Branch Newsletter
Wombel visits the Eastern Branch
Arrangements were made for the 'Wombel' (one bell) Saxilby Ringing Simulator to be in the Freiston/Butterwick area during June and July.
Simon Pearson provided transport and collected the Wombel from it's home at Willingham by Stow. Local Branch members David Collin, Audrey Harrison, David Bennett and John Collett spent two hours assembling the Wombel in Frieston church on Wednesday morning, 23rd June. The same team met again in the evening when twenty five Brownies enjoyed a tour of the church. This included the belfry, ringing room and views from the top of the tower. They all tried their skills on the Wombel.
The Scouts were the next group to visit Frieston church, on Monday evening, 28th June, they all enjoyed the same tour and ringing on the Wombel.
Butterwick Primary School was the next venue for the Wombel, at the annual school fete, on Friday 9th July from 3 to 5 pm. This event was very well attended, many children and adults spent time on the Wombel with tuition from our Branch members.
It was then time to dismantle the whole Wombel and Simon provided the transport for it's return home.
Very many thanks go to the dedicated team of helpers who gave up their time for these events.
Tom Freeston
Pre-BBQ ringing at St Luke's, Stickney on Saturday July 3rd 2010
This ringing meeting was very well supported by approximately twenty five ringers and we were pleased that friends from the other Branches of the Lincoln Diocesan Guild came to join us. We had a very warm welcome at St Luke's and were provided with a good supply of tea, coffee and biscuits.
Peter Udy, our Branch Ringing Master, kept the ringing moving along nicely and (despite some problems keeping naughty number four bell in order) we managed a variety of methods.
The 'locals' told me that they were really pleased to have the bells rung as it was a rare occurrence these days, and they hoped we would visit again soon.
Julia Limage
Eastern Branch BBQ at Sibsey Trader Mill on Saturday July 3rd 2010
Once again, the Eastern Branch BBQ was a cracking success and many thanks are due to Ian Ansell for being our host for the eighth year in succession.
Over eighty ringers and friends turned up, and all six Branches were represented, especially welcome was the new Guild Master, Alan Payne and his wife Joan. The age of the attendees ranged from baby Matthew George Evans at just five weeks, to some ringers eighty plus years young.
We were blessed with superb warm weather and just enough wind to keep the windmill working.
The evening raised £568.15 for the Eastern Branch bell repair fund, and included £52 from the Evans' quiz which had a junior winner, Andrew Evans and senior winners, the Horncastle team, well done. This year the quiz had geography and world cup themes, which was a bit lost on those of us who are not soccerphiles. But it was fun anyway. Also included in the total was £94 from the raffle, which Tom Freeston organised.
The Willoughby family were once again responsible for cooking the tasty burgers and sausages, supervised by Jet, the black labrador.
Thanks to all who contributed time, food, catering and tent-erecting skills to this event.
Julia Limage
Photo Tom Freeston
Photo Val Wild
Alford 'A' retain the George Brewster Cup
The Eastern Branch 6 bell striking competition was held at St Wilfrid's, Alford on Saturday 5th June, and Les Townsend put the teams in the following order:
First, Alford 'A' 13.5
Second, Kirton 18
Third, Alford 'B' 45
Fourth, Coningsby 53.5
Fifth, Under 19s scratch band 57
The George Brewster Cup was presented to Ben Meyer by Les Townsend to hold for another year.
£10 was given to the Branch BRF from the sale of refreshments.
Photos by Tom Freeston
Frampton bells are rung for Ascension Day service
On Thursday 13th May 2010, a Deanery Service for Ascension Day was held at St Mary and St Michael's, Frampton. Prior to the service a quarter peal was rung, with the details as follows:
1260 St Simons, St Martins, Osmund, Eynesbury, Plain Bob, Grandsire, Rev Canterbury, April Day and Southrepps Doubles in 45 minutes.
1. Wayne Francis
2. Diana Street
3. Valerie Wild
4. Peter Udy
5. Ian Ansell (c)
6. Robert Ingamells
The ground floor ring created a lot of interest; many of the congregation stopped to watch the ringing before making their way to their seats in church. The ringing stopped around 7.20pm in time for the organist to play appropriate music before the service.
