Ringing often runs in families, with children following their parents into the tower. Sometimes the process works in reverse, which was the case with Sue James, who learnt to ring after her son Oli. He rang his first quarter peal for Harvest Festival, and hot on his heels, Sue rang her first quarter peal on Remembrance Sunday.
When ringing for Remembrance, we always half-muffle the bells. Each bell has a leather pad fitted to one side of the clapper, so the bells sound alternately loud and soft, like an echo. It is a very dignified sound, especially if the ringing is moderately slow, as it was on this occasion.
At All Saints, we take pride in our role as the Church’s voice to the surrounding community, marking events of both rejoicing (like the Jubilee) and reflection (like Remembrance) with appropriate ringing. Sue is the latest ringer to join the team responsible for continuing this important aspect of the church’s mission.
John Harrison (November 2012)
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