Two striking competitions two Saturdays running and a wet start to a sunny day. There the comparison stops. I have just arrived home from the Alfriston Bell Festival. What a brilliant day and the sun came out! Bell Meadow mini ring was working overtime, furrowed brows on the course of the Treasure Hunt, concentration on the faces of the handbell ringers and lots of fun in the striking competition ably judged by David and Caroline House and hot foot back from Worcester two of the young people who represented Sussex the previous week, William Alford and George Woodward. Prizes were awarded for the quickest called changes, two people changes bells in the middle of a ring, finishing the ringing by shaking tiny bells and probably more but I cannot remember. Apparently one team bowed to the judges at the end but I am not at all sure that this made any difference. All good fun and thank you to all who made the day happen. Over fifty ringers from three divisions were pre
No such shenanigans were on show at the RWNYC the previous week in Worcester. The Sussex Young Ringers did us proud. This year the team rang in the Change Ringing Section for the first time and scored a B. The team was the first to ring after lunch but the start was delayed due to a broken stay during some open ringing during the lunch period. The team had to wait about twenty minutes whilst a stay was moved from a smaller bell to the larger bell. During the day there were opportunities for team members to have a master class on twelve bell ringing, a handbell session and to ring at Worcester Cathedral. The whole day concluded with a hog roast. Many thanks to Anne Franklin for her coaching of the team and Sandra Alford ensuring that everyone was in the right place at the right time on the day.
Now back to where my last Musings ended. A very busy and useful Education Committee was held at the beginning of June. One of the main tasks was to check on those towers that did not appear to have anyone with a DBS check (Disclosure Barring Service, formerly known as CRB). Please do read the Safeguarding Policy on the Website and if you have any problems Sue Elrick will be happy to help. It is really important that this subject is taken seriously. It is there for our protection as well as for any young person.
Each Tuesday lunchtime I pop up into Hailsham to a small friendly café for a couple of hours to “Stitch and Chat” with a small group of ladies. It is amazing how much stitching does get done even when chatting. Ideas are exchanged and helpful hints and advice together with lots of cups of tea or coffee and the odd piece of cake. I am knitting a cot blanket for our great granddaughter but judging by the size that it appears to be growing to I think I will keep it until she is in a bed.
Friday 13 the New Rules Working Group met at Steyning for a very busy meeting. Marisa and I attended together with Jane Wilkinson, Mark Dawkins, Rachel Edwards and Sam Tyler. Jane led the meeting and the new team left with their heads spinning. Since that time many emails have flown between the four team members with copies to Marisa and myself. I have taken no part in the exchange, just briefly read them and put them into a file. Marisa has had the unenviable task of pulling all of these together. The task is almost done and it is hoped that, with the blessing of the general committee, the final document will be out in circulation prior to an Extra General Meeting for the final vote.
Supper on Saturday at the home of our granddaughter, Marika. I took a trifle – even made the swiss roll – and Marika had started a Shepherds pie but great granddaughter was rather grumpy so Alan and I finished off the preparation, Elsie was put to bed and settled quickly, and then the three of us sat down to an excellent supper and lovely family evening.
The following week was busy with hairdressing, nail parlour, chiropractor, lesson at Ringing Centre for a new ringer at Ashburnham (more of that later), quarter peal attempt (unsuccessful) at Laughton and then on Friday preparations for Miriam (our younger daughter) and Mervin’s wedding. This was held at a secular chapel in the grounds of a large house. The marquee was set up but the area where the food was to be laid out had not been cleaned for a good while. Alan and I spent the morning cobwebbing, dusting, sweeping, washing and eventually, having sorted out tables, etc. we broke for lunch. Miriam left to take her dog to the dog sitter for a couple of days. Half way through the afternoon she arrived back with a swollen eye. Alan took her to the doctor who prescribed steroids but she spent the evening in A&E for doses of adrenalin. Miriam arrived at her wedding feeling very unwell and wearing dark glasses but she put on a very brave face. Despite this everyone appeared to have a lovely time enjoying afternoon tea from vintage china. The only thing missing was a knife to cut the cake! Mum to the rescue although the sizes were not too equal or are they ever? Miriam and Mervin spent one night away staying at the Ashdown Forest Hotel in the same suite that Tom Cruise uses – how’s that for one upmanship?
Hailsham hosted the Eastern Division June meeting. Where were those people who wanted a service at a meeting? Apart from Hailsham ringers, only four from the Eastern Division, one visitor from Worcestershire, one priest and one organist. However, it was a very friendly meeting and enjoyed by those present.
I have volunteered to help at Holiday at Home at church during August and for this I was required to do Food Handling training. What will I have to attend next, health and safety, risk assessment? Apparently unofficially I passed the test so I am able to serve the puddings!
At the end of the month another Ladies who lunch and ring. Horror of horrors we were unable to ring at our first tower due to problems so we had to start with coffee and cake and also had a longer lunch break. In spite of these setbacks two good quarters were achieved.
I mentioned Ashburnham earlier. Alan Colings is training a new band there and I had a request from one of the learners to come up to Hailsham for some extra practice. Most of the band come up at 6.30 p.m. on Mondays now before our practice where they have mostly been learning to ring up and down. Then, depending on the number of our own ringers, they stay and join in rounds. This, together with extra sessions at the Ringing Centre, has proved beneficial with some of the group coming on very quickly. This has been of help not only to the Ashburnham band but to the Hailsham band as it has given some of the members an opportunity to help with the teaching.
Last week I spent a few days in sunny Bracknell with Rachel (our older daughter) and family and managed two sections of the Thames Path. Before I left Alan had a belated birthday present. For his big birthday last year the girls gave him a balloon ride. This has been booked and then cancelled about eight times. Monday evening after ringing practice the phone rang and asked if he could be at Headcorn at 6.15 am the following morning. It was a glorious morning and I waved the balloon off at 7 am. Alan thoroughly enjoyed the flight arriving back at base nearly two hours later.
Having written these Musings I now know why I have been feeling tired. I don’t appear to have stopped so will do so now.... Well almost – Happy Ringing.
Christine Baldock
