BellBoard

Robert P McGrane age 14 yrs read Ring Out Wild Bells before tolling tenor for midnight, we then rang touch of Grandsire Triples and sang auld lang syne, other members present were Karen V McGrane and Orla G McGrane.

First quarter with the new 5th bell

Longest length: 1, 3

First date touch: 1, 2, 3, 4

First multi-method touch: 4

The first quarter peal on the bells since a major restoration project was completed in late 2019 by the local band and John Taylor & Co, rung by an East Dorset Branch band who have all helped bring about its completion. Believed to be the first date touch on the bells also.

With thanks to Simon Adams, Andrew Mills and Andrew Ogden from Taylor's for all their hard work in making this project a success as well as all those who have contributed to the project across from East Dorset and beyond.

150th quarter together 4 & 5

Rung for SDGR Peal week.

250th peal together: 4 & 7.

250th peal for the Guild - 3.

To welcome the New Year.

First in the method for all except 2

Celebrating Linda's achievement in qualifying as a Process Leader at the Fawley Refinery, only the 5th girl to do this in it's 68 year history.

Rung for the service of Epiphany Carols.

Also to wish the residents of Royal Wootton Bassett a very Happy New Year.

Circled the tower 7

Rung for Evensong, and also as a birthday compliment to David Jenkins, father of 12.

To celebrate the birth of Oliver Michael Heath (grandson of 3) and the 30th birthday of his mother Sophie.

First blows in the method: 2

Rung to celebrate the Epiphany.

To celebrate the birth of Thomas Wolstencroft on 26/12/19, grandson of Roger Smith

A Second Wednesday Group Quarter. 100th quarter peal: 1.

A Second Wednesday Group Quarter.

Rung in memoriam to the 36 officers and men whose lives were lost in the wreck of the SS Treveal at Chapman’s Pool, near Worth Matravers, Dorset, on 9th/10th January 1920 and in tribute to the courage of the rescuers Frank Lander and The Revd Horace Piercey.

In Memory of Ivan Andrews (HLM SDGR) a member of this group whose anniversary falls at this time. 3900th QP, 2.

Doubles Day Quarter.

Doubles Day Quarter.

150th quarter peal together: 4 & 6

Rung to celebrate the award by the Dorset Historic Churches Trust that St Mary's Church has raised the most amount of money in Dorset on the Ride & Stride, "thanks to the efforts of the bellringers".

Wishing Greg a safe journey back to North Wales tomorrow.

Rung on the back six to conclude a mini course on improving handling and striking on heavy bells.

First of Major: 5

Rung to celebrate 125 years since the formation of the National Trust on 12th January 1895.

A fantastic end to the day.

Rung as a welcome to Poppy Emily Douglas (Born to Steve & Emma 9th Jan) and as a 'get well soon' wish to Chris Purnell who was to have rung today

1st Q St Martins Triples 2

Rung open by a resident East Dorset Branch band to remember Janet Fawcett of Canford Magna on the day of her funeral. Janet was a dedicated member of the Canford Magna band for more than 50 years, and an Honorary Life Member of this Guild.

Rung half muffled after the funeral in memoriam of Janet Ann Fawcett, well loved and loyal ringer at Canford Magna for over 55 years.

Circled the tower to quarters 4.

First blows in the method for all.

Rung to mark 55 years since the death of Sir Winston Churchill on 24th January 1965. Also remembering Jim Cook of Bath Abbey, friend of the conductor, whose funeral was today.

Rung by family and friends as a 60th birthday compliment to Sharon Seymour

Rung for Evensong. First of Surprise inside - 2.

200th quarter together 7 & 8

150th quarter together 2 & 7

First quarter peal at first attempt: 6

First quarter in the method: 2,5,7

Rung using the simulator.

A Cream Tea Quarter

Rung in memory of Frederick (Fred) S Slatford, Vice President of SDGR and former tower captain, and Laurence E Hitchins, both of whom learnt to ring at North Bradley in 1942.

Rung on the evening the United Kingdom left the European Union

First blows in method: 2,3,4,6,7,8

Rung to celebrate the 6th birthday of Daniel Jack Lamb, Steve’s son.

Also the first in a series of quarter peals to celebrate the conductor's 21st birthday this month.

Best wishes to Chris Jenkins who was due to ring in this quarter peal but was unable to due to ill health.

