Kent Young Ringers were invited to join in the anniversary celebrating 200 years of bells at the Waterloo Tower, Quex Park. The only date we were able to get any number of Young Ringers (and chaperones!)together this year was Sat 17th August. The roads were exceptionally busy and it took almost 2 hours to get there from West Kent, making arrangements run a bit late. We were delighted to welcome new ringers, Lizzie and Kaz from Birchington, and the Steele family from Frittenden, who had begun the day with a park run in Sandwich! We raised the bells, the less experienced ringers tried out a couple of bells and started off with Rounds and Call Changes.
Dan then arrived (having also been snarled up in traffic) and the Quarter peal ringing started. There were a couple of unsuccessful attempts, but we were glad to ring 4 Quarter peals successfully during the course of the afternoon and evening:
1260 Mixed Doubles
360 each of Reverse Canterbury Pleasure Place and Plain Bob Doubles – 540 of Grandsire. Called by Dan Jarvis and rung with help from Cathryn and Andrew Hills
1320 Kent Treble Bob Minor called by Dan Jarvis and rung by 5 present YR and Andrew (a “graduate” of KYR!)
1260 Plain Bob Minor rung by 6 YR and called by Dan Jarvis
1260 Plain Bob Doubles rung by 6 YR and called by Sam Chard on the eve of his 15th birthday
KYR Dan, Steph, Jamie, Laura, Amber, Sam and Callum rang in the quarter peals.
The one and only Mike Little presided over a lovely BBQ and we had time to play games, ring handbells and catch up with friends from the Canterbury District (which kindly contributed to our BBQ funds).. 6 young ringers also experienced the special Quex charm of ringing in the twilight during the last Quarter. Jamie also experienced the consequence of slightly overpulling the stayless 8!! Special thanks to the Quex Master for a great afternoon and evening, despite the traffic issues.
