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anarchist_nomad) wrote2009-11-06 06:19 pm
anarchist_nomad) wrote2009-11-06 06:19 pm
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Day 34: Remembering, Remembering
After evening visiting hours at the hospital yesterday, I went to the usual Thursday evening bell ringing practice at St. Giles last night. Rang handbells for an hour first, then we switched to tower bells.
What set last night apart from every other practice of the year is that we rung with the tower bells half-muffled. Each of the eight bell clappers had something resembling a leather kneepad tied to one side. The muffles let each handstroke sound normally, but caused each backstroke to be muted. The result? Our ringing sounded like it was accompanied by an erie spectral echo.
Why was this done? Because in two days, it will be Remembrance Sunday[*,**]. On Sunday morning, rather than ringing to begin the usual Communion service inside of St. Giles Church, we will ring to call people to the [much larger] Remembrance Sunday services -- complete with a multi-faith assortment of speeches and a parade -- that will take place at the war memorial just outside of the church.
This will be the third year that I ring for the Remembrance Sunday services. It is, by far, the largest audience that I ring for all year long. Indeed, even Radio Oxford will be counted amongst those listening. It is also a somber way to transition into Winter, with that sad slow pealing of the bells.
I would not at all be pleased if we always rang with the bells half-muffled. However, as a once-a-year[***] tradition, I would not miss it. It offers both an interesting variation on the sound of our ringing, as well as a tone that fits nicely with the season.
[*] I was rather surprised to see that there were two or three people, out of the sixteen that showed up for last night's practice, who did not know why we were ringing half muffled bells. Apparently, they had not remembered Remembrance Sunday.
[**] Apparently, early November is all about remembering in England. You start with the [much more famous] fifth of November that everyone is supposed to remember... then quickly move into Remembrance Sunday and the related Remembrance Day.
[***] Or twice, depending on how one counts. As we practice with the bells half-muffled on the preceding Thursday, then ring them again that way on Remembrance Sunday. Also, bells are rung muffled or half-muffled at funerals... though I have not yet rung at one of these.
What set last night apart from every other practice of the year is that we rung with the tower bells half-muffled. Each of the eight bell clappers had something resembling a leather kneepad tied to one side. The muffles let each handstroke sound normally, but caused each backstroke to be muted. The result? Our ringing sounded like it was accompanied by an erie spectral echo.
Why was this done? Because in two days, it will be Remembrance Sunday[*,**]. On Sunday morning, rather than ringing to begin the usual Communion service inside of St. Giles Church, we will ring to call people to the [much larger] Remembrance Sunday services -- complete with a multi-faith assortment of speeches and a parade -- that will take place at the war memorial just outside of the church.
This will be the third year that I ring for the Remembrance Sunday services. It is, by far, the largest audience that I ring for all year long. Indeed, even Radio Oxford will be counted amongst those listening. It is also a somber way to transition into Winter, with that sad slow pealing of the bells.
I would not at all be pleased if we always rang with the bells half-muffled. However, as a once-a-year[***] tradition, I would not miss it. It offers both an interesting variation on the sound of our ringing, as well as a tone that fits nicely with the season.
[*] I was rather surprised to see that there were two or three people, out of the sixteen that showed up for last night's practice, who did not know why we were ringing half muffled bells. Apparently, they had not remembered Remembrance Sunday.
[**] Apparently, early November is all about remembering in England. You start with the [much more famous] fifth of November that everyone is supposed to remember... then quickly move into Remembrance Sunday and the related Remembrance Day.
[***] Or twice, depending on how one counts. As we practice with the bells half-muffled on the preceding Thursday, then ring them again that way on Remembrance Sunday. Also, bells are rung muffled or half-muffled at funerals... though I have not yet rung at one of these.
Re: On a totally unrelated note...
postmail boxes just are plain boring by comparison!In this icon, we are looking at a fairly modern box. The cipher is "E II R" for our current monarch: Elizabeth II Regina.
If you are feeling nostalgic for the UK, though, here are some more interesting post box pictures for you:
This "G R" post box is from the reign of George V (1910 - 1936). However, when I first saw it and noticed it had no number, I assumed it was the cipher of George I (1714 - 1727). Hence the look of shock on my face! *grin* It was only later that I learned about how post boxes began circa 1840 -- during Victoria's reign -- after the "Penny Post Act" made letters affordable to many people. *shuffles feet embarrassed*
Speaking of Victoria, here is a picture of a "V R" post box. This is my favourite post box in Oxford. And, yes, I'm not ashamed to admit that I have a favourite post box! *grin*