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Trafalgar / Falklands Weekend 2007 Our weekend of excitement and challenging ringing began on the evening of Friday 19th October 2007, when we met at Aylesbeare (6) followed by Lympstone (6). Fortunately for our elderly members these are ground floor rings Then followed an excellent dinner at The Swan in Lympstone, with outdoor seating for our smoker! Our accommodation for the weekend was at The Globe, Topsham, Exeter where some of us met in Bill and Barbara's cabin for wine, get together and gossip. I understand that this lasted until 1.00 am. |
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On Saturday 20th October we boarded a coach to take us to the towers for the day, including a lunch stop at Dartmouth. The first tower was Kingsteignton (8), a most impressive ringing room, spotlessly clean, with all walls fully panelled, but with no peal boards on view as yet. Someone lost a ring here but our President, Joe, kindly returned to the church to rescue it, for which the owner was truly grateful, meaning we were late arriving at Dartmouth St Clement (Townstall (6)). The ringing room on the first floor was open to the church and access was via a wall mounted metal ladder whose rungs were similar to knitting needles, with a trapdoor at the top. The church is situated on a hillside by the River Dart, the bells were pleasantly and clearly audible in the area. |
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Lunch was taken at The Seven Stars, Dartmouth, by the river, a friendly place with close knit tables. At this stage we had a photo call in the doorway of St Saviour’s and I just remember huddling together in a doorway with vehicles almost running over our toes! After ringing at St Saviour, Dartmouth (8) we managed some ‘sea time’ with a ferry trip down the Dart river to St Petrox (6), a quaint church situated next to a castle. Some members bravely took the mile long footpath to this church. It was here that President for the day, James, rang his first quarter peal in March 1958. After the return ferry trip we boarded the coach and arrived at Alphington, Exeter (8). This concluded our ringing for the day, with variations of change ringing ranging from rounds/call changes to Grandsire Caters and Surprise Major, thus catering for all members present. |
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The day
closed with a Guild Dinner to celebrate the Battle of Trafalgar and the 25th
Anniversary of the Falklands War. The meal was delicious and nourishing
with wines, port and Madeira on hand, the Menus were produced by Chris
which had pictures of the Battle of Trafalgar and the ships in the
Falklands War, the after Dinner speech given by James in the Malthouse of
the Globe Hotel. |
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Sunday 21st
October saw some members of the Guild ringing for Sunday services at
Exeter St Mark (10), Exeter St Michael (8) and St Margaret Topsham (6).
Methods included Grandsire Caters and 6 spliced Surprise Major. Then
followed an inspirational service at Exeter Cathedral attended by members
of Royal Navy Marines associations including RNGB. The Band of Her
Majesty’s Royal Marines CTC Lympstone sounded a fanfare before the service
and provided music afterwards. This was followed by a reception in the
Chapter House when James introduced two members of the Guild (Bill and
John), who are veterans of the Falklands campaign, to Cdre Clapp, the
Commander of the Amphibious Forces in the Falklands. It is also good to report that a member of the Guild, Julia is beginning training for the ordained ministry of the Church of England. We wish her every Blessing. Thanks go to Pauline for organising interesting ringing venues for this weekend. |
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