The Membership Form has been amended and is available here (PDF, 98kB). The form should be used for all newly elected members with immediate effect. The old forms should no longer be used and will no longer be accepted.
Andrew Brewster
Hon Treasurer.
(13 December 2009)
The Course brochure is now available. An online version is here
Mary Bone
Essex Course Administrator
(4 December 2009)
Nominations for Association officers (Master, Secretary, Treasurer, 3 Property Trustees and 2 Independent Examiners) must be received by the Secretary by 1 February 2010. Nominations may be made at a district meeting or can be sent directly to reach the Secretary before the deadline. Please use the attached nomination form (PDF, 4kB).
In 2010 we are also required to elect 5 representatives to serve on the Central Council for a three year term starting in 2011. Again, here is a nomination form (CCCBR Rep) (PDF, 4kB).
Elections will take place at the 2010 Annual General Meeting on 3rd 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 General Secretary
(24 November 2009)
A reminder that any nominations for life membership must be submitted in writing to the General Secretary by 1 December (rule 7(iii)) and should include details of the candidate's Association activities.
Guidelines were agreed by the Committee in February 1986 as follows: "... To honour a member for work undertaken throughout the district and promotion of work throughout the Association." Further advice on the criteria is available from the Association Master or Secretary or from your district officers.
Vicki Chapman
Hon General Secretary
(24 November 2009)
The Association's Carol Service will be held at All Saints, Writtle, on Saturday, 5th December, 2009.
There will be afternoon ringing (for everyone) from 3pm to 4.15pm, and then a Service touch. The Carol Service which begins at 4.30pm will be followed by seasonal refreshments.
Please come along to join in the festivities and take this opportunity to meet with friends and acquaintances. Everyone welcome.
Jo Elliott
SE District Secretary
(15 November 2009)
Please note that the new tower correspondent at Stisted is
Terry Earle
18 Clarks Wood Drive
Braintree
CM7 3LD
01376 320184
Peter Smith
N District Secretary
(27 October 2009)
After many months arranging the repairs to all the bearing, and then a loose gudgeon on the treble, the bells at Rayleigh are once again all working. We will resume the Surprise Major practice on Tuesday 3rd November, with Cambridge Surprise Major as the method of the month.
Simon Smith
Tower Captain
(23 October 2009)
The main aims of our quarter peal month were to involve as many ringers as possible, to ring at most of the towers in the district and to attempt some 'firsts'. At the same time, we hoped to raise a significant sum by donating tower fees to the Essex Bell Restoration Fund.
The results were very pleasing. 76 ringers took part in attempts at 34 of the 40 towers in the district with five or more bells. A total of 61 quarters were attempted and 45 scored. These included 4 first quarters, 34 firsts in method/most methods, and 6 firsts in method as conductor. A splendid £506 was raised for the BRF.
Apart from these achievements, a great deal of enthusiasm, co-operation and encouragement from tower correspondents, district officers and ringers of all abilities helped to make the month full of fun and promise for the future.
Many thanks to Penny Browne and Carol Wilkinson for all their hard work organising the month.
Liz Griffith-Jones
NW District Secretary
(20 October 2009)
Please note that the new contact at Heydon is:
Barbara Shaw
1 Chishill Road
Heydon
Royston
Herts
SG8 8PR
01763 838190
Liz Griffith-Jones
NW District Secretary
(8 October 2009)
This year's Essex Trophy 10 bell ringing competition was hosted by the Kent County Association of Change Ringers at St Leonard's church, Hythe on Saturday the 12th September.
The test piece was 324 changes, touch of Erin Caters in which the last three courses were in the backstroke home position.
The judge, Geoffrey Morgan from Honiton, Devon, gave the following results:
| Team | Order Of Ringing | Faults | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essex Association of Change Ringers | 1st | 55 | 2nd |
| Surrey Association of Church Bell Ringers | 2nd | 61 | 3rd |
| Kent County Association of Change Ringers | 3rd | 63 (DNF) | 6th |
| Guildford Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers | 4th | 76 | 4th |
| Sussex County Association of Change Ringers | 5th | 97 | 5th |
| Hertford County Association of Change Ringers | 6th | 52 | 1st |
Next year's competition which will be on Saturday 11th September 2010 and hosted by the Essex Association.
