On Saturday 17th May the annual meeting of the Southern Branch of the Norwich Diocesan Association of Ringers took place.
As Saxlingham had a new ring of eight, they asked if they could hold this meeting at Saxlingham and include ringing the new bells and a service in the church. Saxlingham were very pleased to host this event.
Approximately 30 people (including half a dozen children) visited the church during the afternoon. The majority of these were not regular ringers at Saxlingham. Not everybody was able to stay for the whole afternoon, but everyone had a chance to ring the new bells at some point. A core of about 24 people (including 3 children) stayed for the whole event including ringing, a service in the church, refreshments in the church room and the Branch Meeting.
The ringers were loud in their praises of the new bells and made comments to this effect in the visitors book. A number of people wished to return to ring the bells for longer on a future occasion. Practices and peals by guest ringers are in planning. We hope to welcome all these ringers back soon.