
![]() Maurice was a keen ringer with our band but was also in charge of Shustoke for many years. Whilst he has not rung with us due to ill health since before Covid prior to this he was a regular attender to both practice nights and service ringing at Whitacre. Our thoughts are with his family as they mourn his passing.
After a busy year which included the Royal Funeral ringing tributes, the ‘Ring for the King’ campaign to encourage new ringers, the subsequent Coronation ringing which included a number of celebration ringing half marathons - (Quarter Peals) and a handful of weddings, - we had a rather quiet month in October.
We took advantage of the lull to carry out essential inspections and repairs in the four Parish Church belfries. At St Leonard’s, the two bells and ringing gear were checked and the clock bell hammer mountings were tightened. At St John’s the three bells and gear, headstocks, bearings wheels and ropes were checked and it was noted that further attention to exclude crows was needed. Minor mechanical maintenance is required to the bearings and sliders. The wheel and headstock to the tenor bell at St Cuthbert’s were braced and bolted to remove the backlash caused by the loosening of the wheel centre. Further clearing of nesting debris is to be undertaken. St. Giles’ bells were found to be in good order. The usual Thursday night practices at St Giles’ are eagerly attended by an increasingly skilled ‘masterclass’ band, but there is ample time and enthusiasm for more beginners. Spectators are welcomed. The Tuesday night clock winding/ ‘bell turning over’ group at St Cuthbert’s manage to ring three or more of the bells most weeks and welcome any interested visitors. Access is by ladder. We are now preparing for the solemn muffled ringing for Remembrance Sunday and in contrast, are looking forward to the Christmas ringing frenzy. We hope to ring for most Carol services in the parishes and then look forward to ringing in the New Year. |
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