This was 3rd time lucky now that Covid 19 is not such a threat.  Andrew Ball produced this report.

University of Surrey Society of Change Ringers, 2022 Summer tour to Cambridge.

Members gathered from all points of the compass at lunchtime on Friday 5^th August at The Green Man, Thriplow; a lovely country pub with good food including excellent sausage sandwiches.

Four towers were arranged for the afternoon’s ringing: Thriplow, Harston, Foxton and Barton.  Accommodation had been suggested near Duxford or Babraham, handy for public transport into Cambridge on Saturday morning, but first, all were invited to Charlotte’s house at Linton for supper and drinks. The weather played ball and about 25 of us gathered in Charlotte’s garden for a magnificent buffet. The homemade lemon cheesecake deserves special mention.  Later, the handbells came out, but not for long!

St Clement’s in Cambridge was the first tower on Saturday, where we were delighted to try out the new six.  A superb ring cleverly installed in a rather small tower. We were under a time limit as the church is host to the Russian Orthodox Church with a service at 10.00am. Not having had any experience of the Russian Orthodox rituals it was interesting to see the congregation gathering and making their way round the icons arranged in the nave of the church, with candles being presented and lit at each one and prayers being said.

The next towers were St Benet’s, Our Lady and English Martyrs and then lunch, with the welcome opportunity to cool down as the summer heat was rising rapidly. In the afternoon we were under strict instructions to meet promptly at Great Saint Mary’s and not to miss our slot to ascend, as there were hoards of visitors waiting for the tower tour. We were all impressed by the twelve bells there; each one can be distinctly heard, making it a rewarding ring.

A short walk to St Edward King and Martyr which was looking a bit lost in its rewilded churchyard. The last tower of day was St Andrew the Great, where after moving the sofas from ringing chamber we did justice to the fine ring of eight. Quite amazing how the church has been reordered to include multiple meeting/play rooms for different age groups and the nave converted to a performance space.

Dinner at The Plough at Great Chesterford rounded off an excellent day and Richard Major proposed a toast to friends no longer with us, Roly Backhurst, Paul Williams and Miss Yvonne Eloie.

No ringing had been arranged for Sunday.  It allowed the opportunity for a well-earned rest and the chance to visit places of interest in and around Cambridge, making the most of the glorious weather. We met up again for a Chinese meal in Sawston. The Tasting Menu at the Jade Fountain is to be recommended.

Monday saw us up bright and early for the last towers of the tour , Duxford, Ickleton and Sawston, and final pub lunch at The George in Babraham before going our separate ways after a great weekend, good ringing and always excellent company.

Congratulations and thanks from all present to Charlotte Ellis and Sam Gorman for a well-planned tour and impeccable organisation.  It’ll be a hard act to follow.

Planning is moving forward for this year’s Summer Tour. Here are the all important details. Save the dates!

Friday 20th to Monday 23rd August

Location: The Wirral

Base:  Ship Hotel Parkgate https://the-shiphotel.co.uk/ ( N.B. Rooms can be reserved without payment so don’t delay)

Paul Williams Memorial Dinner:  To be arranged, hopefully during this tour

Towers:  To be arranged (Handbell ringing definitely included)

Planning has started for the society’s summer tour in the hope that lockdown restrictions will have lifted, and ringing resumed, in parts of England. Watch this space for updates.