The achievements of St Andrew’s bell ringers are recognised when they have rung their first quarter peal.
During the past year, young bell ringer Carys Hayward successfully completed her first quarter peal at St Andrew’s in June.
She rang continuously for 45 minutes following a set pattern (method) whilst her mother (Marianne) conducted the changes.
Congratulations to Carys who received her award from Ken during the morning service on 29th September.
On Sunday 23rd June 2024, St Andrew’s bell ringer Tina Gornall celebrated her 70th birthday. Thiswas an opportunity for the bell ringers to mark the occasion by ringing a quarter peal for Tina.
It was also a chance for young bell ringer Carys Hayward to attempt and succeed in ringing her first quarter peal. The changes were conducted by her mother Marianne and Carys effortlessly rang her bell for 45 minutes without stopping.
Carys’ godfather, Jeremy, was also able to give his support, travelling all the way from Kent to take part.
Congratulations to Tina (aged 70) and Carys (aged 14).
Full details of the ringing as follows:
St Andrew
Saturday, 22 June 2024
1260 Plain Bob Doubles
1 Carys E Hayward
2 John M Church
3 Jeremy R Byers
4 Marianne R Hayward (C)
5 Clive J Stephenson
6 Mark E Lendon
Specially arranged to celebrate the 70th birthday of Tina Gornall on 23rd June.
First quarter peal – 1.
The D-Day operation of June 6th, 1944 was the largest invasion in history which would ultimately defeat Nazi Germany and end the Second World War.
On the 80th anniversary of this day, it was more than fitting that the St Andrew’s bell ringers should ring out to mark the occasion.
Former Hornchurch Ringing Master Frank Gant was involved in the Normandy landings of 1944.
On D-Day, Frank was in command of a tank landing craft which, on approaching the beach in Normandy, lost its rudder on an underwater obstruction. He managed to reach the beach, however, offload the tanks and return to England without a rudder.
He steered the boat by varying the speeds of the twin propellers and received official recognition for this remarkable feat.
Today’s bell ringers met at 9.30am on Thursday 6th June to ring before and after the Communion Service where Mark gave thanks for our country’s role in the liberation of Western Europe.
Our ringing included a quarter peal shown in detail below along with the ringers that took part:
St Andrew
Thursday, 6 June 2024
1260 Plain Bob Doubles
1 James P Riley
2 Michael J Warren
3 Paul T Crick
4 John M Church
5 Clive J Stephenson (C)
6 Mark E Lendon
Rung to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
Remembering Frank Gant, former Hornchurch Ringing Master, who took part in the D-Day landings.
First quarter away from cover – 1.
On Friday 8th March 2024, Mark Lendon celebrated his 70th birthday.
To honour the occasion, a team of six bell ringers (including Mark) met at St Andrew’sto ring a celebratory quarter peal:
St Andrew
Friday, 8 March 2024
1260 Plain Bob Doubles
1 Valerie A Swain
2 Ethan J Musham
3 Michael J Warren
4 John M Church
5 Clive J Stephenson (C)
6 Mark E Lendon
Rung to celebrate the 70th birthday of Mark Lendon on this day.
The following day a gathering of family and friends continued the celebrations in St Andrew’s Hall where Mark arranged a delicious buffet.
Revd Ken spoke of Mark’s commitment to the church (including bell ringing) and we drank a toast to Mark and his loving family.
Mark and Carol celebrate their Golden Wedding Anniversary later this year.
On Sunday 4th February 2024, the bell ringers celebrated the licensing of Marianne Hayward as Associate Priest with a quarter peal in the evening before choral evensong.
Marianne was able to ring in the quarter peal as shown in the summary below:
On Sunday 10th September 2023, the commitment and achievements of three of our bell ringers was recognised during the morning family service.
Mark Lendon, Valerie Swain and James Riley have all achieved ringing their first quarter peal during the past year. This means ringing continuously for about 45 minutes and involves considerable physical and mental effort.
Mark returned to ringing after the pandemic having learnt to ring as a youngster. He has rung several quarter peals in the past year. Val learnt to ring in 2018 For ‘Ringing Remembers’ and has rung regularly ever since including two quarter peals. James learnt to ring in 2022 and has now rung two quarter peals in little over a year.
Congratulations to all three ringers shown in the photo below with our vicar Ken Wylie and ringing master Clive Stephenson.
Hornchurch bell ringer James Riley first expressed an interest in learning to ring in May 2022, just before the Platinum Jubilee of our late Queen.
He was directed to St Andrew’s tower and had his first introduction to bell handling on 31st May 2022.
He has attended regularly and made determined progress ever since. He now rings on Sunday mornings and was part of the team that rang for the Coronation of King Charles III.
Furthermore, on 31st May 2023, James rang his first quarter peal exactly one year since his first bell ringing lesson.
Although a bit nervous, James rang exceptionally well for 45 minutes to complete this fantastic achievement.
Well done James!
The quarter peal was a celebration of the wedding of fellow bell ringer Charles Page to Linda Hardwidge on 29th May 2023 at St Laurence Church in Upminster where James also attends.
Full details of the quarter peal are as follows:
St Andrew
Wednesday, 31 May 2023
1260 Plain Bob Doubles
1 Mark E Lendon
2 John M Church
3 Philip Petchey
4 Hayden R Musham
5 Clive J Stephenson (C)
6 James P Riley
Rung to celebrate the wedding of Charles and Linda Page on 29th May.
First quarter for tenor ringer on the one year anniversary of his first bell ringing lesson.
