Saturday, 27th April 2024
It was rather cold and wet as we set out on our journey to the Calne area.
The first Tower on our itinerary was St. Nicholas, Bromham. We started off with some rounds and call changes and as more ringers arrived were able to ring plain hunt and plain Bob Doubles.
Our second tower was back across the A342 to St. Andrew’s in Heddington, which proved to be a delightful ground floor six bell tower.
After lunch we went to All Saints, Yatesbury. Unfortunately, the rope broke on bell 4 whilst the Branch Chairman was ringing it. Luckily, no other serious damage was caused but this then challenged us to ring methods on the four remaining bells.
Our next tower was St Swithin at Compton Bassett. This is an interesting Church with much to look at when not ringing. The sun finally made an appearance here as well. Several methods were rung including Stedman Doubles and Bob Minor.
The final tower of the day was St. Mary the Virgin in Calne. This was an opportunity for many of us to try ringing in a 10 bell tower as there are none in Salisbury Branch. We were all able to ring rounds and call changes on several different bells and to appreciate the difference that the extra bells made.
Across the whole day a total of 16 ringers enjoyed the experience of ringing in the five towers. Thanks to the members of Calne Branch who let us in to the towers and to those who ‘ran’ the ringing in the different towers. Particular thanks are due to Albert Spreadbury, our Vice Chairman, for an extremely well organised and very enjoyable day out.
Liz Wrighton.
