Please see Helen’s latest update, below:
It’s not reasonable to expect summer to last ALL summer, but it tipping down doesn’t make for nice wedding photos nor is it conducive to listening to the bells outside while at a striking contest. I know the garden needs it, but neither of my ringing events yesterday was improved by the weather! Hope it has not interfered too deeply with your weekend or ringing activities.
Training opportunities
There are always training opportunities, these are a little further afield. A reminder that the Training fund can offer a contribution to attendance at training courses for learners. https://pdg.org.uk/homepage/content-2/training-fund
North West Ringing Course
Next month is the North West Ringing Course and they are still in need of more helpers for courses up to Stedman. The website gives more details https://nwringingcourse.uk. Helpers can stay (accommodation and meals incur costs) or on a daily basis.
ART M1 course
There will be an ART M1 (Teaching Bell Handling) course at Kineton on Saturday the18th November. If you have ringers that are teaching and would like a refresher, some new tips, or are entirely new to teaching handling this well established course could suit them. Please contact Graham Nabb gnabb50@gmail.com or find out more via the website. https://bellringing.org/about-teaching/bell-handling/
Central Council items
President’s Blog from far flung places. https://cccbr.org.uk/2023/07/07/presidents-icelandic-blog-81/
At this year’s Central Council meeting in September, nominations are required for a number of posts. Some information about what is involved can be found on the CCCBR site. https://cccbr.org.uk/2023/07/02/presidents-interview/ and https://cccbr.org.uk/2023/07/10/deputy-president-interview/
Other bell news
Not about change ringing, but about bells and their place in religion in Africa, this may prove interesting.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3ct5j1s
Ashwell bells
In the last few weeks, work has been underway at Ashwell in Rutland. The fixtures and fittings were removed, then the bells lowered and removed to Taylors for work. The 2nd will be checked for cracks and retuned to better match te rest of the 6. Then the Treble will be rehung in the 2nd bell pit, 2nd going into the 3rd bell pit and then the 3rd rehung on its own independent tower frame above the other 5.
https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/ashwell-bells-rehang
Artworks for sale
The church at Weston Flavell has received a selection of water colour paintings, which are being offered for sale.
There are over 150 different paintings of churches across the area. They were painted by C Stephenson-Mole and have been offered to the church by the family after the death of the painter. The church are asking for £30 per painting and the funds raised will go towards the work identified as necessary in the most recent quinquennial inspection. The Churchwarden, Phil Norris, should be contacted with any queries. He has photographs of all the paintings and can provide these on request. https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/watercolours-for-sale
Dates for the Diary
Not all branches have events in August, so it’s a slightly shorter list this time around.
Guild 10 Bell Practice Saturday 9th September. 10:30 Daventry
Guild Summer Festival Saturday 9th September Contest 4:00 pm Towcester, for competition, tea, meeting a7 Evening ringing. Towers prior to be confirmed.
Culworth Branch 8 bell practice Saturday 29th July 7:30 Aynho
Rutland Branch 8 bell practice Tuesday 1st August 7:30 Oakham
Peterborough Branch 8 bell Practice Friday 4th August 7:30 Castor
Thrapston Branch Practice Friday 4th August 7:30 Islip
Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 5th August 3:00 Long Buckby, 6:00 Crick
Daventry Branch Meeting Saturday 19th August 3:00 Everdon 6:30 Dodford (tbc)
Northampton Branch Practice Saturday 19th August 7:00 Rothersthorpe
Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 19th August 7:30 Woodford Halse
Hopefully summer will come back before you hear from me again.
Helen Allton
Secretary: Peterborough Diocesan Guild of Church Bellringers
Facebook: www.facebook.com/PDGCBR
Website: www.pdg.org.uk
e-mail: secretary@pdg.org.uk
Telephone: 01832 735 266
Peterborough Branch 