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

The rules allow for a youth team to enter, and Justin Baker is trying to augment the team that rang at the RWNYC last month. If any of your young ringers are interested in forming part of the team, please get in touch with him. ringing_master@daventry.pdg.org.uk He’s also trying to organise the grownups of the Daventry branch. I wonder which is the harder task! 

Guild 100^th Anniversary

Outing & Picnic at Rutland Water

Looking forward, the next 100^th anniversary event is the Outing and picnic on 10^th August around Rutland Water. Towers and timings are as follows:

1:00-2:00	Ashwell	LE15 7LP	6
2:10-2:55	Cottesmore	LE15 7BW	6
3:10-3:50	Hambleton	LE15 8TH	5
4:05-4:35	Lyndon	LE15 8TU	4
4:40-5:20	Edith Weston	LE15 8EY	6

Afterwards we’ll move to Rutland Water Beach Car Park, Sykes Lane LE15 8QL.  For this part of the occasion, please bring your own sandwiches etc. I’ve been rummaging and have found Granny’s very 1950s picnic basket, which might make an appearance. There is a play area, take-away café (which may be closed soon after we get there), and toilets.  Parking costs £2 per hour, and the car park stays open until 8pm.

As a large group, we need to let the site know how many are coming, so if you think you might like to join us, please let us know on centenary@pdg.org.uk. 

Stanwick Lakes day out. 

Our last event was the Day out at Stanwick Lakes. It was good to see so many people coming, truing the various ringing related activities and socialising. The picnic benches were populated by most of the day. Even the weather held off, with just a few drops of rain during the day. There’s a write up on the Guild & diocese websites. https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/guild-day-out-turns-out-well &  https://www.peterborough-diocese.org.uk/aboutus/news/centenary-celebrations-continue-with-a-day-out-at-stanwick-lakes-.php. It was something quite different for the Guild to undertake. If anyone wants to borrow some of the publicity materials. the wombel, or the competitions, please get in touch. 

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. Menu choices will be shared shortly. Be good to see you there in your posh togs!  

CCCBR News

The President’s latest blog. https://cccbr.org.uk/2024/07/27/presidents-blog-94/

The CCCBR meeting is in September. https://cccbr.org.uk/about/annual-meetings/2024-annual-meeting/ If anyone has any comments they can be passed on to your Guild Representatives. Mail them on cc_reps@pdg.org.uk

As requested by the Guild’s AGM , the Guild has written to the CCCBR to raise our disappointment in the way the Old Black Lion project was ultimately handled. 

Dates for the Diary

Guild Outing and Picnic  Saturday 10^th August 1:00 ringing at towers round Rutland Water, Picnic, 5:30Rutland Water Beach Car Park, Sykes Lane LE15 8QL. 

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. 

And Branch events. 

Rutland Branch 8 bell Practice Thursday 15^th August 7:30 Uppingham

Daventry: Branch Practice, Saturday 17^th August 3:00 Staverton, 6:30 Hellidon

Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 17^th August, 7:30 Greatworth

Thrapston Branch Practice Thursday 22^nd August 2:30 Wadenhoe

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

And finally.

I always have an eye open for a book that features bells or ringing in the title or plot. I’m hoping, one day, to find something to rival The Nine Tailors. The title “The Bells of Little Woodford” by Catherine Jones caught my eye in the library recently. It starts with a broken stay that gives rise to a broken leg and a frame inspection shows that the base beams are unstable, so ringing is stopped. The fund raising is complicated by the incomers to the village who are anti sound pollution. I can’t recommend it as a guide on how to manage an accident, a fund raising activity or a noise complaint. The bells really serve as backdrop to the village goings on. In the afterword, the author didn’t know anything of ringing before she started her research. To do her credit, it’s not wildly inaccurate, I’m just not sure it’s a very good advertisement for ringing. See what you think. 

See you on Saturday! Fingers crossed for nice weather. 

Helen

Come along and ring Bourne and/ or Cambridge with fellow ringers from the Peterborough branch and enjoy the wonderful views from the church in Cotterstock.

Looking forward to seeing you.

Elaine and Jane


Thanks again

Jane

Congratulations

I am very happy to start with congratulations to the young ringers from the Guild that went to London on Saturday to take part in the RWNYC. They rang call changes on 6 bells and came in 4^th. Well done! 

It was the first time the Guild’s entered a team in this competition. They were one of 30 teams and over 300 young ringers running around London on Saturday. We hope they had a great time and look forward to hearing all about it.  

Results are on the Bellboard front page at the moment. https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/

 

Guild day out at Stanwick Lakes

Saturday 13^th July sees our next PDG100 event. This is at Stanwick Lakes. We have a location near the visitor centre where we will have the Maplestead mini ring available and the Guild training bell set up. These will be available for ringers to try and for the general public to introduce them to bellringing. We’ll also have some ringing themed activities and crafts for the youngsters. Branches have been asked to provide some people to assist, but we’ll be pleased to see you at any time of the day. 

