The Lilliputters Guild - Kent Weekend (Part 1 - Friday 7 and Saturday 8 June 2019)

Footage from the Friday and Saturday of the The Lilliputters’ Guild Weekend in Kent, over the weekend of 7-9 June 2019 (the Sunday footage will follow in a separate video). I didn’t film as much as normal, and will leave Ringer Alex to complement my video with his offering :-) On the Friday evening, eight of us congregated at East Farleigh – a very pretty little riverside village – to kick off the weekend with a quarter peal of Grandsire Triples. The old three were augmented to six in 1891 by Mears, and then to eight in 1979 by Whitechapel. They go reasonably and don’t sound too bad, although the trebles are very flighty! Aaron even made a friend along the way; Mr Skinny Legs the spider, who popped through the door in time to listen to the last part! The weekend’s itinerary had been based around travelling by rail, and Saturday morning saw us up early to make tracks (groan!) to Eynsford, and an unexpected surprise – Rachel was joining us! Jason and I took a well-earned rest whilst the others rang a very decent quarter peal of Cambridge on this pleasant ring of eight; basically an early 20th century Mears ring, last overhauled and tuned in 1965. Thanks to Alex for the inside footage, taken from the opening course. Mischief managed, it was off to the old-style ring of 8 at Shoreham for some Stedman – specially picked to give Smashley some dodging practice! Footage here is from the pre-quarter touch, to allow Aaron to grab the tower, and filmed by Euan. The two Victorian Gillett trebles were recast in 1982, at which time the bells were rehung and retuned. We all knew that I hadn’t been in charge of the timings when we found ourselves with a lunch break! Alex was in my bad books for the long, hilly and rainy walk from Sevenoaks into the town, but was soon forgiven as we even had time for pudding! Well, we needed our strength for the after-lunch tower; the super ring of eight here, and indeed the highlight of the day. A neat composition of Bob Major brought the best out of both bells and ringers, leaving Alex with a big grin on his face! The bells were cast in 1966 by Mears, and replace an old and heavier (21cwt) eight of mixed vintage. Our final tower of the day was the modern ring of 6 at Otford, housed in a tower that resembled a castle! The two existing chiming bells (present 2nd and tenor) were joined by four newly cast friends and hung by Whitechapel in 2000. No quarter here, but instead we enjoyed some general ringing, including a course of Bourne and a joker touch of Bob Minor; a fitting way to bid farewell to Jason! Back at Barming Scout Hut, our base for the weekend, we enjoyed a fish and chip supper before seeking forgiveness from Aaron as the handbells came out! We concluded the evening with a sing-along and cards, with David’s wit proving the sharpest. Sleep on these events is optional, but Aaron still managed to doze off; his snoring was so bad, Ashley bedded down in his Smart car for the night! Stay tuned for Part 2 - the Sunday - coming soon to a channel near you!... :-)