Southern Branch Report 2011

The Southern Branch Quarterly meetings were held at Tasburgh, Scole and Kenninghall, with the annual meeting at Great Ellingham.

Stephen Young, and Stanley Turner died during the year and were remembered in silence and prayer, along with Alaric Pullan who died late in 2010.

Six new members were elected during the year.

Monthly practice meetings have varied considerably in attendance. They have been invaluable for those wishing to consolidate methods. The Surprise practices have been useful for ringing minor, but seldom attracted enough support for major methods. The branch is considering widening their scope to encourage more ringers to try eight bells. The ramble in June visited Chediston, Halesworth and Wenhaston; and the mini outing in July went to Ditchingham, Loddon, Norton Subcourse and Raveningham. Both were very well attended, and thoroughly enjoyable events. The annual dinner was held at North Lopham. Those who attended had an excellent meal and an enjoyable evening, though numbers were down on previous years.

We were pleased to welcome the Association to Carleton Rode in November for the Songs of Praise. It followed hard on the heels of the excellent weekend of the launch of the Paul Cattermole Fund, so attendance was not huge, but we had a lovely service led by the new incumbent, who is also a ringer. There was also a good standard of ringing as well as the opportunity for learners to practice with a “pilot”.

We were delighted to open over forty towers in the Southern Branch for the Open Day preceding the Paul Cattermole Fund launch.

The Annual meeting at Great Ellingham well attended, with a good variety of ringing. The service followed the old service book pattern, and celebrated Christ the King. It was led by Jeremy Warren, with attendant acolytes. Members were welcomed warmly to soup, tea and cakes before the meeting, which took place in the South Aisle.

The Carol Service at Wilby was, once again, a moving occasion, with a superb choir who entertained us wonderfully, while leaving us enough congregation carols to feel that we had a good sing. Wilby was packed for the occasion, and the bells were rung before the service. Mulled wine, sausage rolls and mince pies completed a memorable evening. Many thanks go to Jeremy Warren for the arrangements.

We have again suffered communication problems since we no longer circulate a newsletter, but are hoping to improve this in the New Year. In the meantime our events are posted at www.southnorfolkringers.org

Gale Hodgkinson