The Frampton and Wyberton vicar, the Rev'd Charles William Bartholomew Sowden, led the service. He was assisted by the Deanery clergy and lay readers, Gary Morgan from Kirton, Algarkirk and Fosdyke wielded the Threruble full of incense and the sermon was given by the Vicar of Boston, St Botolph (The Stump) Rev'd Robin Whitehead. Lessons were read by the Rev'd Rosemary Taylor, Vicar of the Sibsey, Frithville and Brothertoft Group, Rev'd Stuart Dobson, the part-time Community Chaplain to the Haven Group (Swineshead, Bicker, Donington, Wigtoft and Sutterton), Lay Reader Mr Dumat and prayers were read by Carol Leggett from Kirton. Other clergy, such as Rev'd Jenny Dumat, and Lay Readers were in attendance too.
Although there was no choir, the fairly large congregation made up of people from all over the Deanery, sang well, to the rousing hymns accompanied by the organist.
As usual, the local ladies welcomed everyone and served tea and coffee, with biscuits, at the end of the service which gave everyone an opportunity to socialise.
Diana Street
Eastern Branch go East
Sign outside Wainfleet church.
On Saturday 1st May 2010 ringing at Wainfleet was followed by a short drive to All Saints Croft for a service, faith tea, meeting and ringing on the second ground floor six of the afternoon.
All Saints, Croft
Candlesby fund raising ringing tour, Monday 3rd May 2010
This tour started at Hackthorn at 10 am, but my brother and I joined it at Branston at 11 am to find, not a ringer in sight. After 10 minutes two ringers turned up with a key, that did not open the church door, and we only succeeded in getting it stuck in the lock. Ten minutes and no more ringers later, we rang 'our leader' to discover that the others were on their way after a hold-up at Hackthorn. When they arrived, full of apologies, tea, biscuits and cakes (the generous Hackthorn tea ladies had done it again), the key turned out to be for Potterhanworth. My brother was fed up by this time and went to drown his sorrows in the local hostelry. Eventually someone rang someone and the church was opened. The ringing was brief and we moved on to Potterhanworth.
At Potterhanworth the sound control system was working well and we could just about hear the bells from outside the church.
After Potterhanworth it was time for lunch, my brother and I found a nice pub at Scopwick, with a varied menu, situated by a pretty little stream.
The next port of call was the interesting church of North Rauceby where we were joined by a local ringer.
My brother and I left the party at North Rauceby as we had packing to do for the next day. Despite being a small band we managed to collect £80 towards the new floor at Candlesby. Thanks are due to Paul Chafer for organising, Geoffrey Evison for promoting and all who supported this outing.
Julia Limage
Guild AGM at Lincoln, 24th April 2010
The new master, Alan Payne, The Dean and Sue Faull shortly after the AGM in Lincoln
St George's Day Quarter Peal at St Mary and St Nicholas, Wrangle
A quarter peal of plain bob doubles was rung at Wrangle on Friday 23rd April 2010 to commemorate St George's Day, for Vic Waite's 65th birthday (on 24th April) and for Tom Palmer's 86th birthday (25th April). The band, shown above, were: G John Collett(c), David Bennett, Janice Elley, Audrey Harrison, Tom Freeston and Michael Bainbridge.
Sts Peter and Paul, Wigtoft, 10th April 2010
The April practice was held a week later than usual, on the second Saturday due to Holy Week. About 20 ringers met and rang between 7 and 9pm at Wigtoft, with ringing master, Peter Udy, in charge. Quite a few people managed to remember to bring their Guild Grand Draw stubs and cash to give to Phil Ford, ready for the possibility of a big win on AGM day.
The high point of the evening for some, was when Chris Woodcock provided a line for Wigtoft Bob Minor, and it was rung!
Branch Practice at Boston Stump on Saturday 6th March, 10 to 12 noon
The morning's practice was led by Ringing Master Peter Udy and attended by about 25 people, including locals from the district, members of the Central Branch and a tower grabber from just outside Newark. It was good to see so many enthusiastic youngsters there.
