Tower Captains Report 2012/13
'Let's hold a recruitment week to encourage new or lapsed ringers' little did Richard know how successful it turned out to be, more about that later.
An AGM was not held last year because of changing our year to run from 1st November to 31st October which is in line with the Association year.
So what have we achieved in the past two years? It has been a time of change where we have lost 6 of our ringers for various reasons but gained 8 not counting our associate members of Ben and Emma. Rob and Georgina joined us in May, Karole, a lapsed ringer, joined us during the recruitment week and I would like to welcome Carol, Frances, Kate, Emma, Donna, Cliff and Eric who have come into ringing as a result of our very successful Recruitment Week, one of these only came in to see what it was all about with no intention to become one! Which leads me on to the Recruitment week - I would like to thank the ringers who made cakes, teas and coffee and generally welcomed visitors into the Church, a special mention to Richard, who mastermind the event including appearing on the radio, and to Keith and Sean who also came in every day.
We have rung for St George's Day, where we appeared in Ringing World and Mana magazine, Forces March, Diamond Jubilee, Olympics, Richard's special birthday, Mayor Making Ceremony, Open Tower Days, the birth of Prince George of Cambridge, hosted Coffee Mornings, rung for several weddings, Light up a Life Service, Carnival Day, Town Carol Service and sold Home-made sweets and biscuits at the Church Craft Fayre.
Practice nights have been successful with regular visiting ringers who have become 'honorary' members of our tower, namely Keith, Jane, Sean, Bob, Belinda and Melinda. We are now progressing on to having a 'Method of the Month' to advance our ringing.
As many of you know we had 4 bellhangers visit in 2012 to check on our bells and to investigate the possibility of augmenting our bells to 10, this is an ongoing discussion which we will revisit next year.
I would like to thank you all for your help and support over the past two years and I look forward in moving our ringing forward, it's an exciting time for us at St Mary's.
Margaret Lee
Tower Captain
2013
Tower Captain's Report 2011
Tower Captain Report 2011
There has been many highlights for me this year, we have all progress with our ringing as a team which enabled us to take part in the striking competition at Wembdon in April, the taster day in May which was a very successful day in the interest it generated but unfortunately we did not get any new members may be next time, we celebrated John's special birthday in June, ringing the handbells at North Newton for a wedding in July, thank you to Viv for master minding this for us, the opening of the Association Library and we had an enjoyable Christmas meal at the Captain's table, thank you Richard for organising this.
The bells were rung for the Royal Wedding Day, 9 Weddings, Light up a Life Service and the Town Carol Service. Some ringers joined other members of our branch to ring at Wells Cathedral in July and some went on the ringers outing to Lacock area in September. Richard and Keith attended a training day at Lydeard St Lawrence where they are being trained on the new way of teaching also Keith has been appointed as the branch tower maintenance officer. In addition the tower has hosted two training days for the branch, organised by the branch education officer, Richard, of which I would like to thank Steve and Keith for their help and support in making it a successful day, we have hosted two coffee mornings for the Church funds.
I would like to thank the British Flag Carnival club for coming to our rescue in sorting out one of our stays.
We welcomed back Keith Lane after his operation and have welcomed many visitors to our practise nights which has helped us to progress our ringing.
We look forward to what promises to be a busy ringing year nationally with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics.
I would like thank you all for your support, friendship and sense of fun over the past year but in particular I would like to thank Steve for being my helpful assistant.
Margaret
There has been many highlights for me this year, we have all progress with our ringing as a team which enabled us to take part in the striking competition at Wembdon in April, the taster day in May which was a very successful day in the interest it generated but unfortunately we did not get any new members may be next time, we celebrated John's special birthday in June, ringing the handbells at North Newton for a wedding in July, thank you to Viv for master minding this for us, the opening of the Association Library and we had an enjoyable Christmas meal at the Captain's table, thank you Richard for organising this.
