The days when we and the World were young, the hopes and aspirations of youth, a period of one’s life when hopefully one enjoys those few brief years, freedom from the cares and responsibilities of later life. Terry Thornber and I were off on a two week holiday to Somerset and surrounding counties, primarily to hear and where possible have a go on a few bells heavier than the 33 cwt tenor at St Margarets. One must remember, in those times our horizons were, unlike today, rather limited. We went everywhere on push bikes, though on this occasion we had progressed to motor bikes, each owning old 350cc Royal Enfields. The time was early September with fine sunny days, little traffic on the roads, time to enjoy the beauty of trees, foliage, flowers, the scents of Summer.

On route down the map we had called at Worcester Cathedral. Heavens what a wonderful sound, both Terry and I ringing the 49 ¾ cwt tenor which nowadays seems to have suffered, like many supermarket food products from “shrinkflation”, its weight reduced to 48 cwts, but what a sound! From there we progressed to St Mary Redcliffe, Bristol, Wells Cathedral, Wrington and others before arriving at Lyme Regis where we headed for the Sherborn Lane residence of George Stedman Morris, wife Edith and beautiful daughter, Barbara. Also resident at the same time was bell hanger extraordinaire, John P. (Jack) Fidler, a premier employee of John Taylor& Co, a truly remarkable and humorous character who I believe was working on Lyme bells. During our stay Terry and I spent an afternoon mackerel fishing and even now, 70 years later I can still recall our sitting around Edith’s dining table enjoying those delicious fish served direct from the pan and onto our ready plates. It was during the usual animated conversation enjoyed by bellringers that Terry and I, fired up with youthful enthusiasm for heavy bells regaled our audience with our dream of a new ring of 12 bells to eclipse both Exeter and Liverpool. The tenor of this magnificent ring would weigh 104 ¾ cwts and needless to say these bells would be cast at Loughborough. There would, however, be two problems, we explained, the cost of such a project and also where could we find a tower large and sufficiently robust to accommodate them. Jack Fidler had the answer in a second. Eyes twinkling and a wrinkled smile on his face he said, “Tower, why you don’t need one. Just dig a b—– big hole, put bells on top and ring ’em from in t’ hole” With laughs all round I think our dream must have inspired the accompanying cartoon drawn, I believe, by George Morris and passed to me by Kingsley Mason. P.T. is, of course, Paul Taylor, J.O. is Jack Oldham, Jack Fidler there and ready with the spade . Who was the character, “having a dekko”? I’m not sure but possibly George himself.

The climax of our holiday was a peal of Cambridge Major rung at St Thomas, Exeter on Saturday, September 12^th 1953. Time was 2 hours and 58 minutes, Harold Poole conducting from No 2, wife Phyllis on No 3 with Terry on No 7 and myself ringing the tenor. The other four ringers were W. J. Ridgman, F. Wreford, Rev, John Scott and E.W.Biffen. The peal had been organised by H. J. who was simultaneously on holiday in the area.. Afterwards in the pub he enquired, “ Do you two have accommodation this evening?” “No we hadn’t arranged any and, as the weather was fine we could perhaps sleep in a convenient hedge bottom.” After all we were young. Harold said nothing, but in due course we were approached by Brian Pidgeon who had joined us for a drink. “Don’t worry about finding anywhere,” he said, “You can stay overnight at our place”. Harold Poole, who was always concerned about this sort of thing had worked his magic and in place of the hedge bottom we enjoyed comfortable beds. Next morning and before we left, Brian took us to a nearby farm where we tried a glass or so of their home brew cider, rough fiery stuff which I rarely touch nowadays having once imbibed rather too much, but that is another story.

The 1950’s are perhaps epitomised by the words written to me by Mary Walker (nee Carter) following the passing of husband Colin. Mary wrote; “it seems a lifetime since the days of bellringing in the 1950’s. They were happy days when we were all content with simpler pleasures” Well Mary I believe you were right.

John Bennett