Rung for the Candlemas Procession. Also to celebrate the conductor's birthday.

Rung for Evensong

First Quarter Peal 6

Rung on the back eight as part of a series of quarter peals to celebrate the conductor's 21st birthday this month.

60th birthday compliments to Vicki Rowse also.

With compliments of the conductor to Steve Lamb - wishing you were here!

Most major methods - 3

Rung prior to the Tower AGM.

First of Stedman Triples - 1

Most methods: 3

First blows in the method: 5, 6

First quarter in the method: 4

Heaviest bell to a quarter: 8

The third in a series of quarters to celebrate the conductor’s 21st birthday this month; also celebrating the birthday of Dan Skinner today, very close friend of the conductor.

Additionally marking 15 years of ringing for the conductor, who learnt to ring at Hampreston, Dorset, on 12th February 2005 - the conductor wishes to associate his teacher, Angie Jasper, with this quarter.

Rung to mark the licensing of Revd Belinda Marfitt as Assistant Rural Dean for Milton and Blandford.

First quarter peal away from cover: 1

Viv has now achieved ART Level 3.

Rung to give thanks to all the Grant bodies who gave grants to our Bell Restoration in 2019:

Sharpe Trust (Frederick Sharpe), Llewellyn Edwards Bell Restoration Fund, The Elmgrant Trust, Dorset County Association, Church Buildings Council, Erskine Muton Trust, Hobson Charity, Barron Bell Trust, Talbot Village Trust, Allchurches Trust, Dorset Historic Churches Trust.

With'get well' wishes to Nigel Orchard following his illness and Alison Orchard following her cycling accident.

No 4 of 4 in a day to celebrate Vicki's 60th Birthday on 20th February. With thanks to Tilly Cooper for organising the day. A birthday compliment to Julia Williams of Wilton tower, who also has her birthday on 20th February.

For the Bride Valley wedding festival.

No 2 of 4 in a day for Vicki's 60th birthday on 20th February. With thanks to Tilly For organising the day.

No 1 of 4 in a day to celebrate Vicki's 60th birthday on 20th February. With thanks to Tilly Cooper for organising the day.

Rung for Evensong. Also, remembering Mike Downton, Deputy Churchwarden, who died on Friday.

First touch of All Saints: 3

Get well compliments to Steve Lamb, close friend of the conductor, who was to ring in this quarter but was unable due to ill health.

Birthday compliments to Joyce Sturgess

For the Bride Valley Valentine Wedding Festival

1st Qtr inside 1st attempt: 3

Rung for Bride Valley Wedding Festival, also in memory of Staff Sargent Warren (Woz) Smith 1971--2020, ex colleague of Nigel.

Rung in appreciation of Claire McClelland, vicar at St Peter's and a great supporter of local bellringing, at the end of her last service in Dorchester. First quarter in the method for 2, 3 & 4.

Rung in loving memory of David Clark (stage name David Fortune). David sang in the choir here with the ringer of 8. He went on to act in the West End of London and sang in the London Philharmonic Choir. A very special friend, may he rest in peace.

Rung as a 48th Birthday Compliment to Emma Hughes Ringer at Puddletown in this Benefice, Rung in memory of Teddy Kabwemba Tower Captain Harare Cathedral (Died Dec 16th 2019) & Dr Ruth Hutchinson Past Tower Captain Harare Cathedral & Past Guild Master of Zimbabwe Guild (Died Feb 3rd 2020)

1st Qtr in UK: 1 & 4.

1st Qtr 1st attempt: 6.

500th Quarter Peal: 7

First in method: 3,4,5,7,8

Heaviest bell to a quarter: 8

Part of a series of quarters celebrating the conductor's 21st birthday, which is this Monday.

First quarter of Stedman Triples 2.

First quarter of Stedman Triples as Conductor.

100th together 4 & 7.

Rung to celebrate the marriage of Charlotte Taylor and Simon Chadwick at All Saints, West Lavington on Saturday 22 February 2020

First quarter as cover: 6

First in the variation: 2, 3, 4, 5

Rung to thank all those who have made donations to the Bell Restoration Project in 2019.

1st in method 2.

Rung for Parish Choral Evensong, and in memory of Robert Gifford Knight who died 12th January 2020, aged 92. 'Bob' was an ex-ringer at Whitchurch Canonicorum.

