We waved excitedly as we pulled up alongside a Saabfull of Colwall ringers, at the traffic lights in Cheltenham. Both cars then went in opposite directions.... but arrived at the first church, Charlton Kings, on time! Up in the tower it seemed that most of the Ledbury District was on tour; squashed onto benches and into corners to give the ringers enough room. Rather improbably someone said that one bell had a WOODEN clapper. The downward ring was notable for calls of "not downwards...up a bit" much to the amusement of spectators.

Testing the "to share at coffee break" homebaked flapjacks on the way, we reached golden sunlit Chedworth; up a little cobbled path and past a spring. The staircase, in the ground floor ringing chamber between the treble and the second, caused confusion for a few. The highlight of the churchyard, was the skeleton carved on a large tomb by the porch. All was going very well until one local resident was forthright in his resentment of our ringing. It wasn’t that bad!

Onwards to Withington, sustained by fruit cake only to find the actual coffee break in full swing on arrival! A new temporary Tower Captain in each church meant a varied and purposeful ringing programme for both novice and experienced ringers. Words like triples, call changes, Rutland, Stedman spring to mind. The highlight for me was treble bobbing to Cambridge minor.  The downside came minutes later when a rope lifted the bottom of my T-shirt, carrying it skywards - fortunately gravity came to the rescue (eventually)!

Over an enjoyable lunch at the Highwayman the Ledbury tower captain decided that yes, he really would like to try out the coracle made by another member of the band. What varied past times ringers have.

Not participating in a pub pudding justified another morsel of flapjack on the way to Elkstone. The church was delightful and the carving over the door and on the arches inside was a bit like Kilpeck.

 

We all had tea, lemon shortbread, cherry cakes and cheese pastries in the carpark. of the tiny Winstone church, nestled close to other buildings. One pair of ringers arrived quite late - talking instead of following the satnav and unaware that the vehicles behind them had turned off to the church. There was only just enough room for six ringers at a time in the tower. The rest of us looked inside the little church and contemplated our lovely day! 

Thank you to Francis for arranging the itinerary, the tower captains for planning the ringing, all the participants and last but not least the BAKERS for the delicious food!