Work with the Manor School and a Farewell to Nicky Jarrett

During the Autumn Term, before Christmas, I was able to go into Manor School in Drayton for a number of afternoons to work with Nicky Jarrett, the deputy head and her Y5/6 class of children.

The children were studying the village now and 100 years ago. The children used the school laptop computers to do on line research using the 1901 and 1911 censuses. Many of the children were able to create family trees and quite a few of the children found family connections with the village.
We also visited the village war memorial and noted the names of the 6 men, from the village, who died in World War I. Then the children used the internet to find out about them . Bev Davies from New Row came into class and talked about one of the men, Sam Tilling, who was her ancestor.

After Easter the class are going to attend the casting of the 3 new bells at John Taylor's Bellfoundry in Loughborough. But Nicky Jarrett will not be with us, as she is moving to be deputy head of the school in Kings Bromley. This is great news for her but it's sad for us that she will not see the completion of the project. I'm sure that the children will send her a photographic record of their trip.

Date for Start with Tower Woodwork

 As soon as the bell appeal was launched, Adrian Taylor,a joiner who lives at Ashdene Farm, Drayton kindly offered, free of charge, to create trapdoors in the tower floors and to build our new ringing room floor. He has now told me that this work will start on Tuesday 29th March.

Gould's woodyard in Fazeley have offered to provide any wood needed free of charge for this work and for the sound control boarding that we are putting up against the louvres.

We are truly blessed with so many marvelous people who are willing to give their time and products free of charge for the appeal.

More Begin to Learn to Ring

Lauren and Millie, daughters of Kay Putnam have begun to learn to ring ready for the new bells arriving at Drayton. The two girls are carrying on a family tradition as both Kay their mum and their grandparents, Peter  and Marg know how to ring.  As the damp conditions, at the moment, at Drayton make it difficult to teach new ringers, teaching sessions have moved to Tamworth. Lauren and Millie have had 3 lessons so far and are making rapid progress.; Lauren nearly being able to handle a bell on her own.

Brian Reynolds who began to learn last month is sticking with it and is enjoying the experience. He is progressing well and is nearly able to handle the bell without assistance.

At least 2 more villagers are ready to start lessons and will have their first lessons soon.

Another Descendant Makes Contact

Today I received another cheque in the post for the bell appeal. This time it was from a Chris Maynard, whose grandfather was a younger brother of Alfred Ball. Alfred was one of the six men who went from the village to fight in World War I but didn't return. Alfred, along with his 3 younger brothers all fought for their country in this war but Alfred was the only one not to return.

They were the children of Alfred and Mary Ball and lived in Drayton Manor Lodge on Coleshill Rd  . Alfred Snr was employed as a groom at The Manor. Alfred Jnr , before going off to war, had also been employed at the Manor as a footman.

Best Wishes from a former Resident Minister of Drayton

I met Philip Hall a few times when he was Resident Minister at Drayton between 1995 and 2001. I had the pleasure of meeting him again at Don Hellmuth's memorial service in November, where he showed great interest in our efforts to augment the bells at St Peter's Church.

Today I received a letter from him wishing us well with our effort to augment the bells and enclosing a very generous donation to the bell appeal.

People who have any contact with Drayton Church retain a warm connection with it.

First New Learner Takes to the Ropes

Brian Reynolds, a Drayton villager, volunteered a while ago to learn bell ringing in order boost the number of people available to ring the new bells when they are installed later this year. We started off about 2 weeks ago using a bell at Drayton. This didn't go well as the long length and dampness of the rope on the bell made it difficult to handle. We then transferred to Tamworth where the length of rope is shorter and the atmosphere drier. Brian has had 6 lessons of about 1 hour each. He is making good progress and ringing the bell with a little help. He said that when he saw people ringing the bells he didn't realise it involved so much skill. He is persevering and is determined to be able to take part in ringing the new bells when they are installed.

Tower Electrics Having a Makeover

Yesterday I called in at St Peter's to see the progress with upgrading the electrics in the tower. Matt, the electrician, had made good progress. The new dual strip light and emergency lighting had been fitted in the ringing room. The whole staircase was now equipped with bulkhead lights and there were now no dark patches. The clockroom had been equipped with new lighting to illuminate the whole space. A new floodlight to illuminate the whole of the belfry was just being installed, together with electric sockets for ease of maintenance.


To be completed was wiring these circuits into a new consumer unit in the church which will ensure that the electrics in the tower can be extended if necessary in the future.



This is the emergency light in the ringing room. It will ensure that if the power goes off. This will switch on and ensure the ringers can catch their ropes.