A gentler reminder we have the branch AGM in just over a weeks time. Please advise if you are able to attend asap to ensure we can cater accordingly. If you have any food allergies or intolerances please let me know in advance.
Email me on secretary@peterborough.pdg.org.uk
Please find links in the downloads to the 2026 Agenda and 2025 minutes.
Confirmed Programme
14:00 Ringing
14:45 Service
15:30 AGM followed by Tea (held in the village hall)
I hope you were able to ring for the various Christmas services held across the diocese. It was good to see footnotes for Christmas and carol services on some quarters rung. And if you rang in the new year, you were up later than I was! Happy new year to you.
It being January makes it branch AGM season, and you can see the details that I have in the events section.
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 find you a team on the night.
If you scroll down to the bottom of this e-mail you will see that the Guild has a new logo. The aim is to introduce some colour, simplify the design and yet retain a link to the past logo in the design cues. You will be seeing more if it and there’s an item in the next newsletter about what we’ve tried to achieve.
CCCBR
The CCCBR updates on the last month have revolved around recruitment, in all forms.
Guild 10 Bell Practice Saturday 10th January. 10:30 – 12:30 Rothwell. Jim wants to introduce a special method and this starts with Swindon Surprise Royal, it’s a sort of Yorkshire/Lincolnshire mashup.
Guild Social Event Saturday 14th February Quiz and chippy tea 7:00 pm Nether Heyford Village Hall
And Branch events for December, it’s a short list this time.
Peterborough Branch AGM Saturday 17th January 2:00 Fotheringhay
Culworth Branch AGM Saturday 17th January 3:00Eydon
Wellingbrough Branch AGM Saturday 17th January 3:00 Moulton
Daventry Branch AGM Saturday 17th January 3:00Daventry
Towcester Branch AGM Saturday 24th January 3:00Potterspury
Northampton Branch AGM Saturday 24th January 3:00 West Hunsbury
The Exec try and get to each AGM, so you should see one of us in the next few weeks. Stay warm and safe out there, snow looks pretty, but the ice underneath is a lot less friendly!
Thanks
Helen
Helen Allton
Secretary: Peterborough Diocesan Guild of Church Bellringers
The 2026 Peterborough Branch AGM will be held on the 17th of January at St Marys’s and All Saints Church, Fotheringhay. Agenda and previous AGM minutes to follow.
Confirmed Programme
14:00 Ringing
14:45 Service
15:30 AGM followed by Tea
16:30 Ringing until 17:30
In order to ensure we have adequate food, refreshments and CAKE please advise if you are able to attend. Email me on secretary@peterborough.pdg.org.uk
I was at the Towcester branch dinner on Saturday. The first of more Christmas dinners than is probably good for me. It is lovely to see ringers all dressed up – rather than the usual jeans & jumpers. It is also really lovely to spend time with the long-suffering non-ringing other halves. Excellent evening was had.
Peterborough Diocesan Guild of Church Bellringers is registered on #easyfundraising which means you can raise free funds for them as you shop online for Christmas, at no extra cost! All the big names like John Lewis & Partners, Argos, eBay and more are ready to donate. Every donation makes a difference. Please sign up before midnight 7th December and they could win a £100 donation: https://join.easyfundraising.org.uk/peterborough-diocesan-guild-of-church-bellringers/7AV533/s2s/Yif2bDAa/SE866/facebook/
Newsletter
Just a reminder that the newsletter print deadline is 31st December. Any submissions of items of interest (with or without party hats) to Jonathan Stuart on newsletter@pdg.org.uk
Dates for the Diary
Guild 10 Bell Practice Saturday 10th January. 10:30 – 12:30 Rothwell
And Branch events for December, it’s a short list this time.
Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 6thDecember 3:00 Welford
Kettering Branch Practice Saturday 13th December 2:00 Rothwell (mulled wine and nibbles afterwards)
Daventry Branch Practice & Carol Concert Saturday 13th December 3:30 Whilton
Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 20th December 3:00 Helmdon
The next update will include the AGM information for branches. Secretaries. Please check the website is complete and accurate before I send out next mail in a couple of weeks.
