With news of the most recent anniversary event and those yet to come, I’ll get a move on. 

100th Anniversary Events

Saturday evening saw 74 people in some very swish outfits gather for the Guild’s Centenary dinner. We ate, drank and were merry. The speakers were all on good form and it was a delight to welcome Bishop Debbie to her first Guild event. Pictures and a fuller write up will follow in due course. Just a little taster for now. If you took any good photos we’d like to share them, do please send them to me. 

The next centenary event is on Saturday 9^thNovember. It does not require dressing up, being 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. 

Guild Newsletters

These are making their way round to towers in paper format and the electronic version can be found here https://pdg.org.uk/newsletters/newsletter_202409.pdf. Lots of news and events to look back on over the summer.

Deadline for the next edition is End of December. Items can be sent at any time to newsletter@pdg.org.uk

CCCBR Shop.

Jim & Sarah Bence have taken over the CCCBR book shop responsibilities. They are now stocked up and ready to send out orders for your ringing reading needs. There’s a poster here https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/cccbr-book-shop and the shop can be found here https://shop.cccbr.org.uk/

CCCBR News

The latest notes of the Executive meeting can be found here: https://cccbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/CCCBR-Executive-Meeting-Notes-September-2024.pdf

The Standing Orders can be found here https://cccbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/StandingOrdersdocument-Edition-14-Effective-1st-October-2024.pdf

The organisation chart here: https://cccbr.org.uk/about/

The way the CCCBR is now structured means that the Executive have significant power and not much in the way of checks and balances. The annual meeting can’t necessarily reverse a decision taken by the executive some months ago. I know they’re not very exciting, but it is important that the meeting notes are read and any queries or points for clarification raised. The affiliation fee will increase from 20p per member in 2024 to 40p per member in 2025 and is projected to be £1 per member in 2026. That is a lot of money and we need, collectively, to ensure that they are using it in the best interests of ringing. 

The draft minutes of the Exeter meeting have also been produced. https://cccbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/CCCBR-ACM-2024-Draft-Minutes.pdf

Guild Quizzes

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

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

Guild Carol Service Saturday 28^th DecemberTowcester Ringing 1:30, Service 3:00 followed by refreshments and one last birthday cake. 

And Branch events. 

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

Thrapston Branch Practice Friday 1^st November 7:30 Islip

Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 2^ndNovember 3:00 Yelvertoft

Rutland Branch Practice Thursday 7^th November 7:00 Great Casterton

After my last report of wind & rain it’s now turned well and truly wintery. Time to dig out those heaters and rope warmers for the colder months ahead. I’m currently in 3 layers, there are more yet to come! 

Thanks

Helen