On Saturday, we held the F&GP meeting to finalise the Guild calendar for 2025 and start arranging dates in 2026. While it is tempting to sit back and reflect on the success of our 100^th anniversary year, now is the time to move forward into our next century. 

The Spring meeting, which includes the 6 bell striking contests (for method and call change bands) will be 12^th April at towers in the Thrapston branch. 

The AGM will be on 14^th June in the Kettering branch, based at Barton Seagrave

The Summer Festival will be on 13^th September in the Peterborough branch, based at Castor. 

We look forward to seeing you there. 

Event at Hambleton

Friday 8^th November sees the steward of the bellringers Rolls of Honour, Alan Regin, speaking at Hambleton St Andrews at 7pm. There will be a chance to view the rolls and hear Alan talking about both the rolls and the ring of bells that were put into the English church in Ypres as a lasting memorial to the fallen. Alan’s an engaging speaker and the bells at Ypres are lovely. It should be an informative evening.  No entrance fee, donations requested. 

CCCBR News

The ART award nominations are open. If you know of someone who has made a difference, you can nominate them for one of the five different categories.  https://cccbr.org.uk/2024/10/30/nominate-someone-for-an-art-award-2/

The President’s latest blog can be found here. https://cccbr.org.uk/2024/10/25/presidents-blog-96/

There’s also what is described as “An informal peek into the activities of the Executive” https://cccbr.org.uk/2024/10/30/the-executive-download-1/

Guild Quizzes

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. 

Guild news

As we’re now approaching 2025 it’s as well to remind members that, as of 1^st January, the membership subscription increases to £10 for adults and £5 for juniors and student members. This was agreed at the AGM in June by a majority of those present. Please assist your branch treasurers by paying your subscription promptly. Or make them happy by paying for 2024 if you haven’t already. 

At the Dinner, I compared subscriptions in 1924 and now. In 1924, subs were 1 shilling & 6 pence. As a post decimal child, that means nothing, so I converted that into how many pints it would buy. At 1924 prices, that was about 5 pints. These days we’re at a little over 2 pints for a year of ringing entertainment & fellowship. That seems a reasonable deal to me. But we’re always interested to know what else you would want from your Guild. 

Second Saturday Sessions

After a year of mostly social activities in 2024, the Second Saturday training sessions are making a return for 2025. Sessions in the first half of the year are:

Guild 10 bell practices on 11^th January, 8^th March & 10^th May. These sessions are open to anyone. 

Teaching sessions are Ringing up & down in peal on 8^th February

Bell maintenance on 8^th March

Leading up & down in peal on 12^th April

Calling touches on 10^th May

Stedman on 14^th June

To register interest in the session, contact Simon Dixon on master@pdg.org.uk

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.

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

Wellingborough Surprise Practice Saturday 16^thNovember 10:30 Burton Latimer

Wellingborough Branch Practice Saturday 16^thNovember 2:30 Grendon

Daventry Branch Meeting Saturday 16^th November 3:00 Willoughby (Warks) for Service, tea & meeting, 6:30 Braunston

Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 16^th November 7:30 Woodford Halse

Peterborough Brach training session Sunday 17^thNovember 2:00 Peterborough St Mary

Kettering Branch ringing at the Cathedral Sunday 17^th November 2:10 Cathedral 

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

Thrapston Branch Practice Thursday 21^stNovember 2:30 Thrapston

Culworth Branch 8 bell Practice Saturday 30^thNovember 3:00 Brackley

Since I last wrote, I’ve been dragged round Scotland while himself and friends were on a peal ringing tour. It’s great that you get the chance to go and visit so many different places and the people opening up are almost always pleased to tell you something of the bells and the church and let you have a poke around. Specialist information such as which tea room does the best cake is always welcome. I had plenty of good cake in my week away, so we both came home happy. 

Thanks

Helen