It is with sadness that I have to report the death of the Feering correspondent Mrs. Linda Wood. Linda was Janet Edwards sister. Our thoughts and prayers are with Janet and Linda's family.
Please could all correspondence for Feering be sent to the Northern District Secretary who's new and only E-Mail address is
Peter Smith
(31 Dec 2008)
We regret to announce the death, on 12 December, of Denis Thompson, formerly of Downham
Vicki Chapman
Hon. Gen. Sec
(17 Dec 2008)
Nominations for Association officers (Master, Secretary, Treasurer, 3 Property Trustees and 2 Independent Examiners) must be received by the Secretary by 1 February 2009. Nominations may be made at a district meeting or can be sent directly to reach the Secretary before the deadline; please remember to include the name of the proposer and seconder.
Information about any nominations for Life membership of the EACR will be available at the Annual District Meetings.
Elections will take place at the 2009 Annual General Meeting on 4th May, Bank Holiday Monday, at Chelmsford Cathedral.
Notices of motion for the AGM (items for debate or proposed rule changes), sponsored by at least 2 members, must also be received by 1 February.
Vicki Chapman
Hon. Gen. Sec.
(10 Dec 2008)
A range of clothing featuring the Association badge is now available. See the "Items For Sale" page.
(27 Oct 2008)
This year's Essex Trophy took place on Saturday 13th September at Southover in Sussex. The test piece was a plain course of Yorkshire Surprise Royal.
Unfortunately two bands pulled out during the preceding week, but Paul Mounsey of St Paul's Cathedral was the judge who placed the remaining bands as follows:
| 1st | Guildford | 80 faults |
| 2nd | Sussex | 89 faults |
| 3rd | Essex | 95 faults |
| 4th | Surrey | 112 faults |
The Essex band were:
| 1. | Vicki Chapman | 6. | Tony Faulkener |
| 2. | Adrian Malton (c) | 7. | Denis Hewitt |
| 3. | John Armstrong | 8. | John Hall |
| 4. | John Steed | 9. | Colin Chapman |
| 5. | Steve Nash | 10. | Brian Meads |
Our ringing was described as "rushed but with good rhythm" and "the best bits were quite exciting"!
Thanks to Adrian for organising the band. Next year's competition will take place on 12th September, hopefully in Kent.
Vicki Chapman
Hon. Gen. Secretary
(13 Sep 2008)
A picture of the band is here
Update: these are now all sold (15 Nov 2008)
At Brentwood we are having a major overhaul of our installation. To raise funds we are offering the redundant bell fittings for disposal in exchange for a suitable donation.
We have been quite successful and have only 4 no. elm headstocks left (one or two with stays). We are looking for a minimum donation to our Bell Fund of £40 per headstock. They would make a good garden ornament / talking point or perhaps there are wood turners who might like some well seasoned elm for their endeavours.
Contact Chris Bailey , tel.01277 226614.
Chris Bailey
(7 Sep 2008)
Following restoration by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, Tillingham bells are back and in process of being raised into their frame.
There will be a Service of Dedication on 3rd August and a Quarter-Peal in honour of the benefactor is planned for 4th August. For more details contact Tony Eaton, telephone number in SE Annual Report.
Here is a link to the BBC Essex interview with Tony Eaton
Jo Elliott
(16 July 2008)
The full programme for the Open Day on 25 August is here (Excel spreadsheet, 21kB)
The Association Striking Competitions took place on Saturday 5th July, at Henham and Hatfield Broad Oak, judged by Chris McCarthy and Owen Claxton.
The results are here (PDF, 53kB)
The NW District Learners' Practice for July will now be held at High Ongar, not as previously advertised.
Liz Griffith-Jones
(2 July 2008)
We regret to announce the death at the age of 93 years of Haddon Spurgeon of Maldon, All Saints. Haddon Spurgeon came to ringing late in life at the age of 80 and usually rang the treble. He was a faithful supporter of the All Saints band.
