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You are in: What's New > Archive News 2002 > Archive News 2001 > Archive News 2000

Appeal Launch Update - 1 December 2001
Click here to read Appeal Update - December 2001

Essex Association give grant of £12,800 to the Bell Appeal - 13 October 2001
At the October Executive Committee meeting, held at Danbury on Saturday 13 October, the Committee considered a grant application from Writtle and agreed to grant £12,800 for the 8th bell of the new 10.

Two more sponsors come forward - 2 October 2001
Following on from the success of the Quiz Night, two donors have come forward to sponsor the 8th and 9th bells

Appeal Launch Update - 1 October 2001
Click here to read Appeal Update - October 2001

Quiz Night a great success - 29 September 2001
The Quiz Night held at the Christian Centre was a tremendous success, raising over £1,400 for the Bell Appeal.  25 tables and over 180 people enjoyed the evening and the chilli supper.  The winners took the prize of wine and the losers took, quite literally, the wooden spoons.

Quiz Night sold out! - 22 September 2001
Please note that all tickets for the Quiz Night on 29 September have been sold.  Please accept our apologies if you are unable to obtain tickets.  We hope to run another Quiz Night next year.  Our apologies to anyone who was unable to buy tickets this time around. 

Quiz Night Tickets
Tickets for the Quiz Night on Saturday 29 September are now on sale.  The recommended minimum donation is £7 per person, including a hot supper.  Tables of 6 or 8 persons.  The evening starts at 7.45pm for 8.00pm and ends at about 11.15pm.

Coffee Morning - 1 September 2001
The Coffee Morning held on Saturday 1 September raised over £300 towards the Bell Appeal.

Appeal Launch Update - 1 August 2001
Click here to read Appeal Update - August 2001. 

Images of Barn Dance - 21 July 2001
The images of the Barn Dance can be found here.

Barn Dance a great success - 14 July 2001
The Barn Dance held at the Tithe Barn on the Writtle College estate on Saturday 14 July was a great success, raising about £1,200 for the Bell Appeal. Over 160 people danced, jigged and stripped the willow to the Old Court Ceilidh Band. The barn, which was built in the 15th century and is one of the finest examples of traditional Essex weatherboarded barns is some 35 metres long, 11 metres wide and 12 metres high, and proved a very fitting venue for such an occasion.

Essex Striking Competition Finals - 7 July 2001
Writtle came sixth (out of twelve) in the finals of the 6-Bell striking competition finals held at Bentley Common on Saturday 7 July.  In the 8-Bell inter-district competition held at Brentwood in the evening, the South Eastern District came first, ringing the set touch of Pudsey Surprise Major, completing a hat-trick of wins in the competition.  Two Writtle ringers were part of the 8-bell band.    

More images of Teddy Bear Parachuting - 10 June 2001
More images of the teddy bear parachuting have been posted here.  As noted below, one Teddy - 'Pinky Bear' - was found the following day in Motts garden.  I am pleased to report that he has now been reunited with his owner.

Appeal Launch Update - 1 June 2001
Click here to read Appeal Update - June 2001. 

Teddy's Galore - 29 May 2001
What a fantastic turn out! Teddy bears arrived thick and fast and despite some apprehension they all managed to complete the jump. Indeed, some enjoyed it so much they kept coming back for more! Some had the slight embarrassment of being lodged in a tree for a while, but our expertly trained rescue crew soon brought them safely down. One Teddy - 'Pinky Bear' - was found the following day in Motts garden. Please get in touch if he is your bear, in the mean time we will look after him. 

If your Teddy didn't receive a certificate on the day then please get in touch and we will issue him with one. During the afternoon 330 Teddy jumps took place. This, together with the sponsorship raised by some of the more enterprising Teddies (Red Ted £250, Ivan The Terrible £120 and many more), raised £785. Add this to the balloon launch, the cake stall, the Tower tours and the £50 raised by 8 year old Camilla Brisley on her Table-Top sale, makes the total raised during the week to just under £2,000. Many thanks to all that helped in any way. It has been a wonderful week, culminating in an afternoon that was full of good humour.

