BellBoard

Having been rebooked from 2021 due to Covid-19 restrictions, the groups appetite to return to Lundy Island after 3 years away was even greater than usual. So, on Friday 11th February, our group of 25 (including ringers, non-ringing partners and one child), all gathered at Hartland Heliport with great anticipation for what the week would bring. We were not disappointed with the flight over on a beautiful sunny day which displayed Lundy in its finest. We enjoyed a week of ringing, walking, spending time in the Marisco Tavern and exploring all the island has to offer. Choral Evensong was performed in the Church with a rehearse and sing choir.

After our uneventful arrival however, the following week’s weather was somewhat more variable with a mixture of sun, cloud, rain, hail and strong winds cumulating in Storm Eunice which cancelled all the flights the following Friday when we were due to depart. A red weather warning was issued by the Met Office for the Southwest and Lundy Island was placed right in the middle. We were advised to stay in our properties on Friday until the winds had peaked which was very good advice, particularly for those staying in The Quarters who sat and watched as roof shingles flew off and parts of the wooden cladding on the wall also became detached and blew down to the village. Fortunately, no one was hurt, and the Lundy Island Staff did a wonderful job of temporarily patching up the damage.

Flights were then rearranged for Saturday afternoon once the winds were considered safe for flying so we packed our bags, ate all our left-over provisions and had our flight briefing in the Tavern. All was going well until around 11:30am when we were informed that there was no power at Hartland Point so the helicopters could not refuel, and flights were cancelled once again until Monday. This gave us a good opportunity to do some extra ringing and several more Quarter Peals were scored. One member of our group also performed an excellent Folk Concert in the Tavern which was enjoyed by those staying on the Island.

Monday morning came and there was still uncertainty over whether the generator which had been found for Hartland would last 16 flights or if the winds would die down enough for afternoon flying. However, the generator held out and there was a gap in the weather and we successful left the Island 3 days later than planned. Despite all of this, we are planning to return and look forward to our next trip.