If there is a season for everything, then it seems like spring brings striking contests as well as spring flowers. After reporting the results of the Midland youth contest last time around, this time it’s the turn of the Towcester band to be congratulated for a respectable 5^th place finish (of 8 teams) in the 12 bell eliminator contest at Reading yesterday. They don’t qualify for the final, but there’s a silver lining there – no need to locate Chilcompton! 

 

Spring Meeting

If it is striking contest season, then the Guild diary follows suit. The next Guild event is the Spring Meeting on 13^th April, which includes the 6 bell striking contest. The new trophy is taking shape, still no pictures, that would spoil the surprise. There’s plenty of time to get your band organised, entries to Simon Dixon by Saturday 6^th April, master@pdg.org.uk. As a reminder, the rules are here https://pdg.org.uk/forms/6_Bell_competition.pdf  and there’s a poster here https://pdg.org.uk/meetings/Spring_Meeting_2024_poster.pdf

I know the Guilsborough branch are getting their ducks in a row for the tea, a range of scrumptious goodies are in the planning. Hope to see you there. 

 

Guild Newsletter

The next Guild newsletter deadline is the 31^st March, for distribution at the Spring Meeting. Any news or items of interest can be sent to Jonathan Stuart, the newsletter editor, newsletter@pdg.org.uk. What have you done recently that would make a good item to tell your fellow ringers about? The recent issues have had a wide range of interesting items, but we can only do that with your contributions. 

 

CCCBR news

An update on Bell Sunday, which this year takes place on Sunday 12^th May. It’s an opportunity for the church family to recognise the impact that bells can have on the community. There are resources to help here. https://cccbr.org.uk/2024/03/16/bell-sunday-12th-may-2024/

 

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. 

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

Thrapston Branch Practice Friday 5^th April 7:30 Islip

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

Rutland Branch 8 bell Practice Thursday 18^th April 7:30 Uppingham

Wellingborough Surprise Practice, Saturday 20^thApril,  10:30 Rushden

Kettering Branch Practice, Saturday 20^th April, 2:00Great Oakley, 15:15 Weldon

Wellingborough Branch Practice, Saturday 20^thApril,  2:30 Yardley Hasting

Daventry Branch Practice, Saturday 20^th April, 3:00Preston Capes for ringing service, tea & meeting, 6:30 Moreton Pinkney (joint with Culworth)

Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 20^th April, 6:30Moreton Pinkney (joint with Daventry)

 

And with that I will leave you to debate what to do with yourself in the ringing desert (or so I mean dessert?) that is Holy week. Opportunity to Spring clean the ringing room? Or have a social evening? Whatever you do with it, have a happy Easter. 

 

Thanks

Helen