This is one of the busiest days of the year at Stanwick Lakes, so there should be plenty of people to talk to and raise awareness of ringing and what goes on upstairs. 

The visitor centre is open from 10 am to 5 pm. We hope to see you there at some point. 

 

CCCBR News

At the CCCBR meeting in September, there will be an election of an Ordinary Trustee. Nominations are being sought and more details can be found here. https://cccbr.org.uk/2024/07/07/nominations-for-cccbr-trustee/

You may also like to look at the Charity Commission definition of the duties and requirements of a trustee.   https://www.gov.uk/guidance/charity-trustee-whats-involved

 

Guild 10 bell

This was held on Saturday 29^th June at Towcester and there were ~ 20 people up the tower. We rang lots of Grandsire & Little bob for those with less experience on 10 bells. For others it was a chance to be stretched, with Cambridge, Yorkshire & Stedman also featuring. We finished with rounds & call changes on all 12 and some Stedman Cinques. 

The next 10 bell is at Daventry on Saturday 14^thSeptember. 

 

Guild Outing and Picnic

The August event is a ringing outing and picnic. Towers and timings are as follows:

1:00-2:00

Ashwell

LE15 7LP

6

2:10-2:55

Cottesmore

LE15 7BW

6

3:10-3:50

Hambleton

LE15 8TH

5

4:05-4:35

Lyndon

LE15 8TU

4

4:40-5:20

Edith Weston

LE15 8EY

6

Afterwards we’ll move to Rutland Water Beach Car Park, Sykes Lane LE15 8QL.  For this part of the occasion, please bring your own sandwiches etc.  There is a play area, take-away café (which may be closed soon after we get there), and toilets.  Parking costs £2 per hour, and the car park stays open until 8pm.

As a large group, we need to let the site know how many are coming, so if you think you might like to join us, please let us know on centenary@pdg.org.uk. 

 

PDG100 ringing

In my last update I mentioned that the Guild wanted to achieve a piece of ringing in every tower across the diocese and that we were still a few short! Well a couple of towers have risen to the occasion. Duston dedicated a practice night to the anniversary, with 14 ringers participating. Meanwhile at Pytchley, the band rang a touch of 100 Bob Doubles, an appropriate length. Thank you to all involved for marking our anniversary in this way. Let’s hope that you’ve given other towers an idea to run with. 

 

Dates for the Diary

Guild Day Out Saturday 13^th July all day Stanwick Lakes

Guild Outing and Picnic  Saturday 10^th August 1:00 ringing at towers round Rutland Water, Picnic, 5:30 Rutland Water Beach Car Park, Sykes Lane LE15 8QL. 

 

And Branch events. 

Rutland Branch 8 bell Practice Tuesday 16^th July 7:30 Oakham

Thrapston Branch Practice Thursday 18^th July 2:30Thrapston

Wellingborough Surprise Practice, Saturday 20^thJuly,  10:30 Wilby

Wellingborough Branch Practice, Saturday 20^thJuly 2:30 Stanwick

Kettering Branch Practice, Saturday 20^th July, 2:00Wadenhoe, 3:30 Stoke Doyle

Daventry: Branch Practice, Saturday 20^th July 3:00Whilton, 6:30 Great Brington

Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 20^th July, 7:30Charwelton

Thrapston Branch Practice Friday 2^nd August 7:30Islip

Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 3^rd August 3:00 West Haddon, 6:00 Long Buckby

Peterborough Minor Social Sunday 4^th August 2:00Cotterstock

 

See you on Saturday!

Helen

Some admin and some advance notices this time. 

 

Guild day out at Stanwick Lakes

Saturday 13^th July sees our next PDG100 event. This is at Stanwick Lakes. We have a location near the visitor centre where we will have the Maplestead mini ring available and the Guild training bell set up. These will be available for ringers to try and for the general public to introduce them to bellringing. We’ll also have some ringing themed activities and crafts for the youngsters. Branches have been asked to provide some people to assist, but we’ll be pleased to see you at any time of the day. 

This is one of the busiest days of the year at Stanwick Lakes, so there should be plenty of people to talk to and raise awareness of ringing and what goes on upstairs. 

 

A poster for the next two events is available for you to put up in your tower.  https://pdg.org.uk/Events/2024_JulyAugust_poster.pdf

 

CCCBR News

At the last CCCBR annual meeting, the structure of fees was changed from a rate per representative to a flat fee per member. The flat fee was set at 20p per member. That was, for us, an increase in the amount we paid per year to be affiliated to the CCCBR from £160 to £188 in 2024. 

There is now a consultation from the CCCBR to raise the flat rate per member to 40p in 2025 and progressing to £1 per member in 2023. 

