100th anniversary peal at Ilkeston

The bells (& tower) of Ilkeston were dedicated during 1910, recast by John Taylor & Co. Below is an extract from the Bell News (24th  December 1910). Click to enlarge.

There were 5 peals on the old bells - the first peal of Major was Bristol in 1908, which was only the 17th peal of Bristol ever rung and the second in Derbyshire (there was a peal at Ashover 2 days before!). This was rung by a touring party with the famous William Pye on the tenor. Further history of the bells can be read in 'The Church Bells of Derbyshire by Pat Halls and George Dawson.

196 peals later saw a peal of Bristol marking the 100th anniversary. Seven Derby DA members were joined by Ian Campbell (from St Pauls Cathedral, London) to ring a peal in 2 hours 56 minutes (eight minutes quicker than the 1908 peal!). Richard Stevenson and Ian Campbell learnt to ring together, but this was their first peal together.

The Band, left - right: front row  bells 1 - 4, back row bells 5 - 8.

Derby Diocesan Association

Ilkeston, Derbys, St. Mary V

Wednesday, 14 July 2010 in 2h56 (17)

5088 Bristol S. Major

Composed: DF Morrison no. 62

1   Richard M Stevenson
2   Anthony P Cotton
3   John V Chadwick
4   Robert J Marchbank
5   Alec Humphrey
6   F Gordon Faulks
7   Simon Humphrey (C)
8   Ian G Campbell

For the 100th anniversary of the re-casting and re-hanging of the bells, and to compliment Michael and Laura Stevenson on the birth of their son Harry Michael.

Website saves the day!

A while ago, I had a suggestion to put information on the website for wedding arrangers looking for ringers. This has been used a few times before, and helped save the day last week, when a mix up meant that no bell ringers were booked for a wedding over the border in Nottinghamshire! Anne Westman takes up the story:

Thursday afternoon saw a phone call from a lady in Mansfield who had come across my phone number via another ringers from the DDA website. Her friend was getting married on the Saturday at Cuckney near Mansfield and the local ringers were not able to raise a band, but she was desperate to get some ringers for the wedding - could I help? To cut a long story short, many, many phone calls later I managed to find 6 ringers to be at the church for 12.30.  Ringing for the wedding was uneventful, we just rang rounds and call changes to ensure good striking throughout. The groom's father popped into the ringing chamber before and after the wedding to say 'thank you', we also got a 'thank you' from the vicar during the service and afterwards and from the churchwarden. It made such a pleasant change to be thanked for wedding ringing! Fortunately the showers stopped and allowed the bridal party to enjoy sunshine and bells whilst the photos were being taken!

Pictures below show Christian Yeomans and Simon Westman, with Matthew Yeomans and Alison West and the church.

Strike Notes 85

Strike Notes 85 has been published on the website...

 Contents

p1 DDA Annual General Mtg

p2 The Royal Maundy

p3 Southern District Quiz

p3 Central Council Visit

p4 Central District Practice

p6 Aunt Sally

p7 Striking Competition Results

p8 Forthcoming Events