That’s January almost done. 10 AGMs took place successfully, despite weather and cold almost getting in the way. There have been some changes in the committees, with new people taking office and other stepping back. It’s important that we thank those who have served their time and welcome those who have decided to contribute and have taken on those roles. Welcome all. 

Guild Newsletter
The January newsletter is being distributed in hardcopy, expect to see one arriving at your tower shortly. It is also available electronically here: https://pdg.org.uk/newsletters/newsletter_202501.pdf

Do share with friends and your church. We can send out additional copies if there’s a location that would be a good place to put a copy for general information for non-ringers or interested parties. Have a think about where one could go in your locality. 

CCCBR News

Just advance notice of the CCCBR meeting in September. To be held in Sheffield. 

Dates for the Diary

Guild 10 bell Saturday 8^th MarchKettering 10:30 – 12:30.

And Branch events.

Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 1^st February 3:00 East Haddon

Kettering Branch Practice Saturday 15^thFebruary 2:00 Ashley, 3:15 Wilbarston

Wellingborough Branch Practice Saturday 15th February 2:30 Wilby

Daventry Branch Practice Saturday 15^thFebruary 3:00 Flore, 6:30 Nether Heyford (joint with Culworth)

Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 15^thFebruary 3:00 Whitfield, 6:30 Nether Heyford (joint with Daventry)

Towcester Branch Practice Saturday 22nd February 10:00 Blakesley, 11:15Church Stowe

In the middle of singing “Lifted Gently to the Steeple” for the 2nd time this month I was struck by the last line of the first verse “Midway ‘twixt the earth and sky”. Isn’t that a lovely image? I leave you with that to ponder. 

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

The accounts of been uploaded to the downloads.

Best regards

Debs

Brrr. There are some towers that are more suited to this weather than others. I’m chief heater putter-on at the moment at Towcester at the moment. If you’re a nice open airy ground floor tower, you must be longing for summer. Nothing worse than cold hands when you’re trying to ring. But it is January and a spell of cold weather ought to be expected. And at least it looked pretty for a while. 

Guild Quiz

Reminder that the Guild’s annual quiz is still available. Can be found on paper from your branch, or electronically from your friendly Guild Secretary. Quizzes are £1 and there are prizes available for correct entries sent in by the end of February. Suitable for non-ringers, so get your friends’ brains whirring too. Payment by BACS or paypal can be arranged. 

Annual Report

Advance notice. At the AGM last year it was agreed that members would be eligible for a copy of the annual report as part of their subscription. That does require that they make the request before the end of February. If you want a report, get your request to me soonish. Note that officers who have received a report will continue to do so, as will Life Honorary Members. Requests thereafter will be charged at £5. 

CCCBR News

The President’s blog was made available on the CCCBR website on 12^th January, but as it references Thanksgiving I think that a rather delayed publication. 

New Year Ringing

A Guild band rang a peal at Oakham on 1^st January. Tower Captain, Louis Totaro was caught by the local radio station for an interview. It was a really good piece; the interviewer asked sensible questions and gave Louis time to answer fully. A snippet can be found on their website. https://www.rutlandandstamfordsound.co.uk/news/local-news/bells-rings-for-the-new-year-at-oakham/

And the peal can be found here: https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=1803235

Thanks to Jean Tinsley and Andrew Christie for bringing this to my attention. 

Guild 10 bell practice.

I admit that as Richard & I were driving into Peterborough, we were worried about turnout. It was really very cold to be going out, we could understand people staying at home. As it turned out, we had a really good 10 bell practice. 22 people braved the cold (and the many stairs). For 6 ringers it was their first time ringing on 10 bells. They seemed pleased with their efforts. Others tried some methods for the first time, with Little Bob, Grandsire, Stedman & Cambridge Royal. The London Royal dusted off a few cobwebs… 

The next Guild 10 bell is on Saturday 8th March at Kettering, 10:30 to 12:30. All welcome. 

Dates for the Diary

Guild 10 bell  Saturday 8^th March Kettering 10:30 – 12:30. 

And Branch events.

Note that Culworth AGM should have been on the 18^th, not the 25^th, as previously advertised (sorry!)

Thrapston Branch AGM Thursday 16^th January 2:30 Thrapston for ringing, service, tea & meeting

Culworth Branch AGM Saturday 18^th January 3:00 Aynho for ringing, service, tea & meeting

Wellingborough Branch AGM Saturday 18^th January 3:00 Irthlingborough (please note change of venue)

Peterborough Branch AGM Saturday 18^th January Castor time tbc. 

Daventry Branch AGM Saturday 18^th January 3:00 Daventry for ringing, service, tea & meeting

Kettering Branch AGM Saturday 18^th January 3:45 Isham for ringing, service, tea & meeting

Northampton Branch AGM Saturday 25^th January 3:00 Harpole for ringing, service, tea & meeting (Names for tea to Bridget Paul by Thursday preceding)

Towcester Branch AGM Saturday 25^th January 3:00 Greens Norton for ringing, service, tea & meeting

Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 1^st February 3:00 East Haddon

I’ll no doubt see you at one or other of the AGMs, as the Executive try and make sure someone goes to each AGM to represent the Guild. It’s a lottery as to who you’ll see. If you’re Rutland, we turn up en masse as it was the only event that afternoon. See you around. 