All took the opportunity to ring on 10 bells (none asked for anything on a lower number of bells). Ringing included rounds and call changes, plain hunt on 10, plain bob royal, little bob royal, grandsire caters and stedman caters. It all sounded good and local townspeople were commenting on the bells - they couldn't fail to hear them, of course!
Quite a few people braved the 'extra' steps up to the roof to admire the town and surrounding area from the viewing gallery around the tower. However with the louvres adjacent to it , when the bells started to ring, it was deafening - it reminded me of ' The Nine Taylors' by Dorothy L Sayers.
It was a very good session and all seemed rightly pleased with their performances. During a short break in the ringing, Derek Smith from Sibsey was elected a member of the Eastern Branch, and £20 was collected for the bell repair fund.
Afterwards Mick Smith took upstairs, a party of those keen to see the bells - they were silent then!
It was a highly appropriate day too, as in Lincoln, the Archbishop of Canterbury was presenting a lecture on 'Faith, Hope and Charity in Tomorrow's World' followed by a service celebrating the 100th anniversary of the death of a much respected 'local' Bishop Edward King. I wonder, could the Archbishop hear Boston bells in Lincoln?
Diana Street
Alan Brader, Emeritus Tower Captain of Coningsby and Tattershall
Photo by Paul Bennett
Eastern Branch Annual General Meeting held at Sutterton and Swineshead
Ringing at Sutterton was the first item on the agenda on Saturday 30th January 2010. The eight bells were put to good use under the care of Peter Udy, assistant ringing master.
Next was the service at Swineshead led by the new vicar, Rev David de Verney, with Geoffrey Evison playing the organ, thankfully the heating was on in church.
An ample tea prepared by Rhoda Reynolds and helpers was enjoyed in the lounge at Swinfields and followed by the raffle, which raised £50. The profit from the tea was split between the Swineshead Church restoration fund and the Eastern Branch bell repair fund.
The AGM was next, still in the warm and comfortable surroundings of Swinfields, where the business was swiftly dealt with under the chairmanship of Tom Freeston. Under AOB Sue Faull was presented with an orchid and thanks from the Eastern Branch for all her help and support in the five years Sue has been Master of the Lincoln Diocesan Guild. Sue stands down in April when a new master will be elected at the Guild AGM in Lincoln.
Ringing at Swineshead was the final item, with Peter Udy still in charge having gained a promotion to ringing master, Ben Meyer was elected assistant ringing master.
Val Wild
Kirton Induction of new Vicar
A quarter peal of Plain Bob Triples, prior to the Licensing Service of Rev. Gary Morgan as Priest in charge of the Parishes of Kirton, Algarkirk and Fosdyke, on Thursday 21st January 2010, gave a resounding welcome! The Bishop of Grantham, The Right Revd Dr tim Ellis conducted the service. The Bishop's sermon included a snippet of a recording of the Eagles' 'Hotel california' played on two guitars to illustrate Synergy to show that the suns of parts gives a result not achievable by working separately. Rev Gary was welcomed by many local organisations in the three villages including Fosdyke who gave him a pen for filling in expenses, where 2 + 2 definitely = 3 (not 5 as in the case of Synergy!) Sadly at the appropriate point in the service, he did not ring the tower bell set up for him, but the tiny Sanctus bell hanging on the back wall of the church.
Kirton church was almost full to capacity including members of his previous parish, Spilsby, who were so plentiful that they filled a bus and a mini-bus! One person asked a bellringer is they had just been making that din (not quite the description we use for a good quarter peal) as where they came from had no bells - let's hope he wasn't from Spilsby!
After the service Fr. Gary was able to mingle amongst everyone, while enjoying some of the lovely refreshments provided at the back of church.
