NEWARK DISTRICT REPORT 2007

The year was overshadowed by the death of F.W.(Bill) Midwinter on May 26th aged 93 years. Bill was a founder member of the Southwell Diocesan Guild, Chairman of the Guild for 17 years and Chairman of Newark District for 25 years. He was also Master of the Newark Parish Church Society of Ringers for a good number of years. His knowledge of bellringing and the history of this ancient art was unsurpassed, and he will be remembered for his good humour, dignity and dedication to duty.

Before and after his funeral at Newark Parish Church on June 5th the bells were rung half muffled. In the evening a quarter peal of Grandsire Caters was rung in his memory.

The bi-monthly meetings have been well attended with an average of 25-30 members attending. Membership has remained constant at 113. Full members 84, juniors 2 and retired/honorary at 27.

Norwell was the venue for the Crawford Cup Contest round. Sutton-on-Trent was the winning team and went through to the final at Attenborough achieving third place.

Balderton’s yearly coach outing went to Staffordshire visiting towers at Nayfield, Leek, Silverdale, Eccleshall and Stowe-by-Chartley. Sutton-on-Trent’s outing visited Norfolk, towers visited were Terrington St.Clement, Thetford, Redenhall, Mayfield and Stradbroke. Newark’s outing visited Anstey, Brinklow, Atherstone, Alrewas, Sawley and Lutterworth. Coddington’s outing visiting Northamptonshire called at towers Bulwick, East Farndon, Lubenham, Arthingworth and Easton-on-the-Hill

On St.Swithins day, Wellow church was full for a service of dedication of the two new treble bells to make a ring of six. The bells were installed by a mainly local team of volunteers, and they are now a worthy credit to the District. One of the bells, the treble, was given to Wellow to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of Southwell Diocesan Guild. The first quarter on the bells was rung on October 5th by a band who had either helped install the bells or who had taught the Wellow team to ring. Ringing her first quarter peal was local girl Laura Carr.

Maplebeck, an unringable three, has had the old frame removed and a new steel frame fitted to hold five bells, plus a sanctus bell.

Relationships within the District became strained over a proposal of the Guild name change. The Chairman had carried out a ballot of District members opinions. This action had been taken as being himself in favour of the name change, he would not feel able to continue as Chairman if a majority of members did not share his view. As a result the Chairman tendered his resignation at the bi-monthly meeting in July. Margaret Martin was elected unopposed as Acting Chairman until January 2008.

Special practices have been beneficial to those who have attended and introductory workshops were resumed towards the end of the year.

Quarter peal week ran from November 4th – 12th. Eighteen quarter peals were attempted, of which seventeen were successful. Thirty ringers took part and £30 was raised for the Bell Repair Fund. Nick Robinson rang his first quarter peal, and Yvonne Hewitt, Jon Higgins and Sam Martin achieved their first quarters inside

I would like to thank all incumbents for the use of the bells, to those who have made teas and to everyone who has attended the meetings.

Finally I would like to thank the special individuals, who once again have helped me throughout the year.

Margaret Snyder
Last updated : 31 May 2008