Thanks to those in the Essex band: Steve Nash, Katrina Bond, Anne Bray, Vicki Chapman, John Harpole, Fred Bone, Matthew Rayner, Brian Meads, Colin Chapman (c) and Paul Bray.
Vicki Chapman
Hon General Secretary
(20 September 2009)
A picture of the band is here
Please note the change of address for the Terling tower correspondent:
Mrs Jackie Clark
Owls Hill House
Owls Hill
Terling
Essex
CM3 2PS
Tel 01245 233714
Jo Elliott
SE District Secretary
(13 September 2009)
Due to the ongoing problems with the new frame at Kelvedon following augmentation, the Kelvedon band have been given permission to practice at All Saints, Feering (8), until the works have been completed to a satisfactory standard.
Practice commences this Tuesday 8th September at 7.45pm and will be every other Tuesday from then on. All ringers are welcome to come along and join in. Please contact either John Elliott, Tower Captain, 01376 570246 or Vicki Thompson, Secretary, 01376 572833.
Vicki Thompson
(11 September 2009)
We regret to announce the sudden death on Monday 24th August 2009 of Betty aged 87 years, widow of the late H.H. (Dickie) Furminger, former Life Vice President of the Association. The funeral service will be held at Colchester Crematorium on Tuesday 8th September at 2.00 pm. Family flowers only please, but donations, if desired, payable to Aplastic Anaemia Trust may be sent c/o Hunnaball of Colchester, York House, 41 Mersea Road, Colchester, CO2 7QT Tel. No. 01206 760049.
Tracey Southgate
(6 September 2009)
A Memorial Service will be held for Bernard Fairhead at Wormingford Parish Church on Saturday 17th October. There will be ringing from 2.30pm and the Service will be at 3.30pm. The service will be taken by Rev Henry Heath with Ronald Blythe giving an address.
All those that knew Bernard are warmly invited.
Tea will be served following the Service - please give names to Pam Jackson 01787 227231 by Wednesday 14th October.
The NE District Autumn meeting will be held following the tea and there will be evening ringing.
Gill Sparling
NE District Secretary
(6 September 2009)
Aidan J Boyack, formerly of St Mary Walthamstow died on 29th July 2009 at the KK Nursing Home in Anantapur, India, as a result of a heart attack. He was aged 91 and had been living in India for many years.
Vicki Chapman
(16 August 2009)
Practices have been resumed at Steeple Bumpstead, on Thursday evenings. Visitors are very welcome.
Fred Bone (on behalf of John Hall)
(16 August 2009)
The Association Annual Dinner will be held at the County Hotel, Chelmsford on Saturday 3rd October.
We will be welcoming G Noel Orman formally as a Life Member. One of our guest speakers will be Simon Linford. You will have read many an interesting article by him in the Ringing World. He is also currently on the Education Committee of the Central Council and is a former Master of the Ancient Society of College Youths. Our very own Hilary Donoghue will be accompanying proceedings on the piano.
We have a slightly different format for the menu this year. When sending in your payments, please specify which starter, main and dessert you would like:
If you have other specific dietary requirements, let me know; The County Hotel are keen to ensure everyone has something they will enjoy.
Send your deposit of £15 per head or full payment of £30 per head (payable to EACR) with the menu choices for each person to me as soon as possible.
Vicki Chapman
Hon General Secretary
Essex Association of Change Ringers
20 Mews Court, Chelmsford, CM2 9PF
The Master's statement about Mr Malton may be read on this page
The Association striking competition finals were held on 4th July, hosted by the South-Western District. Nine teams entered the 6-bell competition at Theydon Garnon. The results were: 1st Kirby le Soken (7 faults); 2nd Sawbridgeworth (15); 3rd Writtle (19); 4th Dagenham (21); 5th Chelmsford (34); 6th Downham (36); 7th Coggeshall/Rayne (55); 8th West Ham (63) and Langdon Hills did not complete their piece.
After tea and the 6-bell results the inter-district 8-bell competition was held at Chigwell Row. The test piece was 251 Single Oxford Bob Triples. The Southern District won the trophy with 42 faults; 2nd South-Eastern (44); 3rd Northern ( 52 ); 4th North-Western (54); 5th South-Western (60); 6th North-Eastern (70).
Our judge for both competitions was Roger Bailey (not the Writtle one!). We'd like to thank him, the South-Western district officers and friends for making all the arrangements and especially a wonderful tea.