Diana Street
New Vicar for Kirton on Thursday 21st January 2010
Kirton church was full for the licensing of Father Morgan as the Priest in Charge of the Parishes of Kirton, Algarkirk and Fosdyke. The service was led by the Bishop of Grantham. The congregations of the three churches were joined by the Patrons of Kirton Church, the Mercers Co; the Mayor and Mayoress of Boston Borough Council; the Clergy of the Deaneries of Holland East and West; family and friends of Father Morgan, including a coach load of the congregation of Spilsby, Gary's former parish.
The evening commenced with the Kirton Bell Ringers ringing a quarter peal of 1260 Plain Bob Triples in 47 minutes. The team were: 1 John Collett, 2 Val Wild, 3 Diana Street, 4 Peter Udy, 5 Wayne Francis, 6 Tom Freeston, 7 Ian Ansell (c), 8 Robert Ingamells.
Peter Udy
New Vicar for the Haven Group, licensed on Tuesday 12th January 2010
St Mary's church, Swineshead was full when the five parishes (Swineshead, Bicker, Donington, Sutterton and Wigtoft)of the Haven Group met for the licensing of David de Verny as the new Priest in charge.
Bells were rung before the service by Rhoda, David, and Michael Reynolds, Val Wild, David Collin and Penny fountain, and Rhoda later helped the new vicar to chime the treble, as a sign of the beginning of his ministry.
The Bishop of Grantham led the service, attended by the Archdeacon, the Rural Dean and the Clergy of the Deaneries of Holland East and West, plus the patrons and other dignitaries, and everyone was invited to refreshments in the church afterwards. AS a special entertainment, during the service, Andrew Wickens sang Bach's Cantata no. 82, accompanied by the organ.
Penny Fountain
Cinders (from scratch)
A new year pantomime at Pinchbeck church was performed during the afternoon of Saturday 9th January 2010, all put together by Nicki (a ringer) and John Bland (choir master). It was rehearsed in the morning and performed in the afternoon to a enthusiastic audience who had braved the snow to be there.
In total five ringers were involved, and one curate Lynda Pugh, who together with her ringer husband Peter took the parts of Lord and Lady Posh, guests at the ball (you know the story).
The church choir mainly took the character parts including Richard Rowell (a Pinchbeck ringer and chorister) as 'Bella'.
Who had an equally beautiful sister, 'Ella'. The crowd, which included more ringers, were encouraged to hiss, boo, and shout hurray, with the help of flash cards held aloft by various children. On one occasion we were directed to 'ssih', when the card was upside down!
Hot drinks and biscuits followed the performance, served at the back of the church, along with the chance to mingle with the stars of the show.
In all, a fun afternoon which raised £150 for church funds, and it was worth every penny.
Val Wild
Ringing the Old Year out, and the New Year in at Spalding
An article in the January issue of 'Tidings' the Spalding parish magazine by tower captain Sue Slater.
Carol service and meeting, held at Gunby and Burgh-le-Marsh
On Saturday 12th December 2009, well wrapped up ringers walked through the Victorian gardens of Gunby Hall, to ring on the ground floor five. A variety of methods were rung including St Nicholas as we were getting in the festive spirit.
A recent addition to the church is the candle holder shown above, given in memory of Ray Ayres, bells being depicted top and bottom.
Burgh church had been prettily decorated by various Guilds and Associations, who each sponsored a Christmas tree in one of the windows. I don't think I have ever seen so many trees in one church!
By 4.15 ringers started to enter the church and deposit their contributions in the vestry ready for tea. Fr Terry returned from his walk with his new beagle rescue dog "Murray". Fr Terry's previous dog "Jack" featured on the cover of a book called "Dog Collars - Inspiring Stories of Clergy and their Dogs" by Richard Surman, published by Collins. Murray, being a true scent hound, soon located a box of dog biscuits that had been put on one side as a present for him, later. They were rescued, just in time, by a quick thinking ringer who saw Murray's head disappear into a shopping bag and not come out.
By 4.30 pm the pews began to fill up, Fr Terry was robed up, Murray had his lead on and our versatile organist was raring to go, so the carol service began. After singing five well known carols the ringers were getting a bit parched and were ready for some tea, but before that, Fr Terry was presented with a bottle of wine and the rescued dog biscuits, and was thanked for taking the service and for the use of the bells.
