Last night during Bampton practice night we stopped and raised a
glass of fizz to toast Fergus and wish him good luck as he sets off for
University in Liverpool where he will be studying Maths with Ocean and
Climate Science.
Les Boyce said a few words about Fergus' remarkable achievements...
"Fergus started ringing in February 2015 as part of the Bampton Primary
School Bell Club group.
He achieved his Learning the Ropes Level 5 in June 2023 and attended
the ART Masterclass with the Birmingham Ringers that Autumn.
In November 2017 Fergus rang his first Quarter Peal at Huntsham where
he rang the treble to Plain Bob Doubles.
Since then he has rung over 60 quarters as well as 11 peals, six of
which were surprise major and 2 of surprise royal.
This truly meteoric ringing career has all been in the last 10 months
since the end of 2024 - he even made story in the Sunday Mirror about
more young people taking up bellringing.
Fergus has also been teaching ringing - supporting the after school
bell clubs and teaching the adult learners.
Fergus will be a great asset to the Liverpool ringing scene especially
to the University Society which has only one recorded performance since
2001."
As well as all the fancy things Les spoke about, we appreciate Fergus'
commitment to Sunday Service Ringing at both Bampton and Huntsham. We
will certainly miss him on Thursday practice nights where he had become
a competent and invaluable conductor.
We gave Fergus a Bell rope removed from Bampton (something he actually
wanted!) A good old red, white and green one which have now been
replaced with green ones.
We all wrote labels with messages for Fergus and attached them to the
rope.
All the best Fergus, enjoy Liverpool.
We hope to see you at Christmas!
Mandy Burnett
On Thursday, 28 August 2025 a peal of "Snagglepuss Surprise Major"
was rung at Huntsham making it the 750th peal rung on the bells.
Congratulations to all the ringers over the years who have successfully
completed their peals.
The peal band are detailed below:
Bath & Wells Diocesan Association
Thursday, 28 August 2025 in 2h 48min
5152 Snagglepuss Surprise Major
Composed by Richard Malthouse
1 Michael Hatchett
2 Jane C Spencer
3 Michael R Spencer
4 Richard H Johnston
5 Lesley A Knipe
6 Joseph Beaumont
7 Peter J Williamson
8 Fergus M S Stracey (C)
Ken Smith
Summer bank holiday saw Bampton Teddy Bears and other soft toys bravely parachuting from top of church. Refreshments served with a smile were greatly enjoyed from BOB below!
by Claire, Janet and
Louise
Mike Ward
This has become an annual event in Bampton. Locals look
forward to scones, tea and cakes in the churchyard which helps to raise
funds for the Bells and Church and also as a great PR
.
On Saturday 9th August the wind was a bit strong for the less hardy so
we had some hardier soles in the churchyard and others in the church.
Thankfully we had some of our recent members of the "Bampton After
School Bell Club", who were not only able to wait at tables but
entertained the tea drinkers with some ringing on the Handbells.
This year we raised 350 for TRC funds. The Young Ringers
transfer to Secondary school in September and plan to join our THS
Young Ringers after school at Tiverton St Paul's on Tuesdays.
Sheila Scofield
Members of the Troyte Ringing Centre High School Band continue to make steady progress. This month Gil achieved level 2, receiving his certificate & badge. Millie achieved level 1 and was awarded her certificate, badge & The Ringer's Guide to Learning the Ropes book.
Sheila Scofield
During the Easter holiday the Bampton Bell Club and Tiverton High School group came together for a joint practice on 9th April at Huntsham. Thanks to support from 8 experienced helpers the Young Ringers all achieved new goals in their ringing targets using the Learning the Ropes scheme. The Bampton Young Ringers not only rang for the first time in a new tower but also had their first opportunity to ring bells independently in rounds. The Older Young Ringers were able to support the younger ringers and demonstrate skills required in level 2, such as call Changes, whole pull and stand, place making and Twinkle, twinkle little star .
During the morning we were able to present Tommy with his Level 1 LtR certificate, badge and Ringer s Guide to Learning the Ropes book. We were all given a nutritious boost by Jenny s Chocolate cake at half time, when this photo was taken.
Sheila Scofield
Congratulations to Jonah for ringing his first Quarter Peal on Wednesday 19th February.
Jonah started ringing in 2022. Having missed the opportunity to join the Bell Club in the Primary school due to lockdowns he asked that we could teach him and his friend whilst attending Tiverton High School. He and Gil were instrumental in our starting up THS Bell Club, meeting at Tiverton St Paul s each Tuesday during term time.
Jonah has made steady progress using the Learning the Ropes scheme. Half-term was a chance for him to ring at Huntsham and ring the treble to Plain Bob Doubles. Thanks go to those who helped throughout his development and on the day, especially to Fergus who organised and called the Quarter Peal.
Sheila Scofield
Our young ringers from Bampton Primary and Tiverton High After-School Bell Clubs have rung for two Christmas events at Bampton and for the High School Carol Concert in Tiverton.
On Friday 6th December they rang for the Christmas Lights switch-on in Bampton at 6 00pm. On Tuesday 10th nine youngsters with adult helpers rang before the Primary School Nativity and Carol Service in St Michael s.
The youngsters ringing for one or both occasions were: Elizabeth, Ellora, Fennick, Patrick & Tyler (Primary School group) and Gil, Jonah, Millie, Tabitha, Tommy (Tiverton High School group).
The primary pupils started learning at autumn half term and were ringing backstrokes with an adult, while the high school students are now able to ring both strokes on their own.
Congratulations to The High School Young Ringers who rang Call Changes for the Tiverton High School Carol Concert at St Paul s on Wednesday 18th December. They have been making such progress using St Paul s bells on the simulator and this was their first live performance on the bells.
Well done everyone who rang for Christmas!
Les and Sheila
Congratulations to Eddie on achieving level 5, the highest award on the Learning the Ropes scheme. Eddie started learning to ring at the After School Bell Club at Bampton in September 2017. With a short break due to Covid restrictions he returned to ringing in late 2022. At each level from mid-2023 he has completed ringing targets, including Quarter Peals to complete levels 3, 4 & 5. The final Quarter Peal for level 5 he rang inside to Plain Bob Minor. He is now a regular member of the Bampton band where he calls touches. He also helps with the new members of the After School Bell Club, both at Bampton and Tiverton. He was presented with his certificate and badge at the Teddy Parachuting at Bampton on August Bank Holiday.
All the TRC ringers helping with the parachuting including the Town
Crier who opened the event.
Sheila Scofield