I had only just begun writing my first blog since being elected Master of the Essex Association of Change Ringers when I received the very sad news of the death of Mary Roast. Mary was a stalwart member and supporter of The EACR, along with her husband, Joe. I am writing this whilst in Cornwall, where Julia and myself like to spend a lot of our ‘free’ time. On Mondays, we ring at Towednack, which has a light ring of eight, hung in a low, stocky tower. There is a peal board recording a peal rung in 1955, which includes Edward, Thomas, Joe Roast, and Mary Dowsett: Mary Roast’s maiden name. I photographed the peal board, which is attached.
I would like to thank everyone who supported me in my election as Master of the EACR at the Annual general Meeting on May 5th. As stated by Paul Cammiade: I was not pressganged into the role, as I had seriously considered standing next year, but a little gentle persuasion persuaded me to take on the position a year earlier.
I thank Andrew Kelso, the outgoing master and Andrew Brewster, the treasurer for their assistance and support during my first days as master of the EACR.
During the election, I purposely left the building, in part because it is an accepted tradition in certain societies, and so members could speak freely, without possibly feeling inhibited by my presence!
My first tasks are finalising arrangements for the forthcoming Ridgman Trophy Striking Competition, which this year is to be held at Boston Stump, Lincolnshire. Andrew Kelso had very kindly set arrangements in hand whilst the post for master had remained vacant. I chair my first committee meeting this coming Saturday: a post AGM trustees meeting.
I have been very encouraged to see more recruits in the last few years, with a higher proportion of young ringers. The Essex Eagles have performed well at youth striking competitions, and we need to do everything we can to support them. We continue to debate methods of attracting more recruits: a debate which has become more high profile in recent years. The association has enjoyed some publicity, and raising its profile can attract further publicity. This will be assisted in no small measure by the excellent new website, which was uploaded to coincide with the AGM. I would like to thank Sarah Chin A Loy and Caroline Watts for their input into the new website.
Finally, I would like to thank Vicki Chapman for volunteering as Interim General Secretary. The role of secretary provides the lynchpin of any society or organisation.
Nigel Taylor