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The Hertford County Association of Change Ringers Bishop’s Stortford District Newsletter January 2015 http://www.facebook.com/groups/304172799616021/ http://www.hcacr.org.uk/ Inside This Issue Editor Comment 1 Charlie Jordan letter 2 Ella May 2 Tours / Chat / Photos 3-4 Forthcoming Events 5 Editor’s comment Dominic Sheehan I hope everyone is having a good new year so far. In January we got some good sunshine in England and Wales which averaged 75 hours, making it the sunniest since 2003, with only three Januarys in the past 100 years surpassing this. I took a short drive to Thorley to visit St James the Great Church to continue the theme from the previous newsletter which concentrated on Great St Marys church in Sawbridgeworth. I was not disappointed. The tower currently contains six bells that collectively weigh over a ton, the oldest of these date to 1628. The tower was used during the Second World War as a look-out post to spot night-flying Lysander aircraft approaching Allen’s Green airfield. Besides the normal use of the bells to call people to church and Weddings the bells are also rung for historic events. Notable changes were the silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth in 1977 and in memoriam of Sir Winston Churchill in 1965. I particularly liked the stained glass windows which can best be viewed from inside the church depicting biblical scenes. The one over the alter and of St James are spectacular and you can see photos later in the newsletter. Of particular note is the wide archway leading towards the alter and the font which faces you on entry backed by WW1 memorial names. We are concentrating for this issue on a letter from Charlie Jordan , a contribution from a talented young ringer, the outings and forthcoming events . Congratulations to Paul Scofield for growing a handlebar moustache for Movember and raising money for charity. Also of note is Claire May for passing module 1 of the Integrated teacher training scheme .

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The Hertford County Association of Change Ringers

Bishop’s Stortford District

Newsletter

January

2015

http://www.facebook.com/groups/304172799616021/ http://www.hcacr.org.uk/

Inside This Issue

Editor Comment

1

Charlie Jordan letter 2

Ella May 2

Tours / Chat / Photos 3-4

Forthcoming Events

5

Editor’s comment

Dominic Sheehan

I hope everyone is having a good new year so far.

In January we got some good sunshine in England and Wales which averaged 75 hours, making it the sunniest since 2003, with only three Januarys in the past 100 years surpassing this.

I took a short drive to Thorley to visit St James the Great Church to continue the theme from the previous newsletter which concentrated on Great St Marys church in Sawbridgeworth. I was not disappointed.

The tower currently contains six bells that collectively weigh over a ton, the oldest of these date to 1628. The tower was used during the Second World War as a look-out post to spot night-flying Lysander aircraft approaching Allen’s Green airfield. Besides the normal use of the bells to call people to church and Weddings the bells are also rung for historic events. Notable changes were the silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth in 1977 and in memoriam of Sir Winston Churchill in 1965.

I particularly liked the stained glass windows which can best be viewed from inside the church depicting biblical scenes. The one over the alter and of St James are spectacular and you can see photos later in the newsletter.

Of particular note is the wide archway leading towards the alter and the font which faces you on entry backed by WW1 memorial names.

We are concentrating for this issue on a letter from Charlie Jordan , a contribution from a talented young ringer, the outings and forthcoming events .

Congratulations to Paul Scofield for growing a handlebar moustache for Movember and raising money for charity.

Also of note is Claire May for passing module 1 of the Integrated teacher training scheme .

r

Bishop’s Stortford District Newsletter Page 2

LETTER – memory of Shane Saunders

By Charles Jordan ( Much Hadham Tower captain)

The name may not mean much to many of the Bishop Stortford district members of today, but the older members may have memories of a man who was the Hertford County Association of change ringers general secretary for over twenty years. Many Presidents of the association when taking up office were glad of the quiet guiding voice at their elbow when chairing meetings and the sticky questions from the floor. The major task of taking the Association through the problems of charity status for all of the benefits it would bring was not always appreciated. Having sat on the County association under his guidance for over twenty years it is with some sorrow that I note the notification of his death in the ringing world of February 6th. The article in the letter section is very detailed yet brief but then it is by another long serving member of the team to whom we owe so much.