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

Dear Members,

A gentler reminder we have the branch AGM at St Kyneburgha church, Castor 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

Confirmed Programme

14:00 Ringing

14:45 Service

15:30 AGM followed by Tea (held in the Cedar Centre next to the church)

16:30 Ringing until 17:30

Best Regards
Debs

Dear Members,

Please find links in the downloads to the 2025 Agenda and 2024 minutes for the upcoming AGM to be held at the St Kyneburgha, Castor, Peterborough. PE5 7AX.

Confirmed Programme

14:00 Ringing

14:45 Service

15:30 AGM followed by Tea (held in the Cedar Centre next to the church)

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

Best Regards
Debs

Please see below for parking information.

Happy new year one and all. I see from Bellboard that Badby rang the old year out and the new year in, with an interested audience. Castor rang a date touch to welcome the new year, as is traditional (well they’ve done it twice now). I found myself invited. With that and a quarter in one day, I’m ready for a rest! If you also rang the year out or in, add it to Bellboard and get those stories out. 

Guild Centenary

The last event of the year was a Carol Service, held at Towcester on Saturday 28^th December. It was good to see people came out in that odd lull between Christmas & New Year. There were carols, readings and lots of cake, provided by the Towcester branch. Thanks for coming. 

In terms of merchandise, we still have mugs with the Guild’s logo, available for a whole £5, it’s now a limited-edition item, no more will be produced! 

Membership

Just to remind you that your subscriptions are now due. As voted at the AGM, subscription is now £10 for adult members and £5 for juniors and those in full time education. Your branch treasurers will want to hear from you, I’m sure.

Similarly, January is branch AGM season. If you resolution is to get more involved, you can consider taking on a specific role or joining your branch committee. They’ll be delighted to hear from you. 

And while the Guild AGM isn’t until June, there are Guild posts that are vacant or where the incumbent is stepping down. PRO and Youth leader are both vacant roles. This could give the holder a chance to shape that role to their strengths. Simon Dixon will be standing down as Master, and Jim & Gwynneth White, as Report Editors, will do the 2024 report but need a replacement for the 2025 one. 

Role descriptions for all Guild roles can be found on the website: https://pdg.org.uk/homepage/officers. You can talk to the current holder, or to me if you want more information. 

CCCBR News

Apart from a Christmas message that was in the Ringing World, there’s been no news from the CCCBR to report in December. 

Executive notes from November & December meetings are available. 

November https://cccbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/CCCBR-Executive-Meeting-Notes-November-2024.pdf

December. https://cccbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/CCCBR-Executive-Meeting-Notes-December-2024.pdf

I have received the Central Council’s request for payment for our affiliation. This has increased from 20 pence per member last year to 40 pence per member this year, with a proposal to increase to £1 per member in 2026. Make sure you get value from the Central Council; they are spending your money. 

CCCBR Publications

Sarah & Jim Bence took over the Central Council publications in the second half of last year. It’s taken a while to get everything handed over but they’re now up and running. There is an online shop https://shop.cccbr.org.uk/ and they are increasing their visibility with a Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569273783797where offers are shown. They’ll also be at the Kettering branch AGM, if you wanted to have a look at the wide range of items, just in case Santa didn’t come with a bell ringing book for you. They can be contacted with any questions. publications@cccbr.org.uk

Dates for the Diary

Guild 10 bell  Saturday 11^th January Peterborough Cathedral 10:30 – 12:30. 

And Branch events.

Guilsborough Branch AGM Saturday 4^th January 3:00 Guilsborough for ringing, service, tea & meeting

Rutland Branch AGM Saturday 11^th January 3:00Preston 4:00 Uppingham for ringing, service, tea & meeting

Thrapston Branch AGM Thursday 16^th January 2:30Thrapston for ringing, service, tea & meeting

Wellingborough Branch AGM Saturday 18^thJanuary 3:00 Irthlingborough (please note change of venue)

Peterborough Branch AGM Saturday 18^th JanuaryCastor time tbc. 

Daventry Branch AGM Saturday 18^th January 3:00Daventry for ringing, service, tea & meeting

Kettering Branch AGM Saturday 18^th January 3:45Isham for ringing, service, tea & meeting

Northampton Branch AGM Saturday 25^th January 3:00 Harpole for ringing, service, tea & meeting (Names for tea to Bridget Paul by Thursday preceding)

Towcester Branch AGM Saturday 25^th January 3:00Greens Norton for ringing, service, tea & meeting

Culworth Branch AGM Saturday 25^th January 3:00Aynho for ringing, service, tea & meeting

I’ll no doubt see you at one or other of the AGMs, as the Executive try and make sure someone goes to each AGM to represent the Guild. It’s a lottery as to who you’ll see. See you around. 

