March Meeting 2007

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The new(ish) soundproofing made it slightly more difficult than before to hear Berkhamsted bells as they rang out over the High Street on the afternoon of the District Meeting. From three o’clock onwards members congregated in the ringing room, eager to learn, to consolidate, or perhaps just to socialise. The learners who were deemed ready for it were plucked from the call-changes and introduced to the delights of trebling to Grandsire or Plain Bob, whilst the more experienced ventured into Stedman or London. District Ringing Master Chris Hoare soon established everyone’s requirements, and placed ringers on the ends of ropes for a quick selection of touches. At four- thirty, well satisfied, we trooped downstairs for Evensong, conducted by the Revd Michael Bowie, who was somewhat relieved that, by ringing the bells, we had absolved him from blowing a ram’s horn to announce the service.

At first puzzled by the fact that only one hymn had been chosen (we are, after all, renowned for our singing), we soon discovered the reason – the appointed psalm had thirty-five verses! Having been provided with music and pointing, we manfully sang our way through all of them, looking forward with some eagerness to the cups of tea that awaited us in the Old Court House.

Hungry ringers make a big dent in plates of sandwiches and cakes, and soon there was not much to show for the caterers’ efforts, except satisfied faces and contented smiles. Chris Hoare, voted into the chair for the Business Meeting, was bemused when, attempting to apologise for the President’s absence, he was interrupted by pantomime shouts of ‘Behind you!’ The President, on his way from us to the Eastern District meeting, was waving merrily at us through the window. Order restored, the business was dealt with smoothly enough, with programmes for the Half-Day Outing being distributed and the Draw Card causing some confusion as, contrary to normal practice, the £10 side was taken first, bringing some disappointment to the winner of the second draw.

The evening session continued until eight o’clock, with some good ringing, including more London and some 8-spliced, after which we adjourned to the Weatherspoons over the road, enjoying the cheap beer, our smoke-free corner and some good conversation.