Society of Royal Cumberland Youths

Promoting excellence in ringing around the world

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March Country Meeting 2014

The 2014 March Country Meeting was held in Portsmouth. A few members travelled on the Friday, some checking into a hotel which bore a strong resemblance to Fawlty Towers; it had many quirks and a real live Basil.

That evening a good peal of Yorkshire Major was rung on the little eight at St. Agatha’s, then everyone adjourned to the designated pub, The Bridge Tavern.

Saturday saw a clean sweep of peals at Alverstoke, Catherington, Curdridge, Portsea (Fratton) and Romsey Abbey. The end of the peal at Curdridge was greeted by a loud cheer; offenders doing Community Payback had been weeding the churchyard accompanied by well over three hours of these lovely heavy, but very loud, bells. Perhaps some of them will think twice before reoffending! Members and guests not participating in peals enjoyed the ‘tour’ ringing at Westbourne, Havant, Portsmouth Cathedral and St Agatha’s.

Cups of tea were provided in The Discovery Centre at St John’s Roman Catholic Cathedral prior to a fairly brief Business Meeting. Members stood in memory of Alf Patten. There were no new members this time but congratulations were given to Nicola and Stephen Borman on the birth of Benjamin and to Jo and Simon Holden on the birth of Amy. Other noted milestones were Ruth Curtis’ 4000th peal, Russell Brown’s 1000th peal and Roger Baldwin’s 310th peal of London Major - the greatest number rung by any ringer.

With a little time to kill before the meal, most people visited a local hostelry for pre-dinner drinks. The staff at The Discovery Centre fed us very well with Spaghetti Bolognese followed by Apple Pie and Custard all washed down with an ample supply of wine and coffee.

A few members stayed on in Portsmouth and joined the local band for Sunday Service ringing at the Cathedral and a final peal was rung at St Agatha’s on Sunday afternoon.

We are all most grateful to local member, Malcolm Powell, for his excellent organisation of a very enjoyable weekend and to our Master, Shirley, for co-ordinating the peal bands.

Geraldine Forster

View photos from this event in our gallery

Portsmouth, Hampshire
St Agatha
Friday, 7 March 2014 in 2h 33 (3-0-1)
5056 Yorkshire Surprise Major
Composed by R Baldwin

  1. Peter J Blight
  2. Alan Regin
  3. Geraldine R Forster
  4. John J Ford
  5. Janet E Archibald
  6. Nicholas Wilkins
  7. Roger Baldwin
  8. Ian R Fielding (C)

Alverstoke, Hampshire
St Mary
Saturday, 8 March 2014 in 2h50 (13)
5056 Bristol Surprise Major
Composed by D W Beard

  1. Elizabeth J Cranfield
  2. Katherine E Young
  3. Deborah M Talbott
  4. Christine M Carter
  5. Peter M Wilkinson
  6. Derek E Sibson (C)
  7. Benjamin F Ricketts
  8. Stuart P B Talbott

Catherington, Hampshire
All Saints
Saturday, 8 March 2014 in 2:47 (9 cwt)
5088 Ashstead Surprise Major
Composed by Richard I Allton arr. DFM

  1. Janet L Morris
  2. Gillian A Leale
  3. Felicity S Warwick
  4. Susan E Smith
  5. Janet E Menhinick
  6. Ronald F Diserens
  7. Michael H D O'Callaghan
  8. Graham A Duke (C)

500th tower bell peal: 1
On SRCY Country Meeting day.

Curdridge, Hampshire
St Peter
Saturday, 8 March 2014 in 3h 18 (25-3-19)
5120 Bristol Surprise Major
Composed by A J Cox

  1. Penelope J V Sharpe
  2. Joanna K Dorling
  3. Lee Pinnington
  4. Shirley E McGill
  5. Geraldine R Forster
  6. Alan Regin
  7. Richard L Thumwood
  8. Ian R Fielding (C)

Rung as part of SRCY country meeting.

Portsmouth, Hampshire
St Mary, Fratton Road
Saturday, 8 March 2014 in 3 hrs 9 (17-0-7)
5024 Spliced Surprise Major (8 methods)
640 each Bristol, Cambridge, Lincolnshire, Rutland, Superlative; 608 each London, Pudsey, Yorkshire; 140 com, atw.
Composed by J S Warboys

  1. Janet E Archibald
  2. Heather M Forster
  3. Elizabeth A Hibbert
  4. Anne L Rueff
  5. Michael R Crockett
  6. Adam S Greenley
  7. Benjamin D Constant (C)
  8. Thomas B Mack

On the occasion of the Society's country meeting in Portsmouth.

Romsey, Hampshire
Abbey Church of SS Mary & Ethelflaeda
Saturday, 8 March 2014 in 3:10 (22-1-23)
5088 Yorkshire Surprise Major
Composed by N J Pitstow

  1. Helen Phillips
  2. Angela M E Jasper
  3. Hilary A Beresford
  4. Peter W Emery
  5. Peter J Blight
  6. Anthony P Cotton
  7. Donald B Carter (C)
  8. Claire F Roulstone

Rung as part of SRCY country meeting.

Portsmouth, Hampshire
St Agatha
Sunday, 9 March 2014 in 2:33 (3 cwt)
5152 Vancouver Surprise Major
Composed by Simon Humphrey

  1. John J Ford
  2. Christine M Carter
  3. Malcolm M Powell
  4. Benjamin F Ricketts
  5. Janet E Menhinick
  6. Timothy R Forster
  7. Graham A Duke (C)
  8. Russell A Brown