WELCOME

Welcome to the Open Days being held on the May Day Bank Holiday Weekend across the Furness & South Lakeland Branch of the LACR (Lancashire Association of Change Ringers) We invite you to come and join us on Saturday 4th May 2012 and Monday 6th May 2013 to ring at our towers set in some of the most stunning scenery in the country This page presents detailed information about the weekend, including pricing and timetables (SAT 4th MAY TIMETABLE,  MON 6th MAY TIMETABLE). It also includes other information about extra stuff that may be of interest - from Sunday Service Ringing, to brilliant bonus/extra ringing attractions. A list of Monday evening practices is also provided. There is also mention of a pub meal at end of Saturday, and lunches on Sat/Mon (see lunch/dinner), and thoughts meeting up socially on Sunday with possibilities an easy/moderate walk if anyone expresses an interest.

St Mary's Church, Ambleside © Copyright Tony Sutton (www.lakelandeye.co.uk). Published with permission.

1. Street parking at Ambleside, and Town Square Car Park in Milnthorpe require display of a SLDC (South Lakeland District Council) time/clock disk in the windscreen. We have 50 such parking disk clocks to distribute at the start of the day, but others can be obtained at nearby shops.


2. ULVERSTON - UPDATE! The crown staple on the tenor sheared (Mon 8th April) -BUT- we believe it may be repaired and returned from Whitechapel early in the week before the open day. So we hope that Ulverston will be back to 6 bells in time for the Open Day session on Sat 4th May.


3. A printable PDF format version of the tower timetable is now available to print or download here


4. A TOWER VISIT LOG form is available in PDF format to print here
   Page 1 has towers listed in chronological order, and page 2 has them listed in alphabetical order.

1. It may be possible to briefly ring and view the original bells at Cartmel that date as far back as 1661! See Cartmel session on Monday morning.
   A valid ticket/pass that includes Cartmel, or £1 on door will be needed to participate in this activity. Note: Frequency and duration of ringing the old bells at the discretion of the tower captain.


2. We hope to demonstrate the Woodhouse Ringing Machine free to anyone at Kendal - During and 15 mins before & after Kendal session (see Monday). This is essentially an early computer invented by G.F. Woodhouse of Sedbergh, that manages by mechanical means to reproduce/play the changes described in place notation. See 'News from the Pews' blog, and also see photos below: (click on photo for larger image)

 


3. See & hear Finsthwaite tubular bells on Monday lunchtime, a short diversion on route between Flookburgh and Crosthwaite.
   This event is independent from, but complimentary to the branch open day, and is open for anyone to enjoy between approx. 12.30 and 1.30pm.
   Free entry, although any donation to the church would be gratefully received.
   

   These 10 tubular bells (largest is about 2.75m long) have recently been restored, and now have a automatic chiming mechanism.
   Sue & Chris Potts have kindly offered to demonstrate the bells and show visitors what they look like close-up. The church can be found near Newby Bridge - from there take junction over the bridge past the Swan Inn, and follow signs past the Aquarium of the Lakes, and turn left (down narrow road) in front of Stott Park Bobbin Mill (English Heritage). Google Directions and OS Map for LA12 8BJ.

   By David [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

   Before Restoration

   After Restoration

4. Bells at St John's Church - Levens.
   

   Three Bells in St John's churchyard Levens. See waymarking for location, and brief history (including use as flower pots!). This is not planned into the Open Day programme, but anyone interesting in visiting can probably make a short detour between Heversham and Cartmel on Mon 6th May.

   St John's Church, Levens, Bells   © Copyright Alexander P Kapp and licensed for reuse under this CCL.

   Reverand Ruth Crossly says: "We would be happy for people to visit our bells. They had been hung in Milnthorpe Church and were brought to Levens from there. We strike them with wooden mallets which are kept in church. They do not make a pure sound but i think they are melodic enough and the young people love to make tunes with them especially at weddings! The church is always open for people to pop in."



5. 3 Bell Towers at Grasmere, Ings and Lowick.
   

   We have made every attempt to make the 3 bell towers in South Cumbria available for Sunday service ringing, unfortunately this has not been possible.

   GRASMERE, St Oswalds - Very helpful churchwardens, but they say that the bells now have an automated carillon style chiming system, and they feel they would have to call their vicar back - he is currently on sabbatical until June. So we feel we must not interfere with vicar's sabbatical and are unable to include Grasmere.

   INGS, St Anne - Very helpful response, but only permit chiming, and some doubt over state of bells, bearings and ropes. Unfortunately insufficient time remaining to do whatever is necessary to make available to chime for May.

   LOWICK, St Luke - No response to attempts to contact. Listed as unringable.

• Pub Meal on Saturday Evening - see section Food.


• Possibility you can enjoy an easy or more challenging walk to enjoy the spectacular views (weather permitting) on Sunday.


