BellBoard

To welcome 2017

Rung by the local band to celebrate completion of the project to restore and augment the bells and in grateful memory of Pte. Edmund Stratton (died 1 July 1916) and Pte. Harry Rowlett (died 13 Nov 1916); both members of the local band here after the restoration of 1912.

First peal on 10: 1,5 & 10.

100th peal: 4

First in the method: 4

First of Major: 6

1st Q:6, 1st Q inside:4

In memory of Michael Sharman, former churchwarden at Stotfold, who died on 1st January.

To welcome the Rev. Shaun Speller and his family to the Benefice of Henlow and Langford.

1st Minor - 1

Rung on Biggleswade District QP Day.

Rung with the best wishes of the band to Kathy Blackmore for a speedy recovery.For Biggleswade District QP Day.

1st on 8-8; 1st inside on 8 - 2

Rung on Biggleswade District QP Day.

1st inside - 2, 1st as cover - 6

Rung on Biggleswade District QP Day.

1st Quarter peal on the bells since refurbishment & augmentation.

Rung on Biggleswade District QP Day.

In commemoration of Private James Johnson, ringer at this tower, killed on 7th February 1917, aged 27

Rung to congratulate Tim Foley and Oliva Prike on the birth of a daughter Violet Mabel on the 15th February 2017

First in method - 4

Rung to warmly welcome Revd. Kelvin Woolmer, his wife Jean and family after his induction as Rector and Priest Missioner of St Peter de Merton

Rung prior to "The Friends of Elstow Abbey Concert"

First on 8 and of Surprise - 4

Dedicated in fond memory of Michael J (Mick) Hobbs of Bristol (10/2/17)

Rung for Evensong during Bedford District Quarter Peal week.

First peal of Bristol: 4

Welcoming Terry to the pensioners world of mid-week peal ringing, bird watching and long distance walking.

For Evensong on Easter Day

First Peal - 8

First of Stedman - 4

First of Stedman Triples - 1

900th peal : 4

Remembering Margaret Bampton and Kay Alonzo, Sydney ringers and friends of Hannah, who both passed away this week.

Rung to open the May Festival held on the village green.

The first peal of Royal on the bells.

First Cambridge Surprise Royal: 5.

For Evensong.

First peal on these bells following recent refurbishment.

With this peal, Chris Pickford completes all the ringable Bedfordshire towers (fives upwards) to peals. Rung with friends who have helped along the way.

First on eight - 1

Birthday compliment to Simon Poole

First in method 4. For Evensong.

Rung on the 40th Anniversary of the first peals rung by Davina & Rosemay Money (now Buckle).

First Peal (5).

In celebration of the life of John Scrivener - a long time member of this Church who served as organist for many years.

Rung prior to the Evening Service of thanksgiving for music at St Mary's and a remembrance of past singers.

For BBC Music Day

Rung by the local band in celebration of Kate's ordination to the Deaconate, at St Albans yesterday. All members of the local band wish Kate well in her curacy at Elstow.

First quarter as conductor.

To mark the retirement of Revd. Linda Bond as Priest in Charge of the Bromham

1 - 1st on 6

1st of 41 Surprise: 3.

Rung half-muffled to commemorate the life of Frederick Charles Robinson, Pioneer 254886 'A' Corps Signal Company Royal Engineers, killed in action 3 August 1917. Born and resident in Elstow, enlisted Bedford. No known grave. Commemorated on Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, West-Vlaandaren, Belgium, panel 9; also remembered on Elstow War Memorial and on a tablet at Elstow Bunyan Meeting.

To celebrate the engagement of James Eggleston and Alice Rhemtulla.

First quarter on the front six.

Rung in memory of John Gipson, who made the fittings and hung these two trebles in 1980.

1000th peal together: Charlotte & Anthony.

First peal - 4

For morning service with best wishes to James Eggleston for a speedy return to fitness

Rung by members of the local band for morning service and to celebrate the Golden Wedding of Alan and Jackie Painter, loyal servants and much loved members of this Church.

First "inside" for Stuart.

Commemorating the five men from Flitton who lost their lives in 1917.

Private George Charles Catlin, 7th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment who died of bronchitis in hospital in March 1917 aged 29. Buried in St Hilaire cemetary, Pas De Calais.

Private George Cox, 19th Battalion Middlesex regiment who died of his wounds in June 1917 aged 37.

Driver Sydney Downing, 298 Division Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery who died of his wounds in August 1917 aged 26.

Lance Corporal Lionel A Willingham, 4th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment killed in action in October 1917 aged 19, and is commemorated at the Tyne Cot Cemetery.

Private Archer H Wilshere, City of London Yeomanry killed in action in December 1917.

Christopher Catlin, ringer at Silsoe, wishes to be associated with this quarter peal. Private George Catlin was his great uncle.

A service to remember the five was held at Flitton on 10 September.

