Ahh Easter. As we set out of Swindon I admired the lovely clear skies and the prospect of a good few days out and about ringing and pubing. What could be better? Obviously something could as Cheshire had grey skies and rain we found as we arrived in the county.
First port of call was Cheshire train station to collect Little Red Riding Hood and keeping our eyes open for any characters with long ears or sharp teeth we arrived in Tattenhall and decamped to the pub. This pub proved to be somewhat busy due to a funeral party and as a result of their catering arrangements the pub wouldn't be doing meals that night. The arrival of the next car load and the finishing of the beers was followed by a trip to the pub on the other side of the road (almost like being back in Aberystwyth) for more beer and a Chinese.
Next was the Tattenhall practice where everyone obediently climbed the spiral staircase to the top of the tower not realising the ringing chamber was accessed by a ladder from ground level. Some kindly local soul took pity on the group and called up with instructions for the proper route in. Ringing was swiftly over and everyone decamped to the pubs to await the later arrivals.
Upon investigation the hall proved to be amazingly luxurious – the upstairs room slept all the non-snorers and had its own kitchen, the downstairs main hall the mild snorers, the first additional room the major snorers and the room with the downstairs kitchen had Malcolm and Roger!
Friday started far too early for most people with the County Fair taking place and causing a succession of old ladies to be found wandering around in a panic at not being able to get into the kitchen to make a cup of tea. The fire alarms then sounded for a good long while – the response to the potentially dangerous situation was to unanimously stay in bed and try and block out the noise. Luckily it was only the catering officers not realising there was an extractor fan. Breakfast was served over the body of Malcolm and people were ready well in advance of the departure time which was just as well as the car park was now solid with vehicles and the hall caretaker did a superb job of getting the ladies to move their cars so we could move ours out.
The first tower of the day was a ground floor ring of 6 that were almost silent inside until the hoover was moved and the staircase door opened allowing some sound to penetrate the interior of the church. Upon our departure the workmen outside digging holes in the pavement told us we were too b****y noisy – this from those who excavated pavements for a living! The second tower involved a brief trip through Wales to get to – some cars visits being briefer than others (my navigation not being exactly brilliant at this point). Methods rung included Stedman, Grandsire and call-changes. The third tower of the day had the novelty of the house next door having a plane in the garden – I guess the local Post Office had been announced as closing and they were preparing for the worst. There were also some rather creaky boards on the floors, this being another ground floor ring I couldn't help wondering how big a hole could possibly lay underneath.
Lunch was washed down with Thwaites and the next tower was Eccleston with a 26cwt ring of eight. Somehow tour organisers seem to think that slightly (or not so slightly) inebriated ringers will cope better on high numbers or heavier bells, I'll reserve judgement on that but the ringing went well. The next tower was rather close but required quite a detour to get to it due to the unfortunate presence of the river Dee. The final tower of the day started with the usual Welsh Colleges standard of getting the bells up but improved from there, ringing a selection of methods before setting our sights on the hall and the pub. Dinner for the evening was a take-away and Percy & Martyn excelled themselves in ordering in exactly enough of everything. Well fed we then visited the Letters Inn again and did our best to finish off the barrel of Cains.
Saturday dawned and after a tasty breakfast we set off to the first tower where there was a good view from the top and ringing ranged from call changes to a half-course of Yorkshire Major. The second tower had the luxury of heaters in the main church as well as some nice bells – Dave recalled that he had visited before on seeing the local pub. Ringing ranged from Plain Bob to London and a crossword was attempted. This proved so engrossing that one person was half-way to the next tower before realising they had left their bag behind, prompting a dash back and thoroughly confusing the car behind that obediently followed our U-turn at a roundabout. Bridges taken at 60mph proved to be good fun and we arrived at the next tower a few minutes after most and even before some who hadn't gone back. Percy commented on how glad he was that he wasn't wearing a skirt today upon taking hold of one rope and finding a cold breeze blowing up under him. Ropes at the end of ringing were placed into big blue bags by the brave standing atop a stepladder or alternatively for Percy by slipping his into a clear sheath.
Lunch and beer was provided in Nantwich and the next tower was the octagonal tower of Nantwich itself where we had been informed we were not covered by church insurance whilst ringing here. Locating the door to this tower was tricky and we had circled the interior and almost the entire exterior of the church before Sarah kindly waved us towards the correct passage and we could ascend. Ringing done we headed to the final tower of the day and rang quickly and made a swift exit to get the catering officers back before the meeting began. The meeting was conducted from some rather comfortable looking chairs and was concluded with the decision of the dates of the next Easter tour to be held on 23rd – 26th April 2009 in Yorkshire.
Dinner was spaghetti bolognaise followed by apple strudel and was rather tasty. This was rapidly followed with a visit to the pub again where darts and pool were played and rather a lot of Baileys was consumed – that a single consisted of a double measure didn't stop anyone ordering doubles and I worried for their supply, especially after the Cains was finished off. Toast back at the hall was followed by a nights sleep safe in the knowledge there would be no hurry to leave in the morning as the hall would be empty the whole day.
Sunday dawned and bands set off to two towers – Tatenhall and Waverton, the latter having only just been augmented to an eight. A quarter peal attempt at Tushingham of Cambridge Minor failed and the contents of the hall were cleared away only to have more items arrive and be deposited for a jumble sale that was cancelled. Having been given permission by the caretaker WC's gained a new pan and members helped themselves to anything useful.
Sunday lunch was arranged for those still around in a pub with super views of the county and after this people departed pleased from a rather good tour. Roll on Wiltshire.
- Andy Barnes
Photos from the tour taken by Iain Scott are available on his website.