Master's Quarter Peal Tour 2001 - St. Albans, 30th November-2nd December

 

Friday evening saw the arrival of Welsh colleges in the centre of St. Albans. The Cock was the meeting place and several pints of Ruddles and I.P.A. were consumed. Thrown out of the pub at 11.20 prompt (with several beers left unfinished) the next mission was to find food. It was decided to try a local Indian takeaway but the master decided he would take penny off in her car and try one of the local chip shops. Once the majority of the society had ordered their food they returned to the hall awaiting its delivery.

The evening then continued with the consumption of much red wine along with the curries. This was followed by bed for most of the more sensible members. Though a few of the more daring members decided that a few hands of cards was required to add a little excitement to proceedings. This was followed by a bout of mud wrestling before deciding to call time on the evenings' proceedings. All were asleep, well in bed, by the early hour of 4am. A great preparation for a day of quarter peal ringing.

Bacon, sausage and fried eggs were on the menu for breakfast, this was eaten at pace as the first two quarters were due t o start at 1015 and 1030. The ringing was of an excellent standard especially the caters, unfortunately despite ringing for over 50 minutes, the quarter was not completed because Percy managed to miss-call it. In the other morning quarter the ringing was equally as good but this was lost after about half an hour. This led to a somewhat subdued lunch but the spitfire and London Pride soon helped to lift the feelings. This was followed by a memorable trip to the Farmer's Boy, complete with a 'tour' of the attached 'brewery.' The tour was extremely interesting if a little shorter than possibly imagined. The pub obviously provided some of the best beer of the weekend, brewed on site and 'rolled' in the back yard to give it a wonderful taste. It was unanimously decided to stay there for the afternoon whilst the third and final attempt at a quarter was made. This followed in the same manner as the others and it was abandoned after only twenty minutes. Meanwhile back at the Farmers Boy, all four of the local beers and a large number of others had been sampled. By half past six Poppy decided that it was about time we left the pub and went back to the hall where Karen and Pat had prepared a feast of pork cooked in cider, and a magnificent dessert of sherry soaked ginger biscuits with cream. It was superb!

After a brief respite and in one case, a much needed nap, the tour of St. Albans continued. This time Percy displayed his local geographical knowledge by taking some of the members to the Lower Red Lion. This we were assured was "not far," and "easy to find.", although Percy had to ask for directions. Once found the pub proved to be a good choice, good beer, good company (it was a haven for bellringers from all over the country it appeared.) and once we found them, comfy seats. Once the bar was closed beds were sought. This proved to be a challenge once again for Percy as he arrived back some twenty or so minutes after the rest of the group. Was it his geography that had delayed him?? Or was it the company of Rhiannon that caused the delay?? Most people went straight to bed and there was no rematch of the mud wrestling (unless this what had caused the delay to Percy and Rhiannon.).

The heavy frost of the Saturday night led to the overall consensus that another hall might be required if a return trip to St. Albans is ever decided upon. It was bloody freezing!!! Breakfast was excellently provided by Karen and the hot bacon and sausage butties were the perfect remedy to the chill. Morning ringing was at the Abbey and there was a representation considering the hangovers.

Lunch on Sunday was in the Peahen and was somewhat larger than anybody had hoped for! But it went down well before we all headed off on our homeward journeys.

All in all, a fabulous weekend. The loss of all three quarters was not a fair reward for the preparation that had been put in by the many who contributed to such a tremendous Welsh Colleges Gathering. Thanks must go to Karen and Pat who filled in remarkably as catering officers in the sad absence of Martin Owen (to whom all our best wishes go to). The food was superb. Thanks too must go to Poppy who got us back from the pub on Saturday evening in time for the food. And finally thanks must go to the organiser of the hall and ringing. The hall was adequate (if a little chilly) and the towers, by all accounts, were very good. He must also be thanked for his endless ability to give bad directions or in some cases the extra mileage he put on our mile-o-meters and of course for his splendid contribution to the entertainment, the mud wrestling match with Rhiannon was very impressive!!

Thanks Percy for a fabulous and fun weekend!! And enjoy the rest of your year as Master.

- Tony Wright