Saturday, 3rd August was the occasion of the Sherborne Ringers (and friends) Annual Outing – this year to Devon’s Blackdown Hills.
Many of our ringers had not been on an outing before and had not rung outside the towers of our own benefice, so the focus for the day was going to be on simplicity, sociability and fun.
It was a lovely sunny day and, as we gathered in the churchyard for our first ring on the 19cwt eight in Culmstock, we spent a little time admiring a particularly notable feature of the tower. We had heard about the yew tree growing from the parapets and had assumed its size had been exaggerated as the tale was told; but, no, it is a full sized tree growing from the stonework in the top of the tower! A salutary reminder to pull out your weeds when they are small.
With 21 keen ringers, and with Ringing Master, Nick Baker, keen that everyone should have a chance to ring in every tower, call changes predominated the first grabs though grandsire and plain bob triples also got a showing. The striking was remarkably good, especially with our novice ringers, especially given the inevitable nerves which accompany ringing in a strange tower for the first time, and this set a tone of confidence for the day.
Next we moved on to Hemyock (17cwt, 6) where as well as call changes we rang some doubles and surprise minor and this repertoire was reprieved at Clayhidon (11cwt, 6), our next tower.
The ancient and pretty Half Moon, conveniently situated right next to Clayhidon church, was our lunch venue – always a little worrying for the organisers of any outing (Will the food be ok? Will they serve us in time? Will people like it?) – but there was no need to be concerned this time; despite being busy with other diners they were ready for us and our meal together in a parlour next to the bar was excellent. The church and pub are situated on the side of a hill and so after lunch we were able to spend a few moments in their garden admiring the spectacular rolling Devon countryside before moving on to our afternoon towers.
Our first venue after lunch was Angersleigh (12cwt, 6). On other ringing days out I’ve sometimes noticed that the striking immediately after lunch is a little more, shall we say, casual, but not on this occasion: everyone shook off their postprandial somnambulance remarkably well resulting in some very satisfying ringing.
The octagonal and spired tower of Pitminster (11cwt, 8) was our final tower of the day and by this stage we were pleased that it is a ground floor ring. We were also gratified to discover how easily the bells went and again the striking in the rounds and call changes was most pleasing.
A resounding round of applause ended the day for Jan Keohane who, again this year, organised it all. It was a highly satisfying day, with interesting churches, good ringing, an excellent lunch and great fellowship and fun.
Andy Waring
