Handbell Morning Report (March 2021)

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Published: Sunday, 28 March 2021 17:18

Such is the success of the SCACR Handbell morning that we were joined this month by visitors from Yorkshire, who came to see how it is done. The YACR are planning their first Virtual Handbell Morning later in the month and our model is a good example. The dialect and probably the weather will be different but other than that the well-oiled machine is now to be replicated in the north.

29 ringers in total joined the event on 27^th March. We had one person who had never rung handbells before, all the way through to the eminent new Master of the Birmingham University Society of Change Ringers. Jonathan welcomed everyone to the group and explained how the morning would work.

We had the comfort of ‘Hamish is Here’ to resolve technical issues, however there were virtually none to worry about this time, which left all the focus for ringing. By the break there had been much success including a celebrated course of Kent Major for one very happy, albeit ‘frazzled’ ringer.

As the glimmer of hope of lockdown lifting starts to shine, we debated how the future of these events may look. There is a lot of value in the virtual events, allowing people to join without having to travel, however, it will be lovely to meet in person again. We concluded to make the most of both and there are plans to have a mixture of live and virtual events in the future.

Next time is another virtual event on 22^nd May. Do come along and give it a try if you haven’t yet.

General Committee Meeting - March 2021

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Published: Saturday, 27 March 2021 21:54

The second General Committee Meeting of 2021 took place on Saturday 6th March, no meeting having been held in February due to the Annual District Meetings taking place.

A moments silence was held before the meeting began, in memory of those members that we have lost since January.

We discussed the ADMs which had recently taken place via Zoom, all of which were well attended and enjoyed the use of online voting. Following on from the success of the ADMs the AGM will be held via Zoom on Saturday 8th May at 10:00.

Reports from Officers of the Association were received and approved for inclusion in the SCACR Annual Report. Sue Gadd presented the Draft Accounts for 2020 to the General Committee, which confirm that the Association is in good financial health despite COVID. There is concern as to how the pandemic is going to affect membership renewals for 2021 although early signs are promising.

With the Master’s term of office expiring in 2022, and the position of BRF Secretary due to become vacant, succession planning was discussed; the difficulty in filling roles within the Association was noted.

Work on the production of the SCACR Annual Report is now underway with Hamish providing an update on work undertaken so far. The Annual Report will once again be available either electronically or as a printed copy.

Looking ahead to life beyond COVID and lockdown, Survival and Recovery was discussed, each District having agreed slightly different ways in which to tackle this at the ADMs. A Quarter Peal week is planned to start on 11th September, a training course for the autumn may be organised dependant on which restrictions remain in force.

Rob Lane

Summary of Northern ADM (Feb 2021)

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Published: Thursday, 18 March 2021 21:58

What a difference a year makes! In February 2020, we enjoyed ringing on the fabulous new Westley bells at Lindfield, followed by an excellent ringers’ tea and plenty of opportunity to chat with friends from across the District. And of course the meeting, which was almost a minor detail!

Sadly, the 2021 Annual District Meeting didn’t involve ringing on actual bells, or ringers’ tea (although I was impressed that some attendees had made valliant efforts to mark the occasion with cake), or seeing one another in-person. But we were able to meet online, have a chat, and hold a meeting to elect the District committee, nominate Association officers (to be elected at the AGM in May), and hear updates on District activities.

Read more: Summary of Northern ADM (Feb 2021)

Rehang and Blessing of the Bells of Rodmell (6)

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Published: Friday, 12 March 2021 12:03

Earlier this month, the bishop of Lewes attended a service to bless the church bells at St Peter’s Rodmell in East Sussex. The six bells had recently been returned after major restoration, with new fittings, frame strengthening and retuning.

At the special outside service, to observe the social distancing, Bishop Will was joined by the Archdeacon of Brighton and Lewes, Martin Lloyd Williams, the Rev Mary Sitwell and many local people and church goers involved in the project.

Bishop Will wrote: “It was so wonderful to be in Rodmell and play a part in the fantastic restoration of a much loved but long silent peal of bells. Bells have a special place in the life of God’s people: the peal of bells mark the hours for prayer and call us to worship; bells alert us to both important happy and sad events, in the life of the church and the community. This is I suspect why they are often called the ‘voice’ of the local church and why there is an ancient tradition of Christening bells giving them the names of Saints.

“This has been a real local project and thanks are due to so many, but one name was very much in our hearts. The Rev Marcus Brown played such a big role within the life of local church communities and was passionate about getting the bells restored. One of the last trips he made was to see the bells removed from the tower. Marcus sadly died last year and It is very appropriate that his name is recorded on a plaque attached to the tenor bell. We continue to pray for Jenny and the family as they mourn his death. As that bell is rung many will remember him and the faith that he proclaimed that calls us to the eternal love of God.”

The service was also a celebration of local people coming together to make it all possible. In the service order thanks were given to church member and neighbour, Michael Royalton-Kisch, whose generosity, energy and vision made the project happen and kept it on track, and to local farmer Chris Wetton and his men by bringing the heavy bells uphill to the church.

Huge thanks also go to all the villagers who supported the project, and who are looking forward to hearing the full peal in due course.

Now the bells are back in their rightful place in the church tower and ringing will resume. Several Southern District events will be held ar Rodmell this year.

Photo courtesy of Lorna Melia. Article republished from the Diocese of Chichester webpage.