Well that made quite a change. We went into Sunday service ringing with overcast skies and came out to find water falling from the sky – how very odd! Goodness, the garden needs it. And it spiced the Grand Prix up nicely, so a win all round. It’s certainly taken the edge of the heat, which I can’t complain about.
Young Ringers competition
Pleased to be able to report that our youth team came 6th of 11 in the method ringing at the Ringing World Youth Striking Contest. They rang at Egbaston St Barnabas, Mosely St Mary, St Martin in the Bullring, St Paul’s Jewellery Quarter & Solihull. Well done to Grace, Matthew, Freya, Kaiden, Flynn, Sahib, Zac and everyone who supported them in their efforts.
Results on the Bell board front page https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/.
National 12 bell striking contest
While we’re on striking contests, the National 12 bell striking contest was held the previous weekend at Bristol. And Bristol ran out the winners. There is a broadcast of the day available here. All 7 hours of it. https://www.youtube.com/live/TO9ptIFX67c
Bristol rang 4th, starting at 1:00 pm. But as any of the bands will be producing some of the best ringing you’ll hear, it is worth a listen. There’s also plenty of interesting chit chat between the test pieces.
Social Event – date for the diary.
Whilton tower 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. 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
Bells on display at Greetham
Greetham bells have been away on holiday to Taylors at Loughborough but are ready to come home. The bells will return in July.
Before being rehung in the tower they will be on display in the church on:
Saturday 12th July 12noon – 5pm
Sunday 13th July 12 noon – 5pm
Monday 14th July 6pm – 7pm
All welcome.
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
As you’ll be aware, the CCCBR has been planning to increase fees for affiliated societies, based on their membership. This has increased from 20 per members and is due to be increased to £1 per member at this year’s meeting. This poses a problem for some societies, particularly those that doe not have a subscription model, such as university and themed societies. There has been discussion ongoing about how to manage the subscription for these societies. There is an open meeting to be held on the 14th & 17th of July by Zoom. Details here: https://cccbr.org.uk/2025/07/02/membership-categories-open-meetings/
Summer Festival
Advance notice that the Summer Festival is on the 13th 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.
Dates for the Diary
Guild 10 Bell Practice Saturday 12th July. 10:30 – 12:30 Higham Ferrers.
Guild 10 Bell Practice Saturday 12th July. 10:30 – 12:00 Kettering
Guild Summer Festival Saturday 13th September. Ringing at Yarwell & Wansford, Contest and evening ringing at Castor.
And Branch events.
Peterborough 8 bell practice Friday 11th July, 7:30Castor
Kettering Branch Practice Saturday 12th July, Weldon 2:00, Corby 3:15.
Thrapston Branch Practice Thursday 17th July 2:30Woodford
Wellingborough Surprise Practice Saturday 19thJuly 10:30 Ecton
Wellingborough Branch Practice Saturday 19th July 2:30 Grendon
Daventry Branch Practice Saturday 19th July 3:00Norton, 7:30 King’s Sutton
Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 19th July 4:00Middleton Cheney, 7:30 King’s Sutton
Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 2nd August 3:00 West Haddon, 6:00 Long Buckby
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
