The “Cumbrian Codgers” monthly outings restarted in March 2023 after a lengthy Covid-induced recess. Although the first worry had already been fixed – could we spread the organisation a bit wider than just one person – a second worry persisted – would there be any takers post-Covid?
Our first trip was deliberately organised to be almost a carbon copy of the first ever trip, back in September 2012 (yes, it was that long ago!) – Orton, Shap & Wigton. We needn’t have worried, there was a bumper turnout with ringers from Lancashire, Yorkshire and Cumbria all appearing as if by magic.
More outings followed, and with four organisers a new benefit emerged – new lunchtime hostelries! We’ve ranged quite widely, but not yet as far afield as some previous outings; next year might see more distant locations mixed with the old favourites. Here’s where we’ve been this year.
| March 16th | Orton 11.30-12.30 | Shap 13-14 | Wigton 4.30-5.30 | John’s Plaice |
| April 20th | Hensingham 11-12 | Whitehaven 12.20-13.20 | Moresby 15.15-16.15 | Castle Knights |
| May 18th | Dent 10.15-11.15 | Sedbergh 11.45-12.45 | Kirkby Stephen 16.15-17.15 | The Black Bull, Kirkby Stephen |
| June 15th | Hornby 11-12 | Lancaster Priory 13-14 | Morecambe 16-17 | The White Cross, Lancaster |
| July 20th | Keswick 10.30-11.30 | Cockermouth 12-1 | St Bees 3.30-4.30 | Manor House St Bees |
| August 17th | Flookburgh 10.30-11.30 | Barrow in Furness 12.30-13.30 | Dalton in Furness 15.30-16.30 | Brown Cow, Dalton in Furness |
| September 21st | Great Urswick 11-12 | Kirkby in Furness 14.30-15.30 | Broughton in Furness 16-17 | General Burgoyne, Gt Urswick |
| October 19th | Hawkshead | Brathay | Ambleside 3.30-4.30 | Talbot Bar Langdale |
| November 23rd | Whittington 11-12 | Burton in Lonsdale 2.30-3.30 | Low Bentham 3.35-4.35 | Red Dragon, Kirkby Lonsdale |
| December 21st | Wigton 10.30-11.30 | Keswick 12.30-2.45 | Cockermouth 3.30-4.30 | Keswick schoolroom |
For those that haven’t sampled a “Codgers” outing yet, do give it a try. It’s all about some fun with friends, a good lunch with some ringing in between, and it doesn’t matter if you are just learning to ring rounds or can already ring everything under the sun, everyone’s welcome.
Heartfelt thanks to the other co-conspirators – Tony & Helen Ruberry, Gordon and Soo Gray and Lynne Sydes (not to mention long suffering Judith) – who have willingly taken up the cudgel and shared the load of organisation, it would not be possible without them.
Some may remember our pre-Covid three-day summer ringing trips to far parts; just to say that I’ll be looking to see how much support there might be for another one. In the past we’ve been to Scotland as far north as Fort William, East Yorkshire, Warwickshire, Bristol, North Wales and the Derbyshire dales.
If you’re on the email list, you’ll hear about future outings. It’s also posted on the Bellboard diary every month. Here’s to 2024!
