UK novices on Alderney

Novice bellringers from Warwickshire, Edinburgh, Cumbria, Dumfries and Winchester travelled to Alderney for a week of intensive tuition July 22 – 26th. The course was designed by Helen McGregor to provide ample opportunity for the novices to get to grips with the fundamentals of bellringing. Making very good use of Wells Bells, the simulator and handbells and with occasional access to St Anne’s bells the novices have made great strides in their understanding of the structure of methods and their ability to deliver them whilst ringing. The very experienced Alderney bellringers provided invaluable support and encouragement throughout the week, assisting with explanations and providing steady ringing enabling the students to practice their Kaleidoscope ringing, early hunting, raising and lowering. Alderney ringers Helen McGregor and Aileen Wilson are both qualified tutors with the Association of Ringing Teachers and very much enjoyed delivering the very first ‘Improve your Bellringing’ course on Alderney.
Photo: L-R, Helen McGregor, Lynne Sydes, Ziggy Jenkins, Neils Benatur, Aileen Wilson, Philip Geary & Chris Lamb

Alderney ring on Guernsey 22nd June

8 members of the Alderney band spent a very enjoyable day on Guernsey on Sat June 22nd. We rang at all 4 Gsy towers, St Simon’s bob triples at TC, Reverse Canterbury at Vale, Grandsire Caters & Cambridge major at St Pierre du Bois,Cambridge & Ipswich S Minor at Forest………………all made possible with the friendly support of some TC ringers.

Jane made us a delicious lunch, we borrowed Duncan’s car – it all made for a great day out. Thank you for having us xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Local Band Peal of Bristol Maximus

In preparation for the upcoming local Alderney peal of Bristol Surprise Maximus, Helen volunteered to be first to practice the method. She reports that it is not too tricky and we hope that eleven other members of the St Anne’s Sunday service band will be ready to join her for the next one – in Alderney – before too long. One down, eleven Bristol Max to go.

Alderney goes to the New Forest

Ay & friends outing to New Forest

Mariko used her local knowledge to very good effect in arranging our outing to the New Forest for weekend March 23/24th. Aaron, June, Stephen, Aileen, Helen & Peter were delighted to be joined by Justin, Louise, Hannah, William & Richard from Jersey also Paul & Helen Wells and June Saint from UK – a real dream team:-)

We visited Christchurch Priory, (27cwt , 12), Hordle (7cwt, 8) & Hinton (9cwt , 5). Lunch in the Smugglers Inn then Milford-on-sea (12 cwt , 8) and Brockenhurst (4cwt, 8) – all our excellent ringing (call changes, Stedman triples, Bob triples, Grandsire triples, DNCBM, Cambridge S Major & 4 spliced,) bore fruit at Ringwood:

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On Sunday we met with local ringers in Bournemouth for service ringing at 3 churches and then we were joined by John & June Wells for another great quarter:

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A wonderful weekend – thanks Mariko & Stephen for all the arranging:-)


Aaron now 15

At practice tonight we had cake to celebrate Aaron’s 15th birthday today:-) Aaron has recently started ringing our tenor for triples and tonight for the first time he turned it in – plain hunt on 8 – very well indeed, what a great way to spend your birthday:-)
Also rung tonight was a touch of spliced Little bob major and Cambridge major – a first for our band
Helen