01/01/10 A moving end to the 'Noughties' decade: a quarter peal of PBD during the day plus ringing before the resumed Watchnight Service at 11.30pm and again after the twelve strokes of midnight were sounded on the tenor. It was an unusual season for it is seldom that we have snow lying on both Christmas Day and New Year's Eve. Sub zero temperatures didn't blunt enthusiasm too much and, coupled with the lying snow, probably enhanced the sound and effect of the bells. On this cold and beautiful night greetings and best wishes are sent across the world equally to all who know us and those don't. We have a great life to share and opportunities to avail of in 2010 !
12/01/10 The start of a new decade and we have a new life to celebrate ! Our heartiest congratulations go to Simon and his wife Alison on the birth today of their daughter Lucy; a long awaited event in the history of Hillsborough tower captains !
02/03/10 A quarter peal of Plain Bob Major was rung here today to celebrate the arrival of Lucy Mary Catherine Walker; hopefully a ringer of the future!
10/04/10 To Drumbo today for the Cunningham Cup contest. We were pleased to win and look forward to a trip to Drogheda next month for the Murphy Cup. Congratulations are due to Jonathan Houston for again winning the McBride Cup.
24/04/10 Rang tonight as an introduction to 'Hillsborough's Taste of Spring'; a concert celebrating the life and work of local born musical master; the late Sir Hamilton Harty.
25/04/10 Annual dinner last night; again at the Hockey Club. While a little subdued for a change the proceedings livened up when this year's quiz got under way! Eric was the instigator this time of the punishment to many 'old' memories and 'grey matter' was disturbed and left looking as though a layer of volcanic ash had fallen.
25/04/10 We rang the ten bells before and after the baptism service this morning for Lucy Mary Catherine Walker; the 10th generation of the Walker family to be baptised in this church.
13/05/10 . This week is one of those- now rare - occasions when a member of the Royal family is staying at Hillsborough Castle. We rang for the Ascension Day service this evening just a few minutes after HRH, the Prince of Wales, arrived back in the village after a day of attending various places and events in the county. May we hope the ringing was noticed - favourably ?
15/05/10 A trip to Drogheda today brought a happy outcome. After a gap of 4 years we again managed to win the Murphy Cup. It always tends to be a close run(g) thing but it is nice to be on the 'up' side of the coin. The venue and the reception from the locals made the day a very enjoyable event.
23/05/10 A glorious weekend in the village. Hot weather for the Garden Festival and the Church Fete saw large numbers of happy people moving around. We rang for a while at the beginning of the Fete. This morning we were delighted to note the presence with us of the new Sec.of State for NI, Rt.Hon.Owen Patterson MP and his wife; indicating a long awaited return to the tradition of The NI Sec.of State attending worship in the Parish Church with us.
08/08/10 Summer visitors. On the 1st, a welcome visit by 16 ringers on a 'ring outing' from Southern England and, on the 4th, a visit by 11 ringers on a day trip from Dublin.
25/08/10 Two more ringing visitors on Fri.20th; from Ditcheat in Somerset: Andrew & Carol Stuart, Viscount & Viscountess CastleStewart accompanied by the 8th Earl & Countess CastleStewart.
27/08/10 We rang today for the marriage here of ringer Mark Crothers and his bride Sarah Bambrick. Our congratulations go to them both for a long and happy future.
14/10/10 We had a 'wee party' before practice last night to celebrate the 90th birthday of our oldest member, George White. Despite the steps, he made his way up to the tower to witness the ten bells being fired to mark the occasion. He last rang in 2007 but a combination of matters has seen him go into 'undeclared retirement'. We were glad to be joined on the night by the IACR president, Jean Jeffery.
16/10/10 A peal of Swindon Surprise Royal by a band of Royal Cumberland Youths visiting here yesterday was recorded as a tribute to George White on celebrating his 90th birthday; a thought he appreciated greatly.
20/11/10 A quarter peal of Cambridge Surprise Minor today to mark the upcoming 40th birthday of a well known Ringing Master.
26/12/10 The coldest December for 100yrs and worst snow conditions for 25yrs plus attendant health problems has led to ringer attendance shortages but the bells still ring. Someone also discovered that the webmaster had just completed fifty years as a ringer. He felt as though he was 'dragged to the line' rather than having arrived gracefully!
01/01/11 We rang before the Watchnight Service at 2330 and again, after the twelve strokes of the tenor at midnight; marking the end of a 'vexed' 2010. Our greetings and best wishes for a happy and beneficial 2011 go equally to all who know us and those who don't.
20/02/11 Congratulations go to Jonathan Houston, who on 16th Feb., conducted his first quarter peal of Plain Bob Doubles. The first step in a long stairway ?
