The St Mary’s ringers rang before the 9.30am Family Eucharist every Sunday throughout 2022. We very rarely have less than eight ringers on a Sunday morning so are pleased that we are able to ring all eight bells.
We always enjoy our Friday evening practices and we are regularly joined by our ringing friends from St John’s in the Valley and often ringers from Kingswood tower. We are especially indebted to Milica, our ringing master, who is also a member of St John’s church. Milica has helped everyone improve their ringing and, as an accredited ringing teacher, she has also taught our new learners.
In May we were especially pleased to ring at the wedding of Daniel Mapstone (Rev’d Trevor’s son) and his bride as they processed down the aisle at the end of their wedding service.
In June we were delighted to ring for our late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, as did nearly all the towers in the country. Many of our band took part in a Quarter Peal to celebrate her wonderful achievement.
Very sadly in September we joined with many other towers who rang, half-muffled, on the day of the Queen’s funeral. Following instructions from the ‘Central Council of Church Bell Ringers’, the tenor bell was tolled, half-muffled, at midday. Brian had previously that day climbed up into the spire to secure the muffles on the bells. He tolled the tenor bell 96 times, one for each day of her life.
One of our young ringers, Matteo, left for University in the Autumn, but it was great to see him back in the belfry at Christmas!
Frances Clementi – Tower Captain
The St. Mary’s Ringers are:
Frances Clementi; John Clarke; Brian Rochester; Kris Daniels
Anne Brownless; Laurie David; Janine Hercock; Penny Brown
Matteo O’Donaghue; Maddalena O’Donaghue; Mirella O’Donaghue
Milica Reardon (Ringing Master)