Outings - Autumn 2010

	A Grand Day Out  or  Ranmoor Ringers Outing to Central Nottinghamshire
Saturday 11th  Sept 2010	Saturday morning was a bit overcast at 8.30am as 13 ringers made their way to central Nottinghamshire.
	The first tower was St Peter and St Paul at Oxton - a light ring of six. This is a very old church dating back to 1242. We all met promptly just before 10.00 although some members found a ford to cross that was in full flow. This was a small tower with a narrow spiral staircase with strategically placed beams to catch out the unwary.  The ringing was good with some well struck methods. Oxton, SS Peter & Paul, SK630514. 6, 6cwt 10:00 - 10:40
	Our next tower was St Swithin at Woodborough - a slightly heavier ring of six. This is a medieval church dating back to the 11th Century with a larger tower - thankfully. The tower opened out to look down the aisle - a spectacular view. The ringing was again good. Woodborough, St Swithin, SK632477. 6, 9cwt 11:00 - 11:40
	The last tower before lunch was St Peter at Thurgarton - or to give it its proper title -The Priory Church of St. Peter, and is a former house of regular canons or "Black Canons" so called because they wore Black Cassocks, Black Capes and Hoods. The priory was built in 1119 and originally rivalled nearby Southwell Minster.  The priory was owned up until recently by Boots Chemists and has been sold as a residential house to a family with a very good taste in cars. The tower was very spacious with a nice ring of six.
	Thurgarton, St Peter, SK692492. 6, 7 1/2cwt 12:05 - 12:45
Lunch	Lunch was booked at the Unicorn Hotel at Gunthorpe. This is a former coaching house on the banks of the Trent. Unfortunately the weather wasn't warm enough to sit outside so we had a table in the conservatory - all the benefits of the sun without the wind.  Good food and beer revived the band and spurred them on to more exertions in the afternoon after spotting various river vessels on the river. The Unicorn Hotel, Gunthorpe
	The first tower in the afternoon program was St Peter at East Bridgeford where prior to us arriving a wedding was taking place. We arrived a little early, just in time for the wedding photos and to see the Horse and Carriage waiting to take the Bride and groom to their reception. There has been a house of worship on this site since the 7th Century but the current church building dates back to 1300 and includes a cracking oak timbered ceiling. This is a ring of 8 and are very well kept and sounded fantastic. East Bridgford, St Peter, SK691431. 8, 11cwt 14:50 - 15:15
	The last tower was St Peter and St Paul at Shelford which was built around 1300 and suffered damage to the tower in the civil war siege of 1645. These bells were the heaviest of our trip but being recently re hung were very easy to ring and again sounded good. The ringing was good and was a great end to our trip. Shelford, St Peter and Paul, SK662424. 6, 12cwt 15:30 - 16:15
	Thanks are due to Peter and Janet Else for organising, suggesting the route and generally making sure that we all in the right place at the right time.  Thanks are also due to: Pauline, Hazel, Brandon. Becky, Elaine, Peter, Iain, David, Nick and Les without which we wouldn't be able to make any noise. The Band Richard