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In Memory of…

Jill Davey  14 April 1956 - 05 March 2007

The Rusper Ringers were deeply saddened by the death on 5th March of Jill, our Tower Captain.  She was diagnosed with bowel cancer in October 2006 and initially at least, the prognosis was good.  After a 12-week course of chemotherapy however, it was clear that she wasn’t really feeling any better and, in the last week of February, she was given the devastating news that there was nothing more to be done.  She passed away suddenly and peacefully on 5th March.  Family and friends filled Findon crematorium almost to bursting point on 23rd March for her funeral service, taken by our Rector, Rev. Nick Flint.

Jill was taught to ring in the early 1980’s by Ted Fosberry.  She rang regularly at both Rusper and Cuckfield, her first quarter peal being at Rusper on 20th April 1985.  She became Tower Captain in 1988 after Ted had given up ringing and apart from a short break, remained so until her death.  Jill joined the Northern Division committee in 2005 and as a result got to know Ian Wiltshire.  After several months of speculation by her friends as to the cause of the extra twinkle in her eye and spring in her step, they finally admitted to being an ‘item’ at the 2006 ADM.  

Jill was blissfully happy with Ian and it seems doubly cruel for her life to be taken so soon after they had found one another.  Our deep sympathy goes out to him and of course Jill’s mum Dorothy and the rest of her family.  

Rest in peace Jill; we will remember you with love.    
Elaine Farrow, Rusper

“Ding Dong” David Carter 1926 -2006

We would like to share with you the prayer that David wrote for the Bellringers’ Songs of Praise some time ago.

David was a loyal bellringer, finding the joy of bells relatively late in life on moving to Billingshurst.  He readily learnt how to ring rounds and plain hunt and regularly rang at practices, weddings and Sunday services. 

David brought his zest for life into the belfry and to other social activities.  He became vital as our treasurer, ensuring that our funds remained buoyant.

David’s love of bells, bell-ringing and fellowship are summarised in his prayer.  We hope it will be used by many in bell-ringing services.  This would be a fitting tribute to a much beloved member of the St Marys’, Billingshurst ringers.

Sue Child, Billingshurst

David’s Prayer

Dear Lord, We thank you for the skill of the craftsmen who made the bells for our church and for the knowledge, passed on from generation to generation, which we need to ring them.

We thank you for the music of the bells and their ability to express joy on happy occasions but also to reflect sadness when they are muffled.

We are grateful for the patience and understanding of those you have entrusted with the instruction of beginners and pray that you will guide more young people to become bellringers.

We thank you for the companionship and friendship of our Bellringers’ Guild and for the spirit of comradeship shown by visitors from other towers.

Dear Lord, help us to know your perfect way of doing what we need to do, so that all the glory goes to you.

Amen


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