The bells were rung for the Royal Wedding Day, 9 Weddings, Light up a Life Service and the Town Carol Service. Some ringers joined other members of our branch to ring at Wells Cathedral in July and some went on the ringers outing to Lacock area in September. Richard and Keith attended a training day at Lydeard St Lawrence where they are being trained on the new way of teaching also Keith has been appointed as the branch tower maintenance officer. In addition the tower has hosted two training days for the branch, organised by the branch education officer, Richard, of which I would like to thank Steve and Keith for their help and support in making it a successful day, we have hosted two coffee mornings for the Church funds.
I would like to thank the British Flag Carnival club for coming to our rescue in sorting out one of our stays.
We welcomed back Keith Lane after his operation and have welcomed many visitors to our practise nights which has helped us to progress our ringing.
We look forward to what promises to be a busy ringing year nationally with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics.
I would like thank you all for your support, friendship and sense of fun over the past year but in particular I would like to thank Steve for being my helpful assistant.
Margaret
Tower Captain's Report 2010
Tower Captain Report 2010
This year can only be described as having highs and lows.
The lows were the stressful time over the issue of CRB checks and losing our title in the Branch Striking Competition but there is always another year.
The highs, I am sure you will agree with me, far out number the lows. In March we had the Bell Simulator installed and it is proving a hit with our newest recruit Ben. In April Steve became a member of the Association, we also welcomed back Keith Petersen. In July four of us joined other members of the branch to ring at Wells Cathedral. In September some of us enjoyed going on the Branch outing to Seaton which included the Tower Table football tournament, the final was between Keith and Richard and I can not tell you won. As well as hosting our Coffee Mornings for Church Funds we welcomed members of the branch to the AGM which was held in October. In February we celebrated Christmas with a delicious lunch at the Tudor Restaurant, our thanks to Richard for organising this successful event.
In addition to ringing for 9 weddings, Town Carol Service and the Light up a Life Service we have been able to ring all 8 bells most Sundays and achieve one of the targets I set last year which was to ring Plain Hunt on 7.
Housing the Association Library in the clock room as turned out a positive for us as once a month David Bromage, the librarian, joins us helping us to progress with our triples ringing.
2010 was a busy year personally for six of us, one reaching ' Life begins at' two reaching half century, one a Golden Wedding and two taken early retirement which we celebrated along the way and by a quarter peal in December.
At the quarterly meeting in January Richard was elected as the Branch Education Officer, for which I wish to congratulate him.
There is so much I would like us to achieve this year so these are my targets for us all
1 Recruit new members to the art of bellringing
2 To achieve ringing plain hunt on 7 on another bell and a plain course of St Mary's Treble Place Doubles
3 To have a Ringing Day Out
4 Master raising and lowering the bells in peal
Finally I would like to thank you all for your support, fellowship and sense of fun in such a remarkable year
Margaret
This year can only be described as having highs and lows.
The lows were the stressful time over the issue of CRB checks and losing our title in the Branch Striking Competition but there is always another year.
The highs, I am sure you will agree with me, far out number the lows. In March we had the Bell Simulator installed and it is proving a hit with our newest recruit Ben. In April Steve became a member of the Association, we also welcomed back Keith Petersen. In July four of us joined other members of the branch to ring at Wells Cathedral. In September some of us enjoyed going on the Branch outing to Seaton which included the Tower Table football tournament, the final was between Keith and Richard and I can not tell you won. As well as hosting our Coffee Mornings for Church Funds we welcomed members of the branch to the AGM which was held in October. In February we celebrated Christmas with a delicious lunch at the Tudor Restaurant, our thanks to Richard for organising this successful event.
In addition to ringing for 9 weddings, Town Carol Service and the Light up a Life Service we have been able to ring all 8 bells most Sundays and achieve one of the targets I set last year which was to ring Plain Hunt on 7.
Housing the Association Library in the clock room as turned out a positive for us as once a month David Bromage, the librarian, joins us helping us to progress with our triples ringing.
2010 was a busy year personally for six of us, one reaching ' Life begins at' two reaching half century, one a Golden Wedding and two taken early retirement which we celebrated along the way and by a quarter peal in December.
At the quarterly meeting in January Richard was elected as the Branch Education Officer, for which I wish to congratulate him.