The faith tea then commenced in the bottom of the tower, and the ringers made short work
of the food provided. A short business meeting followed, John Collett thanked the tea ladies and Geoffrey Evison for travelling so far to play the organ for us.
At 6.30 the ringers made their way up the tower to raise the bells. Peter Udy was again ringing master, call changes, Plain Bob, Grandsire, Oxford Bob Triples and Cambridge Surprise Major were amongst the methods rung. The ringing ended at 7.45 and all present said they had enjoyed the event.
Julia Limage
Kirton Church Christmas Tree Festival 5th to 13th December 2009
The tree decorators, Diana and Penny
All's fine at All Saints, Friskney
The sun shone for the drive to Friskney for the Eastern Branch's November meeting, held on Saturday 7th. Tony, Isabelle and family met us at 9.30 and the ringing was organised by Peter Udy. a mixture of methods up to surprise minor were rung on this easy going 6.
A DIY tea and coffee stall raised £8.75 for the bell repair fund, and the ringing continued throughout until 11.30. Audrey Harrison from Benington was elected a new member and Tom Freeston gave the vote of thanks.
Guild Inter-branch 8 Bell Striking Competition
The competition was held at Market Deeping on Saturday 24th October 2009, and judge Judith Williamson placed the bands as follows:
First Southern Branch with 15 faults
Second Central Branch with 17.5 faults
Third Northern Branch with 21 faults
Forth West Lindsey Branch with 22 faults
The test piece was two courses of plain bob major.
The Judge's Verdict
I have to admit that I have always been rather nervous about ringing in striking competitions. I have always found them stressful because I am not a particularly competitive person. To me they are like the first ten minutes of a special peal when you are wrestling with your nerves and praying you do not make a silly mistake and spoil it for everyone else.
Having said all that, I do think that striking competitions allow you to measure your performances against those of your peers. In Guilds, particularly those as large and geographically remote as the Lincoln Guild, it is essential that ringers from the whole Guild have the opportunity to come together at times other than the AGM. The social side, sharing views and information is a vital part of promoting and improving the ringing exercise as well as bringing the individual branches together.
I was sorry to find that not all branches had entered this year's competition. I know that it is not always possible to raise a band. Eastern Branch and Elloe Deaneries were not represented this year. If both branches were unable to raise a band, would the rules allow for them to combine to enter? They are geographically close, so would be able to get together to practice. I think that the Guild Committee should actively encourage all Branches to participate in striking competitions principally to improve ringing across the Lincoln Guild.
Judith Williamson
Lincoln Diocesan Guild 6 Bell Simulator at Boston for the 700th Anniversary
Early in 2008, with the celebrations for the 700th anniversary of Boston Stump on the horizon, thoughts of booking the Guild 6 bell simulator to be on display and used in the church were discussed.
Having helped on the simulator at Lincoln Cathedral where the annual Festival of Schools takes place, we met our vicar Rev Robin Whitehead and Peter Coleman, and suggested that the simulator be booked for the whole of September 2009, where it would be on display in the church for everyone to experience the art of bellringing. The suggestion was agreed and in May 2008 the booking was made.
Letters were then sent out to all local schools suggesting that groups of children visit the church to have a go on the simulator, and also try their skills on handbells.
Other childrens' organisations were approached, and two Saturday and two Wednesday mornings would be open to the public.
Experienced ringers were also required to supervise the ringing, and also others to assemble and dismantle the simulator.
As the date approached arrangements were made for the simulator to be collected from the Lincoln area on 22nd August and it was assembled on the 1st September. All helpers met at 10 am and when many nuts and bolts were put in their right places the 'bells' were ready to be raised with the aid of a hoist, and made safe for ringing. At approximately 12 midday all connections to the computer were checked and with fingers crossed, one bell was rung and the sound of a bell was heard. Six ringers then rang all six bells.
Many visitors to the church on the public open days were anxious to have a go, and the simulator was proving to be a big attraction to the church.
