Update from our Guild Secretary – 10 March 2025

And suddenly it feels like spring might be around the corner. Several ringing outings in the last few weeks have had an array of snowdrops carpeting the floor. And now the crocus and daffs are sticking their heads above ground. Must be almost Spring Meeting time – see more below!

Last weekend the Cathedral held a service in celebration of Rutland and the Rutland branch had arranged a number of ringers to go to the Cathedral and ring before the service. I headed along to join them. Alan Ellis marshalled his resources well, with support from the Cathedral band, and there was ringing on 8, 10 and 12. For a majority it was a first occasion ringing on 10 and 12. I hope they enjoyed the experience.

I particularly enjoyed the Cathedral staff trying out the Rutland flag upside down and being put right by ringers from Rutland who had were gathering before going upstairs. With the Lord Lieutenant present, that could have been a little embarrassing. See, ringers are useful people to have about.

Spring Meeting

The Spring Meeting is the 6 bell striking contest. As last year, there are 2 trophies up for grabs, one for method ringing bands, the other for call change bands.

The contest will take place on Saturday 12^th April at Great Addington, with Twywell if needed due to number of entries.

Tea will be at Islip village hall from 4 pm, with the results and a brief business meeting at 6 pm. There will be evening ringing at Islip.

The draw will be performed in advance and teams need get their entries to Simon Dixon by 2^nd Aprilmaster@pdg.org.uk. Remember that Simon’s not very psychic, so if your band needs to ring early or late due to needing to ring for a wedding or some other commitment, he needs to know that with your entry please!

We had 21 teams in a bumper entry last year. I hope that we’ll see many of those teams again, and maybe some new ones. A great day was had by all, see you there! You can see all the fun and games in the website report of last year. https://pdg.org.uk/history/2024-centenary-events/centenary-spring-meeting-april

10 bell practice

This weekend we had the Guild’s 10 bell practice, at Kettering. This time we rang call changes, plain hunt, Grandsire, Little Bob, Yorkshire, London & Bristol. If you’re confident ringing on 8 this is the opportunity to try ringing on higher numbers. It’s also a chance to stretch your repertoire on 10 bells. Having dealt with 10 ropes makes 8 seem easier! The next practice is Saturday 10^th May at Moulton, starting at 10:30.

100 Club

Due to the increased number of members in the 100 club, at the GMC last weekend we agreed to change the prize structure, increasing the number of winners to 4 each month. That increases the chances of an entry being drawn. You can, of course, increase your chances of winning further by taking an additional number. For details contact 100_club@pdg.org.uk.

CCCBR latest

The President’s latest blog is available. https://cccbr.org.uk/2025/02/28/presidents-blog-98/

There is a DAC Bell Advisor’s conference in Leeds on Thursday 3^rd April. You don’t have to be a DAC to attend. There’s some confusion as to the year, as 2024, 2025 and 2026 all get a mention in the paperwork! We have asked for clarification. https://cccbr.org.uk/2025/03/07/dac-bell-advsiors-conference-2025/

Dates for the Diary

Spring Meeting Saturday 12^th April Contest at Great Addington/Twywell. Tea 4:00 Islip Village Hall. Results and meeting 6:00. Evening Ringing at Islip.

Guild 10 bell Saturday 10^th May Moulton 10:30 – 12:30.

And Branch events.

Peterborough 8 bell practice Friday 14^th March 7:30Castor

Wellingborough Surprise Practice Saturday 15^thMarch 10:30 Orlingbury

Wellingborough Branch Practice Saturday 15^thMarch 7:00 Finedon

Daventry Branch Practice Saturday 15^th March 3:00Kislingbury 6:30 Northampton Holy Sepulchre

Thrapston Branch Practice Thursday 20^th March 2:30 Thrapston

Rutland 8 bell practice Thursday 20^th March 7:30Uppingham

Towcester Branch Practice Saturday 22^nd March 10:00 Calverton, 11:15 Cosgrove

Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 5^th April 3:00 Scaldwell, 6:00 Brixworth

Peterborough Grandsire/Stedman Practice Sunday 6^th April 2:30 Glinton

Thrapston Branch Practice Thursday 10^th April 2:30Wadenhoe

Kettering Branch Practice “on the way” to the Spring Meeting Saturday 12^th April 1:30 Geddington

Peterborough 8 bell practice Sunday 13^th April 2:00Peterborough St Mary.

For International Women’s Day yesterday I was happy to share the picture of the peal board in Isham (a not very good photo attached). It’s an unassuming little peal board that says that it is the first peal by a band of ladies in the county, what it does not mention is that this was the first peal by an all female band where the tenor was turned in. While the PDG did not exist until 2 years after this peal, we should be proud that our area played a part in history.