Bell Ringers on Tour !

What a great looking group!!

This October saw Pewsey/Milton Bell Ringers visit the lovely Isle of Wight for a tour of four churches.

The first church was Freshwater All Saints

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_Saints%27_Church,_Freshwater

a smashing little church. We were lucky to have a few of their ringers join in, one being in his 90's - obviously bell ringing keeps you going!!

A quick cup of coffee in The Red Lion

http://www.redlion-freshwater.co.uk/

and we were ready for the next challenge:

Godshill All Saints

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_Saints%27_Church,_Godshill

the loveliest bells I have rung (not that I have rung that many) these bells made you feel like a real ringer as they did exactly what you wanted them to!

lunchtime at The Taverners

http://www.thetavernersgodshill.co.uk/

then a little pit-stop to The Cider Barn

https://www.destinationisleofwight.com/listings/the-cider-barn/

to stock up on local cider and Mermaid Gin (naturally)

https://www.isleofwightdistillery.com/wight-mermaids-gin/

Shanklin St Saviour-on-the-Cliff next.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_St_Saviour-on-the-Cliff,_Shanklin

more like a small cathedral than a church! We were met by the marvellous Tower Captain - I'm so sorry, I don't remember his name - but thank goodness he was there, the church has 8 bells and we have only practised on 6 so us newbies needed his advice as to where on earth we were in the order of play and who was to ring next - so thank you!

Then, after getting lost....again... (me, not everyone else, my satnav has a mind of its own) we were off to

Niton St John the Baptist

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_St_John_the_Baptist,_Niton

by now it was raining and cold and we were tired but the church was warm and we soon got to work - tiny ringing chamber in which we had to be careful not to pull each other's ropes - we are used to having a bigger area and we had to concentrate.

soooooo an exhausting but fun day was rounded off at The Waterfront

http://www.waterfrontiow.com/

where we had the most amazing meal (they have a fantastic vegan menu.....which includes a chocolate pudding, not the usual cop-out of sorbet which most places offer...and it was DELICIOUS)

Next tour???? We are open to suggestions!

a huge thank you to Anne Wardell for organising everything - as frankly we probably could only organise a @+*! in a brewery!