There is so much I would like us to achieve this year so these are my targets for us all
1 Recruit new members to the art of bellringing
2 To achieve ringing plain hunt on 7 on another bell and a plain course of St Mary's Treble Place Doubles
3 To have a Ringing Day Out
4 Master raising and lowering the bells in peal
Finally I would like to thank you all for your support, fellowship and sense of fun in such a remarkable year
Margaret
Tower Captain's Report 2009
Tower Captain Report 2009
'Are we there yet?' Asked Hasu as we left Bridgwater altogether on our way to our heat of the final of the Association Striking Competition which was held at Lympsham, a challenging anti clockwise ring near Weston Super Mare. The judge said we were nervous which helped him to place us last. We decided to celebrate by having an ice cream at Burnham on Sea which rounded off a very enjoyable afternoon.
In September five members went on the Branch outing to Abergavenny, ringing in various towers and an enjoyable day was had by all.
During the year Richard organised us to clear and clean out the clock room, also we hosted two coffee mornings for Church Funds, opened the tower on Carnival Day, and enjoyed a Christmas Meal at the Tudor Restaurant.
Our ringing activities included Julia's ordination, 8 Weddings one where we were asked to join in singing, Light up a Life, the Town Carol Service and at Chilton Trinity for the benefice service.
John Long has become and member of the Association and Steve Holman will become a member at the next meeting in April and Tony, our newest recruit, is making good progress.
We welcome Kate and David Cameron, who have moved to Othery from Dorking, who support us and enable us to progress our method ringing. During the year we have welcomed many visiting ringers who have been on holiday heard the bells and decided joined us.
Keith Petersen, who was our Assistant Tower Captain and Steeple Keeper at the beginning of the year, has decided to take time out and since moved to Taunton, but he has told me that he will come back to visit us from time to time.
I know you are all waiting to see what targets I am going to set, while they are the same as last year with one exception
1 To ring Plain Hunt on 7 bells
2 To recruit more members to our art of bellringing
3 To attend 8 bells practices both here and at other towers
I would like to thank the other committee members Keith and Richard for their support, enthusiasm and commitment in driving the tower forward in getting a simulator, which is being installed on March 30th and arranging for the Bath and Wells Association of Change Ringers Library to be housed here in the clockroom.
Finally I would like to thank you all for your continued support, companionship, sense of fun and keeping the art of bellringing here at St Marys. an enjoyable experience, long by it continue.
Margaret
'Are we there yet?' Asked Hasu as we left Bridgwater altogether on our way to our heat of the final of the Association Striking Competition which was held at Lympsham, a challenging anti clockwise ring near Weston Super Mare. The judge said we were nervous which helped him to place us last. We decided to celebrate by having an ice cream at Burnham on Sea which rounded off a very enjoyable afternoon.
In September five members went on the Branch outing to Abergavenny, ringing in various towers and an enjoyable day was had by all.
During the year Richard organised us to clear and clean out the clock room, also we hosted two coffee mornings for Church Funds, opened the tower on Carnival Day, and enjoyed a Christmas Meal at the Tudor Restaurant.
Our ringing activities included Julia's ordination, 8 Weddings one where we were asked to join in singing, Light up a Life, the Town Carol Service and at Chilton Trinity for the benefice service.
John Long has become and member of the Association and Steve Holman will become a member at the next meeting in April and Tony, our newest recruit, is making good progress.
We welcome Kate and David Cameron, who have moved to Othery from Dorking, who support us and enable us to progress our method ringing. During the year we have welcomed many visiting ringers who have been on holiday heard the bells and decided joined us.
Keith Petersen, who was our Assistant Tower Captain and Steeple Keeper at the beginning of the year, has decided to take time out and since moved to Taunton, but he has told me that he will come back to visit us from time to time.
I know you are all waiting to see what targets I am going to set, while they are the same as last year with one exception
1 To ring Plain Hunt on 7 bells
2 To recruit more members to our art of bellringing
3 To attend 8 bells practices both here and at other towers
I would like to thank the other committee members Keith and Richard for their support, enthusiasm and commitment in driving the tower forward in getting a simulator, which is being installed on March 30th and arranging for the Bath and Wells Association of Change Ringers Library to be housed here in the clockroom.
