Tony Clark
1923 - 8/7/2022
A service took place at Wing parish church at 2.30 pm on Friday 12th August, following a private cremation service earlier in the day at Gt Glen crematorium.
Tony was ringing into his nineties, and, when he finally decided to give up, he continued to chime for Wing services until the
pandemic lockdowns stopped everything. The wooden ladder in the corner was the only way up to the belfry, and, into his 80’s he climbed that and 2 further ones to service the bells and fly the appropriate flag for anniversaries and special occasions. Simon Forster and Nigel Pask recall following Tony up to do work in the Belfry and being mystified when they couldn’t see him. He had climbed over the second tier of bells and, being small, was hidden behind them, working away. In the wall behind, you can see all the control boards for the appliances in the church. Tony knew the systems inside out and, as Church Warden, was famed for setting them so that no electricity was wasted.
Tony was born in Norfolk, but the family moved a number of times, so he stayed with his aunt in Ketton while he attended Oakham School. The second World War had started by the time he was 17, and from then till 1949 he served in the RAF ground crew - a perfect job for Tony who loved anything mechanical. Postings were to Cape Town and, later, to Egypt. Tony’s name is recorded on the Ketton Roll of Those Who Served in His Majesty's Forces in the War of 1939-1945
Tony met Muriel at a wedding where she was a bridesmaid and he the Best Man. They married in 1951 and came to live in Seaton, where their two daughters were born and Tony learned to ring. They moved several times for Tony’s work and were particularly happy in Gaddesby where he worked at Auster Aircraft Rearsby. There were only 3 bells in Gaddesby church until 3 more were added in 1966, by which time Tony was Tower Correspondent. Amy Cook remembers that Tony was very involved in a project to increase the bells to 8, and in 1973 he trebled to a Quarter of Grandsire Triples which Roland conducted and in which she also rang. Connie Beadman was the organist at the church and recalls that the bell ringers were a very enthusiastic and jolly crowd and Tony certainly had very happy memories of ringing there.
In about 1976, the family settled in Wing and joined the Wing team. Tony had taught Muriel to ring, and she always liked to ring the treble. The tower captain, Billy Clark, was also the local constable, and Tony eventually succeeded him. He was, in fact, very good at getting people active and involved. Indeed, he later became the chairman of the Parish Council and was known for his wise chairmanship.
Fast forward to the millennium which led to a revival of interest in bell ringing. In Ketton, the bells are only chimed, and the ringers also have a thriving handbell team. They wanted to learn full-circle ringing and came to Tony for help at the suggestion of Helen Pollard, who had been taught by Emma Southerington in Market Overton. It happened that Emma was living in Wing at the time and thus it was that ringers from Ketton
became members of the Wing team. One of the learners was 10 year old Michael Pollard. Tony was so proud of Michael’s first Quarter that he had the certificate framed. Years later, Michael, by now an experienced ringer, went on to compete nationally in a 12 bell team.
Tony headed a happy team, and we had 3 ringing holidays, 2 to Derbyshire and one to Norfolk excellently organised by Helen and Michael. Ringing in towers large and small, tidy or dusty, with fine bells or cranky ones was an eye-opener! A ramble a day was included and Pam came with her little dog to complete the party.
When Seaton bells were restored and a 6th installed, new ringers were recruited by Bob and Hilary Williams and Wing was where the aspiring ringers were trained. Tony enjoyed being involved and Wing ringers formed a support team. Subsequently, Seaton ringers were often able to make up numbers for Tony and vice versa. More recently, the Wing ringers have been supporting the training of the revived Hambleton team, and now the two teams share practices, which gave Tony great satisfaction.
When he was not making new stays or pulley blocks, Tony could be found in a garden shed. It housed his beloved model railway built up over the years. It ran on 3 levels up and down round the shed – you had to duck under the lines to get in. At one time he also helped Helen by making models as teaching aid for Physics teachers. That and his garden and allotment filled every spare hour not occupied by bells or church business.
Grandsire was Tony’s favourite method, and he wished it was more widely rung in other Rutland towers. His other wish was for a 6th bell. There is one corner in the ringing chamber where another ringer perhaps could be squeezed, but, when Tony gave up ringing because of his failing eyesight, a chair fitted there perfectly and he presided over proceedings. Order had to be maintained: “Stop all that chatter and get on with the ringing!” was the command. Conversation usually continued in the pub after practices. Tony believed in maintaining this time honoured ringers’ tradition and who could refuse!
Tony brought warmth and happiness to his band of ringers over many years, and, despite Covid, they are thriving and have 3 young people making great
progress. What a legacy! Tony will be remembered with gratitude and a smile not only by the ringers he has nurtured but the church and village community he contributed so much to.
Thanks are due to all the friends and fellow ringers who have shared their memories of Tony. The account is inevitably fragmentary and many readers will have other memories to cherish and share. It’s one of the pleasures of being in the bell-ringing fraternity.
Author: Monica Spence
