DATE Touch, 2013 Changes

Tuesday, December 31

2013 Doubles (4m, 1 principle)

53 Stedman; 40 + 4 extents Grandsire; 4 extents each of Plain, St Martin's Bob and St Simon's Bob.

1   Charley Heilker
2   Derek J Wilsden (C)
3   Mary Platt
4   Catherine P Brown
5   Stephen R Aldridge
6   Jay Williams
Birthday compliments to Malcolm Aldridge, father of 5; also for 2 upon his 80th. New Years Eve recognized

Kathy Williams Remembered: Quarter Peal

1260 Plain Bob Triples, December 16, 2013

1. Andrew Hobbis

2. Mary Platt

3. Emily Heilker

4. Alice Gough Heilker

5. Charley Heilker
6. Derek J Wilsden

7. Catherine P Brown ( C )

8. Jay Williams

Rung in memory of Kathy Seven Williams, 1949-2013, rehab counselor/teacher and mother extraordinaire. Her forte was opening vocational and avocational doors. One of those doors led to St. James's bell tower where Jay (8), her husband, now spends innumerable hours in change ringing and camaraderie.

A Quarter Peal to Welcome Charlotte!

1260 Plain Bob Triples on August 19, 2013

1. Charley Heilker

2. Emily Heilker

3. Alice Gough Heilker

4. Andrew Hobbis

5. Jay Williams
6. Derek J Wilsden

7. Catherine P Brown ( C )

8. Diana Witt

Rung in honor of the birth of Charlotte Isabelle Brown, born August 8, 2013, granddaughter of 7.

Young Ringers Road Trip to Birmingham, Alabama

Will Eubanks, Aidan Fortenberry, Charley Heilker, Emma Toland,
Ted Clark (Birmingham tower host for the visit), Emily Heilker,
Derek Wilsden, Andrew Hobbis.

First Quarter "Inside" -- Diana Witt!

Saturday 25 May 2013 in 45 min (5)

1260 Plain Bob Doubles

1   Alice Gough Heilker
2   Diana Witt
3   Derek J Wilsden (C)
4   Catherine P Brown
5   Charley Heilker
6   Jay Williams

First quarter peal away from treble and cover: DIANA
Congratulations!

May Visitors to St James

Left to right:  front row – Peter Niblett, Cathy Brown, Andrew Hobbis, Catherine Ladd, Gwen Rogers, Alice Heilker, Charley Heilker; second row – Jeff Ladd, Phil Rogers, Ann LeMarachel, Roy LeMarachel, Jay Williams; back – Phil Goodyer.

The visitors, with the exception of UK visitor Peter Niblett, are UK members of the Ancient Society of College Youths who, prior to the practice, rang a peal of Spliced Surprise Major (8 methods).  St James ringers earlier present at the practice but not in the picture were Mary Platt, Ibby Marshall, and Nancy Payne; taking the photograph is Derek Wilsden. The practice ringing covered R&CC through Cambridge and London S Major - a rare opportunity for the local ringers!

Here are some pictures and a short narrative from our St. Luke's Belltower open house!

 We had it between the services, and we wanted to try something new; we've had cake up in the tower before, but this time we worked to catch people as they were leaving out the front door. Here you can see our cake stand as seen out the front window of the ringing room.

We got a nice crowd to show up; Charlie discussed the bell model while Sawyer led visitors up to see the bells.

We then had a short spot of ringing on the front three bells.

 

We actually couldn't ring any greater number, we just didn't have the room with the crowd we had.

Visitors always find it irresistible to look up while there is ringing going on.

We then took the time to let some visitors try out the ropes.

There were many others who got a turn, but these two happened to be the ones who smiled the most!

Thanks again to all those who helped make this a successful open house!

St. James Guild Annual General Meeting, 2013

Members of the St. James Guild, along with friends and family, met Sunday, March 3, at the home of Jan and Derek Wilsden for our Annual General Meeting.  On this day, marking the 17^th anniversary of the dedication of the bells, we reviewed the activities of the year just past with executive reports that highlighted our progress, learning opportunities, and the welcome of 3 new ringers.  Then with many thanks to outgoing Ringing Master, Cathy Brown and Tower Captain, Derek Wilsden, we approved a new slate of executive officers:

• Alice Heilker, Tower Captain
• Derek Wilsden, Ringing Master
• Diane Campion, Treasurer
• Mary Platt, Secretary
• Charley Heilker, Steeple Keeper 

 With the business of the day concluded, we enjoyed an evening of delicious food, drink, and conversation.

