Ampthill

Ringers

News

Wednesday practice - none until further notice

Recent News and Events

• 31st August 2008:  we rang this morning for the first time in months, after getting everything put back together on 28th and 29th August.  It was wonderful to hear all 8 bells ringing out again!

• April 2008:  the bells are now silent until we can get some repairs done.

• Peal - Saturday 8th March 2008:  the first one since 1996, see here for details.

• 8 bell practice - Wednesday 11th April 2007:  this was our first special practice, and the additional ringers made a great difference to the number of methods we usually manage to ring on a practice night!

• Peal Attempt - Saturday 17th February 2007:  a second attempt was made by the same band who tried in October 2006.

• Peal Attempt - Saturday 28th October 2006:  For the first time in ten years a peal was attempted at Ampthill, by a group of ringers from various parts of the country.  Unfortunately the band didn't manage to get the peal (Stedman Triples) but they are hopeful to have another go in the new year.

• Church Quiz - Saturday 30th September 2006:  the ringers' team were very pleased to come 3rd in the Church Quiz - the Clangers were soundly beaten by the Vagabonds and the Blue Footed Boobies!

• Ampthill Pie Competition - Saturday 30th September 2006:  we were very pleased to be asked to help judge the pie competition.

• Tower Open Day - Saturday 30th September 2006:  St Andrews was one of around 40 towers taking part in the county-wide Open Day at the end of September.  The tower was open from 12-2pm and we had over 30 visitors who came to look at the bells and the clock, see us ring and even have a go at chiming a bell.  It was great fun and we intend to hold regular Open Days from now on.  For more information on this event please see www.bacr.co.uk.

• Ampthill Festival Quiz - 16th June 2006: our team of 6 brave ringers went up against 9 other teams in the General Knowledge Quiz at the Rugby Club.  It was the first time we had done anything like this and although we didn't get as near the top of the score board as we might have liked (but not quite at the bottom), it was good fun and taught us a couple of valuable lessons - that we don't know as much as we might think we know, and that on very rare occasions we should listen to the younger ringers (yes Alice, it was Whatshername Erhardt, and yes Gordon, I'm sorry about Sinatra!)  Maybe next year...

• Striking Contest - 10th June 2006: we entered a "youth" team for the District Striking Contest this year - there was some dispute about whether the Tower Captain was really youthful enough to be part of the team...!  We acquitted ourselves well and despite getting quite a few faults (results on the Clanger page) it was an admirable effort - and a good opportunity to work towards better striking!  Pictures here.

• Walk and Ring - 1st May 2006: we were lucky to have beautiful weather, and the 9 ringers and 3 non-ringers had an enjoyable afternoon.  We met at Woburn at 1pm, walked to Husborne Crawley and rang, then went on to Aspley Guise where we had a short break for refreshments before ringing there, after which we headed back to Woburn for a final ring until around 5:30pm.  Pictures here and article here.

• Queen's 80th Birthday - 21st April 2006: to celebrate the Queen's 80th birthday we rang call changes - Queens in 80 changes, thank you to Tim Hele for arranging and conducting.

• Quarter Peal: on Sunday 5th March 2006 we managed a Quarter Peal of Grandsire Doubles.  This is the first Quarter we've attempted since 2004 so we were very pleased (and relieved!) to get it.  Thanks to Chris Williams and Sue Silver for helping out, and particularly to Sue for calling.  Details and picture here.

• the Walk and Ring on Friday 30th December 2005 (see Gallery for pictures) took place on a wet and windy day.  Ringers met at Ampthill and also rang at Flitton and Maulden, with lunch at the White Hart in Maulden.