I hesitate to say this, but hasn’t the weather been nice? Slightly worried that this might be it for summer, but I’m crossing my fingers there’s more to come. Although I can hear the gardeners wanting a drop of rain. OK, but only when I don’t want to be outside; overnight only, alright? 

Guild AGM

The Guild AGM in in June, based at Barton Seagrave. Details can be found on the website, here:  https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/agm-2025April

We need nominations for Guild officers, if you know of someone who would be good at taking on a post, get onto them and send the proposals & seconds to me in writing or by e-mail. Job descriptions can be found on the website. Posts that are falling vacant are Report Editor & Master, with no PRO having been in post for the last year. The Guild is only as good as its volunteers, we need you! 

VE Day

Well done to all the towers that rang or chimed or otherwise make a noise for the 80^th anniversary of VE day. So far, I think there’s over 100 towers who have rung and put their ringing on BellBoard. There will be a full list in the next newsletter. 

Scouts visit to St Benedict’s West Hunsbury

Somehow, I got inveigled into giving a talk to a Scout group at West Hunsbury this week, on ringing. Thanks to Debbie Sampson’s powers of persuasion, there were a good number of helpers to get the scouts ringing call changes on handbells, tunes on bellplates, walking plain hunt and watching some ringing in the ringing room. It made for an interesting evening and hopefully they learnt something – even if it’s just that not all bells are rung by machines. I was reminded (again) how hard it is working with children – and this lot were quite well behaved. I have renewed my admiration for those who do. 

Dates for the Diary

Guild AGM Saturday 14^th June. 1:45 Wilby & Harrington (tbc), 2:45 Cranford St John, 3:30 Barton Seagrave for ringing, service, tea & meeting (5:45) and evening ringing. 

And Branch events. 

Rutland 8 Bell Practice Tuesday 20^th May 7:30Oakham

Peterborough Surprise Minor Social Sunday 1^stJune 2:30 Cotterstock

Thrapston Branch Practice Thursday 5^th June 7:30 Islip

Rutland Doubles Practice Saturday 7^th June 10:15North Luffenham

Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 7^th June 3:00 Spratton, 6:00 Cottesbrooke

Peterborough Practice Sunday 8^th June 2:00Peterborough St Mary

Thrapston Branch Practice Thursday 19^th June 2:30Wadenhoe

Wellingborough Surprise Practice Saturday 21^stJune 10:30 Woodford

Daventry Branch Practice Saturday 21^st June 3:30Church Stowe, 6:30 Pattishall

Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 21^st June 4:00Lois Weedon, 6:30 Pattishall

That’s all for now.

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