Leicestershire, Warwickshire & Derbyshire Young Ringers visit Loughborough.

Well Exeter is a long way … so the young ringers of Leicestershire & our friends from Derbyshire were wondering how to get to the RWNYC little knowing Warwickshire were having the same dilemma, so after a few conversations a joint bus was chosen as our preferred transportation. So to give the youngsters a chance to meet prior to the competition, an outing in Loughborough was arranged.

On the morning of Tuesday 31st May, around 30 ringers met up outside the Carillon tower ready for a full day. We started with a tour of the WWI memorial, dedicated to the men of Loughborough who lost their lives in the Great War. The volunteers gave us a flavour of the history of the building and proceed up to the clavier room, where the carillon is played from. Several had a go on the keyboard to see just how difficult it is – especially to play a tune. There was then a chance to see the 47 bells all cast by Taylors at the Bellfoundry, along with all the mechanics that chime the bells. The final step was to go out on the balcony and take in a panoramic view of Loughborough and beyond.

We then took the chance to refuel with the younger members enjoying a picnic while many of the seasoned Foundry Foxes sampled the Wetherspoons lunch menu. Following a brief game of ‘Which Multi-Story Car Park did I use?’, we reconvened at Taylors for our tour. John Mulvey was our Guide starting with a video and moving through the variously stored Bells around the works, on to the woodworking and tuning shop. We then broke off to ring on the Best 12 in Loughborough, where it was great to see a band of youngsters ringing the 12 together. Then by chance we were told that a single small bell was being cast today, so we took our places on the balcony to witness the pouring of the molten metal.

To end the day, we headed off for some more ringing starting at the 8 at Prestwold, the 8 at Barrow and then for those with energy still left, we concluded with the more interesting 5 of Walton le Wolds with its iron ladder and trap door pushing the band organising a little more.

All in All, a Grand Day Out was enjoyed by all and meeting up again is already in the planning stages … Pershore Abbey anyone ????

Ian Stonehouse