Tribute Page
Tribute to Sue Fisher 1959-2011
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- Category: Tribute Page
- Published on Wednesday, 04 January 2012 12:15
- Written by Jan Wyatt
- Hits: 47
Sue was born in 1959 and grew up in Hayes in Kent with her Mum and Dad, Alison and Michael. She attended Hayes Primary School; Langley Park Girls' School and Goldsmiths College, University of London.
Sue was never in perfect health and the kidney problems that were to follow her throughout her life forced her to give up her University place before she got her degree. She joined Customs and Excise in 1984 and worked in various jobs with them until her untimely death. Her happiest time there was in her role of Training Officer - a job that she loved.
Sue's social life revolved around bellringing. She was taught to ring by Jean Morley at St Mary's Hayes, Kent in 1979. Sue became Tower Secretary and later Tower Captain as well as running the handbell team. She played a full part in the work of the church as well as in the tower. She served on the PCC and was a sidesman for several years. Sue was full of fun and enjoyed taking part in the church pantomime and other drama productions. From St Mary's, Sue moved to St Martin of Tours, Chelsfield, Kent where she received a warm welcome. She enjoyed her ringing there as well as the friendship of the other ringers.
Sue joined The Ladies Guild of Change Ringers in 1986 and this led to strong friendships with ringers throughout the country. The Ladies Guild holidays were a particular source of enjoyment for her. She was the Independent Examiner of Accounts for The Guild.
Never in really good health, Sue was admitted to hospital in February 2011. She fought to get well but eventually lost her battle on 28th October. The church was packed for Sue's funeral. She was laid to rest in the churchyard at Chelsfield within sight of the tower and her favourite method, Stedman Triples, rang out as she was lowered into her grave.
Sue Fisher loved life, loved her family, loved her friends, loved fun and laughter, loved music, loved animals and wildlife. We will miss her more than words can say, God bless her.
Marion Diana Gilbert
- Details
- Category: Tribute Page
- Published on Tuesday, 24 March 2009 19:12
- Written by Margaret Ingman
- Hits: 182
October 17th 1943 - February 1st 2009
It is well known that Marion had many hobbies bowls, tennis, cycling and was a member of several organisations both in the village and further afield, W.I., book club,magazine distribution team,Southam Town Twinning to name only a few, but she was also an accomplished bellringer.She came to the village with her husband John and two small daughters Jane & Naomi in the summer of 1976. She taught at Stockton school and later at Napton ‘old school’ before becoming Headteacher there until her retirement in 1996 when the school closed.
She was born in Suffolk, moving to Norfolk with her parents, as a small child, where she joined the choir in her home village church, and as a teenager was recruited to the bell tower at Great Barton where she was taught to handle a bell by Gilbert Larter.
At Napton she held the post of Secretary and was the first lady Tower Captain in the history of St.Lawrence ringing, a position she held for five years during which time she taught many a learner to handle a bell. She was instrumental in the conversion of the then tower members to method ringing by the traditional and recognised way of memorizing the blue line, (at that time Napton ringers rang changes by reading numbers from a board which was positioned in the centre of the ringing chamber).
Her power of persuasion also encouraged John and in time Jane and Naomi to ring.
In 1988 she was elected to the Ladies Guild of Changeringers and remained a supporter of Northants District until her untimely death. Though not a peal ringer, she enjoyed ringing quarter peals for special occasions (including her own silver wedding anniversary) and enjoyed visits to other towers, pointing out items of interest in readiness for her ‘write up’ to the parish magazine after the autumn day outing.
For many years, with her husband, she organised ‘The Spring’ evening outing, which entailed finding a tower and more importantly a good pub for refreshment after the rigours of ringing. She continued to do this after John died in 2004.
Marion regularly attended the Holy Communion Services in Shuckburgh and occasionally Stockton, but always got back to Napton in time to take part in the Sunday Service ringing.
On the day of the funeral the weather was appalling, nevertheless the church was filled to capacity and local ringers with visitors took part in the half-muffled ringing before and after the Service.
In thanksgiving for her life, quarter peals were rung in Northants and Warwickshire.
Napton ringers will miss her greatly and extend their heartfelt sympathy, love and prayers to Jane & Naomi.
M.B.Ingman.
Ringing in memory of Marion Gilbert
Church of SS. Peter & Paul Nether Heyford, Northants.Thursday February 19th 2009
1260 PLAIN BOB MINOR In 44 minutes
| 1. | Karen Colvin * |
| 2. | Hilary Aslett |
| 3. | Margaret Ingman |
| 4. | Chris. Cox |
| 5. | Rosemary Hemmings |
| 6. | Shirley Waterhouse (Conductor) |
* First on the Treble to a Minor method and first for the Ladies’ Guild.