BellBoard

First in method - 5 & 6. First on 8 - 5 & 8.

To commemorate the priesting of Stan Catton of this church and that of Tim Foreman (Camberwell) regular ringer at this church.

The weekend of 7th and 8th October was a busy one for members of the Docklands Ringing Centre. One of our ringers, Tim Foreman, was ordained Priest at Greenwich on that Saturday and celebrated his first mass at St Giles, Camberwell on the Sunday. Stan Catton, who helped with the restoration at Bermondsey ten years ago, was also priested, and celebrated his first communion at Bermondsey.

The ten bells at Camberwell have been out of action for the last five years because of problems with the spire, which has now been completely rebuilt as part of a £1.2 million project. How­ ever, there is no power or lighting in the tower at present, because this is included in the next phase of work, which is due to start in 6 - 12 months’ time.

The bells, though, are now ringable again, although we did need to replace two of the stays, which had been cut off by the scaffolders! We were therefore able to arrange a band to attempt a quarter peal on Sunday morning, before the service. Unfortunately this was not scored, although a second attempt later in the afternoon at Bermondsey was successful.

The afternoon attempt was preceded by the Docklands Ringing Centre AGM. The past year had been a successful one with a completely new band established at Rotherhithe, and we are looking forward to attempting the first peal on these bells, and training more ringers for all the towers who participate in the Centre.

This will include the replacement ring of eight at St Peter’s, Walworth. Fund-raising at Walworth is complete and the order has been placed for Hayward Mills to commence work in November 2000 and complete the work by late January 2001.

The project comprises the transfer of the current eight from St Andrew’s, Short Street, Waterloo, where the site is being re-developed and the tower will be demolished. Officers elected were: Roger Booth (Chair­ man), Morag Todd (Secretary), Martin Crick (Treasurer) and Mark Ingledew, Freda Cannon and Mike Todd (Committee). Our training programme for 2000-01 was discussed and details will be published on our website shortly.