In my last update I did suggest that ringing quarters on leap day was a once in 4 year opportunity. Little did I realise that some of the Peterborough branch were already ahead of me. Elaine’s Leap day escapades  https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/event.php?id=18475 saw 7 attempts and 6 successes scored. I particularly like the genesis of the idea, take from the first footnote: “From an expanded idea over a beer and making the most of the extra day.”  In my experience many ideas can trace their origin to a beer! Quarters were also scored at Uppingham & Rushton. Well done gang. 

 

Bishop of Peterborough. 

The Diocese has a new Bishop, with Bishop Debbie being enthroned on Sunday 3^rd. The service can be viewed again through YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_dIaRbOIkw If you rang to welcome Bishop Debbie, there is a bellboard event you can link to, or let me know and I’ll collate all the ringing to send to her. The bellboard event is here: https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/event.php?id=18494

 

Guild Spring Meeting 

Next month sees the Guild’s Spring meeting and 6 bell striking contest. This year we are introducing a change. The existing Weaver Shield will be awarded to the best method ringing band, while there will be a new Centenary trophy that will be awarded to the best call change band. The contest remains largely unchanged, it’s one competition and two trophies rather than two independent competitions. The rules can be found on the website. https://pdg.org.uk/forms/6_Bell_competition.pdf. Entries to Simon Dixon on master@pdg.org.uk by 6^th April. 

This aims to encourage those bands that are more confident ringing call changes with a shiny trophy incentive to enter. Good striking is, after all, what ringing should be about, regardless of the complexity of the ringing. 

The contest will be held at Cold Ashby, with the call change element potentially being held at Guilsborough, depending on the number of teams that enter. With ringing at Spratton from 2 pm and contest and tea at Cold Ashby it should be a good day out, regardless of if you come away with a trophy or not. 

 

Fund raising opportunity

Benefact group is drawing their next Movement for Good grants from 18^th March. Charities nominated stand the chance to win £1000. The Guild can be entered into the draw using the link below. 

https://movementforgood.com/index.php?cn=258271&ct=heritage_arts#nominateACharity

The more entries, the more chances we have to win, so get your clinking fingers out. Nominations run to the end of the year so nominating us now enters us into draws across the rest of the year. 

 

Young Ringers.

We understand that a team of young ringers from the Daventry branch represented the Guild in the Midland young ringers striking contest, held in the vicinity of Loughborough yesterday. They came a highly creditable 3^rd in the call change competition. Impressive, especially as it was their first contest and some of the band only started learning in October. I’m told that there is an item being prepared to appear in the next Guild newsletter. Well done team. 

 

Midlands Young Ringers striking contest

9 March 2024

Oaks in Charnwood, Leicestershire.

Call change ringing contest

1 Derby 91%

2 Nottingham 90%

3 Peterborough 86%

4 Birmingham 81%

5 Coventry 51%

 

CCCBR news

The CCCBR is again working with Westley group to promote steeple keeping. The Westley award aims to recognise those who are new to steeple keeping or making a significant impact. Nomination information can be found here: https://cccbr.org.uk/2024/03/03/2024-westley-award-nominations-now-open/

 

Dates for the Diary

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. 

Guild Tower Open day Saturday 11^th May. Tower Open day across the Guild. https://pdg.org.uk/pdg-100/open-day

 

And branch events. 

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

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

Daventry Branch Practice, Saturday 16^th March, 3:00 Bugbrooke for ringing service & tea, 6:30Kislingbury

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

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

Rutland Branch practice Thursday 4^th April 7:00Great Casterton

Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 6^th April 3:00 Scaldwell, 6:00 Brixworth. 

 

March is supposed to come in like a lion and go out like a lamb. I’m hoping that having come in laden with water it leaves us in sunshine. That might be rather optimistic, but one can but hope. See you at the Spring Meeting, by which I hope to have seen some spring sunshine! 

 

Thanks

Helen