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Forest of Dean
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Saturday 4th Aug 2001 |
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This outing by
(some of) the Chaddesley ringers took in four churches in the Forest of Dean area,
Gloucester & Hereford Dioceses - together with a 'little' local lunch. |
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Those taking part included Allan, Jean &
Nicola Beaumont, Richard and Gayle Beaumont, David and Christine
Hickman-Smith, Claire Richards, Nigel & Tracey Mullis, Harry & Margaret
Grove, a very plucky Barbara Yapp (on sticks) - and, of course, various
assorted children. |
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The first tower
was a beautiful knapped stone church situated on the bank of the
River Severn with access to the tower gained from an outside turret
staircase (unusually, built anti-clockwise !)
The pleasant ringing chamber comfortably held our party and we proceeded
to ring rounds and call-changes (Queens & Titums).
We were surprised by the light and bright sound of the bells which sounded
distinctly above our heads, ringing quite pleasantly with few vices which
we could detect. |
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St.
Peter, Minsterworth
6 bells, 11 cwt tenor
ringing by arrangement |
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Click on image for Movie
(requires MediaPlayer) |
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Click on image for Movie
(requires MediaPlayer) |
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St.
Ethelbert, Littledean
6 bells, 10 cwt tenor
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Moving on to Littledean (as the weather
slowly darkened) we found that we had a steep climb up an open staircase
through a trap-door onto a ringing platform at the rear of the nave, the
edge of which was protected by a (low) balustrade which did little to
reassure those ringing with their backs to 'the drop' !
Though lighter than Minsterworth, these bells presented us with many
challenges. Standing with backs close to the walls and, for 2nd, standing
on top of the trap, we could only hear a faint sound of what we were
ringing (almost as if muffles were fitted) and we found that the bells
needed constant effort on both hand and back strokes to keep them 'up'.
As we left, the weather 'broke' and the heavens opened .... so we took
shelter in _ |
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The Ostrich - Newland
An excellent hostelry featuring many famous 'real' beers, well-kept
and well-presented.
The food was tasty and substantial, and included local delicacies such as
'wild boar' sausages and ostrich steaks ! |
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All
Saints, Newland
6 bells, 16 cwt tenor,
Practice Friday 7:30pm. |
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After dining, we upped our
umbrellas and walked across the road to 'The Cathedral of the Forest' as
it is called, locally. All Saints is a most spacious building, dating
from the C13th, yet featuring a most beautiful modern stained glass
window.
Climbing the lofty tower via the external turret brought us to a large
ringing chamber, equipped with charts of ringing-methods which reminded us
of an Underground Terminus !
These (heavier) bells, pleasant in sound, set well and enabled us to ring
a passable Bob Doubles for the locals to enjoy, as well as a medley of
changes.
With the clouds becoming ever darker, those on motorbikes 'sailed' for home,
leaving the other to visit _ |
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St Mary the Virgin,
Ross-on-Wye
8 bells, 20-1-14 tenor,
Practice Tues 19.00 - 20:30
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Arriving on all days, on Market
Day, and so rang before an assembled audience of locals and tourists !
Having taken longer than expected to park on such a busy day, we were
generously offered 'extra' time by a very patient Warden.
The weight of the bells - at the end of a busy day - meant that we
performed mainly on the lighter 'front' six. |
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Our grateful thanks to those local church
members & ringers who were there to 'open and close' for us - and so
made the day possible. |
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Royal
Forest of Dean
Visit the official web pages of the Royal
Forest of Dean.
The site contains brief descriptions of many local churches, and a detailed
description of Hewelsfield.
You can try looking-up churches in their <Dean Search> engine.
Click
here for a hyperlink to Windows to download their player software
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