Page 66 - br-dec-2019

December 2019 December 2019

BRIANTSPUDDLE VILLAGE HALL - EVENING LECTURE SERIES
BERE REGIS BELLRINGERS
National Coastwatch Institution
Remembering Rene
“Eyes along the coast” Irene Skinner, née Pitfield, sadly passed away on the 13
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by Tim Colquhoun October. She was born in 1931 and had reached her 88
birthday.
Tim is a trustee of this national charity and will explain to us the great Rene started as a Bellirnger in Bere Regis in 1954 and had
reassurance that when you get into difficulty at sea or on land along the been made an Honorary Life Member of the Salisbury
coast someone is watching out for you.
Diocesan Guild of Ringers after 50 years of continuous service. She was taught to
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7:30 p.m. Wednesday 11 December 2019 ring by her Father, Harry Pitfield who himself rang in our tower from 1943 to 1969.
Though very slight of stature – in later years standing on a box to reach – Rene
would ring a half-ton bell with ease. On the Treble bell she would set a very
Admission £3 steady rhythm which made it so much easier for the rest of the band to keep
Includes tea coffee biscuits. Wine is available at cost.
good time. And for those special days when ringing for brides, she would pipe-up
Many of us have heard Tim playing the organ at Affpuddle or Bere Regis church, and “Let’s have a Wedding Touch” which meant ringing fast and close together, a
others know of his knowledge and experience in the wine trade, but, those of us who technique she had learned from her Father.
indulge in yachting will be pleased to hear about one of Tim’s other pastimes.
Rene was one of the band who rang in
the Millennium, so her photograph is on
the board in the ringing chamber where
we celebrate the more memorable
occasions marked by the Bere Regis
bells.
If you asked Rene after ringing “What’s
for Tea?”, the answer was always ‘Nanar
Sandwich’, a banana sprinkled with
sugar.

Rene liked to hear the bells rung well. If
the timing wasn’t to her liking she was
quick to let you know, in the ringing
chamber when she was in the band, or
more recently from ground level. A good
ticking-off from Rene in the Spar shop
was a strong incentive to do better next
time!

We are sure she will continue to listen and to watch over us.

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