23/02/11 AGM tonight saw re-election of all officers save for Alistair Jameson taking over the vice captain role from Duncan Scarlett. RM reported that although illnesses and unprecedented bad weather had contributed to a reduced attendance level we had been fortunate to attain a higher level than other towers. There was still a critical need for new recruits. Practice after the meeting saw some 15 ringers present and our latest recruit, Clive Armstrong, was able to ring in rounds on eight and ten bells.
09/03/11 We rang the ten bells for Ash Wednesday service tonight. It is something of a pity the latest Royal visit to the village occurred yesterday. As it was, 'our man at the crush barrier', Harry Shortt, was present to shake hands and speak to HRH Prince William and his fiancee, Kate Middleton. We were duly represented though new recruits are not anticipated.
17/03/11 Naomh Pádraig conas atá tú ? Aon cheann déag ringers roimh an 0900 seirbhise! Oops! St Patrick, how are ye? Eleven ringers before the 0900 service ! The slight turn in the weather has seen an amelioration of the bleak attendance figures and gives rise to hope that Spring will -- at long last -- spring again and ringers emerge from their refuges. Seo é do na laethanta sin! Aye, here's to those days!
25/04/11 To Enniskillen today to compete for the Cunningham Cup. While no-one tries not to win it wasn't so disappointing to lose to St Thomas's, Belfast. Their first win since 1952, it was a performance worth witnessing and they carry our best wishes to the Murphy Cup contest in Dublin next month. Congratulations go to Jonathan Houston for winning the McBride cup again !
27/04/11 A team from Derby D.A. rang a peal of Swindon Surprise Royal here today.
29/04/11 We rang the ten bells this morning - and fired them - to celebrate the marriage this morning at Westminster Abbey of HRH Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton. We were joined for a while by a 'roving' BBC cameraman. It is seven weeks since the bride and groom were in the village and 'our man at the crush barrier' then was there again today to help organize the street party at the scene of the 'walkabout'.
29/04/11 A quarter peal of Plain Bob Triples was rung here to mark the occasion of the Royal wedding. BBC1 local news featured ringers in action thanks to the visit of the 'roving eye' this morning.
08/05/11 We rang all ten this afternoon before the service to mark the centenary of the Hillsborough branch of the Mothers' Union and were pleased to be joined by two ringers from Blessington tower.
18/07/11 Congratulations go to Jonathan Houston who, as well as progressing rapidly in his bellringing capabilities, has now been awarded a scholarship under the Diocesan Organ Scholarship Scheme.
27/08/11 'Not forgotten'. On Thu 25th a visit from a band of St James' Guild resulted in a peal of London (No.3) Surprise Royal. It was recorded as a tribute to a former ringer on the 93rd anniversary of his death 'in action' near Bucqudy in France. That ringer, Captain Robert Stabert of the 4th Batt.,London Regiment, had visited and rung in this tower 102 years ago next month.
02/09/11 We were privileged this afternoon to be able to ring for a while in the company of a visitor from Brisbane, Australia. Warne Wilson, who would be at home in St John's Cathedral, Brisbane, was well able to cope with our moody ropes and quickly grasped our way of 'redesignating' bell numbers depending on what was being rung! Uncertainty adds spice to life!
30/10/11 Some twenty or more ringers visited for a couple of hours yesterday as part of the Irish Assoc.Autumn Ringing festival. Visits to St Thomas's and Carrickfergus then preceded a dinner at the Clarion Hotel, C'F, where some thirty to forty enjoyed the craic as well as the President's annual speech.
11/12/11 The bells were fired this morning to mark the announcement of the news that the Rev.Ferran Glenfield is to be our new rector.
01/01/12 The bells were rung before the Christmas Eve service and again at midnight. They were also rung before the New Year's Eve service and again at midnight to mark the end of a troubled 2011 and greet the start of a 2012 which hopefully will offer more comfort and beneficial advancement to those in need. As ever our greetings and best wishes go equally to all those who know us and those who don't. May all be encouraged to keep ringing as often as they can to preserve the culture of bell ringing. It is a case of 'use them or lose them'.
08/01/12 To St Thomas's today to compete for the Patterson Cup. It was nice to be successful again! Time to retrieve the polish?!
26/01/12 Recruitment continues. Peter Elliott, who started a few months ago has made good progress and is ringing call changes and 'covering'. Last night saw the appearance of two more young men, Drew Bustard and Peter Clarke, who hopefully will develop a keen interest and progress quickly 'getting to know the ropes',
30/01/12 It is with sadness that we note the death of Billy Kilpatrick, father of our esteemed colleague Charles, Our thoughts are with a family so long rooted in this parish.
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w/e Sept.2011 .... and until further notice ... Sunday ringing
1100-1130 (except 0930-1000 on 1st Sunday) and 1800-1830
Practice is held each Wednesday from 2000 to 2130
Visitors and new recruits are very welcome !
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