Finally I would like to thank you all for your continued support, companionship, sense of fun and keeping the art of bellringing here at St Marys. an enjoyable experience, long by it continue.
Margaret
Bath and Wells Association Library
Dedication of the
Bellringers Library and Book Launch.
'5th
Nov 1776, Crave allowance for a hogshead of cider £1 0s 0d Pd
for 77 lb of Beef at 1¾d per lb & 14 lb of salt 12s 03d
Pd Jas Newton for a Bushel of Potatoes £2 0s'
The above quote is from
the book Church Bells in Somerset by the late George Massey launched
in St Mary's on November 5th.
It is interesting to note how well the 'Gunpowder Plot' was
celebrated at Brent Knoll. Whereas the average parish seemed to pay
about five or ten shillings to fete the ringers, things were then
done in style.
Rev Tim Hawkins, Master of
the Bath and Wells Association of Change Ringers, and Charles jointly
officiated at the ceremony to dedicate the Association Library and
announce the book launch. Tim gave an eloquent description of George
Massey's dedication to bells and ringing, and, present a copy of the
book to his son David, other ringers were also present to collect
their copies. Richard Lee was thanked for having the foresight to
bring the library to the clock room and this has justified all the
hard work by our ringers to create an asset for the Church and the
Association.
The event was rounded off
with some open ringing by the many visiting ringers and a celebratory
toast of bucks fizz.
Margaret Lee
Tower Captain
Tower Captain Report 2005
It is not quite a year since I did my last report and in comparison this has been a quiet year.
During the year we rang for 13 weddings, and recorded the best hat count – ever, 60 in total. In addition to ringing on Sunday mornings, we rang for the anniversary of World War Two; Light up a Life service, the Town Carol Service and New Year’s Eve.
The ringers opened up the tower for Sommerfest, Carnival and the Autumn Fair.
In October, we rang a quarter peal to mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar. This was an achievement on three counts, firstly for Viv; it was her first quarter for many years and secondly for Richard and Keith being that they both jointly conducted a long with myself.
On the recruiting side this is looking at lot brighter with Dawn making good progress and she now is ringing for Sunday service and it will not be long before Rachel joins her. We have also two other learners, Ken and Andrea, who joined us just before Christmas but are now away on holiday and I hope that it is not be many more weeks before they also are able to ring on Sunday mornings.
On the social side, we had a very enjoyable Christmas meal at the Tudor and I would like to thank Richard for organizing it and for Hasu for the table extra’s.
The bell frame has now been painted and this year we hope to complete some of the outstanding works, which was highlighted in Andrew Nicholson report.
Over the past few months a lot of work has been done on getting the web site ready to be launched, which if everything goes to plan it will be on Easter Monday
So has you can see we are still going forward and I would like to thank Charles and you all for your support but Keith Lane needs a mention because even though he has been unable to join us in the tower his support has been much appreciated.
I look forward to other year of enjoyable ringing.
During the year we rang for 13 weddings, and recorded the best hat count – ever, 60 in total. In addition to ringing on Sunday mornings, we rang for the anniversary of World War Two; Light up a Life service, the Town Carol Service and New Year’s Eve.
The ringers opened up the tower for Sommerfest, Carnival and the Autumn Fair.
In October, we rang a quarter peal to mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar. This was an achievement on three counts, firstly for Viv; it was her first quarter for many years and secondly for Richard and Keith being that they both jointly conducted a long with myself.
On the recruiting side this is looking at lot brighter with Dawn making good progress and she now is ringing for Sunday service and it will not be long before Rachel joins her. We have also two other learners, Ken and Andrea, who joined us just before Christmas but are now away on holiday and I hope that it is not be many more weeks before they also are able to ring on Sunday mornings.
On the social side, we had a very enjoyable Christmas meal at the Tudor and I would like to thank Richard for organizing it and for Hasu for the table extra’s.
The bell frame has now been painted and this year we hope to complete some of the outstanding works, which was highlighted in Andrew Nicholson report.
