Mission
Bellringers celebrate the 140th Anniversary of Mothers’ Union
Pat Davidson reports from Old Alresford. Includes link to BBC story.
Having rung a quarter peal at St Thomas’ Salisbury 40 years ago to celebrate the Centenary of The Mothers’ Union I thought ‘why not ring one this year’? Unlike in 1976 when I was the only MU member in the band I had the idea to see if I could find enough other members to join me. I sounded out a ringing friend (member) and she thought it was a wonderful idea. No going back then!
With the help of our Diocesan President, Rosie Stiven, a notice went out to see if there were any MU ringers who would interested and who would be in Winchester for the Service of Celebration on Thursday 22 September.
With two positive responses and also a couple of spouses who I knew I could call on, I decided to go ahead and ask for permission to ring at Old Arlesford, a light ring of 6 bells. What better place than where it all began - and the locals were delighted with the idea.
Ringing is very much team work and, as some of us had not met before, after brief introductions and ‘what a wonderful service it had been’ we made our way upstairs to the ringing chamber. After a nervous few minutes as we pulled off the bells for the first time together we soon settled down to some good ringing and an enjoyable quarter was achieved.
As we left the church with the sun going down, the wonderful view over the hills brought to an end a most memorable day.
Ringing notes
Old Alresford, Hampshire
St Mary
Thursday, 22 September 2016 in 40m (10–0–9)
1260 Doubles (1p, 2m) 60 Stedman, 600 Plain Bob, 600 Grandsire
1 Ian Davidson (Diocese of Salisbury)
2 Ruth Smith (Diocese of Derby)
3 Patricia Davidson (Diocese of Salisbury)
4 Ruth Beavin (Diocese of Salisbury)
5 Marisa Hayes (Diocese of Chichester) (C)
6 Bob Smith (Diocese of Derby)
Rung for the 140th Anniversary of the Mothers' Union by members and spouses following the Service of Celebration in Winchester Cathedral.
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