The Church Stretton district practice on Saturday 17 October 2026 was held at Montgomery, Powys, in the Welsh Marches.
It was a lovely drive to Montgomery with bright sunshine showing off the borderland scenery. Autumnal colours of golden, yellowing leaves with pockets of lingering low cloud added to the landscape. Picture above: Autumnal colours seen from the churchyard.
St Nicholas Church is perched on top of a hill overlooking the Vale of Montgomery to the East and the town to the West. The interior houses an ornate family tomb of the Herbert family and the churchyard contains The Robber’s Grave. The local legend is that in 1821 John Davies of Wrexham was sentenced to death by hanging at Montgomery for highway robbery. He protested his innocence and is said to have prayed to God that no grass should grow on his grave for 100 years as a sign of his innocence. It is said that the grave remained bare for well over a century.
Twelve of us attended the practice on the 6 bells (tenor 12 cwt) which were easy to handle, except for the 5th which tended to suddenly drop.
A wide variety of methods were rung including Plain Hunt, Plain Bob Doubles, Grandsire Doubles, Stedman Doubles, and Ipswich, London and Cambridge Surprise Minor, interspersed with tea and cake.
Jenny Ferguson
Church Stretton District Assistant Ringing Master