Death of Barbara Message (Kirdford / Billingshurst ringer)

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Published: Monday, 08 July 2024 21:00

We are very sad to say that Barbara Message a ringer in the Western District for many years has passed away.

Barbara rang at Kirdford in the 1970's and was a stalwart member of the band at Billingshurst from 1984 until recent times.

She rang quarter peals at Kirdford, Storrington, Midhurst and Billingshurst. She last rang at Billingshurst for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in 2022.

There will be a memorial service for her at St Mary's Church, Billingshurst on Wednesday 17th July 2024 at 12pm at which all are welcome.

Croydon Tramline Ringing Outing - 29 June 2024

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Published: Wednesday, 29 May 2024 22:15

The Western District are having an Association outing on Saturday, 29th June. We are going to let the train and tram take the strain on our visit to the Croydon area. Four towers have been included as follows;

Mitcham, St Peter & St Paul. 8 bells.
Merton Park, St Mary. 6 bells.
Collier’s Wood, Christ Church. 6 bells.
South Croydon, St Peter. 12 bells.

Although this is a Western District event all are welcome, as long as you are competent ringing rounds and call changes. Full details will be added to the calendar entry to include directions to individual towers.

If you are interested in coming along then please let either Janice Crawford; Western District Secretary, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or David Kirkcaldy This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. know.

This is an Association event with everyone welcome!   Look forward to seeing you there!

2024 Westley Award for Church Bell Maintenance

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Published: Friday, 03 May 2024 22:34

Towers and bells in good condition will make the environment for ringing more pleasant, easier for ringers to develop their skills and, in particular help new recruits.

Are you relatively new to finding your way around bell installations? Perhaps you are gaining experience in what to check upstairs in a tower, what may be unusual and interesting, or in poor condition and likely to cause ringers difficulties while ringing? Hopefully, you are starting to make some improvements and share your experiences with others.

The Stewardship & Management Workgroup of the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers is launching the 2024 award for people who have recently become involved in belfry maintenance and improvement, developing their own skills and helping others to do so. The award will be made at the CCCBR AGM in Exeter in September 2024. The winner will receive £100, kindly donated by Westley Group, and a certificate. Full details and an application form will be on the CCCBR website here:

https://cccbr.org.uk/about/workgroups/stewardship-and-management/westley-award-2024/

The closing date for applications will be 12 noon on Friday 31st May 2024

AGM at Ringmer - 11 May 2024

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Published: Friday, 12 April 2024 20:33

I would like to invite all members to the 2024 Annual Meeting of our Association, which is to be held on Saturday, 11 th May, arranged by the Southern District. Details of what is happening are listed below.

Pre-meeting general ringing is available as follows;

1.00-2.00pm : Southover (Lewes) (10 bells)

1.45-2.30pm : Barcombe St Mary's (6 bells)

2.30-3.30pm : Ringmer St Mary the Virgin (8 bells) 

3.30-4.00pm Service at Ringmer

4.00 onwards Tea and Meeting in Ringmer Village hall