Vicki Chapman
Hon Gen Sec
(5 July 2009)
On this page are some photographs of the judge presenting the certificates and trophies.
The new correspondent is
Fr David Waller
210 Markhouse Road
Walthamstow
London E17 8EP
All requests for ringing are to be in writing and strict conditions apply to any visit.
Sandra J Lee
SW District
(1 July 2009)
Please note that the new tower correspondent for Ashdon is:
Mr. Lionel Bartram
21 Guildhall Way
Ashdon
Saffron Walden
Essex
CB10 2HH
01799 584578
Liz Griffith-Jones
NW District Secretary
(25 June 2009)
This year's Ridgman Trophy was held at Rickmansworth, Herts. on Saturday 20 June.
Competition touch was 209 Stedman Caters
Judges: Alan Regin & Simon Rudd
Six teams entered and Essex came a creditable second. Bedfordshire won for the third consecutive year.
The Essex Band:
Many thanks to Roger Collins for organising our band.
| Full results: | |||
| 1st | Bedfordshire A | 69 faults | (rang 3rd, peal speed 3h 03) |
| 2nd | Essex A | 90 faults | (rang 2nd, peal speed 3h 03) |
| 3rd | Peterborough DG | 111 faults | (rang 5th, peal speed 3h 13) |
| 4th | Hertford CA | 120 faults | (rang 6th, peal speed 3h 13) |
| 5th | Ely DA | 129 faults | (rang 4th, peal speed 3h) |
| 6th | Cambridge University G | 130 faults | (rang 1st, peal speed 3h 01) |
For more details on this competition see http://www.elyda.org/strike/
Colin Chapman
(20 June 2009)
The correspondent for Kelvedon and Feering is Know:-
Vicki Thompson,
2 Millers Gardens
Church Street,
Kelvedon,
CO5 9AH
01376 572833
Peter Smith
(18 June 2009)
The Southern District training day is at Prittlewell (on the simulator) on Sat 6th June, running from 3.30-6.30 pm. At the moment I am short of helpers!
If anyone is able to help, please would they let me know? So far I have interest from 3 (possibly 4) people who want to imrpove their plain hunting on 5 / 6.
Cathryn Corns
(28 May 2009)
Congratulations to Mary Bone (former Hon. General Secretary of the Association) who was elected as Secretary to the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers (CCCBR) at their meeting in Worcester on 25th May 2009. We wish her well in her new venture. Once a Secretary, always a Secretary, eh Mary?!
Vicki Chapman
(28 May 2009)
Brian Meads was interviewed for BBC Essex Radio's "Essex and Proud" programme. The programme is available on BBC iPlayer until May 24; Brian's segment is about 34 minutes in and lasts about 11 minutes.
Brian Meads and Wendy Godden were interviewed by BBC Essex Radio about ringing for St George's Day. The recording is here. (MP3 file, 1.9MBytes)
The NW District 10/12-bell practice, scheduled for 16th May at Saffron Walden, has been cancelled
Liz Griffith-Jones
(30 Apr 2009)
The funeral service for Bernard Fairhead will be held on Monday April 6th at 2.45pm at St. Leonard-at-the-Hythe Church in Colchester.
The Hythe Community Centre will be open from 1pm.
Tea and coffee will be served before and after the service and toilets are available.
There is a small car park at the centre, alternatively there is some on-street parking near the Church or there are local superstores within a short walk.
There will be general ringing at St. Leonard-at-the-Hythe Church from 1.30pm followed by the service at 2.45pm.
The address of the Community Centre is:
1 Ventura Drive (off Maudlyn Road),
Hythe,
Colchester,
CO1 2FG
Gill Sparling
(26 Mar 2009, updated 3 Apr)
Due to a bearing failure at Rayleigh we are only a 7 bell tower until we can get the 6th repaired. The Surprise Major Practice is cancelled until further notice. Visitors are welcome to attend with doubles and minor methods being rung. (Note due to Holy Week there will be no ringing on 7th April)
Simon Smith (Tower Captain)
(22 Mar 2009)
I am very sorry to report that Bernard Fairhead passed away this morning, Thursday 12th March.
He was a past Master and a Life Vice President of the Association.
No further details are available at this stage, but I will forward funeral arrangement when they are confirmed.
Gill Sparling
(12 Mar 2009)