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

Pamela Pohling-Brown’s funeral will be at 2:30pm on Tuesday 7 January at St Andrew’s Church, Witham on the Hill.   Arrangements have been suggested for the funeral to be live streamed, but this is not yet confirmed.  This will be updated on the website once the information is available.

website  https://ldgcb.org.uk/southern/

So that arrangements can be made please email Rebecca WatkinsRebeccaWatkins@roythornes.co.uk if you wish to attend.  (Roythornes Solicitors are executors of Pamela’s will)

Please note that a quarter peal will be rung before the service and there will be general ringing after the service.

Dear all, the Peterborough Branch AGM will be held on Saturday 18th of January 2025, at St Kyneburgha Church, Castor. Further details and agenda to follow.

Regards

Deborah

I’m sure you’ve noticed – weather has been terrible. We managed to pick Saturday for a ringing outing, which was exactly as cold as might be imagined. Fortunately, Bert held off and it was just persistently drizzly, rather than monsoon like. Hoping Bert hasn’t caused any damage beyond short, stiff ropes and damp sallies yielding no grip. Urgh. 

Guild Carol Service

The last event of the year is a Carol Service, to be held at Towcester on Saturday 28^th December. Ringing from 1:30 service at 3 pm, with refreshments to follow. There will be a selection of bell themed carols and readings to entertain. One last chance for Guild birthday cake… All welcome. 

Movement for Good

Benefact are running their 12 days of Christmas draws again, where nominated charities have a chance of being drawn for one of 120 prizes of £1000 each. You can nominate the Guild using the link here, the main fields are filled in for you. 

In the past we have put this to the Training Fund, to fund training courses and activities for members as well as recruitment activity. 

CCCBR News

Next May marks 80 years since the end of the Second World War in Europe. The CCCBR has been asked to organised ringing for this. Not having learnt from experience, they are asking for ringing at 6:30pm on 8^th May 2025. I suggest that fitting in with local arrangements and ringing when you can is more sensible. There is some information available. https://cccbr.org.uk/2024/11/15/ring-out-in-celebration-ve-day-6-30pm-8th-may-2025/

One of the CCCBR strands for Ringing 2030 is to provide lesson plans that cover several areas of the curriculum by using ringing as well as encouraging practical lessons and new learners. There are a series of plans for primary school and a small set has been developed for Secondary school. This is being expanded and there is work to make these robust and useable for schools. There is more information here: https://cccbr.org.uk/2024/11/24/young-ringers-for-ringing-2030-ringing-in-schools/

Andrea Haynes is co-ordinating and can be contacted by e-mail andrea.haynes@cccbr.org.uk

Dates for the Diary

Guild Carol Service Saturday 28^th December Towcester Ringing 1:30, Service 3:00 followed by refreshments and one last birthday cake. 

And Branch events.

Culworth Branch 8 bell Practice Saturday 30^th November 3:00 Brackley

Thrapston Branch Practice Friday 6^th December 7:30 Islip

Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 7^th December 3:00 Welford

Wellingborough Branch Quiz Saturday 14^th December 7:30 Earls Barton (Names for tea to Jenny Ball by the 11^th December)  

Kettering Branch Practice & Mulled Wine, Saturday 14^th December 2:00 Rothwell

Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 21^st December 3:00 Chipping Warden

Daventry Branch Meeting & Carol Concert Saturday 21^st December 3:00 Weedon Bec

I don’t yet have details of all branch AGMs, can branches get these out asap. Check the Events page of the website to see if we have your details right.  

Just a month to go to Christmas. Sorry. No, I’m not ready either. 

Thanks

Helen

I am very sorry to inform you that Pamela Pohling-Brown of Witham-on-the-Hill has died.  She was found unexpectedly by her gardener.   I do not have any further details, but once funeral arrangements are known I will send them to branch members.

Pamela learned to ring at Thurlby some years ago, taught by Terry Maddison.   She was an active ringer at Thurlby and Witham-on-the-Hill, and subsequently in Stamford (both at All Saints and St Martin’s) and Peterborough (at the Cathedral, St Mary’s and St John’s).  In addition she became very interested in ringing and ringers and as result became Editor of Campanophile – now defunct, but a forerunner to Bellboard.  She spent a lot of time ringing in North America – especially at Miami (where she and her American husband had an apartment, which they visited for several months at a time) and in Toronto.   She has continued as a current member of the Southern Branch and an active supporter of the Branch BRF, despite being restricted by illness for the last 4-5 years.

 Judith Rogers

Chairman, LDGCBR Southern Branch

Pamela was a real good sport, gregarious and a very engaging lady with many strings to her bow. Although she lived at Witham she was a regular ringer in Peterborough, especially on a Sunday morning for ringing at the 3 city centre towers and at St Mary’s practice nights.

Many of us will have fond memories visiting Pamela and enjoying tea in her beautiful garden after ringing at her neighbouring towers.

Although she was modest with her talents she was an asset to ringing on both sides of the pond. The following link denotes achievements recorded on BellBoard: https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/search.php?ringer=Pamela+Pohling-Brown

Andrew Christie

RM at St Mary’s Peterborough