The Essex Association of Change Ringers

President: The Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of Chelmsford

Northern District


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Braintree Tower Correspondent

The Correspondent for Braintree is now:-

Mrs. Lin Ould
75 Kenworthy Road,
Braintree
01376 344099

* TO THE MEMBERS OF THE NORTHERN DISTRICT

Thank you all very much for the Gift Token that you gave me on my retirement; I shall be looking through the books in Smiths to find a good read.   I have enjoyed the privilege of being District Master and would like to thank you all for the help and support that you have given me during my years in office.

With my very best wishes,

Marian Wood

* Saturday Morning Ringing School
To all students and helpers
A very big THANK YOU for the generous gift and flowers presented to me this Saturday 14th November. 

I did not realise there were vouchers in there as well until I opened the envelopes. 

What a surprise! Once again thank you all very much.

Marian Wood. 

* District Quiz Night

60 District ringers and friends crammed into Kelvedon Church Hall on Saturday 7th November for a really great evening under the control of MC John Elliott and Quizmaster Revd. David Reynish.  

At half-time the Kelvedon catering team served up a delicious supper while the teams struggled with cryptic London station names.

We are pleased to say that  £397 was taken from ticket sales and a raffle, from which £135 has been sent to the EACR Bell Restoration Fund.

* Feering & Kelvedon Tower Correspondent:

The correspondent for Kelvedon and Feering is now:-

Miss Vicki Bennett,
2 Millers Gardens
Church Street,
Kelvedon,   CO5 9AH
01376 572833

* Stisted tower correspondent

Please note that the new tower correspondent at Stisted is:

Terry Earle
18 Clarks Wood Drive
Braintree
CM7 3LD
01376 320184

* Braintree Ringing Outing 20th JUNE

For our outing this year we were joined by friends from St. Michael's and other towers. As we assembled we were transported back to our youth as the school bus turns up to  take us on our day out to Norfolk. Thanks to Maurice and Kath Downs [Rayne] for guiding us along the country lanes as the school bus had no SatNav.

We arrived at our 1st tower the 15cwt 8 at Blofield [not to be confused with 007s adversary]. They were a good ring and a good start to our ringing. As we left the tower our deputy master was seen with the masters handbag. The patronage of St Andrew and St Peter Blofield is with the Master and Fellows of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge. The present building is on the site of a Norman Building and was completed  during the years 1420-1440.

Then on to Reedham, not via the ferry even our school bus was too big. The 6 at John the Baptist are on plain bearings and although only 8cwt they are a very challenging ring, but none the less enjoyable. The Church used to be thatched  and caught fire and had to be rebuilt and refurbished. I think we all agreed that it has one of the finest modern stain glass windows.

It was packed lunch time some at the church others back at the coach.

Now onto Saxlingham Nethergate to an 8cwt 8 this time in a very small ringing chamber a good experience. The fourteenth century square tower houses a one handed clock dated 1794. As we left the master was seen at the kissing gate with the past master.

Our arrival at Forncett St Peter was announced by posters around the benefice of 7 Churches, and we have been invited to go back to ring in August. The bells are a very enjoyable 13cwt 6. The church building has so many notable features that I find it difficult to do it justice in a few words other than if you are in the area go and see for yourself.

Off we go to our last tower of the day the 10cwt 6 at Long Stratton. A nice ring better than I remember. A good end to our ringing day. St. Mary the Virgin holds fond memory's for my wife Pat having been born in Long Stratton, she was Christened and Confirmed in this very historic church with a good Christian tradition.

Now it is Scole to quench our thirst and have a very convivial evening meal.

During the day we had good ringing on challenging bells and visited some interesting churches and places. A member of the party expressed our thanks to Debbie Hill for arranging such an enjoyable day.

And so back on the school bus and home

Peter Smith

* 2009 Association Inter-District Striking Competition:

The 2009 inter-district 8 bell competition was held on Saturday evening 4th July at Chigwell Row, the 8-bell competition touch being 251 Single Oxford Bob Triples. Congratulations to the District team under organiser Maurice Downs for coming 3rd with only 52 faults, the highest "northern" team placing.

Unfortunately the 6-bell District Striking Competition heat was cancelled due to insufficient teams entering; our only entry going forward as a combined Coggeshall and Rayne band. They rung at Theydon Garnon during the afternoon and were placed 7th out of 9 entries with only 55 faults.

The judge for both competitions was Roger Bailey (not the Writtle one!)

* Great Dunmow Practice Night

Please note that Great Dunmow and Great Easton practice from 8pm on alternating MONDAY evenings; Great Dunmow do not practice on Wednesdays as in the 2008 Annual Report.  Please phone Jim Brown on 01371-870234 to check at which tower they will be practicing if you are intending to visit.

* Minutes of District Meetings

Our Website now includes Minutes of the Meetings and copies of any papers presented at those meetings (wherever possible!)  Please take a look and let know what you think.

Note that the minutes of the last meeting are "Draft" only - subject to amendment until they have been approved at the next District business meeting.  So please let know if you spot something that should be amended at the next meeting! 

Please let know of any other District News to go here...

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Last updated: 
01 February 2010
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