It was a bumper district practice at Stoke St Milborough on Saturday 20 June!
For those interested, Ashley Smith provided a demonstration of the Stoke St Milborough ringing simulator. His eager students were then able to ring plain hunt, plain bob doubles, a course of Yorkshire Surprise Major and two leads of Glasgow Surprise Major on the simulator before the start of the district practice on open bells.
Twenty-three of us attended the practice on the 8 bells of St Milburga, Stoke St Milborough, led by Ringing Master, Mark Gilham.
It was great to see not only a good turnout of Stoke St Milborough ringers but ringers from across the district, all keen to catchup with friends and make the most of the practice in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere.
We practiced quite a variety of methods that were requested:
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- Call changes on 8
- Plain Bob Triples
- Superlative Surprise Major
- Grandsire Triples
- Yorkshire Surprise Major
- Stedman Triples
- Bristol Surprise Major
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Part-way through the practice we took a break for tea and cake, followed by a brief business meeting.
Julie Quinn of Cuckfield was proposed as a non-resident life member by Paul Wells and seconded by Mark Gilham. Penny Bellis of Stoke St Milborough was proposed as a member by Ashley Smith and seconded by Sue Rees. Paul Cross of Ludlow was proposed as a member by Tim Hughes and seconded by Rosie Marshall. Julie, Penny and Paul’s election was agreed unanimously.
Michael Carding provided an overview of Shropshire Association Centenary events over the coming months, including the Centenary Service at St Chad’s, Shrewsbury in July, walking tour and mobile belfry in August, and open towers in September. Details of events will be available on the Shropshire Association of Church Bellringers website.
Mark Gilham then provided a brief summary of future Church Stretton District events, including the Guild Competition Day on 18 July, the Ringing Festival (‘RingFest 2026’) on 15 August and the District Outing to Shropshire and North Wales on 12 September.
Ringing resumed after the meeting, although there was plenty of cake to keep everyone fortified!
We do hope you’ll join us for RingFest 2026 which will be at St John’s, Bishop’s Castle, on Saturday 15 August, 10.30am ’til 4.30pm. We’d like bands from across the district to showcase their ringing in a non-competitive way, either on St John’s tower bells, on the ‘Peals on Wheels’ mini-ring or both. Is your band short of a few ringers for the RingFest? No problem – borrow some ringers on the day.
Neil Pirie
Church Stretton District Secretary