My goodness, we’ve had some very much needed rain in the last week. Hopefully it hasn’t found its way into places it shouldn’t. It making its way into my water butt is most welcome, the tomatoes have been rather thirsty of late. 

Young Ringers competition

This week’s Ringing World has devoted half the edition to the RWNYC, including several photos of the Daventry band. Have a look at a copy, if you get the chance. They look both very smart and smiley. 

Social Event Saturday

Saturday sees an event at Whilton tower, they are having a day of Bells, BBQ & Beer on 26th July 12.30pm – 4pm. Ringers are welcome to come and ring,  as well as partake of the other B’s on offer. There will be a cake stall, which doesn’t begin with B but is a big bonus in my opinion. Bands can book a slot, or just come for the open ringing. Tutors will be on hand to give people a try at ringing and it’s hoped that the village will get involved in the event. There’s a poster available to advertise the event on the Guild website.

https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/whilton-bells-bbq-beer

See you there! 

Guild Training

The next Guild Second Saturday Session is an open Stedman practice, to be held at Pattishall on 9^th August 6:30 pm. This will concentrate on this most majestic of methods (yes, I’m a fan). You can expect doubles and triples to be rung, and both touches and plain courses.  

Branch training

Culworth branch are holding a training seminar for Saturday 26th July from 2.30pm to 4.30pm. It will be held in Lois Weedon village hall. The subject is ‘Starting to learn and ring methods’ and the speaker is Robert Wood who presented a very successful session last year on Plain Hunt and Plain Bob. I hope as many of you as possible will be able to attend – this invitation is extended to other branches of the Guild. There is no charge, but voluntary contributions toward refreshments will be accepted. Please contact Andrew North (secretary@culworth.pdg.org.uk) for further information.  

CCCBR news

The youth ringing elements of the Ringing 2030 project are offering 3 student places for 6 to 8 weeks over the summer. This would be to support and create content for the new University Ringing and Young Ringers Hub websites and the school lesson plans project. This is open to young ringers aged between 18 and 30 and there are three summer honorariums, each set at £2000, available across three work packages. Each are envisaged to take 6-8 weeks each, assuming working half time (18 hours per week). Information and guidance will be provided to support the successful candidates. 

Expressions of interest can be sent to andrea.haynes@cccbr.org.uk.  Please include your name, your availability to start, a brief summary of your experience or interest and which project you are interested in. More details on the website: https://cccbr.org.uk/2025/07/09/young-ringer-for-ringing-2030-summer-honorariums-2025

Booking for the CCCBR’s annual meeting in September, taking place in Sheffield, has opened. Details can be found here: https://cccbr.org.uk/2025/07/10/central-council-weekend-5-7th-september/ You don’t need to be a CCCBR rep to attend any part of the weekend. 

Summer Festival

Advance notice that the Summer Festival is on the 13^th September, contest is being held at Castor, in the Peterborough branch. Branches wanting to enter should get their entry to the Master, Jim Bence, by the weekend before. Please remember to include any time restrictions for the team. Rules for the contest can be found on the website: https://pdg.org.uk/forms/8_Bell_competition.pdf

Dates for the Diary

Guild Stedman Practice  Saturday 9^th August 6:30 Pattishall

Guild 10 Bell Practice Saturday 13^th September. 10:30 – 12:00 Kettering

Guild Summer Festival Saturday 13^th September. Ringing at Yarwell & Wansford, Contest and evening ringing at Castor.

And Branch events. 

Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 2^nd August 3:00 West Haddon, 6:00 Long Buckby

Thrapston Branch Practice Thursday 7^th August 7:30 Twywell

Peterborough 8 bell practice Sunday 10^th August 2:00 Peterborough St Mary

Daventry Branch Practice Saturday 16^th August 3:30 Hellidon, 6:30 Woodford Halse

Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 16^th August 4:00 Sulgrave, 6:30 Woodford Halse

Thrapston Branch Practice Thursday 21^st August 2:30 Stanion

Seeing its August, several branches are having a summer break, hence the shorter than usual list of events. See you, come rain or shine, at a ringing event soon!

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