Sunday, July 5, 2009

July 4 Ringing and Partying St James Style

For all who attended and enjoyed hamburgers, hot dogs and pot
luck at Cathy and Chris Brown's home yesterday evening, I want to say
what a great occasion it was. Thank you so much to the Browns for
hosting and grilling and so much more. We all had a wonderful time
creating a grand family gathering out of the many generations
represented for what has become an Independence Day tradition.

The BBQ followed an afternoon of ringing at St James, which was full
of firsts and lots of "well done's." After birthday boy Charley
Heilker sounded the tenor 13 times at 2pm, and some lovely call
changes, Derek Wilsden conducted a QP Plain Bob Major, noteworthy in
that the band included our guests from the UK, Michael and Sheila
Cotgrove, and also our newly-returned-from-a-year-on-
the-continent Emily Heilker. Welcome Home.


Then, following a brief recess, Cathy Brown conducted a QP Plain Bob
Triples, featuring Jay Williams on the tenor (a first QP for him) and
Alice Heilker on the treble (first on 8 for her). Well done Jay and
Alice. Not even 1 do-over was required.


I'll leave the QP official details to the conductors to report. But
leave it to say, that St James Marietta marked the nation's 233rd
birthday with a joyful noise.