This year’s Hinckley District Outing took us to the border between Leicestershire and Derbyshire – a beautiful patchwork of countryside and dotted with many fine rings of bells. We visited five of them.

Our day began at Packington, a light 6cwt ring of six, where the ringing got off to a strong start. We rang call changes, Grandsire, Stedman, Surprise Minor, and even a successful course of Dixon’s (on the first attempt!).

From there, it was on to Coleorton, a 12cwt ring of eight. Once all ringers made it, (after a few diversions courtesy of overzealous satnavs), we rang a touch of Grandsire, plentiful rounds and call changes, and some Surprise Major. A swift touch of Double Norwich to finish gave the tenor ringer a workout.

By then, both brains and bodies were ready for a break. A picnic lunch, now somewhat of a Hinckley District tradition, was enjoyed in the landscaped grounds of Staunton Harold, which provided a particularly picturesque backdrop to our mid-day rest.

Refuelled and suitably refreshed, we continued to one of the most iconic sights of the A42. No, not Welcome Break Hopwood services, but Breedon on the Hill. Perched dramatically on a clifftop, the tower offers spectacular views that were rivalled only by the quality of the ringing.

At Diseworth, another six, we were warmly welcomed by the local church, complete with much-appreciated refreshments. Here, a brave few tackled some unorthodox spliced by Neil Harvey, while other (more sensible) ringers took on London, Norwich, and some spliced Plain and Little Bob.

As the day drew to a close, our final stop was Ticknall where the tenor is precisely the same weight as Sapcote (9–1–26). The ringing here included some of Terry Astill’s trademark ingenuity: a musical course of Grandsire Doubles with seven bells covering. We rounded off the day with call changes, Stedman, Grandsire Caters, and a touch of Kent Treble Bob Royal.

Our thanks go to Alison and Neil Harvey for organising the day, and to Terry Astill and Andy Harvey for ensuring the ringing ran smoothly for everyone. And, of course, to everyone who joined us – thank you for making it such a memorable and enjoyable day.

Here’s to next year!