All ringers are members of the West Dorset branch of the Salisbury Diocesan Guild.

Rung prior to the Funeral of Michael Charles Trenchard who died 7/2/2020 aged 90. Mike was a true Sturminster Marshall Water Rat and a well known local farmer. This was rung as a tribute to Mike who was a strong supporter of the village, church and founder member of the Church Preservation Trust.

First in the method; 2,7

Rung on a special East Dorset Branch and friends practice night. 21st birthday compliments to the conductor.

Also present were John Close, Will Haydock, Nick Hodgson, Debbie Peacock, Debbie Phipps, Jane Pridmore and Steph Smith-Cooper.

First blows in Kennington: 2, 3

First quarter of Kennington: 4

Rung with thanks to all those who supported our Bell Restoration in 2019 through donations, making items from the headstocks, helping at events, visiting events or supporting in many other ways

Rung immediately following the funeral of Gillian E Lucas, HLM.

David Hacker is to be associated with the quarter peal.

First of Minor, 1.

First quarter of Spliced Plain & Little 2. First spliced Plain & Little as conductor.

Rung for Hampreston Quarter Peal day 2/4.

In Memory of Gillian Lucas HLM

For Hampreston quarter peal day. 3/4

First in the method 2 & 5. First in method as conductor.

Rung for Hampreston Quarter Peal day 1/4.

First on 10 for treble and tenor ringers

Rung for Hampreston Quarter Peal Day 4/4

A Cream Tea Quarter.

A birthday compliment to Keith Fleming - 80 today.

First peal in the method for all except 1, and also for the Guild.

Rung on the back six (after meeting short for Major) as part of a series of quarters to celebrate the conductor's 21st birthday this month.

The conductor would like to associate Steve Lamb and Nicki Lang with this quarter, who were due to ring but prevented from doing so because of ill health. Also to be associated with this quarter is John Close, East Dorset Branch Ringer who is a great supporter of the conductor's ringing and loves these bells.

With thanks to Mike Hoult and Simon Percy for ringing at short notice, and to Paul Williams.

80th birthday compliment to Keith Fleming.

First tower-bell peal for 21 years: 5

For evensong. Also, 80th birthday compliment to Keith Fleming.

Rung for Evensong

Also to wish David Parks, organist and former bell ringer of St.Bartholomews all the best for a speedy return to good health.

First quarter peal, 6. A birthday compliment to Kit Kilgour for tomorrow.

First quarter inside: 2

Welcome to Samuel Thomas Rawlings, grandchild for Flick & David Warwick, born in the early hours of this morning.

Rung on Practice night in Memory of Alan Brown of Wool Dorset SDGR HLM of 56 Years & Ringer for over 70 Years,,Robin has known Alan about 40 Years,Bob Doubles was Alan's favourite

93rd Birthday Compliment to Rose Gough, mother-in-law of Robin

575th quarter peal: 4

For Evensong.

80th Birthday Compliment to Valerie Pugh.

150th together: 4 & 6

First spliced surprise and first in methods 5.

Rung in memory of Alan Brown, ringer at Wool for over 70 years.

To test the new sound proofing.

First in method at first attempt 3

First blows in the method: 1, 2

Rung on the back three, after meeting short for a quarter of Minimus, so we tried new things instead :-) Why? Because we can!

We also rang Plain Hunt, Plain Bob, Orpheus and Stedman

Joining in on the madness and due to self isolation. Due to refurbishment works and the kitchen now being in the garage, the aim was to see how many changes could be rung in the time it took for the cheese scones to cook. The bell on the cooker coming in for the final change. Just for fun, but it wasn’t, it was boring but the smell was delightful!

Rung on the back 2 for Mother’s Day and to show support for all at this hard time.

Rung on the back three

Some home tuition for (3)

First plain hunt (3)

Rung on the back four bells 1 2 dodging with 3 4 covering.

Rung to mark the 43rd birthday of ringer of 1 2.

Whilst waiting for the chicken to cook.

Rung on www.ringingroom.com

Rung on ringingroom.com for Easter.

A Happy Easter to Phil and Ted, all the ringers at Bishops Caundle, Buckland Newton and Glanvilles Wootton.

