February Meeting 2008

It was a beautiful spring day for our meeting at Apsley End. Across the road, Sainsbury’s basked in the sunshine and the cars in the car park didn’t all belong to shoppers! The Ringing Master, refreshed from a cup of tea in the café, strolled over to run the ringing, and proceedings commenced shortly after 3o’clock. There were plenty of ringers, of all standards, so absolutely anything was on offer, from Plain Bob Doubles to Spliced Surprise Minor. As usual, there were a few patches of rust to scrape off certain blue lines!

The Revd David Lawson took the service at 4.30, with Jenny Hoare, the Ringing Master’s wife, playing the organ. After an invigorating sing, everyone filed into the refectory for tea. An inviting spread awaited them, with a good variety of sandwiches and home made cakes. The bearers of the teapots proved very popular people! After the plates had been almost emptied, Ringing Master Chris Hoare took the chair for the business meeting, with the new Secretary Valerie Clark wielding the minuting pen. Leaflets detailing the coming year’s events were handed out and members were reminded of the upcoming Quiz Night. The youngest person present, Christopher Gill, drew out the numbers for the Draw Card, pleasing at least two people.

Evening ringing continued with another good selection of methods until 8o’clock, after which we were forced to trawl the local pubs for some refreshment. The first was crowded and noisy, the second was holding an Elvis night, but the third, the Three Blackbirds in Boxmoor, was able to provide the tables, chairs and beer that are so necessary for putting the world to rights.