Successful peal of Plain Bob Triples - 19 May 2001
A successful peal of 5040 changes of Plain Bob Triples was rung on Saturday 19 May in 2 hours and 59 minutes.  The band, who were all Writtle ringers with the exception of Terry Earle, were:

Writtle in striking competition finals! - 28 April 2001
In the SE District Striking Competition heats held at Little Waltham on Saturday 28 April, Writtle came second and so qualify for the Essex Association finals for the third year running.  The finals this year will be held at Bentley Common, in the Southern District on Saturday 7 July.  The Writtle ringers, ringing Morris's 240 changes of Grandsire Doubles, were: Phil Stephens: Treble, Christina Fleckney: 2, Christopher Newton: 3, Andrew Brewster: 4, Peter Fleckney (C): 5, Roger Bailey: Tenor.

For the record the full result was:
1st: Little Waltham (35 faults); 2nd Writtle (43); 3rd Chelmsford (59); 4th Danbury (65); 5th Gt Totham (71).

Appeal Launch Update - 1 April 2001
Pledges to sponsor seven of the twelve bells have now been received.  This, together with some other very generous donations, brings the total raised so far to just over £40,000.  We still have a long way to go, but what a brilliant start!

Sponsors. It would be marvellous if the remaining five bells could be sponsored. Bells are an excellent way of providing a memorial to a loved one, or commemorating a particular event. They are, of course, very expensive, and it is appreciated that many people who would like to sponsor a bell may not be able to do so. Joint sponsorship, as a way of reducing the cost to the individual, is a possibility that people may wish to consider. Another possibility is to consider sponsoring the component parts of a bell mechanism i.e. the headstock, clapper or wheel. Please contact any of those named below if you would like to have a chat about sponsorship possibilities.

Records. All donations received for this project will be recorded in a book, which will be kept in the church. Those who sponsor bells will be able to choose an inscription to be cast on the bell and the names of those in memoriam will be included on a plaque to be situated in the church.

Appeal Launch a great success - 5 March 2001
The launch of the Writtle All Saints Bell Appeal, held on Sunday 4 March, was a tremendous success. Over 170 people attended the launch and viewed the exhibition, a demonstration of method ringing on handbells, had a go on the Essex Association demonstration bell, and listened to a presentation by the Tower Captain, Phil Stephens. On the day we received donations of just over £2,400. In the few weeks leading up to the launch sponsors for five bells had been pledged and another was received on the day.  Many thanks to all for such a marvellous start to this project.   

The proposed balloon launch had to be postponed due to the Foot and Mouth outbreak.  It is hoped it will now take place on Monday 28 May to coincide with the Teddy Bear Parachuting from the tower.  

Annual General Meeting held - 30 January 2001
The Tower AGM was held on Tuesday 30 January in place of normal practice.  The agenda included reports from the Tower Captain, Treasurer, Steeple Keeper, Archivist and the Handbell ringers.  The election of tower officers took place and all present incumbents were returned.  The launch of the Bell Appeal was discussed and fundraising events to be held during the course of the year.   Finally, dates for the outings and social events were arranged.  The meeting finished at 9.35pm and some of the ringers retired to the Wheatsheaf.     

Date of Bell Appeal Launch Reception announced - 4 January 2001 
The official date for the Launch Reception of the Writtle Bell Appeal will take place on Sunday 4 March at 12 o'clock in the Christian Centre, after morning service.  There will be a presentation, an exhibition, a demonstration of method ringing on handbells and a balloon launch.  Light refreshments will be available.  Other events for 2001 include a tower open days from Monday 21 to Sunday 27 May, Teddy Bear Parachuting from the tower on Bank Holiday Monday 28 May, a Barn Dance in the Tithe Barn at Writtle College on Saturday 14 July, and a Quiz Night on Saturday 29 September.