Schools arranged for about 30 children to attend the weekday morning sessions, and these were split into 3 groups - one group on the simulator, one on handbells and the other group were taken around the church with a quiz sheet dealing with prominent parts of the building, and after half an hour each group changed. The Worshipful Mayor of Boston, Councilor Maureen Dennis and Councilor Mary Wright also attended and saw the children enjoying themselves.
Brownies, cubs and beavers attended early evening sessions, and members of the Guild of Vergers also tried out their skills on their visit.
Certificates were handed out to all teachers and leaders to be presented to the children on appropriate assembly dates.
A quarter peal was scored on the simulator during Battle of Britain week, and the 75ers rang 700 changes to celebrate the 700 years anniversary of Boston Stump.
The 30th September quickly arrived and after ringers had their final ring on the bells it was time to dismantle the simulator - this did not take quite as long as it did to assemble.
Many thanks to those who gave up their time to help with all the above activities.
Tom Freeston and John Collett
A non-ringer's day out
My father was a bell-ringer. I am not, but I've been on more bell ringers' outings than he did. In my experience ringers are fairly happy to take along a few non-ringers because we help to pay for the bus and don't want to take a rope.
"October 3rd", they said. "How much?" I said. My top line is £7.53, so I signed up. About nine tenths of the way through the day Val Wild asked me to write this. I hadn't made any notes so places and churches may merge. I am a woman from the Fens, but it's always nice to ride up into North Lincolnshire, to the hills and beautiful fields.
We went almost to Yorkshire. The first stop was at Winterton. Our task was to search for morning coffee. We walked round a very pleasant little plant nursery which had a garden where all plants were labelled. There wasn't a coffee shop attached but we found elevenses in a community centre which seemed to be run by volunteers, sells Traidcraft goods and holds 'knitting and a natter' afternoons.
Our rest stop was at Burton upon Stather, by the river Trent. The church is dedicated to Saint Andrew. There is a very modern stained-glass window there. I looked at it for a while and felt sure I could see a moody blue and brown Sea of Galilee with a purple boat on it which had a pink sail and a yellow one. This would all be quite apt as Saint Andrew was a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee. But guess what - the blurb on the piece of card said that the designer called it 'Creation'.
In the olden days we took our sandwiches and squash for lunch on bellringers' outings, and we had fish and chips on the way home, loitering in the streets while we ate them. Nowadays we throw money around on pub lunches, making sure we get salads or five portions of vegetables. Most of us had lunch at the Sheffield Arms. Basket cases were separated from full roasts which made for splits in marriages and friendships. Such are pub apartheid laws - roasts to the right, baskets to the left. I hope everyone's lunch was as good as my beef roast was.
Our afternoon stops were in Bigby and Tealby. Tealby had some pretty roads and a little stream over the road, known only to non-ringing wanderers. The Tealby tea-rooms stay open until 5.30 p.m. but teacakes were off. In Tealby churchyard the gravestones haven't yet gone to the wall so there are many to be read. In Bigby I had a walk to look at some new houses which I thought were nicely designed. I think it was in Bigby church that there were some very ornate monuments with several headless figures which had presumably received attention from 'Cromwell's men'. Above the altar were the prettiest angels of the day, white painted ones against a blue background.
The last stop was at Market Rasen. The harvest flower arrangements had some nice red leaves among them and one of those all-hours eating places served the best coffee of the day. At the back of the church were some stashes of rather up-market bric-a-brac so I did a deal with the lady who was going to lock up the church. She would give 'them' my money and I carried home a small wooden box which should hold ten elastic bands, two small screws, one unknown key, a broken hair slide , three spent matches etc. etc.
We came back down to the Fens in the moonlight, to where we started, in the comfort of our own bathrooms and beds. On our mini-cruise we'd called in at ports we've never seen before and probably never will again. There is always something of a gentle adventure when you take up a seat as an also-ran on a bell-ringing outing. Thank you to the organisers of the day.
Frances M Richardson, Surfleet
Lincolnshire Day, 1st October 2009
Lincolnshire Day this year was marked by a quarter peal at St Andrew's, Butterwick. Ringers left to right: Viv Simpson, Brian Bunting, Tom Freeston, Tom Palmer, John Collett and Audrey Harrison who has just returned to ringing after a gap of more than 20 years.
