Just a quick one, a couple of branches have had to make last minute changes to their Saturday meetings. So I’ll be quick. 

Guild Quiz

This was held on Saturday at Syresham. The questions had been prepared by Cathy & Simon Dixon and were a right mixture. The chippy tea was provided by a chip van (once its parking space had been cleared). The winners were a motley crew going by name HawHaw (no traitors present). They were presented with a tea hamper to share and much kudos. An excellent evening was had. Just one more event and we’ll wrap up on 2024. 

CCCBR News

The CCCBR shop now has the new logo t shirts available. In grey, grey or grey, by the looks of things. I like the back, that’s clever. https://cccbr.org.uk/2024/11/08/bellringing-t-shirts-and-pull-up-banners-for-sale/ Less keen on the logo across the whole front, that’s not my style preference. 

Notes of the October Executive are available. https://cccbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/CCCBR-Executive-Meeting-Notes-October-2024.pdf

Dates for the Diary

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

And Branch events.

Wellingborough Surprise Practice Saturday 16^thNovember 10:30 Burton Latimer Irthlingborough – note change of venue

Wellingborough Branch Practice Saturday 16^thNovember 2:30 Grendon

Daventry Branch Meeting Saturday 16^th November 3:00 Willoughby (Warks) for Service, tea & meeting, 6:30 Braunston

Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 16^th November 7:30 Woodford Halse Moreton Pinkney – note change of venue

Peterborough Brach training session Sunday 17^thNovember 2:00 Peterborough St Mary

Kettering Branch ringing at the Cathedral Sunday 17^th November 2:10 Cathedral 

Rutland Branch 8 bell Practice Tuesday 19^thNovember 7:30 Oakham

Thrapston Branch Practice Thursday 21^stNovember 2:30 Thrapston

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

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

Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 7^thDecember 3:00 Welford

Hoping your muffles didn’t slip if you rang for Remembrance Sunday and that they were all 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. Thanks to all those people going up to put the muffles on and take them off again. 

Thanks

Helen

On Saturday, we held the F&GP meeting to finalise the Guild calendar for 2025 and start arranging dates in 2026. While it is tempting to sit back and reflect on the success of our 100^th anniversary year, now is the time to move forward into our next century. 

The Spring meeting, which includes the 6 bell striking contests (for method and call change bands) will be 12^th April at towers in the Thrapston branch. 

The AGM will be on 14^th June in the Kettering branch, based at Barton Seagrave

The Summer Festival will be on 13^th September in the Peterborough branch, based at Castor. 

We look forward to seeing you there. 

Event at Hambleton

Friday 8^th November sees the steward of the bellringers Rolls of Honour, Alan Regin, speaking at Hambleton St Andrews at 7pm. There will be a chance to view the rolls and hear Alan talking about both the rolls and the ring of bells that were put into the English church in Ypres as a lasting memorial to the fallen. Alan’s an engaging speaker and the bells at Ypres are lovely. It should be an informative evening.  No entrance fee, donations requested. 

CCCBR News

The ART award nominations are open. If you know of someone who has made a difference, you can nominate them for one of the five different categories.  https://cccbr.org.uk/2024/10/30/nominate-someone-for-an-art-award-2/

The President’s latest blog can be found here. https://cccbr.org.uk/2024/10/25/presidents-blog-96/

There’s also what is described as “An informal peek into the activities of the Executive” https://cccbr.org.uk/2024/10/30/the-executive-download-1/

Guild Quizzes

The Guild’s annual paper Quiz available. Can be bought from your branch or from the Secretary. Sheets are £1 each. Send your answers in by the end of February (assuming you’ve not lost it by then) for the chance to win £25, £10 or £5 for the most correct answers. Not a ringing question in sight. 

Guild news

As we’re now approaching 2025 it’s as well to remind members that, as of 1^st January, the membership subscription increases to £10 for adults and £5 for juniors and student members. This was agreed at the AGM in June by a majority of those present. Please assist your branch treasurers by paying your subscription promptly. Or make them happy by paying for 2024 if you haven’t already. 

At the Dinner, I compared subscriptions in 1924 and now. In 1924, subs were 1 shilling & 6 pence. As a post decimal child, that means nothing, so I converted that into how many pints it would buy. At 1924 prices, that was about 5 pints. These days we’re at a little over 2 pints for a year of ringing entertainment & fellowship. That seems a reasonable deal to me. But we’re always interested to know what else you would want from your Guild. 

