Category: District News

St Andrews Place Doubles on St Andrews Day at St Andrews church, Allensmore

It was only a whim, a silly idea
St Andrews Day, end of November
Last year was a peal, not done before
300 years to remember.

Les said, “a method, one we don’t know
Is there something relates to Saint Andy?”
Google came up with St Andrews Place Doubles
Well, that looks just fine and dandy

How hard can it be not even a dodge
But what’s this, 3 places in lead?
And look at the back, all those places to make
Success is not guaranteed

Saturday practice is called for, with coffee and cake
Including the odd sausage roll
Bells clashed straight away, “you’re all wrong” was the call
No, this won’t be a stroll

But gradually it came, the start was well practiced!
Then Nick said let’s call a touch
Back to square one, all over the place
Not sure I like this too much

But with thanks to the band, it all came together
Nick, Nick, Lesley and Vicky
Carol and Steve joined in with it too
… and our support team, Paul, Alan and Libby

St Andrews Place mugAt the end of it all, enormous relief!
We all need a great big team hug
And to remember the day, just one thing to say:
“Well and truly a St Andrews Place MUG!”

Nick Chapman, Nov 2023

The band: 1. Carol Williams, 2. Vicky Rees (c), 3. Lesley Meredith, 4.Nick Cooper-Tomkins, 5. Nick Chapman, 6. Steve Williams

Link to Bellboard is here

You can download the blue line and ringing notes for St Andrews Place doubles here

Second Learner’s morning held at St Peters Bromyard

We were delighted to host a second session for some more eager learners at St Peters Bromyard on Saturday 20th January 2024.  Like last time attendees could practice their handling skills, continue getting to grips with rounds and call changes, start their plain hunt journey and for some practice their doubles methods. This time we welcomed 17 enthusiastic learners from Cleobury Mortimer, Knighton, Eardisley, Bredwardine, Almeley, Kington & Bromyard. In between tower bell practice sessions there was an opportunity to have a go at handbell ringing.

Many thanks must go out to the helpers, Chris Kippin, Ed & Sarah Lupton, Tim Hollinghurst, Stella Smith, Elaine Wilkinson, Karen Parker, Sue Robinson, Ady Taylor & Nicky Hudson who allowed us to give people the experience they came for. And to Bill & Clare Evans for running the handbell workshops.

Bromyard learners

Sue Robinson 21.01.2024

Christmas ring at All Saints Hereford on Saturday 16th December

To All Ringers welcome!

Come and ring at All Saints Hereford on Saturday 16th December from 10am to 11am

We’ll be ringing the bells for the Christmas Shoppers Concert at All Saints starting at 11am and also Carols on the Green taking place near the Cathedral from 12 o’clock. There’s a Christmas Fair taking place in the Cathedral all day too!

Hereford District “Bring & Share” party

To all Hereford District Members

To celebrate Christmas this year we are having a “Bring & Share” party at St Nicholas’ Church, Hereford (HR4 0BH) on Wednesday 6th December. Ringing from 6:00pm and afterwards we’ll eat, chat and drink in the church. All levels of ringers welcome – bring your partners too if they want to join the celebrations. Please bring some food to share and also your own preferred drink.

As it’s a Wednesday, there’s FREE PARKING in Hereford and also LATE NIGHT SHOPPING!

Please let me know if you are coming and what food you will be bringing.

Hope you can all come

Kind regards

Barbara

Learner’s morning held at St Peters Bromyard

We were delighted to host a session for some eager learners at St Peters Bromyard on Saturday 28th October. With attendees learning to ring a bell, getting to grips with call changes, starting their plain hunt journey through to doubles methods, we welcomed 15 enthusiastic learners from Chetton, Coalbrookdale, Wellington, Broseley, the Cathedral & Bromyard. In between tower bell practice sessions there was an opportunity to have a go at handbell ringing.

Many thanks must go out to the helpers, Kris Perruzza, Ginette Pardoe, Darren Swancott, Ady Taylor & Nicky Hudson who allowed us to give people the experience they came for. And to Bill & Clare Evans for running the handbell workshops.

There are a few snaps from the event below and the consensus is that we will do it again!

Bridgnorth District Autumn Meeting

Our Autumn meeting is due to be held on 28th October at Chelmarsh from 3pm.

Please come along and have a ring with us; all ringing abilities welcome. Some light refreshments will be available for which a donation of £2 to help towards the St Peter’s tower funds is requested. There will be a raffle for the Guild Bell Restoration Fund.

Hope to see you there!

Hereford District Outing 2023

The Hereford District Outing this year will be on Saturday 16th September, exploring towers in the north west of our area and over the border into Wales. The itinery is …

9:30 – 10:15 Chirbury, St Michael (SY15 6BG) – a very good ‘new’ Whitechapel six cast in the 1990s

10:30 – 11:15 Montgomery, St Nicholas (SY15 6PX) – an almost-complete Rudhall six

11:30 – 12:15 Berriew, St Bueno (SY21 8PQ) – a light eight, modern hanging – mainly Taylor bells

Lunch

14:15 – 15:00 Welshpool, St Mary (SY21 7DS) – a very easy-going eight

15:15 – 16:00 Leighton, Holy Trinity (SY21 9JH) – an early Taylor six – rehung by Eayre & Smith about 20 years ago and go well

16:15 – 17:00 Forden, St Michael & All Angels (SY21 8NE)- a Taylor six – one of the best sixes in Wales

Mordiford Bell restoration

Moves are in progress to restore the 5 bells at Mordiford and make them ringable again.

The bells were cast in 1687 and are unique in that they are the only complete peal of bells in existence made by William Huntbach of Worcester. They have not been rung for at least 50 years.

Fund raising is in progress and has raised £12,500 to date towards a target figure of £55,000 for the restoration project. If you would like to make a donation to get these bells ringing again, please contact Barbara.fox54@btinternet.com for further details.

Desmond Ferguson

It is with sadness we announce the death of Desmond Ferguson on 16th March. He was Tower Captain at Stanton Lacy for over 60 years and Master of the Hereford Guild in 1980 – 82. Des, who was a Freeman of the Guild, learnt to ring in the early fifties and was a member of the band that rang for the Coronation of the late Queen in 1953 after the rehanging of Stanton Lacy bells.

His funeral will be held at 11.0am on 22nd April at Onibury