On a warm and sunny Saturday in July members of the St James Guild of Bell Ringers held their annual outing in Berkshire. Chris Catlin had arranged for members to ring at 6 Churches in rural Berkshire around the villages of Arborfield and Finchamstead. Only one of the Churches had ground floor ringing, very cooling on the day, but the remainder were in ringing chambers which were somewhat warmer as they were smaller and ventilation was very limited. The Churches offered the ringers the opportunity to ring a range of different bells with one tower boasting bells considerably heavier than the ones at St James.
After a morning of rather warm ringing a very welcome and enjoyable lunch and drink was enjoyed at the Stag & Hounds in Binfield before setting off for the afternoons Churches. Arriving at Finchamstead the ringers found that cream teas were being enjoyed by about 40 people at the Church hall next door. After ringing they were informed that the guests had appreciated the entertainment the ringers had provided! It was another very successful and enjoyable outing and broadened the experience of some of the newer ringers in the Guild.
