2023 Summer Meeting

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The 2023 Summer meeting was held from 19th – 21st May in Kent.  Several members gathered in Kent from around the country on Thursday 18th May, in preparation for an early start to an action packed 2 days. This was our first full length summer tour since the sad events of the pandemic. On the Thursday evening some rang on the 8 of Milton Regis which has the largest tower in Kent.

After what has seemed like endless weeks of cold and rain, we had sunshine to start the day on Friday and this set the tone for our time. It was great to see so many old friends again.

The day began at 9am at the 8 of St Peter and St Paul, Aylesford. The special methods for the weekend were Kent Treble Bob and Kent Surprise Major. It was clear at the start of the day that we needed some practice and I think it is fair to say that even by the end of the weekend a little more practice of Kent Surprise Major would not go amiss.

 Next was the 6 of St Mary the Virgin and All Saints, Boxley, followed by the 6 of Holy Cross, Bearsted, with its second said to have been cast in 1440. There was then time for picnics or refreshment at the pub, before heading to the 10 of All Saints, Maidstone and the 8 of St Michael and All Angels. The last tower of the day was the 8 of East Farleigh where both sons of William Wilberforce were vicars and are buried there. The evening was then ours to dine and recuperate as we chose.

Saturday was a non-stop day and began with the 8 of St Michael, Sittingbourne quickly followed by the 8 of Holy Trinity, Milton Regis and the 6 of St Margaret, Rainham. Here we had our group photograph before heading for lunch at the very scenic Ship and Trades at St Mary’s Island.

We were very fortunate to have the opportunity to ring at Rochester Cathedral, founded in 604 and the second oldest cathedral in England.  It was a requirement there, for safeguarding reasons, to fill in details on a form and then we were escorted up the tower. It is fair to say that parking in Rochester on a Saturday was a challenge. We had an hour and a quarter here before a walk through the historic town to the 8 of St Margaret, Rochester.  Here we were very kindly offered cups of tea, which was much appreciated. The last tower of the day was that of St John The Evangelist, Higham.

Not everyone stayed for dinner but 36 of us sat to eat in a sectioned off area of the restaurant at the Mercure Maidstone Great Danes Hotel, which had been our base of the weekend.

A special thanks was given to Tom and Becky Winter who had organised this for us and to Peter Robson our Ringing Master for keeping us in order.

There was ringing  on the Sunday morning for those who wished on the 8 at Borden, where there was no normal band and we were made very welcome. People then went their separate ways, some returning home with lengthy journeys, some visiting friend and a few taking advantage of the proximity to Leeds castle,