, many of the members who are of retirement age do pay the subscription voluntarily. Of the total collected, the Branch retains one quarter and the Guild receives the rest. It is used for administration, although at the branch level, occasional grants for bell maintenance are made from branch funds.
The Guild Bell Fund is separate and money is raised by fund-raising events, such as the sponsored cycle/ramble at Easter and the prize draw.
The points raised in discussion have been:
1. the reluctance of most members to take part in fund-raising events (despite the sponsored cycle/ramble being located at Rutland Water, our branch has never been represented by more than 5 people);
2. the small amount of the subscription, which amounts to less than 50p per month;
3. The waiving of the subscription for people of retirement age is questionable, since it is small and an increasing proportion of the membership is of retirement age;
4. The suggestion that the bell fund could be funded by an increase in the subscription (voluntary or mandatory), thus relieving organisers of the need to run events.
The Branch committee sent the following proposals to the Guild Secretary:
- The Rutland Committee is conscious that the regular fund-raising strategies for the Bell Fund are poorly supported by members and raise less and less money;
- They also note that the subscription rate has remained constant for years, and is paid by a decreasing proportion of the membership, because pensioners are exempt;
- They suggest the rules should be changed so that a proportion of future subscriptions should go to the Bell Fund, thus obviating the need for fund-raising events;
- To facilitate this, they suggest a change in the rules so that pensioners pay two thirds the standard rate and (in view of 5 below) students pay one third;
- They suggest a standard subscription rate of £7.50 per annum, £5 for pensioners and £2.50 for students.
The Guild Secretary pointed out that both funds are at present healthy, and when a proposal to alter the rules regarding subscriptions was raised in a recent AGM, there was little support, and there was a considerable cost in providing the correct notice. Our Branch Representative on the General Management Committee, Paul Philips, having sounded out opinion at that level, advised that opinion within the Guild is changing with regard to the level of the subscription, and a proposal to make changes is more likely to be successful in a couple of years.
I hope this covers the ground adequately. Whenever the subject is raised, it provokes a lot of strong feeling, and, in the present economic climate, opposition may be even stronger. You can read the constitution and rules of the Guild in the Annual Report, a copy of which is held by all the tower captains. Its well worth looking at a copy if you haven’t done so before.
Monica Spence
A REMINDER FROM THE TREASURER/MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY-
The current rates are £5 per year for Full Members and £2.50 per year for Junior/Student Members.
Could any Tower Captains, with potential New Members, who are thinking about proposing them at the meeting, let me know so that I can prepare some New Members Packs for them?
I am trying to bring my membership details up to date and would appreciate it if any member who didn't fill one out last year would fill out the form which is attached to this newsletter and hand it in with their subscription to me at the AGM.
Thank you very much, in anticipation,
Janice Atkinson
Treasurer/Membership Secretary
