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Scottish Association of Change Ringers |
This year's AGM was held at St Machar's, Aberdeen. The day started at 11am with an hour and a half of general ringing. The ringing ranged from rounds and call changes to surprise major with lots of people seizing the opportunity to try out 'their bell' before the striking competition commenced.
The weather brightened up by lunch time allowing most people to enjoy a picnic outside in the churchyard or nearby park. Nine teams entered the striking competition including one scratch band. 3 of them chose to ring call changes with the other 6 ringing methods. The good weather continued throughout the afternoon allowing the multitude of churchyard judges to work on their tan. Some took the opportunity to ring a few touches on handbells, ranging from Plain Bob Minor to 3 leads of Kent Max.
After the ringing a superb tea was laid on by the Aberdeen ringers in the Dunbar Street Hall. Peter Williamson, the day's judge, delivered his analysis of each band's performance in the competition. Dunblane came out well with their method band winning the Inveraray shield and their call change band winning the St Andrew's shield.
The day's formal proceedings concluded with the AGM. Four new members were elected to the association and Ruth Perrett was elected as the communications officer. An amendment to the constitution to relax the residency rules for peals was proposed, voted on and carried. A smaller crowd returned to the belfry for another hour or so of general ringing before dispersing home. An enjoyable day was had by all and our thanks go to the Aberdeen ringers for making it such a success.
Inveraray Tower has launched a new website http://www.inveraraybelltower.co.uk to promote the Bell Tower as a tourist attraction. It contains details of the bells, the view, an article on changeringing and upcoming ringing times.
The SACR's January meeting was held at Dundee on Saturday 23rd. Fortunately the snow and extremely cold weather of the beginning of the year had lifted, enabling people to travel and meaning that the meeting was well supported with over 40 members in attendance representing 13 towers.
The day started with a committee meeting and the few 'hangers on' hiding from the dreich weather by amusing themselves in the shops of the city centre.
Once the business of the committee was completed all moved to the Bank Bar for a good warming lunch (the weather was steadily getting worse) and general ringing chat.
The early afternoon ringing was at St Paul's on the fine but slightly challenging ring of eight. The ringing was ably run by Ringing Master Chris Frye and ranged from rounds and calls to Belfast. This gave ringers of all levels the chance to practice methods they do not often get to ring in their own tower or to try something completely new. Most enthusiastically took this opportunity.
The meeting then moved to Church of the Steeple for a short service led by the Reverend David Clark. He gave a challenging address about change in the church in the coming decade and how this might affect church as we know it.
As many of the issues are the same for ringing and in most cases the two are inextricably linked it gave us all a lot to think about.
We then moved back to the church rooms for an excellent tea provided by the Dundee Ringers. Most tucked in although, uncharacteristically, some of the students decided to do some handbell ringing instead! Whilst the final pieces of cake were being consumed a short meeting was held. This was ably chaired by our president with lots of help from the secretary. Main matters were the changes to the peal rules, an update on possible new installation projects and confirmation of meeting dates of next year (now available on the website). Included in this was the move of the date of the AGM to accommodate more towers attending. The ringing master said that he hoped that this would mean more bands entering the striking competition, especially for the St. Andrew's Shield. A number of new members were unanimously elected into the association. The meeting concluded with the drawing of the 50-50 club prizes for November and December. The winners were Sue and Jeffery.
There was then more ringing this time at the Old Steeple Church. Again ringing was wide ranging from rounds to 8 spliced with plenty of opportunities to practice methods or ring something new.
The day ended with a few hardy souls repairing to the Bank for a pint or two while waiting for various trains (or maybe just accompanying those who were waiting for trains). Much conversation and hilarity ensued, a fitting end to an excellent day.
Thanks to all involved.
On new year's eve 2009 the 'powers that be' had cancelled the event to be held in the Northern Meeting Park behind the Cathedral, because of a few centimetres of snow. Not so the intrepid Cathedral ringers, eleven ringers plus 5 friends and families travelling from up to 20 miles away gathered in the tower to ring and welcome the New Year with hot mince pies and a 'wee dram'.
The article from the 'Inverness Courier' below describes the situation.
With no less than two visits this year from the media, SS Andrews and Georges in Edinburgh certainly get the medal for flying the Scottish Ringing flag to the masses!
In January 2009 a reporter and film crew from STV's Five-Thirty show arranged a visit to the tower to learn more about the art of bellringing as part of their "get fit for new year" feature. Footage of the ringers appeared on television, along with the presenter receiving expert tuition from Mike Clay. A superb feature, and a great advert for new recruits!
More recently, the BBC - and Michael Portillo - turned up to record the bells, ably "played" through the chiming apparatus by Saskia Palmer. This recording was of the Scottish tune "Why Should I Be So Sad On My Wedding Day" - originally sounded from St Giles to mark the Act of Union 300 years ago. The footage is due to be shown on BBC 2 in January.
In January 2010 the bells of SS Andrews and Georges hit three out of three, with an article in the Sunday Post.
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