18th March 2010 was a special day in Chelford, Cheshire: the Tower Captain, George Forrester, celebrated his 90th birthday. Naturally such an occasion could not be allowed to go by without proclaiming it to the world on the bells of the Church of St John the Evangelist. Even better, two days later George himself was able to ring the tenor behind to a 1290 of Grandsire Doubles. The day following the birthday an excellent peal was rung in fine style by some of George’s ringing friends, who were very pleased to invite him and Mrs Forrester to lunch at the Egerton Arms.
George learnt to ring on the five bells of Leaton in Shropshire. After a spell in the army he and his wife, Marian, came to live near Chelford, and he joined the local band. He worked for many years as a gardener, and then as a decorator. He has been tower captain at Chelford for a good many years now. Anybody who visits the tower will know of the very warm welcome they get from George: always a cup of tea and a biscuit, and always interest shown in the ringing. He is a fine example of the unsung heroes of the Exercise: those doughty tower captains who devote a large part of their lives to ensuring their bells are rung, and rung well.
The lunch was a very pleasant occasion and discussion on matters campanological and ecclesiastical flowed freely during and after the meal. As for matters chronological we were all amazed how George has weathered so well the advancing years, and how he is still very active in the tower. However, as he has repeatedly said, this is but a mere rehearsal for the big one in ten years time. The date has been duly noted and no doubt another splendid peal will be rung for this stalwart of Cheshire ringing.
Chester Diocesan Guild
Chelford, Cheshire
Saturday 20 March 2010
1290 Grandsire Doubles
1. Dennis Latham
2. Rosemary S Spencer
3. Clive R Calton
4. Tim J Calvert
5. K George Lee (C)
6. F George Forrester
90th birthday compliment to the tenor ringer.
The quarter peal was as excellent as the peal and George rang faultlessly throughout. This pleased him no end. It was also of great satisfaction to the conductor, who anaesthetised George for a coronary bypass graft operation some 11 or 12 years ago. George, the model patient, has never looked back since, and he is clearly on course for another quarter peal in 2020!
From left to right: Rosemary Spencer, Tim Calvert, George Forrester, Clive Calton, George Lee, Dennis Latham.
Chester Diocesan Guild
Chelford, Cheshire
St John the Evangelist
Friday, 19 March 2010 in 2h 30 (8-2-3)
5040 Treble Dodging Minor in Seven Methods
- William H Dowse
- Christine Broadley
- Clive R Calton
- J David Adams
- Revd Brian Harris (C)
- Peter Wilkinson
Rung in celebration of the 90th birthday (18th March) of George Forrester, Tower Captain of Chelford.
The band who rang the peal for George Forrester's 90th birthday. Clockwise from the centre front: Peter Wilkinson, Clive Calton, Bill Dowse, Christine Broadley, Brian Harris, Marian Forrester, George Forrester, David Adams.
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