If you really want to know about life amongst the towers and ringers of the Maidstone District then this is the page for you. The Webmaster will put in the little snippets of news he sniffs out, but we rely largely on ringers themselves to provide the news
Email contributions to webmaster@kcacr-maidstone-district.org.uk
Congratulations to All Saints' Maidstone who came a creditable second in the County 6-bell Striking Contest on Saturday 27th September. The Contest was held at Aldington in the Ashford District on a beautiful sunny afternoon and the overall winners were Chelsfield, representing the Lewisham District, with 19½ faults. All Saints' Maidstone were not far behind with 26 faults. This is the best performance by a Maidstone District band for a good few years.
For the full results go to the KCACR website.
Around a dozen people attended the District Practice Night at Lenham on Monday 9th September, enabling a variety of methods to be rung. However, perhaps the highspot of the evening was to see John Betts of Harrietsham back ringing after his illness.
It seemed a good idea at the time. The rare opportunity to practise as a District on ten bells. In the event just 11 people turned up to the 10 bell practice at Staplehurst and seven of those were the local band! Many thanks to the other four for turning up. Despite the low attendance we were still able to ring Plain and Little Bob Royal and Stedman Caters, as well as a touch of Spliced Rutland, Yorkshire and Cambridge Major.
The Summer Quarterly Meeting is traditionally the least well attended of the year, with many people either on holiday or involved in other events. It was therefore quite pleasing that 23 people attended the Meeting at West Malling on Saturday 12th July. This enabled a variety of methods to be rung ranging from rounds to 3-Spliced Surprise Major. There was also a very well struck touch of Grandsire Triples along the way.
Routine business was dealt with at the meeting, including the election of three new members to the Association, Ken Leach from Harrietsham and Joan and Albert Gordon from East and West Malling. We are particularly grateful to the West Malling ringers for providing a delicious tea free of charge.
Once again Maidstone District members were conspicuous by their absence at a joint meeting. In fact our District Chairman and Secretary were the only two to attend the practice meeting at Eynsford, kindly organised by the Lewisham District. Only 14 people in total turned up, and then not all at the same time. Nevertheless, Yorkshire Major was achieved as well as the usual standard methods and by all accounts the lowering in peal was very good.
Mereworth bells were successfully removed from the tower on Saturday 12th January and transported to Whites of Appleton for refurbishment.
Brian Butcher and his happy band arrived at 9am and work started immediately. Shortly after 10am the Tenor was gently lowered to the floor of the entrance of the Church. The fifth followed in about 40 minutes, and the others came down at regular intervals. The Vicar's wife arrived and made tea and coffee but the work did not stop. By 2pm the last bell was lifted into place, and the load was strapped securely into place. On the right is a picture of the Tenor being loaded on to the lorry. Transport was kindly arranged at no charge by Hoist and Plant Hire Co Ltd., in exchange for some publicity. Arriving at Appleton Brian White kindly opened his works specially for us.
Work on the tower is expected to take about a year so it is possible that the refurbished bells for Christmas and/or New Year 2008/2009.
We regret to have to announce the deaths recently of two ringers from the neighbouring Tonbridge District who were well known to some of our older ringers. Bob Sherlock, one-time tower captain at Brasted and a long-time supporter of the Tonbridge District and the East Grinstead & District Guild, died on 29th August. He was just about a month short of his 84th birthday. Peter Romney died peacefully on 14th September. He was a Vice President of the KCACR, having served the Association in many ways over many years, including a time as Hon Gen Secretary and BRF committee convenor. Further details can be found on the KCACR website.
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In our own District we regret to report the death of Mrs. Irene (Rene) Garner on Thursday 19th June 2008. She was 98. She rang at East Malling until she was in her 80s and continued as Tower Secretary until 2006. She was a staunch supporter of the East Malling ringers and always showed a keen interest in ringing events. The funeral was held on 30th June at East Malling and was well attended. An appreciation of Rene's life will appear in the next issue of The Belfry.
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Congratulations to Richard Barclay of Staplehurst who called a quarter of Superlative Major at Staplehurst on Sunday 15th June. Not only was it his first of Surprise but also his first of Major as Conductor. It was also the first of Superlative for Richard, Adam Brady and Daniel Brady.
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We are pleased to report that Verity Bullock (nee Gerrish) and husband Stephen became proud parents on Friday 13th June with the birth of their first child Matthew William Stephen Bullock. Matthew was born at 2.45pm and weighed in at a healthy 7lbs 3oz. Reports are that mum, dad and son are all doing well. Congratulations also to Verity's mum Alison Gerrish, who rings at Aylesford, on becoming a grandmother for the first time!
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On Saturday 7th June Howard Goacher called his first quarter peal. Most people start their conducting careeer with a modest quarter of Doubles, but not Howard. He went straight in with a 1320 of Cambridge Minor, rung at Cowden in 43mins with the following band:
1 Gareth Lawson, 2 Steven Haynes; 3 Christine Marshall; 4 Helen L Small; 5 Martin W Marshall; 6 Howard Goacher (Cond).
Howard would like to thank the band for the support they gave him leading up to the quarter, and afterwards, especially Gareth for giving him the opportunity.
