The joint tower outings of St. Leonard’s Swithland and All Saints Thurcaston first started in September 1986.

This traditionally has taken place every year in late September, but did not go ahead in 2020 and 2021, due to Covid restrictions.

The outing this year was on Saturday 24^th. September with seven local towers selected, five 6-bell rings and two 8-bell rings.

The weather looked very promising for our outing, with an early start at 9am.

First stop was at Anstey which is a ground floor ring of 8 bells. It was an inauspicious start with the inability to ring up Number 2 bell, but this was sorted when it was discovered that a piece of wood needed to be moved above the ceiling. These were quite challenging bells due to the long draught.

Then off to our next tower through Newtown Linford where we could see their scarecrow event in people’s gardens. We then got to our second stop at Groby which was one floor up with 6 bells. The bells were nice and light and we all agreed that they were lovely bells to ring for a nice easy rhythm. The tenor bell sounded a bit odd inside the ringing room but outside it sounded fine.

Our third stop was at Thornton which is another ground floor ring of 6 bells. The ropes were very long and a bit whippy but fortunately not too difficult to ring. A lovely church with huge toadstools in the churchyard and a massive ancient church door which apparently was originally from Ulverscroft Priory from around the times of the dissolution of the monasteries.

We then moved onto Markfield with a ring of 6 bells on the ground floor. Lovely easy bells to ring although a longish draught. A lovely sunny spot to sit while listening to the bells and a great spot to pick mushrooms too!

Lunch was a pleasant stop at Ulverscroft Grange, which we left feeling very full after an excellent meal. A little chilly in the outside sensory garden, but we were seated together.

On to Copt Oak with its tiny narrow spiral staircase up to 6 bells which were lovely to ring, with call changes and Bob Doubles

Then off to Whitwick, with 8 bells up a long winding staircase and a set of bells that were nice and easy to ring. A large church with a 14^th century effigy of a medieval knight and lovely stained glass windows and we were offered a very welcome cup of tea.

Then the rain came down hard, so it was a dash to the cars (no nearby parking here) and off to Old Woodhouse with its 6 bells up another spiral staircase. Bob Minor was performed and we all agreed that the bells were a pleasure to ring. We were also provided with tea and cakes which was a lovely way to finish the day.

So all in all it was a great day out, with all keyholders on time to advise us on their bells. Some beautiful churches to look around and some great bells to try. Some were easier than others but they do say that variety is the spice of life.

In all, 17 bellringers enjoyed the day out. It was good to have with us five very enthusiastic junior ringers from Thurcaston.

Guy Jibson