I am sorry I was unable to attend the Quarterly Meeting in May, but I understand the ‘bring a plate of food’ tea was a great success. My weeks ringing in Cornwall with the Ladies Guild was extremely enjoyable and I would highly recommend you put a trip to the Scilly Isles on top of your places-to-visit list, as the bells at St. Mary's were easily the best ring of the week. I am afraid I am absconding again this week as I shall be attending the Ladies Guild AGM at Syston in Leicestershire, but I am sure you will enjoy ringing at Quidenham this coming Saturday under Mike's supervision. Last month we had a very successful Surprise Practice at North Lopham and we all felt it was worth holding the next one there as well. So I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible there next Tuesday 22nd June at 7.30pm.
On Sunday, Sonia and Mike Charnley and myself tested the walk from Hollesley to Orford ready for the Ramble on 26th June. It was absolutely brilliant but I must warn you it is quite a long way and the second half of the section from Hollesley to Butley ferry is through fairly tall grass, which could be very wet after rain. For animal and wildlife enthusiasts, it is a walk not to be missed. At the start it takes you passed the Suffolk Punch Horse Sanctuary, and when you eventually reach the river, the variety of birdlife makes you feel as if you are part of "Spring Watch". For anyone planning to do the entire walk, I would recommend that you wear good walking boots or shoes (not sandals), take a waterproof as there is nowhere to shelter, sandwiches and a bottle of water as you would not have time for lunch in Orford and don't forget your binoculars and a camera.
The programme is as follows:-
10.00 to 11.00 a.m. ring at Hollesley and the locals have requested that we do not park in front of the church. If you intend walking from there, please park in the visitors parking area for the school, which I estimate will take 6 cars. If driving to Orford or parking somewhere else en-route please park in the main street.
It will take approximately 2½ hours at average walking speed to walk from Hollesley to the Butley Ferry and is dog friendly. This ferry is rowed by hand and can only take 4 passengers at a time, the cost is £1.50 each (dogs go free), so if everyone arrives at the same time it could take a while. We can only take it one way as it operates from 11.00a.m. to 4.00 p.m. and ringing at Orford is from 3.00 to 4.00 pm. I am therefore hoping that some of our drivers will volunteer to do a taxi service back from Orford. The section from the ferry to Orford will probably take between an hour to an hour and a half to walk. There are public toilets in Orford. Also there are two pubs which both do food, there is also the Butley Oysterage and if you can afford it, the Castle Restaurant. It costs £3 to park all day in the car park near the quay. My thought for the day is that everyone plans how much or how little they want to walk. There are possibly 3 alternative parking places in or near Boyton for those wishing to do a spot of bird watching and take the ferry. Otherwise Orford has a lot to offer with gentle walking by the river or a visit to the castle. If I have sparked an interest and you wish to find out more please phone me on 01379 643293 or collect a map from Mike on Saturday at Quidenham. If you are intending to cross the river on the ferry or require a lunch booking at either of the pubs, please contact me. My email address, when it is working, is btkservicesatsupanet.com, but as it is not very reliable at present you may be safer phoning.
My only remaining worries are that the work on the Hollesley bells will not be completed in time, that we do not have enough ringers for 8 bells or that it rains all day.
I look forward to hearing from you ASAP if you can come.
Best wishes,
Betty