Having passed the 4^th weekend in January we’ve now had the complete compliment of branch AGMs. I wish the branch committees all the best as they kick off activity in the coming year. 

Guild Quiz and Chippy Tea

After the success of the social events, it was decided to hold more Guild events, not necessarily involving ringing. We now have full details of the Guild Quiz, to be held on Saturday 14th February starting at 7 pmin Nether Heyford Village Hall. Tickets are £15, in advance, and will include a chippy tea. There’s a choice of meals: 

• Fish and Chip supper (gluten-free batter available)
• Sausage and Chip supper
• Cheese & Vegetable Cake and Chip supper
• Fishcake and Chip supper

If you wish to have mushy peas or curry sauce, there is a surcharge of £2.00 for each.

Teams of up to 6, come with a team or we can pair you up with a team on the night. 

See the website for full details. https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/quiz-and-supper-night-14th-february-2026

Tickets from secretary@pdg.org.uk. Need to book by 5^th February please. 

Newsletter

The next edition of the Guild newsletter is now available. The physical copies will be circulated via your branch. If you can’t wait, there’s a copy on the website, here: https://pdg.org.uk/newsletters/newsletter_202601.pdf

The next print deadline for the April edition is 22^ndMarch.

Jonathan is standing down from the post of Newsletter editor, if this is something you think you can do 3 times a year, get in touch with him to find out more. 

Second Saturday Session

There will be an all day ART M1 course run at Rothwell on Saturday 14th March. If you are interested in attending, please sign up via the ART website, or email the Training Officer, Nich Wilson, for more details on training@pdg.org.uk

CCCBR

There’s a Recruitment & Development for Ringing 2030 workgroup briefing on 8^th February. Details, including how to request access are here: 

Recruitment & Development for Ringing 2030 – Briefing

The Dorothy L Sayers Society has announced an exciting new annual initiative to celebrate and support the next generation of bellringers. The Dorothy L Sayers Award for Young Ringers will grant £500 to a young person under the age of 18 who has shown leadership and dedication within the bellringing community. More details, including how to apply, can be found here: https://cccbr.org.uk/2026/01/23/dorothy-l-sayers-society-launches-500-award-for-young-bellringers/

The UK recently joined the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH). The Central Council has set up a Task Group to co-ordinate a submission to create inventories of living heritage in the UK. A pre-requisite is that the application must be made with the prior consent of the community of practice, i.e. the ringing fraternity. Therefore, we ask for your help. If you would like to show support, you can do so at the link below: https://cccbr.org.uk/heritage/

The Guild will discuss a response at the GMC in March, any comments can be fed back through your committee or to a Guild officer. 

Dates for the Diary

Guild Social Event Saturday 14^th February Quiz and chippy tea 7:00 pm Nether Heyford Village Hall

Guild 8 Bell Practice Saturday 14^th March. 10:30 – 12:30 Weedon Bec. 

And Branch events for December, it’s a short list this time, as not all branches have yet sent in their events for the coming year. 

Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 7^thFebruary 3:00 East Haddon

Kettering Branch Practice Saturday 14^th February, 3:30 Orlingbury

Wellingbrough Branch Practice Saturday 21^stFebruary 2:30 Wollaston

Daventry Branch Practice Saturday 21^st February 3:30 Braunston 6:30 Welton

Towcester Branch Practice Saturday 28^thFebruary10:30 Blisworth

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