Over the past few months a lot of work has been done on getting the web site ready to be launched, which if everything goes to plan it will be on Easter Monday
So has you can see we are still going forward and I would like to thank Charles and you all for your support but Keith Lane needs a mention because even though he has been unable to join us in the tower his support has been much appreciated.
I look forward to other year of enjoyable ringing.
Tower Captains Report 2004
When you look back over a year you always think ‘What have we achieved, not very much you might say’ I disagree.
This year we have achieved many things, admittedly the numbers are down but we have practised every Monday night and have welcomed many visitors. Vivienne returned to ringing after many years also Bill after ill health
We ring method for Sunday services
Entered a team in the striking competition
Organized and provide approx 100 teas for the Bath and Wells Diocesan Association of Change Ringers at the AGM held in Bridgwater
Entered a team in the Church Quiz Evening
Held a Recruitment Day which although there was some interest no new ringers came to join us, it was a fun day
Rang for 15 Weddings
Had a Summer Garden Party at the home of Pat and Keith Lane
Opened the tower for Summerfeast and Carnival Weekends
Some of the member went on the Branch Outing
Rang a quarter Peal in the Branch Quarter Peal Fortnight – all St Mary’s ringers on the front six bells
Gave support to the youngest member of the team by going on mass to see Peter, as Maurice, in a play at the Arts Centre
Andrew Nicholson came and inspected the bells and we had the 4th Bell corrected and we hope to have the bell frame painted in the near future
We had a very enjoyable day out ringing around the Mendips that included some usual towers, mastering a new method, a quiz and a delicious Cream Tea.
An enjoyable Christmas Meal at the Old Vicarage
Ringing all eight bells to ring the old year out and the New Year in.
I think you will agree with me we did achieve a lot.
Our main focus for the next twelve months must be to encourage more people to join us and for us as a team to enjoy what we do and to progress our ringing together.
As my first year as Tower Captain I would like to thank Charles and you all for your support and as at any end of year occasions I would like to award the following
Newcomer – Vivienne
Latecomer – Peter
Mastering ringing the tenor – Hasu
My worth assistant – Keith P
Visiting local hostelry in the name of research – Keith L
New methods – Bill
Quick Wit – Richard
Thank you all very much and I look forward to another ringing year.
This year we have achieved many things, admittedly the numbers are down but we have practised every Monday night and have welcomed many visitors. Vivienne returned to ringing after many years also Bill after ill health
We ring method for Sunday services
Entered a team in the striking competition
Organized and provide approx 100 teas for the Bath and Wells Diocesan Association of Change Ringers at the AGM held in Bridgwater
Entered a team in the Church Quiz Evening
Held a Recruitment Day which although there was some interest no new ringers came to join us, it was a fun day
Rang for 15 Weddings
Had a Summer Garden Party at the home of Pat and Keith Lane
Opened the tower for Summerfeast and Carnival Weekends
Some of the member went on the Branch Outing
Rang a quarter Peal in the Branch Quarter Peal Fortnight – all St Mary’s ringers on the front six bells
Gave support to the youngest member of the team by going on mass to see Peter, as Maurice, in a play at the Arts Centre
Andrew Nicholson came and inspected the bells and we had the 4th Bell corrected and we hope to have the bell frame painted in the near future
We had a very enjoyable day out ringing around the Mendips that included some usual towers, mastering a new method, a quiz and a delicious Cream Tea.
An enjoyable Christmas Meal at the Old Vicarage
Ringing all eight bells to ring the old year out and the New Year in.
I think you will agree with me we did achieve a lot.
Our main focus for the next twelve months must be to encourage more people to join us and for us as a team to enjoy what we do and to progress our ringing together.
As my first year as Tower Captain I would like to thank Charles and you all for your support and as at any end of year occasions I would like to award the following
Newcomer – Vivienne
Latecomer – Peter
Mastering ringing the tenor – Hasu
My worth assistant – Keith P
Visiting local hostelry in the name of research – Keith L
New methods – Bill
Quick Wit – Richard
Thank you all very much and I look forward to another ringing year.