Ringing in the Channel Islands

The Wimborne Minster Ringers’ Summer Outing this year was a long weekend on the Channel Islands.

John Riley organised the accommodation and internal flights, and David Warwick the towers and ferry transport for 13 band members and on the morning of 25 July, the following set sail on the 10am Condor Ferry from Poole bound for St Peter Port in Guernsey: David, Flick and Lucy Warwick, John and Sue Riley, Hilary and Rob Child, Adrian Rowland, Susan Smith, Gill Curlett and Marisa Bartlett. Ben and Rosemary Duke flew on the Blue Island flight from Southampton at a more leisurely hour!

Arriving in St Peter Port on Guernsey, we all met first at Vale parish. We were rather relieved to see that the access route to the ringing chamber had changed from the original climb up a ladder on the outside of the church to a far more civilised entry via the church door! The six bells were rung up around the ornate font in the nave and we had a good opportunity to ring some doubles and minor methods, given that the Minster has 12 bells and more than enough ringers at every practice and service. Vale church has a beautiful and colourful tiled wall around the altar with piscinas carved into the walls. The characteristic architecture of the church reflects the tortured body of Christ on the cross, as none of the walls are parallel to each other or perpendicular with the floor. In its construction, the masons wanted to leave their mark so decided to carve a spaniel’s head above the pulpit! It was also pleasing to see that we didn’t have to catch a boat to the church as, apparently, it was once an island at high tide. Our thanks go to John David for welcoming us and allowing us to ring the bells.

From here it was a dash to St Marguerite de la Foret, the smallest parish on the island, where the bells around the font were in the middle of the church. We had the pleasure of entering the church through the one door instead of being separated into men and women entering from different doors, as used to happen some time ago. The organ replaced the musical instruments (mainly recorders) once used for worship, which are now on display in a cabinet to the right of the entrance. Our best wishes go to Anne Dorey for welcoming us here.

Just up the road is St Pierre du Bois, set at a lower level than the road: indeed, the nave of the church is 1.5 metres lower than the altar. French influence covers the islands and no less in the churches where you can read in French the Lord’s Prayer, the Creed and the Ten Commandments from the plaques on the walls around the altar. Climbing some steps up to the ringing chamber we rang a Quarter Peal of Grandsire Caters, Gill Curlett’s first on 10 bells. Those members that didn’t ring sat outside in the glorious sunshine and sweltering heat listening to the bells and then watched the ringers exit from the tower afterwards somewhat damper than when they entered! We returned here later in the evening to join the local band with their practice and our thanks go to Philip Le Conte and his members, especially as we numbered more than them – it was a ‘cosy’ hour spent in their company.

From here we drove into town and squeezed between the Albion pub and the church, then walked over part of the roof to enter the bell tower where we were welcomed by Helen McGregor and her band of ringers for their practice. Also to greet us was a kettle boiling and biscuits on the table – perfect timing! The ceiling displays the coat of arms of the churches with bells on the islands – all 10 of them. After our practice of triples and major methods, we popped over the road for fish and chips which were eaten sitting on the quay overlooking St Peter Port in the late afternoon sunshine.

Saturday morning greeted us with more sunshine and a hearty breakfast at Les Cothils before boarding Aurigny’s Trilander bound for Alderney. We were greeted by Donald Hughes who directed us to the picturesque church of St Anne’s. It was a first for many of us to walk from the airport and arrive at our destination in 10 minutes! It was a pleasure to be accommodated in an airy ringing chamber and to ring the new bells: Peter, James, Helen, Catherine, Stephen and Laura, not forgetting the old tenor, Daisie, weighing in at just over 13 cwt. After lunch, a quarter peal of Cambridge Royal was scored. For those not ringing, the temptation of the blue sea was too much, especially as it was only a few minutes’ walk from the church. It was also too much to resist for the bridal party which turned up to have photos taken in the sand and the sea! The quarter pealers joined the others for a quick dip before heading off back to the airport for the return flight to Guernsey.

A sumptuous dinner was enjoyed by all but beds were calling too loudly for anyone to stay up too late, especially as it was to be another early start in the morning. This time the flight was to Jersey on a somewhat bigger plane but as the clouds had invaded, it was slightly bumpier. On arrival at the airport we were greeted by Justin Read and his fellow ringers who very kindly made themselves available as taxi drivers for the day. We started at St Mark’s in the town, the most southerly ring in the British Isles, and had more opportunity to ring doubles and minor, with a view of the inside of the church from a window at the back.

From here, Justin and Louise Read had prepared a magnificent buffet lunch with plenty of Pimm’s with which to wash it all down! A ring of Grandsire triples and plain hunt on 8 was rung on handbells before heading off to St Johns in the north of the island. Here, Marisa Bartlett rang her first quarter on 8 bells to Grandsire triples: the band was watched by a number of visitors as the ringing circle was around the font between the pews and the altar. Thank you Paul, Marc, Matthew, Helier, Mary, John, Peter and James for the sound you make and the joy you must bring to the locals.

That was it – our trip was nearing its end. Mission accomplished: all 7 towers rung; a quarter peal called on each island; every band member ringing at least one! On departure, we had views of all three islands and as we sailed past them we could all ponder on the pleasure and fun we had – with our eyes closed and our heads lolloping to one side!