The dinner, which was held on Sat 17^th July, was the culmination of a weekend of ringing and camaraderie. Peals were rung at Escrick on the Thursday and at Northallerton and the York towers of St Wilfrid and St Martin-le-Grand on the Friday. At the pub on Thursday lunchtime, Adam Greenley received a masterclass from Stef Warboys on how to circle a tower ("you shouldn’t have to ask to ring any particular bells … it should just happen …"). Simon Linford, as now seems to be the custom, organised golfing activities for members on these days as an alternative to ringing. Another custom was observed by Chris Kippin as he walked to York from Peterborough. In doing this he remembered the College Youths of years gone by who were forced to attend ringing events on foot as the luxury of quick and easy travel round the country was not available to them.

The focus of the weekend was Saturday where general ringing took place at the city centre churches of St Laurence, St Martin-le-Grand and St Wilfrid. Unfortunately nobody appeared with a key to permit the ringing at St Olave’s to go ahead. Lunch was held at the headquarters pub, The Three-Legged Mare, where various offerings from The York Brewery were bravely tackled. The day’s ringing culminated with a couple of hours at the Minster where the Master, Colin Newman, ran a practice to enable everyone to have a ring on these fine heavy bells.

A short business meeting was held in St Olave’s Church Hall where the Society was formally welcomed to York by David Hull. Members stood in silence to remember the recently deceased former York ringer, Stephen Rich, and on a happier note welcomed some local ringers into membership (Alison Edmonds from York and Ian Staves from Northallerton).

But the highlight was surely the dinner. Chris Kippin was clearly in his element as he wandered from locomotive to locomotive. John White too proudly pointed out the engines that he used to drive. Even many of the local ringers confessed to not having visited the museum for some time even though it was on their doorstep. The Master entertained the diners by taking wine with various groups and congratulated Jennie and David Town on their wedding anniversary. 

After the dinner a serious attempt to drain the five barrels of Old Guzzler was made, an attempt that proved largely successful by the time last orders was called. Those still up for continuing the evening walked the short distance to the Master’s hotel and took advantage of the bar (the Master bravely agreeing to put all drinks orders through his hotel bill). A party was discovered in another part of the hotel where the hosts were extremely pleased to see the influx of new blood and quickly took advantage by dragging them on to the dancefloor and trying to get intimate! For some it ended up being a long night of drinking and partying, although it didn’t prevent a large number of people being present for Sunday morning ringing at the various York towers.