Rung on "Ding" - www.dinging.co.uk - at Trowbridge's remote practice night.

First on Hand bells 1-2.

Rung to commemorate of VE Day.

Rung - at 2 metres apart - as an 80th birthday celebration for Jocelyn, the husband of 3-4, but who had died of COVID-19 on Saturday, 9th May.

Rung on "Ding" - www.dinging.co.uk - at the Devizes Branch remote practice night.

First unaffected touch of any method: 2.

Part of the first ever SDGR Young Ringers virtual practice

Part of the first ever SDGR Young Ringers virtual practice

Believed to be the first instance of 10-bell ringing by 10 ringers at a tower's online practice night. Ding: www.dinging.co.uk

A 'lockdown' quarter of John Rigby(Gedling)'s favourite major method on handbells!

The first time rounds on 12 has been achieved on this ringing platform with 12 different ringers and excluding help from the assistant ringing programme “Bob”

Dedicated to the erection of the Matt's new house number.

First inside, first in hand and first not tenor covering, 5-6. A birthday compliment to John Essex, grandfather of 5-6.

Bit ropy in places, but we've counted much worse!

First in more than one method on hand bells 12.

For the first Sunday service after lockdown.

First ringing for Sunday service since March. Rung on bells 1,3,4,5,6,7 so as to maintain social distancing.

Rung to celebrate the wedding today in Dorchester of Harry Blamire and Richard Smart.

First quarter in hand at the first attempt - 1-2.

A most excellent quarter.

Two family bubbles and one extra rang the bells at St Peter ad Vincula Tollard Royal on Saturday 15th August having observed the two minute silence prior to ringing at 11.02am. It was so long since any of us had rung it was slightly unnerving but we rang for 10 minutes to mark the occasion of VJ Day 75th anniversary, and we were pleased that we had managed to do it safely.

For VJ Day

Rung to commemorate VJ Day 75 years ago.

Rung after the 2 minutes silence to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of VJ Day.

To commemorate the 75th anniversary of VE Day

Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of VJ Day

Rung for VJ Day (Distanced, masked up, doors open and sanitized against Covid 19)

Rung for VJ Day

Rung in fond memory of Robert Bunsen on the 121st anniversary of his death.

Rung for Sunday service. First ring on the back six since March.

In memoriam Raymond Courtney Barker, a ringer at St Peter's, Bournemouth who was killed on active service 75 years ago today, aged 28. First in hand, 1-2.

First ringing at St Michael's since lockdown.

First quarter on eight: 7-8

First on eight in hand: 1-2

First in method in hand for all.

100th in hand 3-4

First blows in the method: 2

Rung both before and after the wedding of Matthew Elliott and Sarah Marks.

Wedding Compliment to Hampreston ringer Ross Bradley and his wife Monica

176th Birthday compliments to Henry J. Heinz.

-

Beans, beans good for your heart

The more you eat the more you fart

The more you fart the more you eat

The more you sit on the toilet seat

The harder you push the louder the fart

That's why beans are so good for your heart

-

Also to mark the feast day of St Gummarus, patron saint of Hernia sufferers.

Rung following the St Mary's online service to celebrate Harvest Festival.

Rung following the St Mary's online service to celebrate Harvest Festival.

Rung immediately prior to lockdown to celebrate the forthcoming 90th Birthday of Eric Hitchins.

Also to welcome the Channel Islands District to SDGR.

Tolling before Remembrance service rung down and chimed to finish.

Tolled, half muffled, for 5mins up to 11am for Remembrance Sunday. We will remember them.

Tenor tolled for 5 minutes before the 11am two minute silence.

For the fallen, we will remember them.

Tolled, half muffled, for 5mins up to 11am for Remembrance Day. We will remember them.

For Armistice Day. We will remember them.

Yet another lockdown quarter. Looking forward to happier times!

Rung by an under-18 band as part of the SDGR Young Ringers' Christmas practice. We welcome the young ringers of the Channel Islands into the Salisbury Diocesan Guild and look forward to meeting them properly soon!

For Midnight Service.

First ringing on the bells since March.

Two touches of approximately 5 min duration by a family band to celebrate Christmas

First ringing at St James since March 14th. Besides double handling Ben made sure they were in tune!

For Christmas morning service. Rung socially distanced on bells 2,4,5,6,7,8.