Second Saturday Sessions

After a year of mostly social activities in 2024, the Second Saturday training sessions are making a return for 2025. Sessions in the first half of the year are:

Guild 10 bell practices on 11^th January, 8^th March & 10^th May. These sessions are open to anyone. 

Teaching sessions are Ringing up & down in peal on 8^th February

Bell maintenance on 8^th March

Leading up & down in peal on 12^th April

Calling touches on 10^th May

Stedman on 14^th June

To register interest in the session, contact Simon Dixon on master@pdg.org.uk

Dates for the Diary

Guild 10 bell Saturday 9^th November10:30 am. Daventry

Quiz & Chippy tea Saturday 9^th November  7:00Syresham Village Hall. Tickets £15 per person, including chippy tea. Tickets & meal order through centenary@pdg.org.uk

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

And Branch events.

Rutland Branch Practice Thursday 7^th November 7:00 Great Casterton

Wellingborough Surprise Practice Saturday 16^thNovember 10:30 Burton Latimer

Wellingborough Branch Practice Saturday 16^thNovember 2:30 Grendon

Daventry Branch Meeting Saturday 16^th November 3:00 Willoughby (Warks) for Service, tea & meeting, 6:30 Braunston

Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 16^th November 7:30 Woodford Halse

Peterborough Brach training session Sunday 17^thNovember 2:00 Peterborough St Mary

Kettering Branch ringing at the Cathedral Sunday 17^th November 2:10 Cathedral 

Rutland Branch 8 bell Practice Tuesday 19^thNovember 7:30 Oakham

Thrapston Branch Practice Thursday 21^stNovember 2:30 Thrapston

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

Since I last wrote, I’ve been dragged round Scotland while himself and friends were on a peal ringing tour. It’s great that you get the chance to go and visit so many different places and the people opening up are almost always pleased to tell you something of the bells and the church and let you have a poke around. Specialist information such as which tea room does the best cake is always welcome. I had plenty of good cake in my week away, so we both came home happy. 

Thanks

Helen

For those who have said they would like to ring at the Cathedral this coming Sunday, this is a gentle reminder to meet outside the west door at 2pm.

If anyone would like to park at the Cathedral please let me know.

Best regards

Debs

With news of the most recent anniversary event and those yet to come, I’ll get a move on. 

100th Anniversary Events

Saturday evening saw 74 people in some very swish outfits gather for the Guild’s Centenary dinner. We ate, drank and were merry. The speakers were all on good form and it was a delight to welcome Bishop Debbie to her first Guild event. Pictures and a fuller write up will follow in due course. Just a little taster for now. If you took any good photos we’d like to share them, do please send them to me. 

The next centenary event is on Saturday 9^thNovember. It does not require dressing up, being a quiz and chippy tea – being held in Syresham village hall. Tickets are £15 per person to include food, tea/coffee & cake. Teams will be of 6, but we’ll make up teams on the night if you’re not a 6. Chippy tea options are Fish & chips, Sausage & chips, Cheese & vegetable cake & chips or Fishcake & chips. Gluten free batter available; mushy peas & curry sauce available at £1.50 extra. Mail centenary@pdg.org.uk for tickets. 

Guild Newsletters

These are making their way round to towers in paper format and the electronic version can be found here https://pdg.org.uk/newsletters/newsletter_202409.pdf. Lots of news and events to look back on over the summer.

Deadline for the next edition is End of December. Items can be sent at any time to newsletter@pdg.org.uk

CCCBR Shop.

Jim & Sarah Bence have taken over the CCCBR book shop responsibilities. They are now stocked up and ready to send out orders for your ringing reading needs. There’s a poster here https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/cccbr-book-shop and the shop can be found here https://shop.cccbr.org.uk/

CCCBR News

The latest notes of the Executive meeting can be found here: https://cccbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/CCCBR-Executive-Meeting-Notes-September-2024.pdf

The Standing Orders can be found here https://cccbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/StandingOrdersdocument-Edition-14-Effective-1st-October-2024.pdf

The organisation chart here: https://cccbr.org.uk/about/

The way the CCCBR is now structured means that the Executive have significant power and not much in the way of checks and balances. The annual meeting can’t necessarily reverse a decision taken by the executive some months ago. I know they’re not very exciting, but it is important that the meeting notes are read and any queries or points for clarification raised. The affiliation fee will increase from 20p per member in 2024 to 40p per member in 2025 and is projected to be £1 per member in 2026. That is a lot of money and we need, collectively, to ensure that they are using it in the best interests of ringing. 

