The event had proved most popular with the party of over 80 and the organiser, Graham Austin found himself repeating the venture in 2001 with the able assistance of Nick Willasey.

The Wirral Branch had included the event as part of its 2001 ringing programme and this resulted in some 34 persons, which included just a few non-ringers, from Wirral joining the party this year, swelling the total to 115. Such attendance at local Branch events would be most welcome!

A little background first, with acknowledgements to the organisers from whose information leaflet the following is extracted.

"Although there have been Change Ringing bells on the Island since 1852, no change ringing has taken place within living memory. The bells of St Thomas' Douglas were destroyed by fire in February 1912 and the bells of St German's Cathedral Peel became derelict.
In 1998, however, the old ring of Warner bells at Peel were replaced by a new ring of 8 bells by John Taylor, tenor 9cwt 2qrs 10lbs in G#. Then in February 1999, fund raising was started to install a new ring of 10 bells at St George's Douglas. St George's tower already possessed one bell and this has been incorporated in the new ring of 10 bells, again by John Taylor. Tenor is 18cwt 2qrs 14lbs in E.
In May 2001 the sixth bell is to be replaced and two new trebles added to make a ring of twelve."

These are, for the present, the only two towers with bells hung for change ringing although there are plans for others! Additionally, there is the recently refurbished chime of 8 bells (tenor 13cwt) at St Thomas' Douglas and this tower was included in the schedule.

The Isle of Man CHURCH LEADER in its May 2001 edition includes an article on the work carried out by Graham Austin on this chime. The article also refers to the visit reported here. There is also another, brief reference to ringing, namely the service to be conducted by the Lord Bishop in the Bell Tower at St George's on Wednesday 16th May when the two new trebles and the replacement sixth are to be dedicated.

The Wirral party, some of whom arrived via minibus (and in good time!), comprised largely ringers from Heswall, Eastham and Wallasey St Hilary together with others from Bromborough, Port Sunlight, Bidston and West Kirby. The crossing in the Seacat (33knots) was relatively uneventful but, half way over, the ship slowed down - and turned into the wind - for scattering of the ashes of a former seafarer. Nevertheless one or two passengers had difficulty finding their sealegs.

At Douglas, some two-and-a-half hours after the 10.30 am sailing, the party found a carpet had been laid for its arrival - but this was impregnated with disinfectant to help prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease from the mainland! The party was split into two groups and assigned to one of two coaches. One went directly to Peel while the other, which included all the Wirral ringers, went straight to St George's. After the allotted ringing time at the first towers, the two parties then rang at the second towers as appropriate, the coaches crossing midway across the island.

By late afternoon, both parties recombined for 'ringing' at the chime of St Thomas' back in Douglas, where mostly tune-ringing was attempted, with greater or lesser degrees of success depending on previous experience!

At each of the three churches excellent and tempting refreshments were kindly provided by the locals, the ringers taking full advantage of this most kind hospitality.

On the island, the weather, a little on the chilly side in the easterly breeze, had been kind with the only significant rain - which included hailstones - falling during the time the parties were crossing the island by coach.

Prior to evening sailing at 9.30pm, on the larger Superseacat "Rapide", the various members of the party were free to explore Douglas, parttaking of whatever refreshment was found to their taste. The fish and chips at 'Mr.Cod's' on the old quayside proved most popular. During the time at Peel, some had gone down to the quayside where the famous Manx kippers were on sale.

And even on the return trip there was further excitement as the free draw took place. And the special ROCK LIGHT SWEEP (tickets just £1), which depended on the precise time the Seacat passed in line with the Rock Lighthouse and starboard hand 'Brazil' buoy, led to no less than six participants each winning a free return ticket for their next visit to the island!

Shortly after midnight, the party disembarked at the Pier Head, each wending their way home, tired but happy to have been part of another excellent day out.

Thanks to Graham and Nick as the joint organisers and to the many others - including locals on the island - who assisted in one form or another to ensure the occasion was so memorable and enjoyable.

Peter Humphreys. 30 April 2001