The Summer festival was an excellent day out. Even the weather decided to be summery for the day (it’s certainly changed its mind now). The Daventry branch laid on an excellent spread, Alistair cut another centenary cake, and Towcester won the 8 bell contest. A team of young ringers entered for the first time and did a sterling job on somewhat challenging bells. Fuller write up available on the website https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/2024-summer-festival and team photos here: https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/2024-summer-festival-teams If you want your team photo, let me know. 

CCCBR News

At the Summer festival meeting, Alistair & Simon gave updates on different aspects of the CCCBR weekend. We’ll aim to get those on the website in the next week or so for more in depth reading.  

Fundraising event

The Greetham Clangers are having a concert by the Corby Male Voice Choir on Saturday 28^th September at 7:30 in Greetham church. Tickets are £10 and proceeds will go to the restoration and refurbishment of Greetham bells. https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/greetham-concert

Guild Quizzes

Hopefully this won’t get too confusing! 

On Saturday 9^th November there’s a Centenary year event – a quiz and chippy tea – being held in Syresham village hall. Tickets are £15 per person to include food, tea/coffee & cake. Teams will be of 6, but we’ll make up teams on the night if you’re not a 6. Chippy tea options are Fish & chips, Sausage & chips, Cheese & vegetable cake & chips or Fishcake & chips. Gluten free batter available; mushy peas & curry sauce available at £1.50 extra. Mail centenary@pdg.org.uk for tickets. 

There is then the Guild’s annual paper Quiz available. Can be bought from your branch or from the Secretary. Sheets are £1 each. Send your answers in by the end of February (assuming you’ve not lost it by then) for the chance to win £25, £10 or £5 for the most correct answers. Not a ringing question in sight. 

Dates for the Diary

Centenary Dinner Saturday 12^th October 6:30 for 7:15 Kettering Park Spa Hotel. Tickets £45 per person from centenary@pdg.org.uk

Guild 10 bell Saturday 9^th November10:30 am. Daventry

Quiz & Chippy tea Saturday 9^th November  7:00Syresham Village Hall. Tickets £15 per person, including chippy tea. Tickets & meal order through centenary@pdg.org.uk.  

And Branch events. 

Towcester Branch Practice & Quiz Saturday 28^thSeptember 5:45 Towcester

Northampton Branch Practice Saturday 28^thSeptember 7:00 Duston

Peterborough Ring for your Cream tea Sunday 29^thSeptember. 12:30 Great Casterton, 13:30 Ryhall, 14:30 Greatford

Rutland Branch Practice Wednesday 2^nd October 7:00 Braunston/Brooke

Thrapston Branch Practice Friday 4^th October 7:30Islip

Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 5^thOctober 3:00 Naseby, 6:00 Creaton

Thrapston Branch Practice Thursday 17^th October 2:30 Wadenhoe

Rutland Branch 8 bell Practice Thursday 17^thOctober 7:30 Uppingham

Wellingborough Surprise Practice Saturday 19^thOctober 10:30 Woodford

Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 19^th October 3:00 Syresham

Daventry Branch Meeting Saturday 19^th October 3:00 Barby for Service, tea & meeting, 6:30 Kilsby

Kettering Branch Practice & Social, Saturday 19^thOctober 3:30 Desborough, followed by Beetle Drive

Wellingborough Branch Practice Saturday 19^thOctober 7:00 Rushden

I was pleased to ring for Evensong at the Cathedral yesterday. There was a service for celebrating the 30^th anniversary of the ordination of women. Taken by our first female bishop it was supported by the girls of the choir school. Thanks to the cathedral company for the invitation to join them for ringing beforehand. 

Hoping that you’ve not been blown or washed away in the last few days. Stay safe out there!

Thanks

Helen