November 2013

Nothing to report from the local belfries but at St Peter and St Paul Church, Kilmersdon, in the Frome Branch, there was some excitement during a practice session on 5th November.  

The 5th bell, which is one of a ring of six in the 600 year old bell tower, was knocked down by the tenor bell which had come adrift.  The 5th then fell two floors to become wedged in the bell trap.  

The bell ringers fortunately were not seriously injured although one person did fall on the stairs when leaving the ringing chamber!  The tenor bell weighs 21cwt and if that had fallen it could have been a far worse scenario.  Significant damage was caused but it is hoped that all will be repaired quite quickly.         

                                                                              Jean Skidmore

October 2013

Ringers from Pilton and Croscombe towers have taken part in two quarter peals: St Thomas a Becket, Pylle, on 1st October in 45 minutes - 1260 changes of Doubles (Stedman, Grandsire and Plain Bob)

1)Peter Felton                    4) Joe King

2)Maureen Tofts                5) Ken Brown

3)Helen Brown (C)            6) Colin Elliott

St Mary the Virgin, Croscombe, on 2nd October in 46 minutes – 1260 changes of Bob Doubles

1)Gordon Johnson               4)Terry Nichols

2) Helen Brown (C)             5) Ken Brown

3)Tim Phillips                      6)Neil Tulley

This was the first quarter peal for Gordon and birthday compliments to him.

Unfortunately on 30th  September at Dinder,  the ringers had a very annoying near miss trying for a quarter of Plain Bob Doubles when the fifth rope broke about 40 changes from the end with one bob to go!  The ringers were 1) Gordon Johnson 2) Helen Brown (C)  3) Alison Wickson  4) Ken Brown  5)Tim Phillips  5)Sean Rodgers.  

The B & W Association 8 bell striking competition was held on 28th  September at South Petherton.  13 teams representing 10 branches took part.  Glaston Branch, which included Don & Kate Cobb from Pilton, were 4th.

                                                                                                      Jean Skidmore

September 2013

Not very much to report from the local towers this month.  

However, some good news for two other churches in the Bath & Wells Diocesan Association.  Wookey Church, after two and a half years of indecision, has at last been given the go ahead to refurbish the bell frame and re-hang the original six bells.  The Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded the project a grant of £43,700 to help with costs.   One of the bells is thought to have been cast by a Bristol foundry in around 1480.  The repairs to the bell frame and re-hanging the bells will be carried out by local firms.

Pitcombe Church, near Bruton, is also looking forward to augmenting the bells from a peal of three to six.                                                 Jean Skidmore