…………………………………………………………………………

Memory By David Gambling

Brenda Harris of Benington sadly passed away on the 19th December 2014. She was elected a member in 1958, rang regularly for over 50 years and was a life member of HCACR. She was Association President in 1980 ………………………………………………………………………….......

Ella May - Bell Challenge interview Ella and the quarter peal band

Ella rang 1060 changes of Grandsire Doubles in 43 minutes at Henham. Chris McCarthy was the conductor. Ella turned 10 in November and regularly attends Thursday night practices in Bishops Stortford. She admitted to being "kind of tired" and making three mistakes "forgetting to lead, losing a place and going too slow". She has "2 years of experience" " lots of people taught me but mum was the best". Her success is based on "trying to concentrate all the time" After the event she "got a J20 drink and a hug and lots of people saying well done" Overall "it was fun" and she will "try to remember her mistakes." Clearly, she is one to watch as a ringing master of the future. ………………………………………………………………………………

Bishop’s Stortford District Newsletter Page 3

Outing

The Padgett and Cambridgeshire Tours Claire May chat

ttTThorleyThorley

The car outing to south west Leicestershire was very successful and involved ringing at the following churches on Saturday the 8th November after an early start at 8am from Bishops Stortford.

It was organised by Alan and Margaret Padgett.

St Peters Claybrooke

St Michaels Stoney Stanton

All Saints Thurlaston

St Mary Lutterworth

St Dionysius Market Harborough

St Michael's at Stoney Stanton was Alan and

Margaret Padgett's old home tower. The day came

to an end with a meal in a village pub (Swan Inn ) in

Braybrooke.

Of note a rope broke and the bell had to be

lowered at the end of the ringing day.

Cambridgeshire Tour

By Claire May

We enjoyed a tour to Cambridgeshire arranged by

our District Ringing Master, Tracey Coley.

Approximately 20 ringers, including two of our

young ringers, rang at 5 towers. It was a lovely treat

to have tea laid on for us at Swaffham Prior (even if

the bells were a bit clunky)! Everyone had a very

enjoyable day so many thanks to Tracey.

Oh Carol!

The joint districts Carol Service with the Eastern

District was held in Braughing this year. Peter and

his band did a great job of making the local

arrangements. Our thanks go to Rev. Clive

Slaughter for taking the service and to Martin Scott

for playing the organ. Attendees were still enjoying

their mulled wine and minced pies for about an

hour after the service had finished so it seems a

good time was had by all!

the Annual District Meeting was hosted by Thorley

in January. Several people commented on what

fantastic facilities there are attached to Thorley

Church (is there such a thing as hall-envy?). Frank

and his band were fantastic hosts as always. Thank

you for leaving your Christmas tree up for us!

New Simulator

By Dominic Sheehan

I have been reading about a new piece of software that is being used at St George's Church on the Isle of Man to eliminate noise pollution when trainees are practising.

The article was in the Isle of man today newspaper and the link is;

http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/software-rings-changes-in-bell-tower-1-7086883

There seems to be a lot of interesting developments in terms of technology and we will keep on eye out in this area following on from our previous newsletter looking at Apps

u

Bishop’s Stortford District Newsletter Page 4

St James the Great Thorley

,

,

.

.

Bishop’s tortfo Bishop’s Stortford District Newsletter Page 5 Page 5

Forthcoming Events

21st February Anstey District open ringing 15.00 16.00

21st February Great Hormead District open ringing 16.15 17.30 28th February Watford County 10 bell practice 19.00 21.00

21st March Sawbridgeworth District open ringing 15.00 16.50

21st March Sawbridgeworth District business meeting 16.30 17.15

28th March Widford District Quiz ( pre book ) 19.30 23.00

18th April Widford District open ringing 15.00 16.00

18th April Standon District open ringing 16.30 17.30

25th April Ricksmanworth County open ringing Service Tea Annual General Meeting

16th May Standon Hayden cup striking competition District business meeting

9.50 12.15

12.00 13.00

30th May St Albans Abbey County 10 Bell Practice 19.00 20.30

.

Address all newsletter material to:

The Editor

Dominic Sheehan

26 Percival Court

Bishop’s Stortford

CM23 2EF

Or via email to [email protected]

Our next newsletter will be in April - please send your articles before then.