Mr Punch continues to knock seven bells in Crossways (From Dorset Echo)

Mr Punch continues to knock seven bells in Crossways

5:18pm Friday 1st August 2008 in Community

• HANDBELL ringing came to Crossways in 1985 as the result of a lot of hard fund raising to purchase a set of fifteen bells from Pennsylvania, USA. Since then the team has grown in size and the number of bells and performed at many local events.

They have been regular performers at Brewer's Quay for the Victorian Shownight and in addition to busking have performed at concerts and entertained at many functions. Recently they gathered into a gazebo and entertained at the fete which accompanied Wool Carnival.

July gave the team both joy and sadness with the arrival of a further octave of bells from America and the passing of one of the founder members of the team. It was a time for reflection on many happy memories coupled with excitement for the difference the addition would make to the sound produced.

The bells were purchased with the aid of an interest free loan from a national charity set up for this purpose the William Hartley Memorial Fund. It means the team will need to fund raise to repay over the next three years. With four octaves of bells the Crossways team is one of the largest in the county.

• EILEEN Faulkner lost her brave fight against illness in July and was fondly remembered by many in the village who knew her. Having lived in Crossways for many of her 84 years she was a familiar face in many different groups and gatherings. Whatever she did she was enthusiastic and genuinely enjoyed many different things. Also she was always willing to help with events and fundraising.

Not only had she rang the bells but with her knitting and sewing she helped raise the money for the things we needed. It was the same with the short mat bowls team, the parish magazine, the village hall, the Methodist church, the Oddfellows and the scout group.

At her funeral in Owermoigne the handbell team was asked to play and this was done with the mixture of emotion that such events bring to mind. So many happy memories of past events and the sadness of her failing health in the past few months, How appropriate that two of the teams brand new bells were played in tribute - the E and the F, her initials.

• TRADITIONALLY Crossways residents have been very generous in supporting the Oddfellows fete in aid of Cancercare Dorset held at Martinstown cricket club on August bank holiday Monday. Members from Crossways help collect and then run a very profitable raffle at the fete.

Mary Brewer is hoping that villagers will once again support the stall and is looking for donations of items and these can be handed to her. Volunteers to help with selling the tickets on the day would be a great help.

• MENTIONING the handbells and fetes reminds me of the reason why I took on one of the more unusual pastimes in my life. Many years ago now, the village hall had an annual fete in August to raise funds to start restoring the building which was all but derelict. As secretary of the committee I tried to book a traditional Punch & Judy show.

When given a quote I replied for that money I could build the booth and do the show myself !' I have made these rash statements at various times in my life. However in a matter of weeks with the help of some friends a booth was made, covered with old sheets and a set of puppets purchased.

Now, over 20 years later and with a different set of puppets and a different cover it is wonderful to see that the magic of this most British of entertainments continue to be appreciated by children young and old. Over the years I have been asked to many events and raised money for a lot of good causes.

What has this to do with handbell ringing I hear you ask ? Well in addition to all the stalls and raffles that Eileen helped so much with I did my bit. The shows were given in aid of the fund to buy the bells. It was an unusual way of raising some money and I am happy to carry on. For health reasons last year both Mr Punch and I were confined to quarters in the summer.

How lovely therefore to be asked to a church fete at Maiden Newton as my first performance in nearly two years. I shall be at the Oddfellows fee on August bank holiday Monday. I was also delighted to be able to say yes to perform in the Borough gardens in Dorchester at the end of the month to celebrate 60 years of the NHS.

Whilst Mr Punch may be adding to the workload of our hospitals with his constant wife bashing and knocking people about I am delighted to say thank you to those who helped save my life. So if you see a familiar looking striped booth at a local event then come and say hello' - that's the way to do it !' Please contact me if you would like to know more about Punch & Judy or handbell ringing.