Bretwickham's day out
Following monthly visits of the Bretforton ringers to Childswickham, where a completely new band has been taught since last April almost single-handedly by Phil Milward (a former Pershore ringer in the 1970's), the opportunity was taken for a Christmas Holiday ring. Norton was the chosen venue for Monday 29th December and by chance it was also Fiona's birthday. Pleasingly we had 12 ringers including some of the Norton band and Christina. After the formalities of singing "Happy Birthday" to Fiona we set about rounds and call changes on 8 (half-muffled for Holy Innocents) before a photocall. Jackie and Bill had grabbed their first tower away from Childswickham and everyone seemed to pull their weight!
L - r: Christina Ireland, Jackie Saville , Bill Wadsworth, Fiona Gibson
(plus Heidi and Xenia), Phil Milward, John Cleveland, George Jelfs, Roger Hunt, John
Middleton, David Fletcher, Neville Holder, David Witts (photo: Kieran Hunt)
It was rewarding to see the enthusiasm as everyone took their turn and also for me to ring the treble bell - I'd rung it to a peal of Artaxerxes S Major exactly 45 years ago to the day.
As the bells were caught in rounds (or thereabouts) Fiona invited everyone to bacon rolls and champagne - her husband Nick had unbeknowingly arrived and set up his barbecue in the car park.
It was a memorable and much appreciated end to our ringing on what was a rather cool and frosty morning. Thanks again to Dave Witts and the Norton ringers.
Roger H Hunt
(Childswickham practice night is Wednesday - contact Phil Milward)