Page 8 - Jigsaw January 2019

Ringing in the New Year.....................................................
Ringing out for peace – Bell Ringing could be a new interest for you and also help keep a British tradition alive!
Just over a year ago an appeal went out to all church bell ringers around Britain to join in a major event to commemorate the Centenary of the end of World War 1.
‘Ringing out for Peace’ was part
of ‘ Battle’s Over’ a unique day-long commemoration of the end of the first world war, which took place throughout the United Kingdom and locations overseas including Australia, Canada and the United States.
Parts of the commemorations were also to remember the 1400 Church Bell-Ringers who fell in the First World War, especially remembering our local ringers, John James Rogers from Thrapston, Percy Knighton and Bernard Loveday from Islip and Arthur Fairy from Raunds.
On November 11th our lovely bells at St.
James’ were half-muffled for Remembrance and rang out for the Morning Service and
2 minutes Silence at 11 o’clock and the Town’s Parade and Service of Remembrance at 3 o’clock. Ringing the bells half-muffled gives a very haunting and special sound
to the bells and forms one aspect of our national commemorations.
Later on, at 7.05pm the Bells rang out again in celebration as the Beacon in the Peace Park was lit to mark the end of the First World War.
For those of you who are ardent ‘Archers’ listeners you will know that the Ambridge Bell Ringers, ably led by Neil Carter took part in these commemorations albeit in Radio- land. The purists among Bell Ringers are still debating if the BBC allowed enough time
for the ringers to learn their craft but all went well in Ambridge.
Bell ringing is a unique British Tradition with over 5,500 Change Ringing Towers scattered in all parts of the United Kingdom as well as over 150 Towers in Overseas Lands. Bell ringing is woven into the fabric of our society marking special times in our lives such as weddings, christening and funerals. It often marks and forms part of local
and national celebrations including Royal Weddings, The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and The Olympic Games.
Ringers come from all walks of life and range in age from 10 years old to those in their eighties. Bell ringing is a team activity that helps keep you fit and gives you plenty of brain-food!
The Thrapston ringers are a very sociable group who meet on Friday evenings at St. James’ Church from 7.30pm to 9pm for practice.
If you are interested in learning more about this unique skill please contact our Tower Captain, Ray Banner. Tel: 01832 730767.
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