What is wrong with society?

There is plenty wrong with society, but here are a few things I think are plain wrong.

1. Naked Attraction - which cretin thought up this programme and which bunch of people actually thought it would be appropriate viewing?
2. The increasing amount of Halal Slaughter of animals in the UK. How can the RSPCA turn a blind eye?
3. The inability of young children to cook and the way supermarkets offer pre-prepared food.
4. The ineptitude of politicians.
5. Political correctness gone mad which means people cannot express an opinion for feat of having some label attached them.
6. Health and Safety gone mad.

Vocal Range

I have a concert at school next term. I usually manage to find a suitable song for up to 60 pupils to sing together: however the task is getting harder.

People think that children can sing anything: this is not so. They can TRY to song anything and children are good mimics. The fact remains that a lot of the songs children hear - and like - are not within their vocal range. The image below (click to enlarge) illustrates the problem: it is driving me mad!

A = Too low for children
B = A good vocal range for children up to 13 (and girls beyond that)
C = Most children will not wish to sing up here unless they have individual singing lessons.
D = The range of most adult pop artists. Some pop songs are at the top of a tenor's range and, if the song fits within B will be good. However, a tenor's range is a good 12th but pitched a 5th below the 12th range of children. Thus, it is no good singing a song displaced by an octave. The current craze for songs from "The Greatest Showman" is extremely unhelpful.

Try telling that to colleagues, parents and children!

Stedman

I loath Stedman.

I have been a bellringer since 1973. My ringing took off in 1976 and I had a lull at university from 1977-1980 (As the Bristol University Ringers were not a welcoming lot back then!) but made huge steps on my PGCE course in the Reading area.

When I moved to the place where I now live I had ring a fair bit of Stedman but was no expert. There is one high-powered tower round here where I went to ring (back in the 1980s) and I joined in some Stedman. I went wrong and was reprimanded by another ringer for having spoilt their evening: it was practice night! I did not return to that tower for 20 years. These days, I would have given that chap a piece of my mind. I think he is now dead!

Anyway, I often go to towers where they insist on ringing Stedman: some claim it is a musical method. However, it is also one in which it is easy to lose one's place. Actually, it is very simple to ring - until calls are made. One can then forget whether to go in quick or slow. Good ringers are able to look around and find clues: I used to use the 4-5 rule but it does not seem to work for me these days for some reason.

In my experience, Stedman is a divisive method (actually a Principle) and it is used - I feel -to show off or make others feel less able.

However, some people seem to think they MUST ring it at all costs and so it gets rung badly, mostly at practice nights: seldom is it rung for services at my tower.

Here it is, rung nicely.

Safeguarding

We are very big on KCSiE at school, as we should be. Reflecting on my life, I feel I was lucky that such regulations and concerns were not a bother or hindrance to adults with whom I came into contact.

I was lucky to be taken, by adults - without any paperwork, risk assessment or regulations - to:

• Bellringing outings
• Bellringing meetings
• Concerts (by the Head of Music to Oxford to see "Orfeo", for example)
• Organ Crawls (for the uninitiated these occur when a church organ society visits a number of instruments during a day, a bit like a bellringing outing.

As I consider planning a bellringing outing myself for the local branch of the Guild, it occurs to me that I need to have some sort of Child Protection Policy in place; or to refer to the Guild version.

KCSiE, GDPR and all the other host of regulations which bombard us these days are all very well, but they make volunteering and getting things done much harder. I am glad I do not run a church choir (except at school).

What amuses me these days is the change to the Bird's Eye Fish Finger advertisements. In the old adverts of years ago, the Captain had a crew of children and everything was innocent. (see below).

In the current climate, the narrator has to stress that the few children with the Captain are related to him and that he enjoys "swimming with his grandson".

By the way - I do not eat fish, so it is all of no consequence to me!

This is the kind of thing I enjoy

I have a cold and cannot sleep. This cheered me up.

Age

Over at Tregar Vean the problems of ageing are mentioned. As I am now into my 60th year I have to say I am finding that my body and mind are changing. Here are a few changes.

1. As a youth I would not pass up a chance to go bell-ringing but I would much rather stay in the warm these days. This may improve in the summer.
2. My fingers are starting to get stiff and I cannot play fast pieces as well (not that I ever did do keyboard 'fireworks'). On Sunday it was so cold in church it was all I could do to play the hymns for the school service.
3. I am starting to worry about my legs. I forecast an issue with varicose veins in the not too distant future. I have to make sure I do not eat food too late before I go to be.
4. Once an 'owl' I now go to bed at 0930pm and listen to the radio to unwind. If I stay up too late I am irritable the next day (or two)
5. On the other hand, I am far more patient as a teacher than I used to be. I take the view that shit is always going to happen so one may as well weather the storm.
6. My eyes are not as good as they were, although my optician is very happy with them (oddly)
7. I have various aches and pains which come and go.
8. I get lonely (I live alone)
9. I never remember good things I have done: I easily recall (and they pop into my head) embarrassing things I would rather forget!
10. I want to retire soon but I fear I shall be bored.