The main event in 2006 was the retirement of our esteemed Tower Captain, David Rixon through ill-health. For the last 20 years David has assiduously maintained the bells, the ringers, and, in spare moments, the clock too. On April 11th, past and present members of the Willesden band, together with many ringing friends from neighbouring towers, congregated at a local restaurant to say "thank you" and give him a good send-off. We are extremely grateful for his unflagging commitment and quiet diplomacy generously given over the years and wish him well in his retirement. In this way the band continues to dwindle steadily. We have not taught any new recruits since 1997 and the average age of the remaining members of the band is closer to 70 than 60. If anyone in the congregation shows the slightest interest in learning to ring, please encourage them to come up the tower. In the absence of young blood, I estimate that all ringing by the local band will probably cease within the next 5 years.

On the brighter side, the tower is popular with visiting ringers and this means we are often able to call in a few favours when ringing is required at awkward times. We are grateful to Fr David for readily giving his permission for visits.

Ringing was suspended for several months while maintenance work was done on the battlements and a safety platform installed in the tower. Unfortunately the architect did not see fit to take any advice from the ringers and the planned access ladders could not be fitted as they would have interfered with the operation of the bells; the platform is thus essentially useless. We cannot emphasise sufficiently that this unnecessary expense and disruption could have been avoided if the ringers had been consulted at the planning stage.

The ringers continue to finance small maintenance jobs from donations made by visiting bands. Recently we have painted and recarpeted the ringing chamber, fitted new bellropes, and made improvements to security and lighting. We have also restored the clock-winding gear to working order at our own expense.

Roger Bailey
Tower Captain

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