• Other Outdoor Attractions (not fell walking):
  • Grizedale Forest - Sculpture & Cycling Trails, and Go Ape!
  • Holehird Gardens - near Windermere - holds three National Collections - Astilbe, Meconopsis and Polystichum Ferns
  • South Lakes Wild Animal Park - zoo near Dalton-in-Furness
  • Furness Abbey (English Heritage) - large sandstone Cistercian Abbey near Barrow-in-Furness


• Wet Weather Lake District Attractions for Sunday:
  • Aquarium of the Lakes near Newby Bridge
  • Lakeside and Haverthwaite Steam Railway near Newby Bridge
  • Lakeland Motor Museum near Newby Bridge
  • Holker Hall & Gardens near Cartmel
  • Hill Top - Beatrix Potter's home (National Trust)
  • Brantwood House & Gardens - Home of John Ruskin near Coniston.
  • Ruskin Museum near Coniston
  • Dove Cottage - Wordsworth
  • Wray Castle (National Trust) South of Ambleside
  • Townend (National Trust) North of Windermere
  • Blackwell - arts and crafts movement house near Bowness-on-Windermere
  • Abbot Hall Art Gallery - beside Kendal parish church
  • Zeffirellis/Fellinis - cinema and vegetarian restaurants in Ambleside
  • Sizergh Castle & Gardens (National Trust) near Heversham/Kendal
  • Brewery Arts Centre - cinema & theatre in Kendal
  • Kendal or Ambleside indoor climbing wall
  • Kendal Museum
  • The Dock Museum - Barrow-in-Furness

Early booking is advisable (where possible) because it is a Bank Holiday Weekend.

If considering taking advantage of ringers lunches, please get in contact (Andy) to help us to estimate how many to cater for - thanks!

• SATURDAY LUNCH:
  

  Ringers Lunch
  MILLOM - 1pm to 2pm
  Simple sandwiches made to order, snacks, & cakes; Hot & Cold Drinks.

  Restaurants/Cafés between Hawkshead & Millom
  Note: Eating at Hawkshead require purchase of a longer car park ticket, and may be venues may be crowded.
  

  Venue/Website	Address	Telephone	Reviews
  The Kings Arms Hotel	The Square, Hawkshead	015394 36372	Trip Advisor
  The Queens Head Inn	Main Street, Hawkshead	015394 36271	Trip Advisor
  The Sun Inn	Main Street, Hawkshead	015394 36236	Trip Advisor
  Poppi-Red café	Main Street, Hawkshead	015394 36434	Trip Advisor
  Sun Cottage Café	Main Street, Hawkshead	015394 36123	Trip Advisor
  Several places in Coniston (also crowded with tourists on Bank Holiday).
  The Wilsons Arms	Torver (South of Coniston)	015394 41237	TripAdvisor
  Village Bakery & Café	Princes Street, Broughton-in-Furness	01229 716284	Trip Advisor
  The Square Café	The Square, Broughton-in-Furness	01229 716388	Trip Advisor



• MONDAY LUNCH:
  

  Ringers Lunch
  FLOOKBURGH - 12.15pm to 1pm
  Simple sandwiches made to order, snacks, & cakes; Hot & Cold Drinks.

  Selection of Restaurants/Cafés sorted by proximity to Flookburgh[top of list] to Crosthwaite[bottom of list]
  

  Venue/Website	Address	Telephone	Reviews
  The Engine Inn	Station Road, Cark-in-Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands LA11 7NZ	015395 58341	Trip Advisor
  Cartmel Village Shop	Parkgate House, The Square, Cartmel LA11 6QB	015395 36280	Trip Advisor
  L'Enclume	Cavendish Street, Cartmel LA11 6PZ	015395 36362	Trip Advisor Exclusive/Expensive & may be fully booked
  The Pheasant Inn	Flookburgh Road, Allithwaite LA11 7RQ	015395 32239	Trip Advisor
  At Home Café and Bistro	2 Main St, Grange-Over-Sands LA11 6AB	015395 34400	Trip Advisor
  Hazelmere Café & Bakery	1-2 Yewbarrow Terrace, Grange-Over-Sands LA11 6ED	015395 32972	Trip Advisor
  The Hare and Hounds	Bowland Bridge, Grange-over-Sands LA11 6NN	015395 68333	Trip Advisor
  The Punch Bowl	Crosthwaite, Lyth Valley LA8 8HR	015395 68237	Trip Advisor

• SATURDAY DINNER-TIME:
  Some of the ringers may like to dine out at approx 7.30pm on Saturday at the Brown Cow Inn, Dalton-in-Furness, which is at the foot of the hill beneath the church.
  If anyone is interested in joining us, please can they make their own separate arrangements direct - www.browncowinndalton.co.uk.
  The landlord would like to know menu choices in advance, so please see the online menu, & and let Mandy know your choices on 01229 462553.
  You can mention that you are a group of bellringers, so that I can introduce myself to any 'bellringer' tables to chat and welcome you.
  It can seat a maximum of 40 people, and a large non-ringing party has already made reservations. Overall there are already more than 25 people booked (ringers & non-ringers). It will be busy, so Mandy at the Brown Cow regrets that she can't promise that tables will be close together (or even in the same room)
  If the Brown Cow gets fully booked, please contact Andy (Barrow Tower Correspondent) for alternative venue.


• MONDAY DINNER-TIME:
  Selection of of Restaurants/Café options
  

  Kirkby Stephen	Mango Tree,       Coast To Coast Fish and Chip Shop,       Black Bull Inn,       Bay Horse Inn
  Appleby	Ruby's Cafe and Bistro,       Ashiana Exquisite Asian Cuisine,       Eden Vale Inn,       Crown and Cushion

'%' used to indicate a local ringer owns the B&B or Self Catering Accommodation
'†' used to indicate that accommodation owned by someone associated with one of our churches.

Please check with accommodation regarding availability

B&B's

Self Catering

Other web sites providing accommodation searches:

• TripAdvisor
• GoLakes
• Lake District National Park
• Visit Cumbria
• Cumbria, the Lake District