Melton District

We had an interesting ring for a service at Skeffington recently (the Twyford area ringers support this church) where the red stripe out of the sally gradually unwound itself whilst ringing – we had no tools with us but a quick bit of improvisation in unwinding the whole red stripe and wrapping it like a gonk around the bottom of the sally made it ringable for the rest of the performance.

There has been a lot of ringing recently for the Christmas services in the District – the ringers at Long Clawson had decorated a tree and rang for the Christmas tree service at the church.

The 2023 band of 10 new Tower bell ringers at Kirby Bellars, Hoby and Saxelbye continue to meet regularly and are developing their skills. There is a good Team spirit, with much help and encouragement for each other. Several ringers are getting to grips with Plain Hunt on different bells and continue to develop Call Changes. Another new recruit started his training in November; he shows good potential and has been encouraged to ring for the Christmas Eve Carol service at Ab Kettleby.

Handbells:

The Kirby Bellars Handbell Ringers continue to meet most weeks year round, playing old favourite tunes and building on the repertoire.

The Handbells from Hoby and Kirby Bellars were made available when a local Ladies Group, The MADCOWS (Melton and District Company of Women), visited Kirby Bellars, to have a go at ringing a range of tunes. The Group also enjoyed the opportunity to chime the Tower bells.

The Ringers performed for Melton Ladies Rotary Club in November and, in December, at the Carol Services for the WI at Burton Lazars and on Christmas Eve at Kirby Bellars.

Thanks to everyone who has supported the District events throughout the year, the provisional schedule of ringing is below – not all of these have confirmed yet but I live in hope ! 

Pete Brown

Hinckley District review of the year.

The Hinckley District has strived to get back to some sense of normality although there are several ringers who have chosen not to return to ringing following the pandemic. However, thanks to Martin, our secretary, we have managed to hold a meeting every month throughout the year, including hosting the Guild social event in July.

We continue to cater for all abilities and encourage the many youngsters we have in the Guild to progress, hopefully our stalwarts of the future.

We have followed our tried and tested pattern of meetings and have asked members to provide a tea whenever possible. Unfortunately, sometimes it must be ‘Bring your own tea’ but even these times have been successful. We were blessed with fine weather for our District Picnic in May, ringing at Witherley, followed by a visit to Hartshill Country Park before ending the day ringing on the light eight at Atherstone. Our June meeting took the form of a mini outing to Foxton Locks, ringing on the six at Foxton before eating in the Foxton Locks Inn. Although we were few, it proved to be a very pleasant afternoon. Our July meeting was hosting the Guild at Congerstone and Market Bosworth with a visit to Market Bosworth Park. In September, we visited Kirkby Mallory and Barwell where the tea in the Church was excellent thanks to Michael Pickering and his band of helpers with cakes provided by Tony Rowan and Lynette Angrave. Where else would you get Strawberries and Raspberries with cream in Barwell?

Many of our district members helped with the Guild ringing course in September, renewing friendships, meeting new friends, and helping many learners to achieve more.

The meeting in November took a slightly different slant with afternoon ringing at Higham-on-the-Hill followed by cheese and wine. Possibly a first for the district but very well received.

Rounding off 2023 we held our AGM at Stoney Stanton. Having hosted the coffee morning that day the local ringers asked for help to provide the tea. Hot soup rolls and everything you would expect for a ringer’s tea made a pleasant start to the busy season ringing for the various events for Christmas.

Whilst I reported 2023 as being my 50^th consecutive year serving on the Guild committee, many of these as the district chair, I was hoping to retire, but it wasn’t to be, so I was reinstated unopposed. I have always had a very supportive district committee to whom I am truly grateful, especially our ringing masters who have the often difficult task of catering for everyone.

The Hinckley District can look forward with enthusiasm to 2024 and I hope to see many of you at our meetings throughout the year.

Mick Angrave
District Chair, Dec. 2023.