Alan and Mae Ellis have returned from their trek to the Egyptian Pyramids. Omer is back from his visit to Israel. Ander has been away at conferences. Valerie Belcher is visiting family in Ontario. Rebecca is scheduled to be doing research on board ship for a good portion of July. The responsibility of running the tower has rested squarely on the broad shoulders of our Tower Captain, Eve Munns. Husband, Peter, has been a great support and all of the over twenty visitors have been most welcome.
Eleanor and Simon Linford visited during school holidays in early April. They were the motivation to ring challenging methods such as Bristol and Cambridge Surprise Major. Such a treat! Robert Hughes from England surprised us for service ringing one Sunday morning, and stayed for many weeks as he was contracted to install new equipment at the Vancouver International Airport. Perhaps he might return this summer. John and Christine Clarke joined us one last time on their journey to their new life in England.
Cynthia Izard is a real trooper for opening her home once again for the Barbeque in Victoria. Many of our group joined in the festivities on the Victoria Day weekend.
With great sadness we received the news of the passing of a valuable member of the ringing community, Derek Sawyer of Toronto. Two quarter peals were rung in his memory. The last of which was rung with Dick nursing an arm having 24 stitches from taking on a couple of fighting dogs, and Jeff with a bandaged elbow. We participated in the memorial ring on June 27, the same day that Kath Sloman, who rang a peal with us in 1996, came to visit. In May, Pauline from Toronto joined us for a ring. It is my understanding that Toronto will become the new home tower for Omer Angel.
The sad news in our tower was the passing of the mother of Lesley Walters, Kay England. Graham was a member of the band that rang the quarter peal of Plain Bob Minor in her memory, with a first for Omer conducting.
Anne Hutton has been busy learning Stedman Triples, Cambridge Surprise Major and Single Oxford Bob Triples. Eve has rung inside to London Surprise Minor. Pam is just about ready to ring a quarter peal. Celia is joining us on Tuesday evenings. Jim is coming along with Plain Bob Doubles.
The wedding season is in full swing and every week we seem to be asked to ring for another wedding. Some of these weddings do get in the way of the Saturday morning practices. But not on the Labour Day weekend! We have booked the entire weekend for ringing, meetings and festivities. Do plan to join us at the NAGCR AGM this year and help us celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Installation of the bells for change ringing at Holy Rosary Cathedral.