The draft minutes of the Exeter meeting have also been produced. https://cccbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/CCCBR-ACM-2024-Draft-Minutes.pdf

Guild Quizzes

There is then the Guild’s annual paper Quiz available. Can be bought from your branch or from the Secretary. Sheets are £1 each. Send your answers in by the end of February (assuming you’ve not lost it by then) for the chance to win £25, £10 or £5 for the most correct answers. Not a ringing question in sight. 

Dates for the Diary

Guild 10 bell Saturday 9^th November10:30 am. Daventry

Quiz & Chippy tea Saturday 9^th November  7:00Syresham Village Hall. Tickets £15 per person, including chippy tea. Tickets & meal order through centenary@pdg.org.uk

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

And Branch events. 

Thrapston Branch Practice Thursday 17^th October 2:30 Wadenhoe

Rutland Branch 8 bell Practice Thursday 17^thOctober 7:30 Uppingham

Wellingborough Surprise Practice Saturday 19^thOctober 10:30 Woodford

Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 19^th October 3:00 Syresham

Daventry Branch Meeting Saturday 19^th October 3:00 Barby for Service, tea & meeting, 6:30 Kilsby

Kettering Branch Practice & Social, Saturday 19^thOctober 3:30 Desborough, followed by Beetle Drive

Wellingborough Branch Practice Saturday 19^thOctober 7:00 Rushden

Thrapston Branch Practice Friday 1^st November 7:30 Islip

Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 2^ndNovember 3:00 Yelvertoft

Rutland Branch Practice Thursday 7^th November 7:00 Great Casterton

After my last report of wind & rain it’s now turned well and truly wintery. Time to dig out those heaters and rope warmers for the colder months ahead. I’m currently in 3 layers, there are more yet to come! 

Thanks

Helen

Come and ring your Cathedral bells!

Dear Branch Members,

We have the opportunity to ring for the Cathedral evensong on the 27th October, just a couple 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 come.

Best regards

Debs

The Summer festival was an excellent day out. Even the weather decided to be summery for the day (it’s certainly changed its mind now). The Daventry branch laid on an excellent spread, Alistair cut another centenary cake, and Towcester won the 8 bell contest. A team of young ringers entered for the first time and did a sterling job on somewhat challenging bells. Fuller write up available on the website https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/2024-summer-festival and team photos here: https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/2024-summer-festival-teams If you want your team photo, let me know. 

CCCBR News

At the Summer festival meeting, Alistair & Simon gave updates on different aspects of the CCCBR weekend. We’ll aim to get those on the website in the next week or so for more in depth reading.  

Fundraising event

The Greetham Clangers are having a concert by the Corby Male Voice Choir on Saturday 28^th September at 7:30 in Greetham church. Tickets are £10 and proceeds will go to the restoration and refurbishment of Greetham bells. https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/greetham-concert

Guild Quizzes

Hopefully this won’t get too confusing! 

On Saturday 9^th November there’s a Centenary year event – a quiz and chippy tea – being held in Syresham village hall. Tickets are £15 per person to include food, tea/coffee & cake. Teams will be of 6, but we’ll make up teams on the night if you’re not a 6. Chippy tea options are Fish & chips, Sausage & chips, Cheese & vegetable cake & chips or Fishcake & chips. Gluten free batter available; mushy peas & curry sauce available at £1.50 extra. Mail centenary@pdg.org.uk for tickets. 

There is then the Guild’s annual paper Quiz available. Can be bought from your branch or from the Secretary. Sheets are £1 each. Send your answers in by the end of February (assuming you’ve not lost it by then) for the chance to win £25, £10 or £5 for the most correct answers. Not a ringing question in sight. 

Dates for the Diary

Centenary Dinner Saturday 12^th October 6:30 for 7:15 Kettering Park Spa Hotel. Tickets £45 per person from centenary@pdg.org.uk

Guild 10 bell Saturday 9^th November10:30 am. Daventry

Quiz & Chippy tea Saturday 9^th November  7:00Syresham Village Hall. Tickets £15 per person, including chippy tea. Tickets & meal order through centenary@pdg.org.uk.  

And Branch events. 

