A great district Surprise Major practice was held at South Weald last night (14th January). We were due to start at 7:30 but I arrived early to turn on the heater to try to get things warmed up. It was terribly uninviting outside with the snow still on the ground and a mist enveloping the churchyard. I was getting a little concerned as only two ringers had turned up by twenty-to. I shouldn’t have worried as soon the “masses” arrived and I was very pleased to see fourteen brave souls eventually trying to get some warmth from our small heater. Ringing the bells up soon warmed us up properly and the first attempt was made on the “method of the day”, Rutland. I trebled to this as I am still trying to get confident with Yorkshire and Cambridge. Lots of fun ringing followed including some Spliced Yorkshire and Rutland called by Steve Nash with a couple of leads of Cambridge thrown in just to keep people on their toes. Luckily I managed to keep the treble going! All too soon it was time to ring down and go our separate ways. Thanks very much to John Harpole for running the ringing and to everyone for turning up and making for a very enjoyable evening.
