This was our second summer tour as a regional group and the sun shone for us again. The regional group was formed over a “few beers” on the annual Ringing and Cycling holiday in August 2023, when we realised that 5 of those present were leaders of their respective guild youth teams. We added a few more into the mix and now the group includes 10 guilds – Coventry, Leicester, Nottingham, Derby, St Martins Guild, Oxford, Bath & Wells, Peterborough and Lichfield & Staffs.
36 young ringers and supporters assembled at Sapcote, Leicestershire, on Saturday 14th September, with some arriving by bike, thus confusing the “ride and stride” volunteers! However, we were grateful for the refreshments and they were pleased with the extra donations. It was a tight squeeze in the ringing room, but the youngsters had a good ring on the 10.
10 bells 9-1-26
We then cycled / drove to Stoney Stanton, where the local coffee morning delighted us by serving proper coffee and wonderful cake. We had some good ringing here including Stedman and Cambridge and enjoyed our packed lunches in the church. And more cake.
The tandem conveying Tom and Alfie is hidden round the corner!
We then took our preferred mode of transport to the excellent 8 at Claybrooke, Leicestershire, where I forgot to take a photo. The bells are only 13 cwt but are tuned to E flat and the ringing room is accessed by a steep ladder.
The local (a friend!) who should have let us in, failed to hear this reminder alarm as he was hoovering. However, one of the dads found a spare key in a cupboard and ringing was able to start. Apparently, the locals had no idea where this spare key was, so we did them all a favour!
Thanks to Rachel Bagley for running the ringing at Claybrooke.
The final tower of the day was the magnificent 8 at Monks Kirby, Warwickshire, where we managed to do them justice. Well done to Tessa Preston for running the ringing, especially as she hadn’t done that before!
8 bells 24-2-7
It was a lovely day and new friends were made and as ringing is thirsty work, we decamped to the Denbeigh Arms opposite for a well-earned drink and chat.
We have our winter tour planned in the Birmingham area in December and our second annual striking competition will be held in Nottingham in March 2025. If you are interested in coming along to any Midlands Young Ringers events, contact your young ringing lead or email me on Andreahaynes67@gmail.com
Andrea Haynes
Rugby
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