We are occasionally asked for use of the bells by visiting ringers. On Saturday 2nd May we hosted the Huntingdon District Trainig Day (our local district). Local ringers Phillip & Sheila George, Sue Taylor, Tricia Williams and Hazel Pettit were on hand to welcome ringers and provide refreshments, and ideed to take part in the ringing.
The training was co-ordinated and supervised by Ed Groome and focussd on Plain Hunt and Plain Bob Doubles. Call changes were included too. One ringer who rang the tenor said that it was the heaviest bell that he had rung, and another was visiting the tower for the first time. Other ringers achieved their objectives to ring ‘touches’ * of Plain Bob assisted by several experienced ringers to stand with them or take part in the ringing.
Refreshments at 11.00am were taken in the kitchen area when we were able to relax for a few minutes before session two was eagerly commenced.
Sixteen ringers attended and everyone had a very enjoyable and productive morning. The ringing was well received from listeners outside and inside the church who were preparing for a wedding in the afternoon.
After the training event we had an hour or so before we were back in the tower to ring for the wedding which included our standard touch or ’60 on Thirds’ ** conducted by Sheila, and three lots of ‘firing’*** before ringing the bells down.
*’touch’ A variation from the normal ringing which requires additional skill.
** ’60 on Thirds’ A famous traditional set of call changes rung predominantly by ringers in Devon.
*** ‘firing’ When all the bells are sounded together as if to give the impression of canon fire.
Great Gransden Bell Ringers 