Jo Elliott
(1 July 2008)
The new Tower Correspondent for Harwich is
Mrs Tracey Southgate, 4 Sweden Close, Dovercourt, Harwich, Essex, CO12 4JU.
Tel: 01255-507357. .
Tracey Southgate
(27 June 2008)
The dedication service at Romford will take place on Sunday 22nd June. The bells will be available from 4pm. Choral Evensong will be at 6.30pm during which the bells will be dedicated. There may be an opportunity to ring again after the service. If you would like to attend, please contact Jimmy Prior on 07951 622794 or
Vicki Chapman
Hon General Secretary
(15 May 2008)
At the Assoc. AGM members confirmed support for the Annual Dinner to be held on Saturday 4th October 2008 at The County Hotel, Chelmsford.
To make sure you don't miss out on our new Master's speech, please send a deposit of £15 per head NOW, (cheques payable to EACR) to Mrs Vicki Chapman, 20 Mews Court, Chelmsford CM2 9PF. Please include all names for those covered by payment and any special dietry requirements i.e. vegetarian / gluten free etc.
Further details and final ticket price will be in the August Rounds & About.
Vicki Chapman
Hon General Secretary
(9 May 2008)
The Association AGM was held on Monday 5 May in Chelmsford Cathedral, following the Annual Service.
Brian Meads was elected Master, and Vicki Chapman Secretary. The new Independent Examiners are Michael Green and Richard Dunhill. Mary Bone replaces Andrew Brewster as Property Trustee.
Our President, the Bishop of Chelmsford, presented engraved glassware to the outgoing Master, Steve Nash, and the outgoing Secretary, Mary Bone, each of whom had served ten years; and to the outgoing Independent Examiners, John Tipping and Wendy Godden, who have served 35 and 34 years respectively.
These messages have been received:
As previously notified, this year's Annual Dinner will not take place unless sufficient people show interest in advance.
Please express your support using this form before the AGM
We regret to announce the death of Jessie Kippin, ringing member from Downham, on Wednesday April 16th. Jessie was the widow of the late Charles Kippin and the mother of Chris and Hilary, and one of the leading lady ringers of her generation. She has been living in Essex near her daughter for the last 10 years, and recently celebrated her 99th birthday.
The funeral will be held at St Margaret's Downham on Tuesday April 29th at 2:30 pm.
John Harpole
(19 Apr 2008)
The Whitechapel Foundry will be removing the bells at Tillingham from 23rd to 25th April 2008. The bells will be away for 8 weeks and in that time the frame will be strengthened with tie bolts. Tillingham hope to have the bells back and ringing by the 9th August.
Jo Elliott
(17 Apr 2008)
Until further notice, Bradwell-on-Sea and Tillingham will alternate their practice nights: Friday at Bradwell one week and Wednesday at Tillingham the following week.
Anyone contemplating visiting either tower should check with Ann Hart (Bradwell), 01621 776045, or Tony Eaton (Tillingham), 01621 779368, to find out where the practice will be.
Jo Elliott
(31 Mar 2008)
We regret to announce the death of Eric Cross, ringer at Loughton, early on 20th March 2008. The funeral will take place at St John's, Loughton, at 12 noon on Tuesday 1st April.
Margaret French
(20 Mar 2008; updated 25 Mar 2008)
The Agenda for the AGM on May 5th may be found here (PDF, 8kbytes)
Mary Bone
(28 Feb 2008)
Sound in Brass Handbell Concert in Chelmsford Cathedral
on Saturday 23rd February 2008 at 7.30pm.
Proceeds in aid of the Cathedral Bells Refurbishment project.
Tickets £6 adults £3 children from Hazel Steed, 29 Meon Close Chelmsford CM1
7QG 01245 252621, Vicki Chapman 01245 358040 or on the door on the night.
Refreshments available
BBC Essex broadcast 10 Feb (MP3, 2.5Mbytes)
(10 Feb 2008)
Romford bells are being rehung shortly. See this leaflet (PDF, 3.2Mbytes)
(29 Jan 2008)
