In Memoriam

Memorial service for Val Howard (Fairwarp & East Grinstead ringer)

Many ringers across the county will have rung with Val Howard who sadly passed away on 8 October 2020, she rang for many years at East Grinstead and latterly at Fairwarp where she was tower captain.

There has already been a family funeral held during lock down which meant it was restricted to immediate family.

Val's family have now arranged for a Memorial Service to be held at Fairwarp Church on Saturday, 23 April 2022; this has been chosen as it is two days after the date of her birth.

There will be open ringing at Fairwarp from 12:00 - 14:30.
The Service will commence at 2.30pm and will be followed by interment of her ashes in the Garden of Remembrance. After this there will be an opportunity for those attending to get together for refreshments.

Death of Alan Baldock (Hailsham ringer)

It is with great sadness that we report the death of Alan Baldock. He passed away peacefully yesterday morning (16 December) after a short illness.

Alan held many positions of responsibility in the Association over many years, and was a long service member (more than 50 years membership). He was Master from 1975 to 1978, and was Association Peal Secretary from 1995 onwards. Alan was also elected as a Vice President of the Association. He learned to ring in Eastbourne but rang for many years at Hailsham. He rang a total of 1207 peals of which 987 were for Sussex.

Alan was one of the CCCBR representatives for the Sussex County Association between 1978 and 2014 and was then an Additional Member of CCCBR from 2014-2018. He had a long-standing interest in Peal Records. He served on the Peal Records Committee from 2008-2018, having joined specifically to work on improving the accuracy of the information in the Felstead Peals Database, dealing with the corrections and anomalies that come to light over time. His thorough and detailed work on Felstead was extremely valuable in enhancing this resource.

A thanksgiving service will take place at Hailsham Parish Church (St. Mary’s) on Thursday 13 January at 12.30 pm, followed by refreshments in the church. Open ringing from 11.30 am.

The thanksgiving service for Dad will be livestreamed via the Church website and then by clicking on ‘View LiveStream’ at the time of the service. Please email Rachel Moss This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further information.

Death of Margaret Pink (Bexhill ringer)

Margaret Pink, ringer at Bexhill and some time officer of the Eastern Division, died peacefully at home on 21st October 2021.

The funeral will be at St Peter’s Bexhill on Friday 26th November at 12 noon, preceded by ringing from 11 am, and followed by a wake at St Peter’s Community Centre.

Donations are invited in her memory to St Peter’s Church, or Oxfam.

The funeral will be https://youtu.be/po26BMocB30.

Memorial Service for Jane and Cyril Shutler (Westbourne)

Westbourne is having a Shutler Memorial Weekend on 23rd and 24th October 2021, to remember Jane and Cyril Shutler, and all they did for the parish - and, importantly, for ringing: they were both long serving members of the band and Cyril was tower secretary for many years. He also made the peal boards at Westbourne.

There will be an exhibition and sale of Cyril’s pictures - he did rather charming topographical pictures, mostly but not all, in water colour - on the Saturday from 10 to 5, and on the Sunday from 11 to 4.

A thanksgiving service will be held at 2pm on Saturday 24th October 2021, with ringing beforehand from 1:15pm. The Westbourne ringers would welcome any ringing visitors, ideally to ring for the service but also to see the exhibition.

Death of Margaret Thomas (Horsham ringer)

Margaret Thomas, a former a member of the ringing band at Horsham, sadly passed away in September. Having learnt to ring in the Dorking area, Margaret moved to Horsham where she rang for many years, including as our tower captain.

The funeral is on Thursday 7th October at 11am in St. Mary's church, Horsham We will ring half muffled before the Service at 10.30am - 11am please let Val Burgess know if you can ring. After the Service it is hoped to ring a 1/4 Peal. There will also be a wake after the Service in the "Barn" to which all who knew Margaret are invited.