Band News

Date / Time	News item
Mon Jul 26, 2021	We are very sorry to pass along the news that David Henry passed away on July 21, 2021. David joined the New York band in 2012 and served as Secretary from 2016 to 2019. He rang 87 quarter peals and 2 peals, including the peal in 2016 to mark the 10th Anniversary of the installation of New York’s ring of 12 bells. He was an accomplished cyclist, and well versed in a variety of topics including history, music, and travel, making him an excellent conversationalist in the pub. David was a pillar of the band and will be deeply missed.
Thu Mar 19, 2020	We're sorry to pass on the news that Roger Savory died peacefully in his sleep on Friday March 13th. He was 90. Roger was a big contributor to helping build a change ringing band when the Trinity bells were installed in 2006, and he was a good friend to many in the band at that time. He attended regularly until about 2013, after which he could no longer manage the stairs. Roger was an active and very accomplished ringer for many decades, both in North America and earlier in the UK, and he rang just over 800 peals.
Sun May 6, 2018	Today’s ringing saw much of our repertory, including Stedman, Erin, Grandsire, Plain Bob, Cambridge, Bristol, and of course Plain Hunt and Rounds & Call Changes. Our post-service open ringing closed with something borrowed from the orchestra tradition for a farewell, by which individual groups or instrumentalists drop out one by one. We started with rounds on 10, and on command of the conductor “Treble Stand”, the 1 was set, and a minute or so later the same call meant the 2 was set, and onward with rounds on 8, 7, 6, 5, etc. until only the tenor remained ringing, and it tolled 11 times, once for each year since the bells were installed.
Sun May 6, 2018	Today was a poignant day in the Trinity tower, it being the last Sunday that services will take place in Trinity Church for what is likely to be two years. It remains unclear as to how much access to the belltower we’ll be given after this date, but early indications are that our access will be severely limited over this period, bringing a long pause, if not a halt, to a vibrant ringing tradition built up over 11 years of hard work and commitment. We’re very uncertain as to what lies ahead for us. As the Vicar stressed in his sermon today bearing upon the whole subject of the church closure, we’re all in this together, and it’s not going to be easy. We’ll keep everyone posted as information becomes known to us, and as plans for this unexpected interval begin to take shape.
Wed Mar 21, 2018	Note that practice tonight is cancelled due to the snowstorm.
Thu Mar 1, 2018	We’re still a few weeks away from Wednesday, March 28th, but we’re asking if everyone could note in their calendars that there will be no ringing practice on that date. The 28th is Wednesday in Holy Week, and the Service of Tenebrae takes place in the church on that day during the general time of our weekly practice; given the nature of this service, a simultaneous bell practice wouldn’t be appropriate. Also, please be aware that Trinity Church is implementing security checks on all persons entering the church building, so please be prepared for that going forward.
Wed Feb 14, 2018	Reminder that there is no practice on Wed Feb 14th due to Ash Wednesday.
Sun Jan 7, 2018	The first Sunday of the New Year - Epiphany Sunday at Trinity - saw some good 12-bell ringing, with 18 ringers present for the occasion. Dividing the bells front and back into two groups of six, each simultaneously ringing Plaint Hunt on 5, allowed ringers at various levels to participate. Erin and Stedman Cinques were also rung for the occasion. Ringing continued into the afternoon, concluding with a quarter peal of Stedman Cinques.
Mon Dec 25, 2017	A month that began rather auspiciously ended somewhat quietly, with so many of our ringers being away for the Christmas holidays that we had to cancel ringing, a great disappointment, as we strive to maintain a sense of service to Trinity Church as paramount to our activities. But many of us provided supply ringers to towers in the communities we were visiting, many of which were experiencing the same problem of their local bands being diminished by Christmas travel plans. The bells were also silent on New Years Eve this year – but we look forward to pulling the ropes again as 2018 begins, and we wish all of our members and friends a Happy New Year.
Sat Dec 9, 2017	The ‘Trinity Shield’ 8-Bell Striking Competition, the first of what we hope will become an annual event, took place today. Five teams participated, one from Boston, two from New York, one from Washington DC and one from the Kent School. Dave Bassford served as the judge. The test piece was 154 changes of Plain Bob Triples, rung by each team in an order determined by a draw, after a period of general ringing followed by socializing and refreshments in the Manning Room. When the day’s ringing had concluded, everyone made their way to Trinity Place bar and restaurant. Towards the end of a fine dinner, Dave addressed the group with constructive, insightful critiques of each team’s ringing, concluding with the annnouncement of the results in reverse order, with Washington DC being named as the winner. The event concluded on Sunday, with 12-bell ringing for both the 9:00 a.m. and 11:15 liturgies. Thanks to Stuart and Kira for organizing this, and to all who participated and helped make it a success.