<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40">
<head>
<meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii">
<meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 12 (filtered medium)">
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;}
span.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal-compose;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:windowtext;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;}
@page WordSection1
{size:612.0pt 792.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
</head>
<body lang=EN-GB link=blue vlink=purple>
<div class=WordSection1>
<p class=MsoNormal>There have been some interesting developments at Christ
Church, Higher Bebington.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Last Thursday - we could hear them from our house – clock
chimes were sounding out (although Christ Church does not have a clock). It was
not a recording. They have continued ever since i.e. on the quarters until 9
p.m. daily. Radio-controlled time signals ensure the first strike on each hour is
precise (“one second in a million years”?). We have also heard hymn
tunes.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>I contacted one of the congregation there and arranged to meet
the Church Treasurer this morning who kindly showed me over the new facility.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>The 8-Bell hemispherical chime is now being used. It has been
heard only rarely in recent years, the last time to mark the 60<sup>th</sup>
anniversary of VE Day. (I was there – on the anniversary not VE Day) .<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>An electronically controlled striking apparatus has been
installed. It is programmed to sound Westminster (Cambridge) & Guildford chimes
and, presently, seven different hymn tunes, including Duke St (Fight the good
Fight) – not for weddings we understand! The selection is made at the
small console located in a cupboard in the nave.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>There is also Plain Hunt on 8, and Plain Bob Major, rung
albeit with open backstrokes (but not handstrokes) and at handbell ringing speed.
Last Sunday, PB8 was rung at 9:50 prior to morning service (I was told as
not able to hear it myself being likewise employed elsewhere at the time). The installation
is only at the development stage and adjustments are likely to be made.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>The system has been designed and installed by Scirrard
Lancelyn-Green of Poulton Lancelyn, Bebington where he has his own chime
(proper bells from Eujsbouts) in a clock turret. The Christ Church installation
is evidently based on the same technology. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>The other good news is that the tape recorder (with change
ringing recordings) is no longer being used (it was beginning to show its age)
and the loudspeakers are about to be removed from the tower.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>I have taken some photographs and recordings using my camcorder
(which may be uploaded to You-tube – one day). <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Peter<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> <span lang=EN-US>Peter Humphreys<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>15 Mount Park<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Bebington<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Wirral CH63 5RD<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Tel: 0151-608 9434<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Mobile: 07896 342 920<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
</body>
</html>