Rung to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Revd. Paul Lanham's ordination. Paul's first curacy was at Gerrards Cross (1967-1969).

Rung half-muffled in fond and affectionate memory of Miriam F Clark, following her funeral service. Miriam died 21 August 2017 aged 91 years. She served here as Churchwarden for 25 years and Tower Captain for 50 years. The methods rung were Miriam's favourites. RIP

Rung half-muffled in fond memory of Miriam F Clark (50 years Tower Captain) immediately following her funeral service; the ringers of 1 and 3 representing the Bedfordshire 'Young' Ringers, of which Miriam was a member. (Average age of band 78.6 years, considerably reduced by the conductor!).

First on 12; 4,5,7,8. First Cinques; 9

Rung half-muffled to commemorate the life of Stanley Amos Blain, Sapper 522737, 7th Division, Signal Company Corps of Royal Engineers. Died of wounds Wednesday 3rd October 1917 in France and Flanders, Aged 23. Born and resident Elstow, enlisted Bedford, Son of George and Elizabeth Blain of Elstow, Bedford. Embarked for France, 22 April 1917. Buried in Menin Road South Military Cemetery, Ieper, West Vlaanderen, Belgium, Plot II, Row I, Grave 37. Commemorated on Elstow War Memorial and on a tablet at Elstow Bunyan Meeting. (In the 1911 census he was aged 16, an apprentice bricklayer, resident The Lane, Elstow. His effects went to Mr G W Blain of West End Elstow, formally 2632 Royal Engineers, Qualified Bricklayer aat atestation)

Also in memory of Miriam Clark, former Tower Captain, died 21 August 2017.

First peal on 10: 1 & 4

Completes the family: 4

First on ten - 6

Specially arranged to welcome Emma Grace Townsend, born 17 June, a daughter for Anna and Ian. (Rearranged due to mechanical failure during the first attempt)

In celebration of Kate's ordination to the Deaconate, at St Albans on 2nd July, and to welcome her to Elstow as curate. Rung by members of Kate's family and the local band.

Rung for morning service and in memory of Terry Hatchett, a ringer and chorister at this church.

Birthday compliments to Ros Keech and Richard Horne, both born on October 16 and in the same year.

For All Saints

Rung to celebrate the birth of Joseph Edward Boyden, born 17th October, a son for Lisa (née Adams) and Richard. 1st at first attempt: 1,6.

Rung prior to the Service of Memories

A birthday compliment to Jacquie Albon

For Remembrance.

Rung after meeting short for Major.

Half Muffled for Remembrance Sunday

Rung half-muffled for Remembrance Sunday.

First handbell peal - 1-2

Rung during the Campton Festival of Bells '100 firsts in a day' challenge, a fundraising event which raised over £2,000 for bells and church funds. This was the first of 118 'firsts' achieved during the day.

Rung during practice night with congratulations to The Queen and Prince Philip in celebration of their 70th wedding anniversary.

Rung to celebrate the 70th wedding anniversary of the Queen and Prince Philip.

1008th peal together on the 50th anniversary of their first together: 2 & 5

For practice.

Rung half-muffled to commemorate the life of Donald George Gordon, 8th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment. Killed in action Monday, 10th December 1917, in France and Flanders. Aged 23. Born and resident in Elstow, enlisted Bedford. Son of George and Sarah Ann (nee King) Gordon of West End, Elstow. Formally 6516, Bedfordshire Regiment. Born 24 August 1894 in Elstow. Buried in Villers-Faucon Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France. Plot 1, Row C, Grave 12. Commemorated on Elstow War Memorial and on a tablet at Elstow Bunyan Meeting.

Rung on practice night to commemorate the 37th anniversary of Christine's first peal. When she rang the treble to Plain Bob Minor at Stinchcombe.

4000th peal - 8

For Christmas

For Christmas

First Royal - 4

200th peal - 2

For Christmas.

Also in memory of Mrs Betty Feneley, mother of Margaret, a former member of the local band.

Rung in memory of Miriam F Clark, died 21 August 2017 aged 91 years. Miriam served here as Churchwarden for 25 years and Tower Captain for 50 years. Also fondly remembering Robert P Wood (31/12/2013), good friend and one time member of the local band.

First as Conductor.

Rung half-muffled to commemorate the life of Joseph Samuel Caves, 5th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Died at sea, Sunday 30th December 1917. Born and resident in Elstow, enlisted Bedford. Son of Amos S and Sarah Caves. Birth registered in the October to December Quarter 1881 in the Bedford Registration District. In the 1891 census he was a scholar aged 9, and in the 1901 census he was a Carter on a farm, aged 19. Commemorated on Chatby memorial Egypt; also on Elstow War Memorial and on a tablet at Elstow Bunyan Meeting.

Rung to mark the long service to Clifton bellringing by Stan Ashton (Tower Captain 1990 - 2017) and Sheila Ashton (Secretary 1985 - 2017).