North Staffordshire Association
of Change Ringers
125th Anniversary Outing
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North Staffordshire Associationof Change Ringers125th Anniversary Outing |
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| Forthcoming outing | Booking a place | Outing report |
Lundy Island may not be paradise but it is known as the
Kingdom of Heaven, the Revd Mr Heaven being the clergyman who
built the island church. This is the church which possesses a
ring of ten, including a light six, cast by Charles Carr, the
very same founder who provided Fenton with its well-known ring.
But I have it on good authority that the Lundy bells have tuned
up very nicely.
As a rejuvenating part of the North Staffordshire Association of Change Ringers' 125th birthday celebrations, a trip to Lundy Island is planned. For those who are interested in other things as well as bells, Lundy is situated off the Devon coast, in the Bristol Channel. It has a history of occupation, including incursions by ringers, but is now owned by the National Trust and run as a nature reserve well-known as a habitat for a variety of sea birds. I am reliably informed that there are also forts, rocks, sheep and a warm welcome. All told, there is plenty to keep a band of ringing tourists happily occupied for eight hours or so.
The proposed trip to Lundy can be as long as you like - you can make it part of a holiday in Devon or include it within a wider ranging ringing tour. If there is a demand, towers can be arranged for the preceding day. Which brings me to the date. There are certain constraints to do with tides and weather. After due consideration and with continued crossing of fingers, we have booked the bells on Lundy for Saturday 4th August 2007.
The ferry crossing from Ilfracombe lasts about two hours and check-in time is 7.30 a.m. We should be back on the mainland by about 8.00 p.m. If we have at least ten people there is a 15% reduction in the cost of the fare (standard charge 30gbp per person). With such an early start, it makes sense to be in Devon by the evening before at the latest. Phil and/or I will do a preliminary websearch and talk again to Bob Caton, who organises ringing on Lundy, for information about accommodation of different sorts.
What we need now, and as soon as possible, is some idea of the numbers of people (this includes friends and relations, ringing and non-ringing) who want to take part. Indications so far are that there will be no problem in achieving the level required for a reduced rate ferry fare. Let us know by the beginning of April if you are interested. A more detailed programme will be organised when we know who is coming and what, if any, additional entertainments/facilities are requested.
Please contact Rowena or Phil Gay, Woodlands, Keele Road, Keele, Staffs ST5 5AL (Tel: 01782 750038 E-mail: ) for further info, to share your ideas, confide your concerns and pay large bribes if you want to ring the treble all day.
Rowena Gay
The Association Outing this year, on August 4th, is to Lundy
Island. The plan is to spend the day on the island, which is
situated in the Bristol Channel about one and a half hour's boat
journey from Ilfracombe. In addition to its ring of ten bells,
Lundy is famous for its wildlife and spectacular scenery.
We have booked the bells for the day, and will be booking the boat for everyone so that we qualify for a party discount. We will also book a few towers on the mainland for Friday afternoon and evening. We will also provide information on Sunday ringing in the area. Individuals will be responsible for getting themselves to Ilfracombe and making their own accommodation arrangements.
The cost of the bells and boat will be just under £30.00. To reserve a place, send £10.00 per person (cheques payable to R Gay) to me by June 25th.
Rowena Gay
The idea of this visit originally came from Rowena Gay in response to a request for suggestions for what to do for the celebrations for the North Staffordshire Association's (NSA) 125th anniversary. One member had stayed on the island and confirmed that it is one of the most peaceful and idyllic settings. Plenty, we thought, to keep a band of ringing tourists happily occupied for eight hours or so.
When Lundy was proposed to the Association at a regular meeting there was a degree of enthusiasm and agreement that Ro should arrange this as a tour to replace a normal Saturday ringing meeting. Members noted that there are certain constraints to do with tides and left the date to Phil and Ro, who after some thought booked the bells on Lundy for Saturday 4th August 2007.
The weekend opened on the Friday with Dunster, Minehead and
Combe Martin, allowing the majority of the party to move into
their B&B's that evening. The Saturday dawned rather misty and a
light wind greeted the 25 embarking members of the NSA and
friends. Andrew Palk and a group of ringers mainly from Minehead
and Dunster joined us. The voyage on the Oldenburg began
jauntily. However the Atlantic swell soon asserted itself, and
there was little demand for the bacon sandwiches being offered by
the cafe.
After mooring at the south beach, the assembled group of over
40 ascended to St Helen's and joined in general ringing. Then we
agreed a timetable of three quarter peals, which were all
successfully rung and satisfied those wishing to have a rope,
covering a mix of methods from minor to royal. While not
ringing, visitors enjoyed the delights of the island, which is a
nature reserve. Some climbed the old and disused lighthouse;
some read Harry Potter and some did both. Many savoured the laid
back atmosphere of the Marisco Tavern.
When the time came to leave, one or two visiting ringers posed
as old people and were whisked down to the boat by Landrover. The
majority trooped down the rocky path to the shore and some took
an opportunity to watch seals splashing as we waited to board.
The return trip to Ilfracombe was bathed in sunlight, on water as
smooth as a millpond, and discerning ringers snapped up the
boat's bargain offer of cream teas.
On the following day visitors spilt into groups and visited service ringing at a range of towers in the Ilfracombe area. Given the distance from North Staffordshire, the demands of weddings, holiday commitments and other practical issues, the adventure was well supported. People seemed greatly to enjoy Lundy and the surprisingly good sound of the ten bells, of which Charles Carr cast eight. We are particularly grateful to Ro and Phil Gay for arranging the trip and to those in Somerset and North Devon who helped.
Tim Hine
Details of the three quarter peals rung during this trip are included in the Anniversary Quarter Peals list, and photographs are on the photos page.
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