Twenty-three ringers and other halves descended on Dordrecht and into the warm and caring hospitality of Paul and Harm Jan de Kok. With most arriving on Thursday 4th April, almost every form of transport had been employed in the journey with each small group travelling from Sherborne, Upwey, Puddletown and Whitchurch Canonicorum by way of trains, planes, car ferry and channel tunnel. Even cycling was added to the list when, on the Saturday morning, one of our number spent a very happy morning touring local windmills.
Dordrecht is the oldest city in Holland with one of the highest towers, leaning markedly but underpinned successfully to stop it sliding into the nearest canal! The tower houses some 65 bells forming a carillon, the heaviest weighing around ten tons, and we were treated to a concert by the local carillonneur, who regularly travels between several towers each day, reminding the local residents that bells are meant to be heard and enjoyed. It was strange, but weirdly comforting to hear “Land of Hope and Glory” being belted out with hand, fist and foot at the top (well almost) of this enormous structure. The four “clock” bells, the heaviest four in the carillon, were chimed from the ringing room by enthusiastic ringers eager to test their strength, with three of us on the tails of the ten tonne hour bell, while others watched in awe of the sound.
Further up to the very top of the tower many of us ventured, to be greeted by a panorama of the city, its canals, the Oude Maas river, and neighbouring towns. Huge cargo-carrying river boats, the local ferries towards Rotterdam, the spectacular bridges, including one magical piece of engineering which hoists the railway lines upwards to allow the tallest vessels to pass beneath – all were clearly visible on the warmest day of the year so far in full sunshine.
On the previous day, several of us had ventured into Delft by train and car, to view the Museum, to watch the pottery being made, and to sample the local delights. It was at around 1:30 that the weather finally cleared, leaving the main square in full sun, brightening spirits, especially when others of our crew arrived purely by chance!
Ringing on the ten in the Grote Kerk took place from time to time on both Saturday and Sunday. Sadly, neither quarter peal attempt succeeded, but we enjoyed the atmosphere greatly, while being able to admire the craftsmanship of the bells, their frame complete with dampers to aid sound control, and all Paul and Harm Jan’s vision and hard work in creating this magnificent peal of bells. Several “firsts” were scored, all recorded on the Firsts page, where our two “young ringers” particularly enjoyed the experience.
t’Klockhuys houses a peal of eight bells with a tenor weighing just 79kg (1-2-7). They are a joy to ring, testament to which is evident on the walls, but also on the faces of the ringers who were expecting the full mini-ring experience. Far from it. They have been hung in a way that enables normal handling, with full-length sallies. We did succeed with two quarters here, both on the Saturday afternoon.
Shortly afterwards, the highlight of our hosts’ wonderful and fulsome hospitality began. I ought to confess that some of those proceedings are a bit of a blur now, but perhaps not quite as much as for one of our party who mislaid her purse, having handed it for safe-keeping earlier to a friend! Sunday morning panic quickly turned to relief when its whereabouts became obvious.
The weekend was memorable for all of us, I know, and it was with heavy hearts that we turned for home. I cannot complete this account though, without recording our grateful thanks to the de Kok family who looked after us so amazingly well, and to Andy and Andrea for making the arrangements. It was a truly wonderful experience, and one which I would not hesitate to encourage others to repeat. Would I go back? Absolutely! Loved it!
Tim Phillips
