Master’s Quarter Peal Tour 2009 - Bath, 23-27th September

In time honoured tradition, this year’s Welsh Colleges Master’s Tour commenced in the local public house. The pub was situated on the banks of the Kennet and Avon Canal, however due to the darkness, beer was consumed inside! A short, but rather hilly walk to the hall followed, before Port, Marmite and Toast was enjoyed. The Master grappled with transport arrangements for the next day’s quarter attempts while some were seen to be hastily learning blue lines!

Saturday dawned, breakfast was consumed and bands headed off for their various towers. Mr Murphy had to make a slight detour on the way to Twerton to pick up Mr Mundy who was wobbling along the A4 on his folding bike… The quarter attempt of Yorkshire Major at Twerton went well and our congratulations go to Sarah West for her first quarter of Surprise Major.

Unfortunately the other two simultaneous attempts of the ‘un-named method’ at Bathampton and Grandsire Doubles at Bathford were less successful, although some very respectable ringing was had at Bathford.

Next up was a quarter attempt of Grandsire Caters at Bathwick and an attempt of St. Clements at Freshford. Unfortunately the St. Clements was lost, but a good 540 was rung instead. The Grandsire Caters went well, despite my best efforts at falling off the blue line!

Lunch then followed in the Inn at Freshford which was serving some rather acceptable Box Steam Brewery Beer. The afternoon attempts of Stedman Triples at Colerne and Bob Minor at Claverton went the same way as the majority of the morning’s attempts. Therefore in true Welsh Colleges style I can report that we scored a staggering 2/7 quarters.

However, we were not disheartened and returned to the hall for tea and cake. Once re-fuelled, we headed off for some evening ringing at Lansdown, a relatively new 2cwt peal of 6. Unfortunately we all experienced varying degrees of traffic related issues due to a Bath Rugby game. However, we eventually arrived on the other side of Bath and enjoyed a lovely lower before admiring the view over Bath.

The evening consisted of a lovingly prepared curry by Martyn Owen and accompanying Onion Bhajis prepared by the Master and his helpers. Entertainment and drinking in the hall continued until the wee small hours when we all headed for the nearest airbed!

Sunday Morning offered a choice of service ringing between St Michael’s and Bath Abbey. Coffee and a wander around Bath followed before an enjoyable Sunday Roast in a local Bath Ales pub.

I would like to thank all those that helped to organise and run this tour especially, Alex Haynes, George Barratt, Martyn Owen, Chris Mundy, Sarah Tadman, Percy, Malcolm Murphy and Rhiannon Meredith.

There are rumours that due to the success of the event but the lack of quarters scored, the Master is considering running a January Master’s tour “take 2”…. Only time will tell if this rumour is true!

- Paul Parker

Twerton on Avon, Saint Michael. Saturday, 26 September 2009 in 46 minutes. 1250 Yorkshire Surprise Major. Helen Foster 1, Sarah West 2, Katherine Probert 3, Kevin Rogers 4, Rhyan Probert 5, Roger Haynes 6, Christopher M Mundy (C) 7, Malcolm Murphy 8. First surprise major - 2

Bathwick, The Blessed Virgin Mary. Saturday, 26 September 2009 in 50 minutes. 1296 Grandsire Caters Stephen Penney 1, Kaye Mundy 2, Helen Foster 3, Kevin Rogers 4, Paul R Parker 5, Georgina Barratt 6, Martyn Owen 7, Christopher M Mundy 8, Malcolm Murphy (C) 9, Simon Goldrick 10. First on ten "inside" - 5