by J.R. Smith
While perusing some old copies of Overtones, I ran across this tidbit in the January 1967 issue. While it is not about handbells, specifically, it does relate to bell ringing and concerns the town of Ipswich, Massachusetts, where our organization was founded.
J.R. Smith
Publications Director
Always Looking for New Content
Instructional Articles
- Rehearsal & Teaching Techniques
- Programming
- Building and Organizing a Program
- Marketing & Communication
- Building/Using Equipment
Music
- Processionals & Fanfares
- Hymn Accompaniments
- Arrangements for Less than a Full Choir
- Learning Pieces
Educational Materials
- Music Lesson Plans
- Rehearsal Exercises
Features
- Human interest stories about the people who make handbells special
- Articles about especially unique handbell events or programs from which someone else could gain ideas
WOMAN NAMED
TO RING BELL
IN IPSWICH
Reporter Is First Lady So Chosen
In Town 332 Years Old
Ipswich, Mass., Oct. 5 (AP)—Mrs. Mariet Moffatt has been appointed the first lady bell ringer in the 332-year history of Ipswich. And she isn’t even a native New Englander.
The bell ringing began in Colonial days to announce curfew. Since then, 21 tolls have sounded every night at 9 o’clock as a tradition of Ipswich’s heritage.
Mrs. Moffatt, 56, was appointed to the $250-a-year post by the selectmen. She was the only applicant. The previous bell ringer had retired.
To Maintain A Tradition
“I heard the town was planning to use tape recordings of bells,” she said today. “I wanted to see the bell ringing tradition continued, so I applied.”
The necessity of ringing the bell every night of the year doesn’t bother Mrs. Moffatt. “I have kind of a definite routine I follow anyway, so I won’t be going out of my way.”
She is a reporter for the Ipswich bereau of the Beverly Times and tapes a news program for a Newburyport radio station.
“If I ever want to take a vacation,” she said, “I have several reliable friends who have promised to ring the bell for me.” The present bell is located in the Methodist Church
In Ipswich 12 Years
Mrs. Moffatt came to Ipswich twelve years ago. Previously, she had been a reporter in Huntington, W. Va., and had lived in Michigan. She was born in Shelbyville, Ind
She admitted she may have some problems covering night time meetings of town agencies
“If the meetings go on after 9 P.M.,” she said, “I’ll have to run out to ring the bell and then come back.
“The selectmen told me they are going to conduct all their important business from five minutes of nine to five after nine.
She taught music for 10 years at the Thomas School in Darien and has directed adult and children’s choirs for many years. At present she is the organist and choir director of the First Reformed Church in Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y.
WOMAN NAMED
TO RING BELL
IN IPSWICH
Reporter Is First Lady So Chosen
In Town 332 Years Old
Ipswich, Mass., Oct. 5 (AP)—Mrs. Mariet Moffatt has been appointed the first lady bell ringer in the 332-year history of Ipswich. And she isn’t even a native New Englander.
The bell ringing began in Colonial days to announce curfew. Since then, 21 tolls have sounded every night at 9 o’clock as a tradition of Ipswich’s heritage.
Mrs. Moffatt, 56, was appointed to the $250-a-year post by the selectmen. She was the only applicant. The previous bell ringer had retired.
To Maintain A Tradition
“I heard the town was planning to use tape recordings of bells,” she said today. “I wanted to see the bell ringing tradition continued, so I applied.”
The necessity of ringing the bell every night of the year doesn’t bother Mrs. Moffatt. “I have kind of a definite routine I follow anyway, so I won’t be going out of my way.”
She is a reporter for the Ipswich bereau of the Beverly Times and tapes a news program for a Newburyport radio station.
“If I ever want to take a vacation,” she said, “I have several reliable friends who have promised to ring the bell for me.” The present bell is located in the Methodist Church
In Ipswich 12 Years
Mrs. Moffatt came to Ipswich twelve years ago. Previously, she had been a reporter in Huntington, W. Va., and had lived in Michigan. She was born in Shelbyville, Ind
She admitted she may have some problems covering night time meetings of town agencies
“If the meetings go on after 9 P.M.,” she said, “I’ll have to run out to ring the bell and then come back.
“The selectmen told me they are going to conduct all their important business from five minutes of nine to five after nine.
She taught music for 10 years at the Thomas School in Darien and has directed adult and children’s choirs for many years. At present she is the organist and choir director of the First Reformed Church in Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y.
J.R. Smith
Publications Director
Always Looking for New Content
Instructional Articles
- Rehearsal & Teaching Techniques
- Programming
- Building and Organizing a Program
- Marketing & Communication
- Building/Using Equipment
Music
- Processionals & Fanfares
- Hymn Accompaniments
- Arrangements for Less than a Full Choir
- Learning Pieces
Educational Materials
- Music Lesson Plans
- Rehearsal Exercises
Features
- Human interest stories about the people who make handbells special
- Articles about especially unique handbell events or programs from which someone else could gain ideas
