November 2006
We hope that you have all noticed a vast improvement to our bell ringing on a Sunday recently. From a depleted team which eighteen months ago had difficulty finding enough people for 'Three Blind Mice' we are now in the state where we sometimes have more ringers than bells on a Sunday morning!
The team gained five new novice members to swell the ranks after a successful appeal last year. Although it takes a number of years to be a competent ringer, I don't think we (speaking as one of the new ringers) are doing too badly. What's more, we have recently had two experienced ringers join our ranks. We would like to take this opportunity to introduce them to you. Greg Hunt from Barnt Green joined us about 9 months ago and Penny Bradsell moved into the village about a month ago. Both have at least 15 years experience and their help and advice have been very welcome. I hope you are all enjoying the new ringing as much as we are.
Over the last couple of months we have been very grateful for a number of fund raising events that have been held to help our funds. Both Auriel Hoccom and the Women's Fellowship held coffee morning in August on our behalf. Veronica Rogers kindly donated the contents of her loft to our Table Top sale and we're still raising funds by taking what was left over to the local boot sales. Thank you to all those were involved in these events and of course to the rest of you for supporting them.
On the 28th October, the Gemini Choir gave a concert in the church in order to raise funds for us. They are a popular choir based in Bromsgrove and gave us a selection from Gershwin and other lively folk songs. During the interval we unveiled our 'Money-O-Meter' as we have reached our first monetary target. The meter was designed and built for us by Joseph Smith of 'Signs Express' in Bromsgrove and we are very pleased with the results.
We are hoping to arrange a 'Curry and Quiz' night in November, and a demonstration of Christmas Flower Arrangement later on in the year. Details are still being arranged for both these events so please keep a look out for our posters and advertisements in the local press for further information.