Many of you will remember our fundraising campaign to restore the Bingley hand bells. Two years ago exactly (3/10/09) we did our first sponsored ring and walk to raise money for the fund. That day was very wild, wet and windy, not the best for a sponsored walk. We are now raising yet more money to restore a 3^rd octave of bells (another 12 bells) and decided to hold another sponsored ring and walk. Saturday 1^st October 2011 turned out to be one of the hottest days of this year, and so it was we set out on our expedition to ring at 5 different towers and walk between them. A few ringers did present sick notes but kindly offered to act as �backup crew� and follow the route by car and ring bells up for us along the way.

We used various means of transport to get to our first tower, trains, cars and even bikes. We started at Walsden (8 bells) where we were greeted by the local ladies who kindly made us tea and coffee. To say these bells are difficult is an understatement, however we managed good rounds and call changes and some plain hunting, despite Ann getting her ear-ring caught in the rope! Then we set off on the walk, along the canal tow path to Todmorden. It was extremely hot and sunny and we passed lots of other walkers and cyclists en-route. This led Solna to have one of her brightest ideas to date. She instructed our non-ringing hand bell ringers to go and purchase a bucket. She hurriedly stuck a large label to the bucket and transformed it into a collecting box.

We had a great ring at Todmorden, St Mary (8 bells) a lovely light ring of eight bells, including some Grandsire Triples and Plain Bob Triples. Then once again we re-joined the canal and continued the walk towards Hebden Bridge with Solna rattling the bucket at everyone we passed with remarkable success. Lunch had been pre-arranged at Stubbing Wharf pub which is situated right next to the canal just outside Hebden Bridge. It was good to see the backup crew had got the drinks in and we enjoyed a superb lunch sat around a great big table specially prepared for us in the function room of the pub. The bucket again raised even more money from other people in the pub and those walking past along the canal.

At this point people started to look nervous, Roger was checking the map ready for the assault on Heptonstall. As you know Heptonstall is at the top of a very steep hill above Hebden Bridge. People were thinking of wimping out until Solna informed them of the serious financial penalties the bucket would demand if they did. Thus the whole party set off at a steady pace up a steep track through the woods towards Heptonstall (8 bells). As we approached the tower it was nice to hear the backup crew ringing the bells up for us. Despite being really hot, sweaty and exhausted from the climb we thoroughly enjoyed this glorious set of bells and had a photo call outside the tower.

The descent back to Hebden Bridge was equally demanding on the knees as it is extremely steep down a cobbled path. However, when we did reach the bottom Roger generously allowed us an ice cream break, whilst the bucket did more rattling to the shoppers passing by. Then it was back to the canal for the walk along to Mytholmroyd (8 bells). Again the backup crew were ringing up and we were joined by reinforcements, Neil Murray and Alan Trebble met us having completed a peal earlier at Halifax. Again we had some good ringing no problems for us with Yorkshire Tail ends�.!!

This was to be the end of the walk, we had completed 9.5 miles including a very steep climb, not to mention 153 tower steps, so it didn�t take us long to accept lifts to our final tower Halifax Minster. Even the bikes fitted into Neil�s truck. We were tiring by now but finished with a flourish by ringing all 12 bells to rounds and call changes plus some respectable ringing on the middle eight.

Thanks to all the towers for the use of their bells and to everyone who sponsored us. The total raised for our fund was �631.00 of which �148.00 was from Solna�s bucket. Along with over �400 raised from the sale of London Underground Quiz Sheets we are now half way towards our target of �2200. So if you hear a strange rattling noise��watch out!!

Jane Lynch � Bingley Ringers

Our annual dinner was on Friday 28th January 2011 at Valentino's in Bingley.

There were 20 of us, 13 Bingley ringers and 7 guests.

A good majority of us were well satisfied with the meal.

There was a little concern about the slow service but this did give us the opportunity to enjoy the chat.