We regret to report the death of Dorothy Wood. She died on 22 September 2022, shortly before her 86th birthday, following a very long illness. Her funeral will take place at Rushden at 11:00 on 26th October.

Dorothy learnt to ring at Woodford during the 1950s, then in later years rang with Ivor Dickin’s band at Irchester, when her children were older and the family had moved from Kettering to Rushden.  She rang at the wedding of her daughter, Karen, at Irchester on 29 February 1984, but did little further ringing because of wrist trouble and developing a keen interest in sugarcraft (after decorating Karen & Brian's cake), then caring for her late husband, Trevor (who also did a little ringing).

Dorothy joined the church at Rushden, where she was PCC secretary and Mothers’ Union treasurer for a number of years. 

She rang just one peal, but it was a performance of some note:  Plain Bob Doubles at Woodford on 1 February 1958, the first by all of the band (and only one by Dorothy and three others).  A footnote complemented Dorothy’s uncle, Hiram Houghton, on completing 33 years there as organist, choirmaster and ringer.

Brian Harris

Peal board at Woodford, Northants