Master’s Quarter Peal Tour 2012 - Staffordshire, 6th-8th January

This year’s Master’s Quarter Peal Tour certainly didn’t waste any time. After a Dr Who related incident and some interesting one-handed ringing, the first quarter peal of the weekend (a festive St Nick’s on Friday evening) was restarted, but successful. Congratulations to Aber’s Kat Rook on her first quarter peal. Meanwhile at the pub other Welsh College’s members gathered and reminisced on the career of the late Bob Holness, the impressive size of the onion rings, and the location of the (apparently) elusive hall. Many a drink was enjoyed before we all retired to the hall. The fun didn’t stop there though, and Pete’s ingenuity amusingly failed him in his condom-based attempt to blow up his (and, more importantly, Cathy’s) airbed. Fortunately nobody was hurt, but Pete was forced to give up and sleep on the floor.

Saturday morning got off to a promising start. Although the Stedman Doubles at Colton was renamed 1260 Doubles (being Stedman, Grandsire and Plain Bob) it, along with Grandsire Doubles, Cambridge Minor and Yorkshire Major (previously known as Spliced Surprise Major) were all successes, with another first quarter for the society scored. Lunch was held at "The Crown" in Abbot’s Bromley under the watchful eyes of a very modern wallpaper and despite the incredible chips and good sized mains, the unfortunate size of the puddings (once they had been found cowering under the jugs of custard) was lamented. All in all a good opportunity for hands, arms and heads to recuperate and the afternoon began with great (well, great-ish) gusto.

The afternoon saw the success of another quarter peal of Grandsire Triples at Alton (well done Sue) and, despite losing the planned St Clements, the hour at Sandon was put to great use in teaching a certain Mascot Keeper how to lower.

They say that time heals all wounds; we proved that cake heals all wounds quicker, and any upset about lost quarters was quickly dissipated when we returned to the hall to discover not one, not two or three, but four Victoria sponges (and a ginger loaf) awaiting us. Two sponges kindly provided by Helen and Kevin as birthday treats (Happy Birthday Helen!) and the others from Sue’s mum (thank you!). After more bolognese than we could eat, more cake than should be medically allowed, and an unprecedented volunteer for next year’s catering we headed off for the "Holly Bush" again and an enjoyable time was had by all.

Sunday morning got off to a slightly slower start, but 7 hardy ringers made it to Stafford for 9 o’clock service ringing. Although not the greatest ring, it was well made up for at Sandon and glorious anti-clockwise 6 at Ingestre. After clearing up the hall we trundled our ways to the "Sun" pub in Stafford for a final celebratory lunch. On all accounts an enjoyable weekend was had, and thanks go out to Sue for organising a brilliant tour.

- Cathy Ockwell

Seighford, Staffs, S Chad. Friday, 6 January 2012 in 41mins (6-3-20). 1260 St Nicholas Doubles. Victoria L Evans 1, Martyn Owen 2, Sue Rainsbury 3, Iain D Scott 4, Richard A Wolfgang (C) 5, Katrina Rook 6. Rung to Celebrate the Birthday of Margaret Furniss, Grandmother of (4). First Quarter Peal (6). First for Society (1).

Abbot’s Bromley, Staffs S Nicholas. Saturday, 7 January 2012 in 47mins (11-1-5). 1344 Yorkshire Surpise Major. Helen Foster 1, Rebecca Shipley 2, Kevin J Rogers 3, Peter Hampson 4, Iain D Scott 5, James P Mort 6, Tim Hine 7, Martyn Owen (C) 8.

Alton, Staffs S Peter. Saturday, 7 January 2012 in 48mins (22-2-2). 1273 Grandsire Triples. Tim Hine 1, Rebecca Shipley 2, Sue Rainsbury 3, Kevin J Rogers 4, Helen Foster 5, James P Mort (C) 6, Iain D Scott 7, Andrew Barnes 8. Rung on the Master's Quarter Peal Weekend. First Grandsire Triples Inside (3).

Colton, Staffs S Mary V. Saturday, 7 January 2012 in 40mins (8-0-19). 1260 Doubles (3m). (being 60 Stedman, 600 Grandsire, 600 Plain Bob). Catherine E Ockwell 1, Tim Hine 2, James P Mort (C) 3, Peter Hampson 4, Martyn Owen 5, Andrew Barnes 6. Rung on the Master's Quarter Peal Weekend. First for Society (1).

Colwich, Staffs St Michael & All Angels. Saturday, 7 January 2012 in 40mins (7-2-10). 1260 Grandsire Doubles. Helen Foster 1, Victoria L Evans 2, Eleanor Payne 3, Kevin J Rogers 4, Iain D Scott (C) 5, Katrina Rook 6. Rung to Celebrate the Birthday of (1).

Rugeley, Staffs S Augustine. Saturday, 7 January 2012 in 42mins (7-2-26). 1296 Cambridge Surprise Minor. Kathryn Greaves 1, Sue Rainsbury 2, Rebecca Shipley 3, Rhiannon M Meredith 4, Paul J Lewis 5, Richard A Wolfgang (C) 6. Rung to Celebrate the Birthday of Jean Hirschhorn, Grandmother of (4).