Tower Outing

On the 16th of April 2016, our tower had an outing to the Cotswolds. We were sightly apprehensive when the snow began to settle in the morning, but by the afternoon, the weather was cool but sunny.

The first tower was in the beautiful church at Churchill. Despite this tower apparently not having a resident band, the bells were well maintained. The church itself was rebuilt relatively recently so it felt quite modern inside.

Charlbury. Entrance to the tower was via a most interesting wooden spiral staircase in the corner of the church. The tower felt a bit unloved. We had been warned the rooks had invaded the tower earlier in the week and it wasn't as clean as the lady had hoped for our arrival. the floor was soft and we were all very careful where we trod, just in case it collapsed! These didn't go as well as expected and for a light ring, we had to work quite hard. A good effort was made by all and we didn't disgrace ourselves.

Next was lunch time. While some of our party had brought along a picnic. Others went and found a pub lunch. Every one met again later feeling better for some food, and a chance to recharge the batteries.

Shipton under Wychwood was the first tower of the afternoon. A ground floor ring. the entrance has the most amazing tapestry hanging over the door. A cat came in to visit us. He seemed quite at home in the church, but we thought he ought not to be in the ringing chamber, so the door was closed while ringing was in progress.

Ascott under Wychwood was the final tower of the day. A lovely ring of eight in a bright cheerful ringing room. There's a notice in tower dated back to 1800's which sadly we didn't think to take a photo of, but the was all about the bounty on the heads of the villains that had stolen parts of the bells making them unringable.

At the end of the day most of us retired to Huffkins tea shop. Renowned locally for its home baked cakes and bread. Their reputation was well earned and they certainly didn't disappoint. Despite every one choosing different cakes and a variety tea and coffee blends, every one said how much they enjoyed it.

Thank you to Janice for organising the towers, and to all those that attended and made the day a happy a sociable occasion.