Having been the wettest July in years there were fears that this years Summer Tour would be severely disrupted. Come the morning of July 25th I got up optimistically, looked outside my window to be greeted with mild drizzle, oh well, Welsh Colleges are a hardy lot, the tour was on! Having hurt my knee the following weekend walking 24 miles I was uncertain as to whether I would be able to cycle but decided to see how it went.
After picking up Jenny from Wolverhampton Train Station we had a remarkable amount of fun trying to get her bike on my car rack, with me complaining that ‘I don’t normally have this amount of trouble, Andy hasn’t got a girls bike’. We eventually departed the station with a crazy bike arrangement on the back of the car, hoping that the rack would hold…it did and we arrived safely at The Bell, Trysull where we met up with Becky. We spent the time catching up, eating some pre quarter peal dinner and generally scaring the couple sitting opposite us, who were getting quieter and quieter and who eventually fled in terror.
During some banter about the latest Harry Potter book, in which Becky and I were teasing Jenny about the ending, (she was only a few chapters in) Percy ‘the muggle’ arrived. It was soon time to drive the short distance to ring a quarter of Stedman Triples on the lovely sounding bells of Claverley. We met the rest of the band and got half way through until a ‘Bromley single’ unfortunately caused a premature end, not to worry it meant more time for beer, back to The Bell where drinking commenced and others arrived. A short walk from the pub we found the spacious village hall and some rather dodgy looking individuals sitting in their convertible in the car park, not to worry we soon scared them off too.
Thursday turned out to have the worst weather I have ever experienced on a tour. With my trainers having been soaked through after I had waded through floods to get back to my house the week before they took another pounding and by the end of the day you could smell them a mile off. Despite the glorious summer climate, after we had moved our belongings to one side of the hall to allow the local naturists group to strut their stuff during our absence, we soldiered on, ringing at Pattingham (8), Albrighton (8), Ryton (6) and Patshull (6). The latter was particularly memorable, having as it did an unusual tower, no electricity and square wheels, lovely stuff!
After the drenching it was time for a well earned shower at the local swimming baths, where Ross accidentally almost went into the female changing room (well we assume it was accidentally!). Then it was back to The Bell for food and beer, where we were treated to a continual loop of ‘As Time Goes By’ on the audio system, we probably heard it 50 times, I nearly went insane! Thank goodness for the sanctuary of the hall and my bed.
Friday’s cycling began with a mammoth hill that we had to ascend to get into Wolverhampton, needless to say all of us apart from a hardy few had to get off and push at some stage but at least the weather had improved and it was dry. Today’s towers comprised of Penn (8), Blakenhall (8), St Peter, Wolverhampton (12) and Tettenhall (8). Not having the opportunity to ring on twelve often I particularly enjoyed St Peter’s where although our ringing was restricted mostly to call changes I thought we rang extremely well and after a three hour lunch break too that was pretty good going.
Once again, some of us went to get refreshed in the local leisure centre. On the way back we stopped to get some money out and unfortunately we were attacked by a hoody wearing chav. Asked if I could change £20 for two £10 I agreed, however it soon become clear the person did not have any money, she become rather irritated and decided to kick my car and injure James’ arm in the process. This was my worst memory of the tour and made me rather sad that some people abuse the kindness of others to try and gain an advantage. As if this wasn’t enough excitement for one car journey travelling along a country lane we almost had a young lady jump on the bonnet, she appeared from nowhere out of the hedge and jumped across the road, obviously not expecting our presence.
On returning to the hall we found most of the others having a swing in the playground and organising a take away. It was also at this point that I heard a thud and turned round to see Paul lying at the feet of Rhiannon. However much respect for the master appeases me, I can assure you it is not necessary to bow in my presence Paul. An hour later and a veritable feast of varying curries, salad, popadoms, naan breads and side dishes arrived and were promptly consumed by the group. More beer and bed followed.
Come Saturday a combination of my dodgy knee, the fact that almost all my clothes were soaked through and/or mud caked and the reasonable mileage to the first tower made me decide to leave the bike at the hall, typically it turned out to be the best weather of the tour. It turned out my decision may have been a wise one as there were reports of never ending hills and even the mighty Ross had to get off and push at one point. The final day of towers saw ringing at Coseley (8), Dudley (10), Sedgley (8) and Wombourne (8). Apologies to any who were expecting a striking competition this afternoon, it was decided after consultation with my fellow officers to postpone this to the Autumn tour seeing as we usually hold it at a rural six and that we were ringing after a wedding at Sedgley. On arriving at Wombourne we found the treble had no stay. Always keen to leave a tower in as good a condition as we found it we failed on this occasion when Percy decided to break the tenor rope during the lower. I even managed to catch a few overs of the local cricket match which was pleasing.
It was soon time to return to the hall, where following a short informal meeting we were treated to a scrumptious bbq prepared by Pete and Paul. The burgers were particularly popular and I had to wait quite a while for one but it was certainly worth it. There was also time for cake, furnished with candles to celebrate Martin’s birthday. Time then for one last visit to The Bell, which was rather busy hosting a party in the restaurant, meaning we had to take over the bar area instead. Ross dazzled me with his card tricks and I came agonisingly close to beating Dave at Strip Jack Naked, then half a dozen or so of the group invaded the party with an impromptu conga right through the middle. With the clock pushing 1am it was time to head back to the hall for a quick port before bedtime.
Sunday morning arrived all too soon and marked the end of another tour. After service ringing at Trysull it was time to tidy the hall, pack up bikes and go our separate ways. A few of us headed for tea at a vineyard in Half Penny Green whilst the rest headed straight home. Even though this has been the worst summer tour I have attended weather wise it didn’t ruin my enjoyment of it. Thanks to everyone who attended for making the tour a success, especially James for organising and to Pete and Paul who kept us all fed. Special mention also for Ross who I believe was the only person to cycle to all the towers.
- Daniel Knight