Thanks
Helen
Helen Allton
Secretary: Peterborough Diocesan Guild of Church Bellringers
We have the opportunity to ring for the Cathedral evensong on Sunday the 23rd November.
This is an event that is inclusive of all levels, abilities and ambitions. The intention will be to have enough experienced support to allow those less experienced on higher numbers, to ring.
Meet at 2pm outside the west door.
Please can you email me secretary@peterborough.pdg.org.uk if you are planning to attend.
As we approach Remembrance Day, it is time to remember which way to put the muffles on. No, I’m no help there. I really enjoy ringing half muffled but can’t remember if they go opposite the garter hole or not.
Hoping your muffles didn’t slip and that they all go on the right side (or all on the same side, at least).
It’s interesting how often half muffled ringing is noticed for being different, even if the public struggle to articulate what is different. Thanks to all those people going up to put the muffles on and take them off again.
This week is Trustees week, as organised by the Charity Commission. https://trusteesweek.org/ The 5 members of the Executive are also trustees of the charity, meaning that we bear responsibility for the operation of the charity and its financial position. As of the AGM you will be looking for a new trustee, as I have decided to stand down as Secretary. It has been a rollercoaster of a time in the position, but it is time for me to take a break.
Safeguarding Sunday
The diocese is advertising Sunday 16th November as Safeguarding Sunday. This is run by Thirtyone:eight, the UK’s leading independent Christian safeguarding charity. This year the emphasis of the campaign is ‘Action Speaks Louder’ – encouraging churches to not just talk about safeguarding but to take positive action. The campaign is now in its 7th year. https://safeguardingsunday.org/
Towcester Branch Dinner
Towcester branch holds a dinner each year, and I have been asked to welcome members to the next edition, on 29th November at the Boat in Stoke Bruerne. Tickets are £40 per person to include a 3 course meal and wine. More information from John Pardoe, branch secretary on secretary@towcester.pdg.org.uk
Dates for the Diary
Guild 10 Bell Practice Saturday 8th November. 10:30 – 12:30 Daventry
Guild 10 Bell Practice Saturday 10th January. 10:30 – 12:30 Rothwell
And Branch events.
Kettering Branch Practice Saturday 8th November 2:00 Wilbarston
Peterborough 8 bell practice Friday 14th November 7:30 Castor
Wellingborough Surprise Practice Saturday 15th November 10:30 Earls Barton
Wellingborough Branch Practice Saturday 15th November 2:30 Bozeat
Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 15th November 3:00 Chacombe, 6:30 Cropredy (Oxon)
Daventry Branch Practice Saturday 15th November 3:00 Byfield, 6:30 Cropredy (Oxon)
Thrapston Branch Practice Thursday 20th November 2:30 Thrapston
Towcester Branch Practice Saturday 22nd November 10:30 Wicken
NorthamptonBranch Practice Saturday 22nd November 2:30 Abington
Daventry Branch Quiz Night Saturday 22nd November 7:00 Daventry Band Hall
Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 6th December 3:00 Welford
I saw a recent Instagram post of ringing in our area where the efficiency of the heaters was remarked upon. May your heaters all be working to their utmost as the year closes in and the temperatures take a tumble… Or may you be able to ring in many many layers!
Thanks
Helen
Helen Allton
Secretary: Peterborough Diocesan Guild of Church Bellringers
We have the opportunity to ring for the Cathedral evensong on Sunday the 23rd November, just a few of weeks away.
This is an event that is inclusive of all levels, abilities and ambitions. The intention will be to have enough experienced support to allow those less experienced on higher numbers, to ring.
Meet at 2pm outside the west door.
Please can you email me secretary@peterborough.pdg.org.uk if you are planning to attend.
Remember copy for the next edition to be sent in by the end of the year. We are also looking for a new Newsletter Editor, as Jonathan Stuart has said in this edition that he will be standing down. Do get in touch to discuss what is involved.
