Helen Webb, District Ringing Master, sends in this report from the District Practice that (thankfully) took place at Milton-next-Gravesend yesterday (17th March):
‘The district practice was held at SS Peter and Paul, Milton next Gravesend today. We had an excellent turnout of over 20 people including a few visitors from outside the district from as far away as Warwickshire and Derbyshire. Ringing ranged from rounds and call changes to 4-spliced, with Kent Treble Bob Major, Plain Bob Major, Stedman Triples and Grandsire Triples all being rung – or attempted! In common with my usual habit, I ask people to perhaps do things that they may not do in their home towers such as calling a plain course; I get caught out myself occasionally and today had to call changes on the eight – I’ve been resident in Kent for nearly four years but still haven’t got used to calling down!’
The next district meeting is on 21st April at Bredgar for the striking and call change competitions followed by the Quarterly Meeting. For the past two years the number of towers entering the competitions has been 3: with 40 towers in the district this is a spectularly low turnout. Rather than encourage, Helen challenges the other towers to enter a band for at least one of the competitions. If your tower rings rounds and call changes for Sunday services then why not enter a band for the call change competition?