Towcester Branch Practice & Quiz Saturday 28^thSeptember 5:45 Towcester

Northampton Branch Practice Saturday 28^thSeptember 7:00 Duston

Peterborough Ring for your Cream tea Sunday 29^thSeptember. 12:30 Great Casterton, 13:30 Ryhall, 14:30 Greatford

Rutland Branch Practice Wednesday 2^nd October 7:00 Braunston/Brooke

Thrapston Branch Practice Friday 4^th October 7:30Islip

Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 5^thOctober 3:00 Naseby, 6:00 Creaton

Thrapston Branch Practice Thursday 17^th October 2:30 Wadenhoe

Rutland Branch 8 bell Practice Thursday 17^thOctober 7:30 Uppingham

Wellingborough Surprise Practice Saturday 19^thOctober 10:30 Woodford

Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 19^th October 3:00 Syresham

Daventry Branch Meeting Saturday 19^th October 3:00 Barby for Service, tea & meeting, 6:30 Kilsby

Kettering Branch Practice & Social, Saturday 19^thOctober 3:30 Desborough, followed by Beetle Drive

Wellingborough Branch Practice Saturday 19^thOctober 7:00 Rushden

I was pleased to ring for Evensong at the Cathedral yesterday. There was a service for celebrating the 30^th anniversary of the ordination of women. Taken by our first female bishop it was supported by the girls of the choir school. Thanks to the cathedral company for the invitation to join them for ringing beforehand. 

Hoping that you’ve not been blown or washed away in the last few days. Stay safe out there!

Thanks

Helen

September looks to be getting off to a busy start, so I’ll crack on!

Summer Festival 

14^th September sees the Guild’s Summer Festival. It will be held in the Daventry branch and the arrangements are as follows:

• 2:00 Ringing at Everdon
• 3:00 Ringing at Badby
• 4:00 Contest and tea at Byfield, then meeting at 6pm & evening ringing

Names for tea to Alison Buck on Secretary@daventry.pdg.org.uk

Be good to see you next weekend. The Harry Wooding trophy is a lovely item, a real item of craftmanship. 

Guild 10 bell

The morning of the Summer Festival sees the Guild 10 bell practice at Daventry from 10:30 to 12:30. For anyone who wants to try ringing on 10, or for those looking for some practice on higher numbers. It is in the right corner of the Guild to go on to the Summer Festival. 

Centenary Dinner

To be held Saturday 12^th October in Kettering Park Spa Hotel (off the A14) at 6:30 for 7:15 pm. Tickets are £45 per person and are available from centenary@pdg.org.uk. Be good to see you there in your posh togs!  The menu is now available here: https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/guild-centenary-dinner-menu. For the gluten free, all items except those marked, can be made suitable, we just need to know that. There is also a vegan menu available.

The hotel has requested all menu choices to be in by 14^th September. Yes, I know that seems very early. If you are thinking of coming, please get your choices in to me asap! 

CCCBR News

The CCCBR meeting was held over the weekend. A set of links is available from this page. https://cccbr.org.uk/2024/09/08/the-central-council-agm-in-urls/

As had been discussed at our AGM, our representatives asked questions of the CCCBR executive in respect of their handling of the project at the Old Black Lion. 

Fundraising event

The Greetham Clangers are having a concert by the Corby Male Voice Choir on Saturday 28^th September at 7:30 in Greetham church. Tickets are £10 and proceeds will go to the restoration and refurbishment of Greetham bells. A poster is attached. 

Dates for the Diary

Guild 10 bell Saturday 14th September 10:30 am. Daventry

Guild Summer Festival Saturday 14th September 2:00 Everdon. 3:00 Badby, 4:00 Byfield contest & tea 6:00 meeting followed by evening ringing. 

Centenary Dinner Saturday 12^th October 6:30 for 7:15 Kettering Park Spa Hotel. Tickets £45 per person from centenary@pdg.org.uk

And Branch events. 

Rutland Branch 8 bell Practice Tuesday 17^thSeptember 7:30 Oakham

Thrapston Branch Practice Thursday 19^thSeptember 2:30 Wadenhoe

Kettering Branch Practice & Social, Saturday 21^stSeptember 2:00 Cransley, 3:20 Scaldwell

Daventry Branch Practice, Saturday 21^st September 3:00 Newnham, 6:30 Church Stowe

Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 21^st September, 7:30 Upper Boddington

Towcester Branch Practice & Quiz Saturday 28^thSeptember 5:45 Towcester

Northampton Branch Practice Saturday 28^thSeptember 7:00 Duston

Peterborough Ring for your Cream tea Sunday 29^thSeptember. 12:30 Great Casterton, 13:30 Ryhall, 14:30 Greatford

Rutland Branch Practice Wednesday 2^nd October 7:00 Braunston/Brooke

Thrapston Branch Practice Friday 4^th October 7:30Islip

Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 5^thOctober 3:00 Naseby, 6:00 Creaton

And that’s me done for now. I have a batch of choccy cornflake cakes to make (and then not eat) for next weekend, be good to see you there. 