London Surprise Workshop

Back: Charley Heilker, Mary Platt, Eileen Butler, Bruce Butler, Cathy Brown,
Tina Hitchings, John Hitchings, Lyn Barnett
Front: Quilla Roth, Derek Wilsden

Conquering London

February 2-3, 2013

St James Day Quarter Peal

 

Saturday, 28 July 2012

1260 Plain Bob Triples

1 Alice Gough Heilker

2 Kathryn E Tucker

3 Mary Platt

4 Charley Heilker

5 Derek J Wilsden

6 Jay Williams

7 Catherine P Brown (C)

8 Christopher G Brown

In honor of St. James Day

 

Beautifully rung following our regular Saturday morning practice.   Followed by a lovely luncheon at Sally and Jeff Karkula's home to bid farewell to Kathryn Tucker as she and her family prepare to relocate to Northern Virginia.

Congratulations to Emma Toland

who today rang her first quarter peal!

1320 Plain Bob Doubles, in 42 minutes

1. Emma Toland (first quarter)
2. Charley Heilker
3. Kathryn Tucker
4. Derek Wilsden
5. Catherine P. Brown (C)
6. Jay Williams
Rung in memory of Bill Estes (d. 4 May 2012), friend of -5- and friend
and co-worker of Chris Brown.

A memorial quarter peal was rung at St James on each of Sunday 9/11 and Monday 9/12, as follows:

Marietta, GA
St James' Church (5 cwt)
Sunday September 11, 2011
1260 Plain Bob Minor, in 38 mins.
1 Mary PLatt
2 Kathryn E Tucker
3 Charley Heilker
4 Jay Williams
5 Catherine P Brown
6 Derek J Wilsden (C)
Rung in memory of all who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks of 9/11/01.

(That qp was rung following the morning service. Prior to the service the bells were rung, (half-muffled rounds on 8), by all of the regular Sunday ringers taking turns, including young ringers Will Eubanks and Kevin Kamperman, at the four airplane impact times and in the manner as described under 'Upcoming Events of Interest' in the right hand box.)

Marietta, Ga
St James' Church (5cwt)
Monday September 12, 2011
1260 Plain Bob Triples, in 42 mins.
1 Jay Williams
2 Kathryn E Tucker
3 Charley Heilker
4 Alice Gough Heilker
5 Derek J Wilsden
6 Lyn Barnett
7 Catherine P Brown (C)
8 Diana Witt
Rung in Memory of Sidney Lamar Camp, father of Tina Powell; died Friday, September 9, 2011, aged 92 years.
First inside triples, 4; first on eight bells, 8.

(Tina's husband, Alan, was a ringer at St James during the first several years of the bells existence. Tina's father was a supporter of the band, dropping by from time to time to watch.)

July Fourth QP at St James, Marietta

St James', Marietta GA on 4 July 2011 (in 39 minutes)
1260 PLAIN BOB DOUBLES
1. Diane K Campion
2. Mary Platt
3. Jay Williams
4. Derek J Wilsden (C)
5. Charley Heilker
6. Alice Heilker
In celebration of July 4th!
First inside: 3.

Two Quarter Peals at St James

St James', Marietta GA on 9 July 2011, in 42 minutes
1260 PLAIN BOB TRIPLES
1. Alice Heilker
2. Kathryn E Tucker (C)
3. Charley Heilker
4. Mary Platt
5. Catherine P Brown
6. Quilla Roth
7. Matthew C Brown
8. Jay Williams
Rung in celebration of the birthdays of Rahne Tannent, Bill Rush, and the conductor.

St James', Marietta GA, on 10 July 2011, in 47 minutes
1344 PLAIN BOB MAJOR
1. Alice Heilker
2. Mary Platt
3. Kathryn E Tucker
4. Charley Heilker
5. Derek J Wilsden
6. Jay Williams
7. Sawyer Gosnell
8. Quilla Roth (C)
In memoriam Paul Ervin Engsberg, whose visionary efforts brought change ringing bells to the Breslin Tower of the U. of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee in 2003; died 6 July 2011.
First quarter of Major: 1,6.

