Lundy 2008


Trip to Lundy Island - May 2008

Over a year ago, in the pub following a peal, Paul and Ruth Curtis suggested that a group of ringers go on a 3-day trip to Lundy to ring a few peals for the LDG, get some walking in and generally have fun. Paul and Ruth are seasoned Lundy goers and their enthusiasm for the island was completely infectious. It didn’t take long for some of us to agree to the trip and Ruth’s amazing organisational skills were set in motion.

It is incredible how fast a year can go by, and on Tuesday 20th May a group of 19 people, including 3 non-ringers assembled on the pier at Ilfracombe at a very early hour. Ours was the first boat to have got across for 10 days due to poor weather, so we were very lucky to enjoy a smooth and sunny crossing. We were accompanied by 15 barrels of beer, which was just as well, as supplies had got very low at the island pub “The Marisco Tavern”. Lunch was enjoyed before Tom Blyth and Paul set off to check the ropes and bells prior to the first peal attempt.  All was well and Yorkshire Royal was duly scored.

Meanwhile the rest of us settled into our very comfortable accommodation – which ranged from a castle to a converted pigsty! The weather was fantastic so we made the most of it with long walks around the island. Unfortunately, the only puffins to be seen on Lundy (Puffin Island in Old Norse) were the cuddly variety sold in the shop. However, wild deer, goats, Soay sheep and black rabbits were all spotted.

At 9.30 on Wednesday morning, the bells rang out for a Communion Service presided over by Andrew Davey. The group of 8 ringers was supplemented by a similar number of other visitors and islanders. The karaoke hymn machine worked very well and the singing was laudable. The afternoon peal of Grandsire Caters was duly scored, followed quickly (and boy, was it quick!) by a quarter of Stedman Caters. The weather continued to be glorious, so the non peal ringers were able really to enjoy the beautiful views and the peaceful surroundings. Actually, the bells are very quiet and could only be heard if you were down wind of the church. We had many pleasant compliments from other visitors about the bells.

The third morning saw a final peal scored, this time of Cambridge Royal. The timing had been brought forward slightly to allow time for a handbell peal attempt before getting the return boat. Unfortunately by this time the weather had turned. The handbell ringers, who had organised to use the Marisco Tavern dining room for their peal, were inundated with day visitors trying to shelter from the rain. They politely apologised to us and then climbed around us to get to tables whilst we carried on manfully. However, when the staff started passing burgers and chips over our heads we had to admit defeat and the peal was brought round at the half way mark. This was the only loss of the trip. Well done to Tom Blyth who rang his first peal of Caters, Royal and his 50th peal whilst there and to Paul and Ruth who rang their 2500th together!

At 4pm, we had to meet again on the pier for the journey back to the mainland. By this time, the sun had come out again and the island looked as lovely when we left as when we arrived. The trip back was unusual in that the skipper announced that as we were a little early we would be circling around a few times. We’ve done that plenty of times in a plane but never before on a boat. A brilliant few days; Lundy comes highly recommended.

SAF