May Meeting 2007

Kings Langley meetings are usually arranged for the depths of winter, when the cold outside is counterbalanced by the tropical fug engendered in the compact ringing room. What were we thinking of when we arranged this one for May? Luckily, the appointed day dawned (is this the right word?) cold and wet, so the atmosphere never became a source for contention.

Afternoon ringing was well attended, with no less than five past and present holders of the presidential office being present in the ringing room. In addition, John and Cathy Hughes-D’Aeth came to sell books, but spent some valuable time on the end of a rope. The ringing reflected the august company, with London, Bristol and 8-spliced presenting no problems to the band, but with plenty of Plain Bob, Grandsire and Stedman to keep everybody happy. The shortness of the tenor rope was the only real problem, but this was soon put to rights with the help of the wooden spike and some well-weathered fingers.

Jean Osborne, a lay reader, took the service for us, with Alan Shepherd on the organ, impressing us with the speed of the last hymn! A delicious tea was served up afterwards in the church hall, with some interesting sandwich fillings and more-ish cakes – not much was left for the local Alcoholics Anonymous meeting which took place later in the hall!

Evening ringing continued until 8o’clock, with yet more 8-spliced (slightly more exciting this time), after which we made our way across the road to the Rose and Crown, where we were very happy until the sheer volume of the music drove us out.