Yet another successful year for Lundy ringing and the society. Visitor numbers were slightly down on the previous year but peals and quarter peals showed an increase that is very encouraging for the future of the bells.
Fund raising has now started for the proposed augmentation to ten bells to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the rehang in 1994. More about this later in the newsletter.
The first ringing of the year was in late January when a party of stalwarts led by Andrew Wilby visited by helicopter for a long weekend. The bells and fitting were still in good order but some of the sallies were looking a bit distressed due to the salt air attacking the wool. The frame is still corrosion free after nearly ten years in this hostile atmosphere.
Roger Kerslake and friends made a day trip in May and had a perfect day with calm seas and lots of sunshine. The bells were put to good use for some general ringing and the day was declared a huge success.
Next on the scene were Penny Watson and her group from Apsley. They stayed for a week and did lots of ringing and exploring as well as wining and dining. It is surprising how much there is to see and do on Lundy and staying in one of the numerous properties for a week is an excellent way to enjoy the island and all it has to offer.
A party from the Oxford area led by Stuart Nelson arrived in June to stay for a few days. The bells were well used during their stay and a good time was had by all. I am sure that the beer supplies in the tavern diminished as a result of their visit.
Keith Beale and friends from Somerset made a day trip in July and rang a quarter peal as well as some general ringing and enjoying the fare that the tavern tempts the visitors with.
In August a party led by Ruth Kemsley visited for a day trip during their holiday in the North Devon area. A quarter peal was scored in addition to some general ringing.
The final ringing of the year was in October. This was the LIS ringing festival week.(see separate report). Four days prior to the festival a working party under the supervision of Stephen Colley, the Eayre and Smith bell hanger, set about installing the two new trebles so that they would be ready for the festival. It seemed like a straightforward job but the best laid plans never cater for unseen problems. We are very grateful to Stephen for his skill and ingenuity in overcoming the hiccups and getting everything ringable for the festival. The new trebles are a superb match with the Carr octave and thanks are due to Taylors of Loughborough for their expertise in achieving such a splendid result. After the festival the ropes were removed for dry storage through the winter months. We are still in need of donations to meet the cost of the augmentation so if you feel able to contribute to the fund we will be pleased to hear from you. The society contact address can be found in the RW diary.
Bob Caton, hon sec’.
This years Festival was scheduled to coincide with the 10th Anniversary of the re-dedication of the restored bells. Adding to the excitement was the prospect of the first ring on the new ten. This provided of course that the bell-hanging crew, embarked the previous Tuesday, had actually done some work and hadn’t turned it into one of those notorious Lundy “maintenance trips”. These tend to comprise of a peal or two, a lot of playtime and someone only remembering the maintenance plan 10 minutes before the boat sails for home!
So with all the excitement that a trip on the Oldenburg in a Force 7 westerly gale can generate, this years party mustered again on Bideford Quay to take passage to the island. The following is a very expurgated extract from the Society Log.
Saturday 2nd October.
MV Oldenburg sails 1000 from Bideford. A number of green passengers reported walking up from the jetty soon after noon. All sea-sick members now in denial saying it was something they ate. All supremely confident that bells will be ready to ring. Everyone surprised that bells are ready for the try-out!
2.30pm The “try out”. All goes well. They sound great. Work needed to internal sound balance and a few other adjustments here and there.
5.30pm 1st quarter on the bells 1277 Grandsire Caters. This is referred to in the trade as a “commissioning test”. Dine out in the Tavern and stay until the power goes off at Midnight.
Sunday 3rd October.
9am Ringing prior to Holy Communion taken by Revd Giles Galley.
2.30pm 1st peal on the bells 5040 Cambridge S Royal. (another Commissioning test of course). We start to realise that the 10 are going to go at the same speed as the 8! Non-pealers go walkies around the island.
Monday 4th October
We can muster 3 separate teams to ring Grandsire Caters if we are lucky and press-gang every past, present and future ringer on the island. So we are going to have a Striking Contest! Three team leaders appointed and the talent shared out. Some have never rung such stuff before so practice sessions are organised. Teams imaginatively named A, B and C (which is more publishable than suggested alternatives.)
9am 1st peal of Caters rung (5039 Grandsire)
Afternoon practice sessions and 1260 Grandsire Doubles
Evening mass catering – 38 in 3 shifts for dinner - Roast Beef in Millcombe House.
Tuesday 5th October.
Boat day. Several of the hanging crew going ashore, job well done and finished. Others coming on the island – change the beds! Today’s the day for the Striking Contest. The Barton’s arrive and it’s Steve’s 60th birthday. He can be the judge! League arrangement: each team rings against the other two and then the top two fight it out in the final. The Ringing Master’s team (A) wins. Foul play suspected… who picked the teams then? Andrew says teams were equal and it was down to his coaching skills. Roy and Tim disagree.
9.30am 5040 Yorkshire S Royal
2pm The Grand Lundy Striking Contest
4pm 1260 Plain Bob Doubles
6pm Roy’s speed record attempt on the new front 6. 5040+20 Plain Bob Minor to mark Steve’s 60th. Almost worse to listen to than be in!
Wednesday 6th October.
Peal ringers want the day off, mainly so that the men can spend most of the day dressing up for the party. Some go for walks or bird-watching while others paint their nails.
2.30pm 1260 Plain Bob Doubles
4pm 1287 Stedman Caters
7.30pm Vicars and Tarts Party. Starts in Old House South, migrates to the Tavern where matters continue downhill until the early hours.
Thursday 7th October.
Boat day. A few more comings and goings including the arrival of none other than the Editor of The Ringing World himself. He’s a Lundy virgin you know. First impression: Why is everybody wearing bright red nail varnish?
Peal attempt for London S Royal comes to grief rather early, nothing to do with the previous night of course. No enthusiasm for a full length restart.
11am 1360 London S Royal
5pm 1277 Grandsire Caters
Evening mass catering – 36 for Roast Pork in Millcombe House
Friday 8th October.
Weather forecast still bad for Saturday and Dedication Service in jeopardy.
9.30 am 5039 Grandsire Caters
5pm 1296 Plain Bob Caters
Saturday 9th October.
Weather still bad. Force 5-6 predicted so boat cancelled.. Good news: helicopter operating instead to take us all ashore. Bad news: Archdeacon of Barnstaple and church party expected for dedication service are not coming. Good news: Mrs Wilhelmina Church representing the Trust who have supported the augmentation is on the 1st flight and Revd Giles Galley is authorised to conduct the dedication service. A quintessentially atmospheric Lundy occasion. By arrangement all ringers allocated to the last of the 15 flights off.
Dedication service 12 noon (Lundy Time)
Following the service the tower was closed down for the winter and the ropes removed to dry storage. Log ends 1400hrs 09.10.04.
AWRW.