This year’s Calne Branch Spring Tower Tour, once again expertly organised by our regular tour planner, Ruth Beavin, took us to Gloucestershire on 13 June 2026. The itinerary featured six churches over the course of the day, beginning at the “Horseshoe Bend” of the River Severn in Arlingham and concluding in Stinchcombe—the birthplace of William Tyndale, translator of the Bible into English, or, for the younger among us, the 12th-century figure Linfred of Stinchcombe, known to Harry Potter fans as a distant ancestor.
Our first stop was St Mary’s, Arlingham, a ring of six (12 cwt) set in motion anticlockwise, providing an early and invigorating challenge. With the sun already warming the morning, conditions were ideal and spirits high. From there, we moved on to St Andrew’s, Whitminster, where another six (15 cwt) awaited, offering a slightly weightier but equally rewarding ring. By then, the rhythm of the day was well established, and the ringing was flowing nicely. The morning concluded at St Mary the Virgin, Frampton-on-Severn, home to a lighter ring of six (9 cwt), providing a pleasant contrast and a fitting end to an enjoyable morning’s ringing.
Lunch was a welcome and well-earned pause at The Tudor Arms in Slimbridge, beautifully situated alongside the Gloucester–Sharpness Canal and just a short stroll from the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust. The setting alone made it a highlight, while the excellent selection of food, and, of course, beer, came highly recommended by all.
Our first tower of the afternoon was St John the Evangelist, Slimbridge, its elegant 150-foot spire a striking landmark as we approached. Here we rang a well-balanced six (12½ cwt), a pleasant start to the afternoon session. From there, we continued to St Bartholomew’s, Coaley, another ring of six (11 cwt), this time from a ground-floor ringing room. With the day growing steadily warmer, the open doors were most welcome, allowing a refreshing breeze to drift through and making for particularly enjoyable ringing.
Our final tower of the day was St Cyr’s, Stinchcombe, home to a lighter six (9 cwt), but guarded by the day’s most adventurous access—steep steps, a coded key box, and a notably heavy trapdoor all standing between us and the ringing chamber. The effort was well rewarded, providing a memorable and fitting conclusion to the tour.
Throughout the day, we ranged from rounds and call changes to methods including Bourne and Cambridge Minor, with plenty in between. It offered something for everyone, and all ringers rose to the occasion admirably, with several tower and tenor “grabs” achieved along the way. Our regular tower tours are always advertised, and new participants are very welcome to join.
Our sincere thanks go to all the churches that so generously allowed us to ring and enjoy such a thoroughly rewarding day.
Patrick Holder-Mallett
Chair, Calne Branch, SDGR
