Author: Steve Thomason

Milton Keynes mayor’s bell ringing exploits rings up thousands for charity

Cllr Martin Petchey (Lab, Stantonbury) held the position of MK’s first citizen until last week and marked the end of his year in office by handing over a cheque for £7,455.90 to the Bus Shelter MK.

At the start of his term in office Cllr Petchey set himself the task of completing about 45 minutes of continuous ringing – called a quarter peal – at all 21 available set of church bells in the borough.

And he completed the task without dropping a clanger on his very last day in office, at Old Wolverton. He is pictured at his home tower, Woughton-on-the-Green, where he began the clang-athon.

Cllr Petchey said: “One of the highlights was to ring a new method celebrating the anniversary of the consecration of Christ the Cornerstone Church in Central Milton Keynes – this was at Lavendon, as Cornerstone does not have bells.”

Cllr Petchey, who bell rings in the little spare time he has after carrying out his councillor duties, added that only non-ringers call it campanology.

He said that anyone who wanted to donate to the cause could still do so by making a donation to The Bus Shelter MK via its website.

 

(Reproduced from MK Citizen with permission)

Branch Ringing Day “Tremendous Result”

I’m really pleased to be able to confirm the final value raised by the recent Ringing Day, organised by North Bucks.
This was a tremendous result and the Bell Fund Trustees are grateful to all the Church Authorities who allowed their bells to be used and we say a huge “thanks-you”  to everyone who played their part in making the day a success.
The weather was excellent and the visitors did not seem deterred by the MK Marathon which was on at the same time. 24 towers were opened and £1151.20 was collected from visiting ringers for investment.

Thanks to you all and very best wishes

Alan Marchbank
Chairman
Oxford Diocesan Bell Fund”

Draw for Guild 8 Bell Striking Competition 6th May

The Competition will start at 1630 at Great Brickhill, as indicated in the Notice. The draw for ringing position and approximate time of ringing is as follows:.

 

Band

 Approx ringing time
1 High Wycombe 16.30
2 Central Bucks 16.45
3 Tilehurst 17.00
4 EBSB 17.15
5 North Bucks 17.30
6 Banbury Branch 17.45
7 Reading St Mary & St Giles 18.00
8 Young Ringers 18.15
Results announced in village hall 18.45pm

Traditional ringers’ teas will be available in the village hall and must be pre booked.

Tea, coffee & soft drinks will be available to all.

The village hall will be the base for the afternoon with teas and results there. It is about 200yds up the road from the church.

 

Notre Dame

The Archbishops of Canterbury and York are today encouraging, where
possible, all cathedrals and churches across England to toll a bell for 7
minutes at 7pm this Thursday 18th April, as a mark of solidarity following the
devastating fire at Notre Dame Cathedral. This initiative has been
suggested by the British Ambassador to France, Edward Llewellyn, and it is
hoped that many will take part.

http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/news/latest-news/archbishops-ask-cathedrals-and-churches-toll-bells-notre-dame

Please pass on this news, although clearly you should clarify the situation
with your clergy.