Happy new year one and all. I see from Bellboard that Badby rang the old year out and the new year in, with an interested audience. Castor rang a date touch to welcome the new year, as is traditional (well they’ve done it twice now). I found myself invited. With that and a quarter in one day, I’m ready for a rest! If you also rang the year out or in, add it to Bellboard and get those stories out.
Guild Centenary
The last event of the year was a Carol Service, held at Towcester on Saturday 28th December. It was good to see people came out in that odd lull between Christmas & New Year. There were carols, readings and lots of cake, provided by the Towcester branch. Thanks for coming.
In terms of merchandise, we still have mugs with the Guild’s logo, available for a whole £5, it’s now a limited-edition item, no more will be produced!
Membership
Just to remind you that your subscriptions are now due. As voted at the AGM, subscription is now £10 for adult members and £5 for juniors and those in full time education. Your branch treasurers will want to hear from you, I’m sure.
Similarly, January is branch AGM season. If you resolution is to get more involved, you can consider taking on a specific role or joining your branch committee. They’ll be delighted to hear from you.
And while the Guild AGM isn’t until June, there are Guild posts that are vacant or where the incumbent is stepping down. PRO and Youth leader are both vacant roles. This could give the holder a chance to shape that role to their strengths. Simon Dixon will be standing down as Master, and Jim & Gwynneth White, as Report Editors, will do the 2024 report but need a replacement for the 2025 one.
Role descriptions for all Guild roles can be found on the website: https://pdg.org.uk/homepage/officers. You can talk to the current holder, or to me if you want more information.
CCCBR News
Apart from a Christmas message that was in the Ringing World, there’s been no news from the CCCBR to report in December.
Executive notes from November & December meetings are available.
November https://cccbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/CCCBR-Executive-Meeting-Notes-November-2024.pdf
December. https://cccbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/CCCBR-Executive-Meeting-Notes-December-2024.pdf
I have received the Central Council’s request for payment for our affiliation. This has increased from 20 pence per member last year to 40 pence per member this year, with a proposal to increase to £1 per member in 2026. Make sure you get value from the Central Council; they are spending your money.
CCCBR Publications
Sarah & Jim Bence took over the Central Council publications in the second half of last year. It’s taken a while to get everything handed over but they’re now up and running. There is an online shop https://shop.cccbr.org.uk/ and they are increasing their visibility with a Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569273783797where offers are shown. They’ll also be at the Kettering branch AGM, if you wanted to have a look at the wide range of items, just in case Santa didn’t come with a bell ringing book for you. They can be contacted with any questions. publications@cccbr.org.uk
Dates for the Diary
Guild 10 bell Saturday 11th January Peterborough Cathedral 10:30 – 12:30.
And Branch events.
Guilsborough Branch AGM Saturday 4th January 3:00 Guilsborough for ringing, service, tea & meeting
Rutland Branch AGM Saturday 11th January 3:00Preston 4:00 Uppingham for ringing, service, tea & meeting
Thrapston Branch AGM Thursday 16th January 2:30Thrapston for ringing, service, tea & meeting
Wellingborough Branch AGM Saturday 18thJanuary 3:00 Irthlingborough (please note change of venue)
Peterborough Branch AGM Saturday 18th JanuaryCastor time tbc.
Daventry Branch AGM Saturday 18th January 3:00Daventry for ringing, service, tea & meeting
Kettering Branch AGM Saturday 18th January 3:45Isham for ringing, service, tea & meeting
Northampton Branch AGM Saturday 25th January 3:00 Harpole for ringing, service, tea & meeting (Names for tea to Bridget Paul by Thursday preceding)
Towcester Branch AGM Saturday 25th January 3:00Greens Norton for ringing, service, tea & meeting
Culworth Branch AGM Saturday 25th January 3:00Aynho for ringing, service, tea & meeting
I’ll no doubt see you at one or other of the AGMs, as the Executive try and make sure someone goes to each AGM to represent the Guild. It’s a lottery as to who you’ll see. See you around.
Thanks
Helen
Helen Allton
Secretary: Peterborough Diocesan Guild of Church Bellringers
Facebook: www.facebook.com/PDGCBR
Website: www.pdg.org.uk
e-mail: secretary@pdg.org.uk
Peterborough Branch 