Bicker Steam Threshing 13th September 2009
The weekend of steam at Bicker is the annual fund raising event for St Swithun's church. The bells were rung for the Sunday afternoon service on the field, taken by the vicar of Boston, The Rev'd Robin Whitehead. The ringers hitched a ride after ringing to the service.
A mixture of Elloe Deaneries and Eastern Branch ringers joined together and later sang hymns accompanied by Northern Branch member Dorothy Robinson's steam organ.
Val Wild
Bourne Again!
Once again Bourne were victorious in the Plate, and Messingham won the Cup for the Guild 6 bell striking competition held on Saturday 12th September 2009 in the Northern Branch.
Plate competition held at Middle Rasen
1st Bourne, 15 faults, rang 3rd
2nd Stow, 18 faults, rang 5th
3rd Epworth, 19 faults, rang 7th
4th Barton on Humber, 23 faults, rang 4th
5th Welton, 45 faults, rang 6th
6th Wragby, 69 faults, rang 2nd
7th Coningsby, 91 faults (including 10% penalty) rang 1st
Cup competition held at Tealby
1st Messingham, rang doubles, 78 faults, rang 6th
2nd Market Deeping, rang minor 81 faults, rang 8th
3rd Lincoln Cathedral, rang plain bob minor 83 faults, rang 7th
4th Alford, rang grandsire doubles 100 faults, rang 3rd
5th Rippingale, rang doubles 104 faults, rang 4th
6th Eagle, rang doubles 107 faults, rang 5th
7th Middle Rasen, rang grandsire 125 faults, rang 2nd
8th Market Rasen, rang call changes 128 faults, rang 1st
New Priest in Charge for Wyberton and Frampton
General ringing preceded The Licensing Service at 7.30pm at St Mary's Frampton on Tuesday 8th September 2009.
The Bishop of Grantham, the Right Rev'd Tim Ellis led the service and, assisted by The Archdeacon of Lincoln, The Venerable Tim Barker, welcomed Rev'd Charles William Bartholomew Sowden to his new parishes of Frampton and Wyberton. The leaders of both Parish Councils welcomed Charles and presented him with maps of their village! The local farmer representative handed over a huge box of locally grown vegetables and The Pram Service representative gave a welcome card, made that afternoon.
Rev'd Charles was supported by his daughter and two grandsons, one of whom wore a shirt supporting a different football team from that of the Bishop it seems.
The church was full of people from the village and surrounding area, many of whom were thanked for their help during the interregnum. The sponsors were welcomed from Yorkshire and even thought they needed their passports to enter Lincolnshire it was hoped that they would be able to return before midnight!
The new vicar announced the service times for next Sunday, the 11am at Frampton has an American family coming over to present a WW1 medal which they had discovered had local connections, so they wished to give it to Frampton church, and the 6.30pm is a Battle of Britain service at Wyberton.
The local ladies provided excellent refreshments, as usual, at the back of the church after the service, everyone tucked in. The new vicar talked informally to members of the congregation and it was said that it was nice to hear the bells rung.
Diana Street, Boston
September Meeting at Langton
Click on the link for Julia Limage's report
New Clergy for the Haven Group
Those who came to the licensing of Rev'd Stuart Dobson, as part-time Community Chaplain to the Haven Group at Wigtoft Church on August 19th, were welcomed by a quarter peal of Cambridge Surprise Minor. This was followed by general ringing.
The Right Rev'd Dr John Saxbee led a very enjoyable service, with various local representatives taking part in introducing Stuart to the Haven Group (Swineshead, Bicker, Donington, Wigtoft and Sutterton).
Eastern Branch assistant ringing master, Peter Udy, helped Stuart chime the treble, which was the indication that Stuart's ministry had begun.
The church was full, as was the village hall for excellent refreshments after the service, when everyone had a chance to meet the new Community Chaplain, and renew acquaintances with other parishes.
Penny Fountain, Sutterton