I am not the person I was years ago. I hit 60 in November. From the age of 1970 until 2005 I was mad on organ music and on playing the instrument. I gave my last serious recital early in 2005. I fill in, occasionally, on large(ish) organs now and again but I play an extremely small instrument weekly during term time and have no incentive to practise.
I was also a very keen bellringer from the age of 14 until a few months ago. Now I am just fed up and ring only now and again. I always wanted to learn more methods but ringers are not about (my area) who can ring them. There is a Surprise Royal at a town down the road 2 miles, and in the county vast amounts of Plain Bob Doubles is rung. You can get Cambridge minor but not a vast amount of surprise minor or major which is all I am happy ringing. I do not have enough 10-bell experience and see no need to gain it.
Ringing has let me down, I feel, although I have put plenty back. I fail to understand the need to teach people Stedman when towers are not going to be able to ring touches. As a branch it is all we seem to do. In short I am disillusioned.
When I was a boy I had a mis-spent youth around Peterborough. I would cycle to Woodston (Mon) Stanground (Tues) St. John's in town (Wed) St. Mary's in town (Thur) and often be taken to Yaxley on Fridays by the chap who taught me to ring; we are still very good friends. These days one has to drive some distance to ring every night, not that I have enough energy after school to do so. When I retire I shall be somewhat older and I already dislike going out on cold, dark nights.
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