 03/08/07 At last! Today the bell in Hilltown church was 'liberated' after its service in that tower since 1772. After sterling work by Peter Hayward,Tom, Eric and Simon, it finally returned to earth to become probably the most unique load Alistair has ever towed home! Stage 1 has ended; the instrument has been procured. Now begins the preparation for service along with its erstwhile fellow travellers of the 18th century.
07/08/07 Norman, the 'father' of our tower passed away this morning, in his 85th year. N.R.Johnston rang here 62 years ago to mark VE & VJ Days and throughout the years since and, despite failing health, he rang at the funeral last year of Canon John Barry. Enthusiasm for life and an incessant need to be 'doing something' meant he was well known in this village and the church he served all his life. His smile and the twinkle in his eye never retired.
09/08/07 Tonight - briefly ! - our bells and ringers appeared on TV to illustrate one feature leading people to regard our village as one of the most desirable places to live in NI.
10/08/07 A visit from Lancs Association and a peal of Anglia Surprise Royal.
15/08/07 A quarter peal of Stedman, Grandsire & PB Doubles was rung tonight as a thanksgiving for the life and service to this tower over the last 69 years of the late Norman R.Johnston. The cover bell was rung by 13yr old Jonathan Houston; his first quarter peal since starting to ring at the end of last year.
12/10/07 A peal of Swindon Surprise Royal at the hands of a band of the Society of Royal Cumberland Youths: One of the features which make this village unique in NI.
20/11/07 We rang the ten bells to mark the Diamond Wedding Anniversary of HM The Queen & Prince Philip. Call changes & Plain Hunt with three sessions of firing the bells.
22/11/07 Impossible though it seems, the eternal youth who is our illustrious Ringing Master today marks the 25th anniversary of his commencing bellringing. A quarter of a century seems to have flown by!
08/12/07 At 2pm we rang as part of the 'Friends of the Earth' worldwide campaign to draw attention to the perilous effects of human behaviour on climate change. This was followed by a quarter peal of Antelope and PB Doubles; to mark the conductor's 25th anniversary of commencing ringing and to celebrate the hanging of the bell of Hilltown Church in this tower this week.
11/12/07 Having arrived yesterday and been safely hoisted some 80ft up through the centre of the tower the Hilltown bell has today been installed along with its 18th century travel companions. At 5 minutes to 5pm she rang out her first notes to Hillsborough and broad smiles were the order of the day. The sighs of relief were masked by her song.
12/12/07 After their work on the 'new' bell Peter Hayward and Tom Blyth took time to ring a quarter peal of Cambridge Surprise Minor along with Michael Crockett,Gaurang Patel, Brian Lockett and Simon Walker.
16/12/07 After much preparation 'the day' arrived. In her new place in Hillsborough tower the Hilltown bell was dedicated in thanksgiving for the life, ministry and witness of Canon John Barry in this parish. The Most Rev.Alan Harper OBE, Archbishop of Armagh, Primate of All Ireland, also dedicated a memorial plaque at the entrance to the bell tower in memory of Canon Barry; that all those who saw it may give thanks for his life and pause to consider the message of salvation that he so effectively preached. The prayer was made that all those who hear the bell peal out may have their minds and hearts drawn to worship God. The bell rang out immediately after the act of dedication; a glorious call from an old messenger on a cold wintry morning.
18/12/07 With fond memories we note the death of Sam Ross; an IACR Life member. A well known and popular sexton in Canon Barry's era; he was highly regarded for his dedication to encouraging young people to become bell ringers. Sam had a beguiling way with him as many discovered... and bells kept ringing.
26/12/07 Having seen the Hilltown bell securely installed in the tower it seems the RM has taken steps (or knelt) on Christmas Day to secure another bell(e). Our heartiest congratulations go out to Simon and Alison on their engagement. Let's hope there isn't too long a pause after "look to" !
30/12/07 Our rector, the Very Rev. John Dinnen, preached his final sermon today prior to entering retirement after tomorrow's Watchnight Service. Our prayers and best wishes are offered to both him and Jane for the seasons and years ahead.
01/01/08 After the twelve strokes of the tenor at midnight we had no rector. We were visited by Bishop Harold Miller and, soon after, Rev.John Dinnen, retd! On behalf of the ringers Alistair Jameson presented a gift to 'JD' in thanks and appreciation of his support. 'JD' stressed what he had said during his final service; "Keep the bells ringing out; pronouncing the good news and welcoming people to worship." He had called on the congregation to be thrilled and excited when they heard the bells marking the new year as the bells marked the 'good news of Jesus Christ'.
06/01/08 A quarter peal of 1260 Doubles,60 Antelope,120 Grandsire & 1080 PB Doubles was rung yesterday as a compliment on the announcement of the engagement of Alison Culbert and Simon Walker.
15/03/08 To Holywood for the Cunningham Cup contest with two teams to our name. Yet another close result and this time the sun shone again on the St Donards team. For the first time, the McBride Cup for 'Best young ringer' has come to our tower in the hands of Jonathan Houston. A worthy award for his dedication and rapid progress.
13/04/08 Annual dinner last night; again at Lisnagarvey Hockey Clubhouse. The craic was good and Stan's table quiz reduced the strong and wise to quivering wrecks--again-- whether in mirth or frustration. The laughter and banter was initiated/ instigated / incited by the usual characters.
16/04/08 A quarter peal of PB Doubles was rung tonight as a compliment to Edmund & Heather White on their Silver wedding anniversary and to Alistair & Daryl Jameson on their 35th anniversary.
20/04/08 We were blessed with splendid news this morning. It was announced that our curate, Rev Simon Richardson, is to become our new rector; news which was met with a standing ovation. Challenges will lie before us but we can look forward to an invigorating passage through the times ahead with his guidance and leadership.
23/04/08 Quarter peal of PB Doubles rung to mark the appointment of our curate, Rev Simon Richardson, as the new rector.
24/06/08 Milestones. This afternoon we rang for the wedding of a great grandson of a former rector of this parish, Canon Francis Matchett (1913-1949). During the last 59 yrs the parish has had only two rectors but tonight we rang for the Institution of a third one; Rev Simon Richardson. We rang the ten beforehand with a short interval for the Hilltown bell to make a lone contribution then rang later as the congregation went for supper in the church hall. A remarkable night and certainly a memorable milestone.
25/06/08 Quarter peal of PB Triples rung tonight to mark the Institution last night of our new rector.
31/07/08 Practice last night was preceded by an act of dedication by the rector of a bell mounted on the wall below the ringing room clock. It was provided by the family of our late colleague Norman Johnston to mark the 69 years service he gave as a ringer in this tower. Simon, our RM, paid tribute to 'NRJ', highlighting some occasions in history at which time he had been a ringer and noting the fact that he had also been steeplekeeper for many of those years. Simon, our rector, also paid tribute to his dedication; his friendliness and the welcome he offered to 'newcomers'.
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