28/09/08  Yesterday ten of our band - with fifteen others - made a flying visit to ring at five towers in the City of London. The weather was fabulous, the craic great and laughter plentiful. The combination of setting, events and experiences was very educational. By nightfall the entire party were exhausted; minds crammed with images and the hunger for 'away days' satisfied for another little while. Will London remember us the way we will remember it ?

23/10/08  We rang before and after the Service of Dedication today of the new weathervane and a memorial plaque in memory of the late Robin Hill, 8th Marquess of Downshire. In the presence of the 9th Marquess and his family, the service began and ended with the Hillsborough Guard sounding the bugle; poignant moments prompting vivid reminders of the long, benevolent, history of the Hill family in this country and the legacy bestowed on us which demands our best efforts of maintenance.  We especially value the support of the Marquess in maintaining the tradition of bellringing; sounding out the good news.

26/10/08  On the morning of 24th, a peal of Cambridge Surprise Royal rung by the Society of Royal Cumberland Youths.

15/12/08  With sadness we record the death this morning of our esteemed member, long time friend and supporter of bellringing, Eileen Barry. Throughout her years in the rectory and in retirement her effervescent spirit was indomitable and her twinkling eyes will long be remembered.  

20/12/08  Today we laid to rest our friend Eileen, a noble soul whose like we are unlikely to meet again.  We rang the ten, unmuffled, before and after a service of thanksgiving for her life; conscious that, for some 59 years, we had been blessed by her presence, her principles and the friendship she freely offered to us all. We journey on with good memories.

22/12/08  The bells sounded for a couple of minutes tonight in a  BBC1 childrens'  TV programme 'Our Wee World At Christmas'. It featured a few children under instruction -- all smiling -- plus Adam's face and brief glimpses of the older 'children' of the tower. 

01/01/09  Alas, no Watchnight Service this year but we still made sure to greet the New Year with 12 strokes at midnight and a session of ringing. A sombre year behind us but we greet the prospect of better times and opportunities ahead and send greetings and best wishes for 2009 to all who visit this site !

04/01/09  On the morning of New Year's Eve a quarter peal of Grandsire Triples was rung as thanksgiving for the life of the late William John Walker (1919-2008); lifelong parishioner and grandfather of our Ringing Master.

04/01/09  A quarter peal of Plain Bob Doubles was rung today as thanksgiving for the life of our former member, Eileen Barry. (1916-2008). Taking part in his first 'quarter' was our tower president, Dermot. May it be the first of many more.

11/02/09  AGM this evening prior to practice saw the re-election of officers; praise and thanks where appropriate and a call for more recruits !

05/03/09  At last! Yesterday a delaying glitch was finally disposed of and the bell from Hilltown -- installed here so many months ago as a memorial to the late Canon John Barry -- moved from the state of only being able to be rung manually to now being electrically operated.  The swing chiming bell is pleasant to listen to. Hopefully it will give long service and its voice become very familiar to parishioners and visitors alike.

19/03/09  Ringers from the Lancashire Association visited this morning and rang a peal of Black Sheep Surprise Royal.

14/04/09  We stayed at home yesterday to compete in the Cunningham Cup Contest and, thankfully, managed a home win. Adam Houston added to the day by following in Jonathan's footsteps when he was awarded the McBride Cup. Another trip to Dublin lies ahead for the Murphy Cup Contest. 

19/04/09  Annual Dinner last night; again at Lisnagarvey Hockey Clubhouse. Some 35 folk enjoyed the food and craic and again the table quiz 'administered' by Stan and Eric brought some brains to a complete halt.

30/05/09  BBC Radio Ulster 'Your Place & Mine' featured our tower this morning. Ten mins of bells and explanatory chat from Simon, Dermot & Adam did the tower proud.

31/05/09  Last Sat (23rd) Alistair marked the 54th anniversary of his first service ring by conducting his first quarter...April Day Doubles. 

23/06/09  On evg of Sun.21st we rang for a service of Ordination of Deacons; greeting  our many visitors and welcoming our new curate, Rev. Mike Dornan. The 'Barry' bell was rung afterwards while the visitors filed out past the Bishop and new clergy.  How long might it take to persuade 'our man' to 'try a rope' some day?  

08/07/09  We note the death of one of our ringers of many years ago, William (Billy) Jackson and pass on our condolences to his family and, in particular, his two great grandsons, Jonathan and Adam Houston, our two youngest ringers. A quarter peal of PBD was rung today - half muffled - with Jonathan being one of the ringers. 

29/07/09  Due to a very high number of absences due to holidays weekly practice was a non-event in July until tonight. For some though, this month's ordination service, a funeral, 2 weddings and 5 quarter peals provided ample opportunity to keep their 'hand and eye in' !

19/08/09  We were pleased to be joined in Sunday ringing and at tonight's practice by Jacqueline Allen and son Gareth; holidaying in the area from All Saints', Lindfield, West Sussex.  Such visits provide mutual support to resident and visitor; often providing enlightenment as well as entertainment!

02/09/09  Today we had the sad honour to ring for the military funeral of a giant of a man; Captain Mark Hale of the 2nd Battalion,The Rifles.  By all accounts an outstanding soldier and family man, he was a legendary figure in the regiment which has suffered so many casualties in the war in Afghanistan.  As a consequence of helping a wounded brother at arms he was himself mortally wounded and paid the ultimate price. Following the service we paid tribute with all ten bells muffled.

13/09/09  Just when it seemed Summer had passed us by the weather improved and  visitors arrived. We had a party from St Wilfrid's,York & All Saints, Northallerton on the 5th and another from the University of London Society of Change Ringers on the11th

16/10/09  A peal of Black Sheep Surprise Royal rung here today by a band of the Society of Royal Cumberland Youths.

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