As I write this, I can see the first daffodil opening in my garden. It is always a joy to see the signs of Spring and the prospect that Winter is hopefully losing its grasp on us – although perhaps I am speaking too soon… Sadly, in recent weeks we Read more…
It is that time in January where one wonders whether it is still appropriate to wish others a Happy New Year but I will do so as the year is still young. I must begin with congratulating Dickon Love of Bromley on being awarded the MBE in this year’s New Read more…
As I write this, another year is drawing to a close and for many it is a time for reflecting on the previous 12 months and recalling the highs and lows of the passing year. It is also a time for looking forward to the approaching new year and contemplating Read more…
There are hints of Christmas in the air with decorations starting to appear in shops and on streets. Indeed, I happened to be in Saffron Walden last weekend to be greeted by poster advertising that Saffron Walden’s Christmas took place this weekend. Fortunately, here in Rochester, the festivities start properly Read more…
The nights are certainly drawing in and finally it feels as if we have said goodbye to summer as the temperature plummeted significantly over the weekend. I have mixed feelings about this – it does mean that I now need to bring a coat to ringing (and remember to Read more…
At the beginning of the month, the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers held their Annual General Meeting in Ipswich. As a (relatively) newly appointed representative, I headed up the A12 to participate in this event. The Central Council was founded in 1891 and is an organization that leads and Read more…
My words are a little later than usual this month having been enjoying a few days holiday in the Provence region of France. There, like here, the sound of bells still formed part of the soundscape: the chiming of church bells drifting across the landscape on a Sunday morning and Read more…
I have returned from a weekend in York with the Kent Young Ringers. We had a taken a team of 6 ringers to take part in the Ringing World National Youth Contest which is one of currently two major national competitions in ringing, both of which have recently taken place. Read more…
Summer seems to finally have arrived, even though the last week was still a little cold. However, as I write this the sun is beaming down and the weather is definitely more seasonable than it has been of late. As we move into the Summer months, the demand on our Read more…
Things are settling down again after the Coronation last weekend. It has been a busy few months for many of us in the run up to this event. I think that the Ring for the King initiative really helped to promote ringing and raise awareness with the general public and Read more…