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I am a quilter living in Woodbridge, Suffolk who has made quilts since I was a teenager. I also ring bells! Both are great British traditions....I will try to feature some of my antique Welsh and Durham quilts, the quilts I make myself, my quilting activities and also some of my bellringing achievements. Plus as many photos as I can manage. NB: Double click on the photos to see greater detail, then use back button to return to the main page.













Thursday 4 October 2012

A Funny Thing Happened While We Were Ringing Last Night....

We were ringing a quarter of Flamstead Surprise Minor, and it was going  very well....when suddenly, Kates rope broke!!


Kate with the broken treble rope....

Although two of the ringers went up into the belfry and replaced the rope with an old one, we had to start again - on only five bells.

The broken rope will have to be repaired. Bell ropes have to be specially made and are rather expensive - and as there are only a very few companies that make them now, there are year-long waiting lists. Pettistree has been trying to gather money for a new set - several hundred pounds. Our ropes do get a lot of use, and there are rumbles that the quality is not as good these days.
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6 comments:

  1. Liz4 October 2012 at 11:26

    Hi Pippa, Have you tried the Ropemakers in Hawes, Wensleydale? They say that they are one of the four traditional bell-rope makers left in the country. http://www.ropemakers.co.uk/map.asp?mid=2
    (Click on 13 for more info)Liz

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  2. Donna in SW PA4 October 2012 at 15:11

    OH NO!!!!

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  3. Pippa Moss - Welsh Quilts4 October 2012 at 16:04

    Hi Liz, I think that Outhwaites changed hands and no longer makes bell ropes - it is very specialised and each set has to be made to suit the individual church, the drop from bells to ringing floor....the weight of the bells etc etc....and the best hemp now goes to China and is not available for the bell ropes so that they do not wear as well as they used to....(more than you ever wanted to know about bellropes...)Pippa

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  4. One Minnesota Quilter4 October 2012 at 19:19

    How old would one of those ropes be? Just curious.

    I like the quilt in your header. Beautiful quilting.

    Judy

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  5. Robin4 October 2012 at 19:45

    How interesting that ropes for bells need to be so specific. I'm sorry it will be so long before a new rope is available.

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  6. KiwiRobbie4 October 2012 at 20:46

    You could try Higbys. They now have a ropewalk (we met Matthew last year)and the ropes all look good. And certainly a lesser waiting time than the others. (Although that might have changed now with more orders :) ) Karen

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