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Rugby Deanery Report - 2012

In June 1987 the Rugby Deanery held its very first meeting, so in 2012 it was decided that some celebrations were in order to mark our 25th Anniversary. Our first event was a Celebratory Sunday Lunch in February where fittingly twenty five people were present representing ten Deanery Towers.This was followed in June with a BBQ held at Brinklow, where everyone had the opportunity to ring on the Deanery’s newest eight. Throughout the year, Challenge 25 took place, resulting in over 30 quarter peals being rung at Deanery Towers.

Celebrations were also in order at Brinklow when their project to augment to eight was completed with the Dedication in October by the Bishop of Coventry.

The Deanery’s Saturday meetings included our customary events together with some new ideas to add to the variety. Our regular events included the AGM at Newbold in February, the spring outing to Gloucestershire, and the Carol Service at Rugby. This coincided with their Christmas Tree Festival and provided a beautiful backdrop for our service and the handbell ringing afterwards. We hosted the July Guild Quarterly at Brinklow with a Ploughman’s Lunch. We had an entertaining evening “building a church” (a variation on a Beetle Drive) at Bilton, joined with the Daventry Branch for a practice on the ten bells at Daventry and enjoyed a mini outing in the autumn. A ten bell session was held at Newbold followed by a pub lunch.

The Deanery Striking Competition was held at Dunchurch with the home team winning the Newbold Cup for the method section with Bilton coming second. Brinklow took home the Monks Kirby Rose Bowl for the call change section with Monk Kirby as runners up. Monks Kirby went on to win the call change section at the Guild Final later in the year. At the Inter-district eight bell competition in October, the Rugby Deanery entered two teams; the first time we had managed this, the “Rugby Bobs” and the “Rugby Singles” who came first and fourth.

Providing the opportunity for ringing and practicing new and different methods was achieved through our continued Deanery Friday practices. This year methods targeted at these practices included Union Doubles, St Clements Minor, Grandsire, Rounds and Call Changes, Bristol and London Major, and the Westminster Group. At Clifton we even rang “Simons 2nds” a method composed by one of the local youngsters. We held two training afternoons both of which included rope splicing demonstrations with practical sessions. We also included a Raising and Lowering session.

At Bilton in August we attempted to ring the “Five Rings Doubles” and were eventually successful. Many local towers rang for the Olympics, either as the Torch passed nearby or for the opening ceremony. Ringing also took place at local towers to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, and included a peal by Deanery members at Ryton.

The Rugby Deanery’s Mobile Market was once again active during the year, donating £74 to the Guild BRF. Many thanks to everyone who contributed to these Deanery events during the year.

Janet Dew – Rugby Deanery Secretary