KCACR Maidstone District Online

District News

• City of London taken over by District ringers
• An enjoyable afternoon at Mereworth
• Useful Morning at Hunton
• Spring Quarterly at Yalding
• A new Three in the Maidstone District?
• Personalia
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City of London taken over by District ringers

The decision to have a joint District outing with the Tonbridge District to London proved to be a master stroke. No less than 39 ringers from both Districts visited six City churches on Saturday 14th August, including the new 12 at St Magnus the Martyr in Lower Thames Street and the newly available six at St Katharine Cree.

The day started with people crammed into St Magnus' ringing chamber where ringing varied from call changes to Stedman Cinques and Little Bob Maximus. This was followed by the eight at St Olave, Hart Street, where we achieved three leads of Bristol. Most had lunch at the Liberty Bounds pub overlooking the Tower of London before making our way to St Katharine Cree - as good fortune would have it the only church of the day to have a toilet! The eight at Aldgate were next, followed by the best ringing of the day at Christ Church, Spitalfields, where a well struck touch of 8-spliced was rung. The day ended at the soon to be recast 12 at St Michael, Cornhill, and then a quick drink before closing time (7pm!) at the neighbouring Crosse Keys pub.

Not only was the day a great success ringing-wise and socially, but after taking out tower donations the £5 per head tower fee meant that the Bell Restoration Fund benefitted to the tune of more than £90. Our grateful thanks to District Ringing Masters James Sawle and Daniel Brady for organising the event and to those from both Districts who ran the towers.

Click here for video clips of the day (includes some other ringing as well!)

An enjoyable afternoon at Mereworth

Around 15 people attended the Summer Quarterly Meeting at Mereworth on Saturday 10th July, one of the hottest days of the summer so far. Ringing ranged from Plain Bob and Grandsire to Cambridge, Bourne and Alnwick Surprise Minor - truly something for everyone. A short Business Meeting in the church was followed by cream teas in the churchyard. Once again no new members were elected at the meeting.

Useful morning at Hunton

Around 20 people turned up for the morning practice at Hunton on Saturday 8th May, enabling a wide variety of methods to be rung. The highest we achieved was spliced London and Wells, but there was also plenty of Rounds and Call Changes and Plain Hunt. Indeed, plenty for everyone and many took the opportunity to progress themselves a little. The standard of ringing was also quite reasonable, given that Hunton are not the easiest of bells to ring.

Spring Quarterly at Yalding

Around 15 people attended the Spring Quarterly Meeting at Yalding on Saturday 10th April. Ringing included Plain Bob, Grandsire, and Reverse Canterbury Doubles and, of course, Plain Hunt. At the Business Meeting the proposals for winding up the F S Macey Fund were agreed - follow the link to see what this was all about. No new members were elected at the meeting.

A new Three in the Maidstone District?

The possibility of a new three in the Maidstone District? Ditton have been being chimed for years now by three locals, however when a rope broke earlier this year one of them was forced to do what many people in that position would do, google rope suppliers in Kent.  Of course not much came up. However they did find the KCACR and made contact with Brian 'Redleader' Butcher, who has been and inspected the bells and says they are actually hung for full circle ringing, and prompty rang the treble up! Apparently the other two require a little more work to make them ringable again, but watch this space.

Personalia

Mrs Rene Gilder
We are sorry to have to report the death of former District ringer Mrs Rene Gilder, formerly of Staplehurst and subsequently of Wrotham, who passed away at the end of April. A peal at Piltdown Campanile and Quarters at East and West Malling, Horsmonden and Staplehurst were rung to Rene’s memory.

Mrs Cynthia Webb
Barely a month later we heard of the loss of Mrs Cynthia Webb, formerly a ringer at Linton. Cynthia had not rung for some years, but is well known in the area for her involvement in the community. She was a Parish Councillor in Coxheath and represented Coxheath Ward on the Maidstone Borough Council. Cynthia was also Subpostmistress at Coxheath Post Office for many years. A quarter-peal was rung at Linton on Monday 5th July following the scattering of her ashes in the churchyard.

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On a happier note Adam Brady of Staplehurst recently celebrated his 18th birthday by ringing a peal of Isleworth Surprise Royal at his home tower.  The band also included his brother Daniel, and Richard Barclay who was home from university at the time.