The autumn gales blew in our East Window and it was boarded up for months before the window in the Ringing Chamber again gave forth light. It was quite dazzling to have the sunshine back and a lovely new window that didn't let all the draughts in.
In May we had a most enjoyable outing in the Ketelburgh area. We are fortunate to have a friend living in the district and she does all the ground work, leaving us to do the difficult job of choosing the date. She already has an outing planned for the coming year.
The Essex Association of Bellringers is compiling a handbook guide to the district and invited all the towers to submit their details. This we have done.
The old chairs finally fell to bits and the oldest pew in the church was going begging for a home, so we had a word with the only person we know who could help get it up to the Ringing Chamber. Jim, who knows all about heights, doesn't get dizzy when the bell trap door is open and knows how to lift a ton wieght fifty feet. After much huffing and puffing we managed to install it and it fits snugly along the East wall, looking splendid and giving us lots of seating when we are not ringing.
Once again we were contacted by Anglia Television, this time to do a 'slot' in Helen McDermot's 'A Date With Helen' programme. We had a lovely morning with the crew and Helen was game enough to 'have a go'.
Our Annual Dinner took place at the Bull this year and as usual, a good time was had by all.
As was reported at the last AGM, the Ellercombe ropes were getting very worn and Steve and David spent weeks working out how they could be repaired. They finally came up with nylon splicings above the sally. Not only do they look good, but they will last a very long time.
Ringing has progressed under the guidance of Andy and it is now common practice to ring a touch for Service.
Angela has worked hard to get the Handbell Team together nad like anything worthwhile it takes a lot of practice and therefore a lot of time.
We have covered weddings and service ringing thanks to a great team - Abby, Alison, Angela, Jacqui, Andy, David, Steve, with some help from our friends, Laurence and Jo from Gosfield and occasionally Sarah, Nancy and Terry when required.