Trafalgar Weekend 2010

Endless backed-up traffic appeared to be the continuous norm in Tunbridge Wells and district, and a lack of signposts compounded the difficulty in finding our first tower, St Peter’s. Does everyone else rely on someone called Tom? It was good to meet up with everyone on arrival. Re-uniting after many months, and for some  a whole year, and catching up on news is always a joy, and was of more interest than the ringing! The Ringing Master got things started and finished, before we re-negotiated the traffic back to Tonbridge, Saints Peter and Paul, where the large tower and deep, steep steps,  meant a daunting climb up to loud bells, which perhaps were chosen to ensure that the volume of the traffic noise, did not drown out the lovely sound of the bells .

They are a hardy lot in Kent, and some of the group found their rooms a little cold without the heating on. They must have been pensioned a long time ago, and got soft! Our hotel, the Rose & Crown, looked after us well, and with a smile, and no truck with Navy humour, giving as good as they got. We were given a room to ourselves for our evening meal, where one member managed to order the same choice for starter and main course, which she declined, explaining that the selection had been offered in Swahili. To compensate she demonstrated eating significantly more  butter than roll. The less said about Cabin 52 the better; all that cake!

We were sorry to wake up to  the news that one of  our guests had had an  accident during the late evening, and had been hospitalised - nothing to do with Cabin 52! A get well card was swiftly and thoughtfully procured by the Secretary, signed by all, and delivered to her that morning, with our good wishes for a speedy recovery

Arriving at our first tower on Saturday morning, St Mary the Virgin, Speldhurst, a poster for an Art Exhibition in the Village Hall proved a welcome diversion for non-ringers. The bells here were lovely, and some good ringing was enjoyed with Grandsire, Stedman, and an outstanding touch of Cambridge.

After heavy rain in the night it was good to see the the sun emerging, and our journey to St Lawrence, Seal Chart, revealed the true colours of the season as we drove through the wooded lanes, the coach leaving barely room for a fag paper on either side.  Here was a tiny ringing chamber (one band at a time, please), very characterful and challenging. There was one near mishap when a call change ringer, seeking solo fame, lost his rope. The short draft, and comparatively heavy six nevertheless produced creditable touches of Stedman and  Grandsire. A group photograph was taken here, and the churchyard contained some interesting naval memorials - one a sculpted pile of rocks, bearing an anchor and chain carved from the solid rock.

Our next tower was St Bartholomew, Otford, a church with a wonderful extension -very modern but designed in keeping with the older church. Lovely bells again produced good ringing, Cambridge again being exemplary. The main body of the church contained many brass candelabra. These contained real candles, so a ringer was intrigued to note electrical leads and switchboxes attached to the chains. He was moved to investigate, and was rewarded with the sound of alarm bells as he triggered the defences!  Fortunately most of the ringers by this time were across the road in the Crown where we had an excellent meal, well presented, and all done without the second chef, who had been involved in a road accident on his way to work. BZ The Crown! Two members missed lunch - Tunbridge Wells traffic again!

Satisfied and gratified we set off  for St Mary the Virgin, Kemsing, to find an open church, but no greeter, and with the chiming rope secured by padlock. Defeated, we bought a postcard and left for an early start at St Martin’s, Brasted.

Here was a huge ringing chamber. The anti-clockwise ring produced some challenges.We rang touches of  Yorkshire, Stedman and Plain Bob Triples. This was an obviously loved and active tower with a very friendly atmosphere. We then headed for our final tower of the day, St Botolph’s, Chevening, where we found the cul-de-sac at the church filled with expensive cars, a red double decker bus, men in tails, and ladies dressed as for Ascot! The bells were still  ringing the wedding party off the premises! When our organiser arrived at the church, four local ladies were asking “Where’s our Terry?”,and then, with gasps of delight: “There’s our Terry!” Explanations will be welcome. An immaculate ringing chamber provided more lovely bells which were well served with touches of Yorkshire, Stedman, called changes, and Plain Bob Major, and the tour was rounded off with an excellent lower, before we returned to the Rose & Crown for an informal dinner

The President took this literally and arrived in lumberjack’s No.1s, thus setting the tone for the event. The waiting staff again performed magnificently, and were mustered to be congratulated and receive deserved applause (despite the non-availability of horseradish, nor - quelle horreur - the port!!). Abby’s lunch was made secure. The person who had forgotten what she had ordered, ate her risotto anyway, and whatever was in it (butter?), when the President gave permission to relax jackets we were lushed up to a flash! We were entertained by song, monologue, and tales by popular demand, and the evening was brought to a contented conclusion with the now usual invitation to Cabin 52.

Goodbyes were said at breakfast, as we all look forward to next year

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