Helen

Are you interested in developing your striking skills in a supportive and encouraging environment?

The competition is taking place at 4pm on Saturday, 14th September in Byfield, near Daventry. Two members have already expressed their willingness to take part, and we’re looking for six more ringers to join the team representing the Peterborough Branch.

You do not need to be an expert to participate—this is a chance for everyone to practice and improve their striking. If you’re comfortable with Plain Bob Triples or Grandsire Triples, this is a perfect development opportunity to hone your skills with the support of fellow ringers.

If you’re interested, please contact secretary@peterborough.pdg.org.uk

Seems we had every variety of weather over the Bank Holiday weekend. I didn’t see any snow, but I don’t put it past the weather gods to have thrown some in somewhere… I had washing on the line and a very close eye on the clouds! Hope your long weekend was interesting, relaxing or productive, as you needed It to be. 

Summer Festival 

14^th September sees the Guild’s Summer Festival. It will be held in the Daventry branch and the arrangements are as follows:

• 2:00 Ringing at Everdon
• 3:00 Ringing at Badby
• 4:00 Contest and tea at Byfield, then meeting at 6pm & evening ringing

Team entries to Master, Simon Dixon by 7^th September, draw to be made in advance. 

Names for tea to Alison Buck on Secretary@daventry.pdg.org.uk

Guild 10 bell

The morning of the Summer Festival sees the Guild 10 bell practice at Daventry from 10:30 to 12:30. For anyone who wants to try ringing on 10, or for those looking for some practice on higher numbers. It is in the right corner of the Guild to go on to the Summer Festival. 

Centenary Dinner

To be held Saturday 12^th October in Kettering Park Spa Hotel (off the A14) at 6:30 for 7:15 pm. Tickets are £45 per person and are available from centenary@pdg,org.uk. Be good to see you there in your posh togs!  The menu is now available here: https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/guild-centenary-dinner-menu. For the gluten free, all items except those marked, can be made suitable, we just need to know that. There is also a vegan menu available. 

CCCBR News

The President’s latest blog. https://cccbr.org.uk/2024/08/25/presidents-blog-95/ Complete with new logo. 

If you have university age ringers about to head off to exciting adventures, they can access the Young Ringers Hub. https://cccbr.org.uk/2024/08/25/going-to-uni-or-leaving-home-find-a-place-to-ring/

The CCCBR is holding a consultation on Ringing 2030. This meeting is open to all. https://cccbr.org.uk/2024/08/15/ringing-2030-open-meeting/

September sees Heritage Open days. https://cccbr.org.uk/2024/08/19/heritage-open-days-2024-6-15-september/ If your tower is participating, do let us know the details and we’ll help publicise your event. 

Diocese news

On Sunday 22^nd September, Bishop Debbie is hosting a service celebrating the 30^th anniversary of the ordination of women. You may like to take the opportunity to ring to mark this. 

https://www.peterborough-diocese.org.uk/events-training/events/celebration-of-30th-anniversary-of-the-ordination-of-women.php

Dates for the Diary

Guild 10 bell Saturday 14th September 10:30 am. Daventry

Guild Summer Festival Saturday 14th September 2:00 Everdon. 3:00 Badby, 4:00 Byfield contest & tea 6:00meeting followed by evening ringing. 

Centenary Dinner Saturday 12^th October 6:30 for 7:15 Kettering Park Spa Hotel. Tickets £45 per person from centenary@pdg.org.uk

And Branch events. 

Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 31^st August, 7:30 King’s Sutton

Rutland Branch Practice Wednesday 4^th September 7:30 Cottesmore

Thrapston Branch Practice Friday 6^th September7:30 Islip

Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 7^th September 3:00 Marston Trussell, 6:00 Welford

Rutland Branch 8 bell Practice Tuesday 17^th September 7:30 Oakham

Thrapston Branch Practice Thursday 19^th September 2:30 Wadenhoe

Kettering Branch Practice & Social, Saturday 21^st September 2:00 Cransley, 3:20 Scaldwell

Daventry Branch Practice, Saturday 21^st September 3:00 Newnham, 6:30 Church Stowe

Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 21^st September, 7:30 Upper Boddington

Towcester Branch Practice & Quiz Saturday 28^th September 5:45 Towcester

Northampton Branch Practice Saturday 28^th September 7:00 Duston

And that’s me done for now. I just need to remember tomorrow is Tuesday even though it will feel like Monday! 

Helen