Stedman Training course
The Culworth branch is hosting a training seminar on Stedman. It will be given by Robert Wood on Saturday 8th November at King’s Sutton from 2:30, with an opportunity to put theory into practice afterwards. Ringers from other branches are welcome. There will be no charge, but donations for refreshments are welcomed. More details are on the website: https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/stedman-training-seminar
Benefact Arts and Culture Draw
Benefact are running a special subject focussed draw for Arts and Culture, which we fall into. Please click the image below to enter the Guild int the draw for the chance to win £5000.
Future Dates
At the F&GP this weekend we discussed the Guilds future events. 2026 is almost finalised, 2027 has dates identified. After the popularity of the social events in 2024 we have increased the number of events the Guild is supporting, with a Quiz on 14thFebruary 2026, and then 13th February 2027. An Open day (which will cover a smaller area than last time!) on 8th May 2027. And looking even further ahead, we’ve decided to have a dinner on a 5 yearly basis, so get the 13th October 2029 in your diary now!
Ringing World News
The Ringing World has sent out an update of their activity in the last few months. It has been attached.
Saturday’s Summer Festival went off really well. Peterborough branch organised everything, even the weather stayed dry for the afternoon. Teams from Daventry, Guilsborough, Kettering, Peterborough, Towcester & Wellingborough entered and were marked by Keith & Marilyn Brown. Towcester were judged the winners. A report is here: https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/summer-festival-2025 and team photos are available on the website. https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/summer-festival-2025-team-photos. Let me know if you want a copy for your local news, parish mag etc.
Guild Newsletter
The Guild newsletter will be coming round shortly. It has been held up at the printers. Expect to see it soon!
Guild Quiz
The Guild’s paper quiz is now available. Set by Simon & Cathy Dixon, it features a variety of question styles. Loads of entertainment for a whole £1. Not ringing related, so suitable for sale to friends, relatives, random strangers etc etc etc. Paper copies are being distributed to branches, electronic ones can be bought from the Secretary.
Recruitment & Training Officer
At the Summer Festival meeting, the role of Recruitment & Training Officer was filled. Liz Reading & Nich Wilson had both been nominated. They, their proposers & seconders addressed the meeting before a vote was taken. In a very tight vote, Nich was elected. Thank you to both candidates for standing.
The Guild remains in need of a PRO to make a full compliment. The Secretary would welcome the help!
CCCBR news
The CCCBR Annual meeting took place last weekend. The membership was increased to £1 per Guild member from next year, up from 40p this year. At the Summer Festival Nick Elks spoke about a couple of projects, Ringing 2023, the Publications and the Library. You can contact any of the reps for a fuller update. on cc_reps@pdg.org.uk.
Dates for the Diary
Guild 10 Bell Practice Saturday 8th November. 10:30 – 12:30 Daventry
Guild 10 Bell Practice Saturday 10th January. 10:30 – 12:30 Rothwell
And Branch events.
Thrapston Branch Practice Thursday 18thSeptember 2:30 Weldon
Daventry Branch Practice Saturday 20th September 3:30 Everdon, 7:00 Aynho
Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 20th September 4:00 Marston St Lawrence, 7:00 Aynho
Thrapston Branch Practice Wednesday 1st October 7:00 Titchmarsh
Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 4thOctober 3:00 Maidwell, 6:00 Creaton
Peterborough Minor practice Sunday 5th October 2:30 Wansford
Peterborough 8 bell practice Sunday 12th October 2:00 Peterborough St Mary
Thrapston Branch Practice Thursday 16th October 2:30 Wadenhoe
Wellingborough Surprise Practice Saturday 18thOctober 10:30 Mears Ashby
Wellingborough Branch Practice Saturday 18thOctober 7:00 Irchester
Daventry Branch Practice Saturday 18th October 3:00 Badby, 7:00 Upper Boddington
Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 18th October 3:00 Badby, 7:00 Upper Boddington
The Towcester event for 27th September has been cancelled.
Thanks
Helen
Helen Allton
Secretary: Peterborough Diocesan Guild of Church Bellringers
Peterborough Branch 