At the danger of sounding like a scratched record, it’s been very wet of late. Maybe with March starting next week and spring on the horizon it might start to dry out. Hopefully you’ve not, like Dr Foster, stepped into a puddle up to you middle – or even just above your boot tops. Squelch. 

 

Guild 100^th Anniversary 

As part of the Guild’s centenary, we are going to make a change to the Guild’s 6 bell striking contest, to take place on Saturday April 13^th. In order to encourage band with less experience, we’re going to introduce a new, Centenary Trophy. This will be awarded to the highest placed band ringing call changes. The current Weaver Shield will be presented to the highest placed method ringing band. This aims to encourage bands that might feel they might not produce their best ringing while ringing methods to enter a band. Good striking is important no matter the complexity of what is being rung and well struck call changes are a challenge for all bands. I went to see the maker this afternoon and it is going to be an impressive piece that will look good in any tower. No pictures, that would spoil the surprise. There’s plenty of time to get practising…  

 

The next event is the Nene Valley Challenge on 9^thMarch. Details have been circulated. If you want to set yourself a challenge, or come to help (or both) get in touch. 

 

There was a peal rung at Desborough on Friday 9^thFebruary. This was on the 100^th anniversary of the first peal for the Guild and was rung using the same method and composition (but not the same ringers). Well done to all concerned on marking the anniversary this way. Not an easy feat. https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=1697748

The picture of the original peal band with their peal board can be found here. https://pdg.org.uk/history/photos

 

Dates for the Diary

Guild 100th Anniversary event Sunday 9^th MarchNene Valley Challenge, Thrapston area. Ringing at a variety of towers in the morning followed by a light lunch.  

Guild 10 bell Practice Saturday 9^th March 6:30Location Moulton (note this is an evening practice)

Guild Spring Meeting Saturday 13^th April. 6 bell contest at Cold Ashby from 3 pm. Teams to the Master (master@pdg.org.uk) by the 6^th April. 

 

And branch events. 

Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 2^nd March 3:00 Cold Ashby

Rutland Branch practice Wednesday 6^th February 7:30 Braunston, focus Surprise 

Wellingborough Surprise Practice, Saturday 16^thMarch,  10:30 Orlingbury

Kettering Branch Practice, Saturday 16^th March, 2:00 Burton Latimer

Wellingborough Branch Practice, Saturday 16^thMarch,  7:00 Higham Ferrers

Rutland Branch 8 bell Practice Tuesday 19^th March 7:30 Oakham

Towcester Branch Practice, Saturday 23^rd March, 10:30 Greens Norton

Daventry Branch Practice, Saturday 23^rd March, 3:00 Bugbrooke for ringing service & tea, 6:30Kislingbury

Northampton, Branch Practice 23^rd March, 7:00Harpole

 

There’s a chance for those people who want to ring on each date in the year to grab a rare date this year. Score on the 29^th February, or it’s 4 years before you get to do it again – no pressure then! Good luck to anyone trying it. For me it’s an office work day, so not a hope there! 

 

Thanks

Helen