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2007 Pots and Nosh

A tradition of ringers meeting to ring and lunch on New Year's Day has developed over the past few years. These lunches have raised quite a lot of money for various bell fund projects. This year saw no-one taking up the challenge so a group of us decided to go "potty" instead.

Chedburgh Campanile

The day started with the ringing of the first quarter on the Chedburgh Campanile � the peal of eight ceramic bells (plant pots to the uninitiated) hung in the annexe of Sandra Rhodes' home. We got off to a false start when one of the cats dashed across the ringing circle. They had been shut away, but being the sort of clever cats you would expect for a ringer, they can open the bedroom door! Once they had been caught and returned to banishment a good quarter of Yorkshire Surprise Major was scored. Not only was it the first quarter on the "pots", but also Sandra's first touch as conductor on eight bells. Does that mean that you have to install a peal of bells if you want to conduct?!

By the end everyone else began to arrive, bearing gifts of good things to eat. After twenty-four ringers and wives had devoured a superb buffet lunch we spent a pleasant afternoon, moving between sitting and talking in the lounge, ringing handbells (sometimes tunes and occasionally changes) in the dining room and of course ringing the "pots".

Branston Pots

At about five o'clock we adjourned to Branston where we enjoyed a buffet tea and again experienced much chat and the Woodside "pots"; Santa Claus had given Phil a sound system for them and all agreed they are much easier to hear. Taking advantage of this, one of the younger members of the group secreted one of their number into the loft among the bells. When the next touch came round a disembodied voice called "Go Little Bob" to the great surprise of most of the band. Of course we didn't "go" anything, for the ringing collapsed in waves of laughter!

As people began to leave for home Phil declared that we ought to finish the day as we started by ringing another quarter. Sue was delighted therefore to score her first on eight "pots" (Cambridge Surprise Major) - a lot harder to do that than the Minor she had previously rung.

Many thanks to Sandra and the Masons for their hospitality. Everyone agreed that it was a really good way to spend the day. Ringing, food and general socialising is an excellent start to the New Year.

MARGARET PARKER