Hugely successful Young Ringers Workshop at St James

Quilla Roth (Washington DC) led a four-day workshop July 6-9 for six of the seven young ringers of the St James (Marietta) Guild, and the four adult teachers of the weekly Wednesday evening class benefitted as much as the youngsters in my estimation. Quilla is due the most heartfelt thanks for her enthusiasm, skill, patience, hand-outs galore, and more, from
the Young Ringers- Cayla, Cicelia, and Emma, and Chris, Kevin, and Will; and
their Adult Teachers- Alice, Cathy (principal), Charley, and Derek.
The workshop addressed rope/bell handling issues, rounds and call changes, hunting 4 through 6, and the methods Plain Bob doubles and minor (including bobs) and Bastow Little Bob minimus and minor, according to each young ringer's ability to date. They were joined by other adult members of the Guild on Saturday morning.

Quilla's presence additionally helped the adult ringers to have a London Surprise Minor practice during the evening of the 7th, and the attempting of three quarter peals at the weekend. The first two were successful as shown adjacent to this post; an attempt at London resulted in non-rounds at the end of the first extent, but we continued on well into the third of the three parts of the second extent before a fire-up brought us to a "Stand!" - all amounting to another valuable practice of the method.

Digital Imaging Tune-up Clinic With Jim DiVitale: The New Book Has Arrived!

Digital Imaging Tune-up Clinic With Jim DiVitale: The New Book Has Arrived!

St. James AGM

On March 13th, members of the Guild of Change Ringers met at Mary Platt's new home for their AGM; afterwards, they enjoyed a delicious potluck dinner. The results of the election are as follows:

Derek Wilsden - Tower Captain

Cathy Brown - Ringing Master

Jay Williams - Secretary

Diane Campion - Treasurer

This is a complete turnover of executive officers, and we all look forward to the coming year of ringing.

We are grateful also for the following who will serve in the coming year in non-elected capacities:

Charley Heilker - continues as Steeple Keeper, and assumes the task as Assistant Ringing Master

Mary Platt - continues as Archivist

Sally Karkula - continues as Librarian

Kathryn Tucker - assumes the task as Social Director

Cathy Brown - continues as Young Ringers Ringing Master

Quarter peal band (L to R): Derek Wilsden, Cathy Brown,

Kathryn Tucker, Jay Williams, Alice Heilker and Charley Heilker.

On a cold Saturday, February 5th, St. James ringers met for their usual morning practice, but we cut it slightly short to begin a quarter peal. The band has been trying to stretch its wings a bit by attempting quarter peals on the Saturday practice days, when folks are available.

This Saturday, it was Alice Gough Helker's turn to attempt St. Simons Doubles - a method that had been tried before but not completed. Alice rang her first quarter peal inside (PB Doubles) last February at Stella Maris (Charleston), but had not scored one at her home tower. Cathy Brown was the conductor, and for the most part, everything went smoothly with good striking and few mistakes. We were very happy for Alice, and hope this bodes well for subsequent Saturday quarters!

By the way, directly after the quarter, everyone seemed to disperse like seeds in the wind and a photo wasn't taken. However, we remedied that by snapping the picture the next morning at Sunday service ringing.

Running Ringers

Once a year St. James Episcopal Church has a huge fundraiser called the Wonderful Days of Winter 5K Race. Founded in 1974, Wonderful Days Preschool is St. James’ primary outreach to the Marietta community. Forty to fifty children from low-income families attend the preschool and their transportation, tuition, and two meals a day are paid for by St. James’ and other charitable organizations. Since most of their students are Hispanic and English is not their first language, Wonderful Days helps them become fluent in English and prepares them for elementary school. This year two of our ringers, Kathryn Tucker and Chris Brown, ran in the race while some of the less energetic ringers helped with the lunch that followed. It was a really nice morning, cold and clear, with no sign of our impending doom, that is the snow.

Southern Ringers Form a Confederacy

On October 23rd, St. James hosted a practice swap with ringers from Birmingham and a grand time was had by all. A whole range of methods was attempted and, for the most part, rung successfully - from rounds and call changes to Cambridge, with Kent and Grandsire and Plain Bob scattered in between. Two of Birmingham's newest ringers, Emily and Irene, did very well handling our much smaller bells, and made some good progress.

Lunch was served half-way through the day and thanks go to Cathy Brown and Alice Heilker, who organized a barbecue feast, with contributions of food and drink from other St. James ringers.

Thanks to everyone who participated, and especially to Ted Clark - the Birmingham ringer 'wrangler' who managed to get a nice group of Brummies from Alabama to Georgia and back again!