NEWS FROM THE TOWER
As well as ringing for Sunday Services our bells are occasionally rung for other reasons. One such occasion was on Thursday 8th May when we rang to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE day. Appropriately we rang during the lighting of the beacon on Surrenden Field, a symbol of hope and peace for the future.
Sometimes even the Services we ring for are at times other than Sunday. Ascension Day always falls on Thursday (it being 40 days after Easter) and this year it included an act of thanksgiving for the restoration of the tower. Representatives of those involved in the project joined the Rector on the tower roof for a blessing before the service. We were not, of course, ringing the bells while they were up there!
On 18th May we celebrated Bell Sunday, a day where the contribution of bells and bellringers to the life of the Church is recognised. Our ringers took an active part in the Morning Communion Service, and it was particularly pleasing to hear Florence, one of our younger ringers, read the epistle. Roy Barclay led the prayers, Daniel Brady played the organ and, in place of the sermon, Steve Bassett gave an interesting talk on bell ringing. Several others of our ringers also attended the service.
Looking forward, on Sunday 8th June we will be ringing for the 3pm Confirmation Service so the bells will, exceptionally, be rung both morning and afternoon on that day.
Finally on Saturday 28th June from 1.30 – 4.30pm the Kent Young Ringers will be using our bells to practise for their national youth ringing competition. We wish them luck and will let you know next month how they got on.
Roy Barclay
Tower Secretary