Work to improve the go of the ring of ten at All Hallows' Church, Twickenham, has been completed on some very hot July days.  The work was carried out by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry with assistance from the local ringers and the BRC.  Early indicators are that the local ringers are well pleased with the results.  Work included replacement of the bearings, pulleys and runner boards, plus sorting out any odd struckness.  The work was significantly funded by a grant from the Bell Restoration … [Read more...]

The bells of St Margaret's Church, Westminster, will ring out on the afternoon of Monday 7th July to celebrate a leg of the Tour de France taking place in London. This continues the tradition of ringing for sporting events in London as there was ringing at St Margaret's Church for the three Olympic Marathons in 2012 and for the London Marathon in 2013, the courses of which took in a side of Parliament Square. This time the competitors will be coming in from the East and once they have … [Read more...]

The annual Eucharist for the Ordination of Deacons at St Paul’s Cathedral provides a focus for Middlesex Association 12 bell ringing each year. In 2014 the service was held on the Eve of St Peter, Saturday 28 June, and the St Paul’s Cathedral band once again invited the MCALDG to ring before and after it. The bells at St Paul’s are heavy and challenging. In preparation for this, we rang two quarter peals of 1311 Stedman Cinques at Southwark Cathedral, on 11 May and 15 June. This experience … [Read more...]

The inaugural striking competition for the ‘Roger Bailey Cup’ took place at Hillingdon (St John the Baptist) on the afternoon of Saturday 26th April, with 40 members taking part. Two teams from each District rang 287 Grandsire Caters, and the ringing was judged by Lucy Woodward, to whom we were most grateful, not least for disregarding the prevailing weather conditions in the churchyard whilst carrying out the task so proficiently! Lucy reported to the Association’s AGM that by far the best … [Read more...]

The Association AGM at Uxbridge (St Margaret) on 26th April was very well attended, with 50 members signing the register of attendance (and some people escaping without doing so!). The key outcomes were as follows: 1. Two grants were approved from the Bell Restoration Fund: i  All Hallows, Twickenham – up to £4000 ii St Mary the Virgin, Norwood Green – up to £10,000 2. Reports were received from all the Association’s officers, most of which are printed in the Annual report 2013-14, … [Read more...]

The sixth bell at Acton suffered a broken gudgeon during ringing in September 2013 and all ringing was suspended at Acton until the bell could be stabilised.  This was done in January 2014 and the broken gudgoen was removed shortly afterwards with a hope of a repair. Today, 7th April, the sixth bell has now been rehung not with a repaired gudgeon but with a newly made one! The work both the stabilise the bell and to rehang it with the new gudgeon was carried out by Stephen Jakeman, … [Read more...]

The South & West District Annual Meeting took place at St Mary's Church, Hayes, on Saturday 8th February 2014. The following officers were elected: Chairman: Michael Palmer Ringing Master: John Manley Deputy Ringing Master: Dorothy Barker Secretary: Peter Kemp Treasurer: Janet Baker Assistant Treasurer: Jill Wigney Bell Restoration Committee Representatives: Ray Pearce and John Barrance Training Committee Representatives: John Manley + vacancy Independent … [Read more...]

Rowena Scott reports:   Thank you to the Harefield Ringers for hosting a Fun Quiz Night following the South & Western District Planning meeting on the 11th January. 120 quests were served a Ploughman's Platter and Pastries. The evening finished with ‘Heads & Tail’ raising £900 for the Bell Restoration Fund. … [Read more...]

Annual Subscriptions are now due. If you are a member of a band at a tower then it is easier if your subscription is passed on by the tower secretary.  They should then be given to the district secretaries (or the district treasurers, where the responsibility has been devolved to a different officer). Unattached members and those who may not see their district secretary for a while can settle up with the Association Membership Secretary, Jill Wigney. Ordinary members currently pay £8 … [Read more...]

Stephen Jakeman, Bell Restoration Officer reports: The work in the last week of January paid off handsomely with the bells positioned in the church for the blessing  by the Bishop of London during the morning service on Sunday 2nd February. This service was one to be remembered – a well organised Parish event – great sermon by the Bishop – Eddie Hartley (Tower Captain) sounding the Tenor (specially hung on the ground floor) during the service when required, and the other bells set out for … [Read more...]