There is a consultation with sessions set up on 30^thJune and 3^rd July and a session for Treasurers in July. 

There are some brief consultation media available here https://cccbr.org.uk/2024/06/21/affiliation-fee-consultations-open-now/ and here https://cccbr.org.uk/ringing-2030/ringing-finance/.Theconsultation is all at quite short notice. You can communicate your thoughts directly to the CCCBR, or to one of the Guild’s four CC reps, cc_reps@pdg.org.uk, or you can let me know what you think.

 

Handbell concert

Nether Heyford church have invited the Welford handbell ringers to present a concert on Thursday 11^th July at 7:30 pm. Tickets are £10 for adults, £5 for under 16s and include a glass of something and nibbles. The concert will feature a range of light and classical music. The audience may also have the opportunity to try ringing off the table after the concert. Tickets can be obtained from Jane Rands, janerands@gmail.com

 

Guild’s centenary Dinner

Tickets are on sale for the Guild’s Centenary dinner. To be held at Ketting Park Spa Hotel on Saturday 12^th October, 6:30 for 7:15pm. Tickets are £45 per person. We have a fine array of speaker lined up, and are delighted that Bishop Debbie has accepted our invitation to speak. To register interest and get details of how to pay, contact centenary@pdg.org.uk.  Formal dress, so a chance to break out that posh togs and long frocks for a change. Who will you not recognise when not in their usual polo shirt & jeans! 

 

PDG100 ringing

At the AGM you’ll have seen the board of firsts that have been achieved across the Guild this year.  It can be seen here https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/shout-out-for-success. If you think you have a first that’s not here, check it is entered on bellboard and linked to the PDG100 event. That can be done after the event. Alternatively, you still have 6 months to get that first of something. 

So far the range of firsts is from first Sunday Service ringing to first peal of Horton’s 4 spliced. Which just goes to show that no matter where you are in your ringing career, there is always something to achieve. 

 

We also aimed to achieve some ringing in each tower of the diocese. So far 82 different towers have reported a piece of ringing. With 271 towers in the diocese, that still leaves us some way to go. OK, so some are unringable, but that’s still 160 or so towers. Have you rung for the anniversary yet? If you need help to ring something specific, get in tough with your branch or neighbouring towers. 

 

Dates for the Diary

Guild 10-bell Practice  Saturday 29^th June. 10:30, Towcester. 

Guild Day Out Saturday 13^th July all day Stanwick Lakes

 

And Branch events. 

Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 29^th June 7:30Aynho. 

Rutland Branch practice Thursday 4^th July 7:00Great Casterton

Thrapston Branch Practice Friday 5^th July 7:30 Islip

Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 6^th July 3:00 Great Oxendon, 6:00 Kelmarsh

Rutland Branch 8 bell Practice Tuesday 16^th July 7:30 Oakham

Thrapston Branch Practice Thursday 18^th July 2:30Thrapston

Wellingborough Surprise Practice, Saturday 20^thJuly,  10:30 Wilby

Wellingborough Branch Practice, Saturday 20^thJuly 2:30 Stanwick

Kettering Branch Practice, Saturday 20^th July, 2:00Wadenhoe, 3:30 Stoke Doyle

Daventry: Branch Practice, Saturday 20^th July 3:00Whilton, 6:30 Great Brington

Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 20^th July, 7:30Charwelton

 

And with that I will sign off and go and bask in what remains of the sun. Maybe this is summer at last… 

 

Thanks

Helen

With a sigh of relief, I can start with the report on last weekend’s AGM. It all went rather well, with an excellent tea. 

 

Guild AGM

It was great to see around 70 of you at the Guild AGM on Saturday last. 

All the officers proposed were duly elected. Sorry, that means you’ve got me as secretary for another year. We are lacking a PRO and a Youth officer. If you feel you could assist, do get in touch. 

A summary of the meeting can be found on the website. https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/2024-agm-summary

Congratulations to Ian Willgress on being elected a Life Honorary Member of the Guild for his service to the guild. 

 

John Beresford, as Safeguarding Officer, gave a summary of the current situation with the diocese. The current recommendations are available on the website. https://pdg.org.uk/documents/20240608_PDG_Safeguarding_Guidance.pdf Any questions, please get in touch with John on safeguarding@pdg.org.uk.  

 

Guild day out at Stanwick Lakes

Saturday 13^th July sees our next PDG100 event. This is at Stanwick Lakes. We have a location near the visitor centre where we will have the Maplestead mini ring available and the Guild training bell set up. These will be available for ringers to try and for the general public to introduce them to bellringing. We’ll also have some ringing themed activities and crafts for the youngsters. Branches have been asked to provide some people to assist, but we’ll be pleased to see you at any time of the day. 

This is one of the busiest days of the year at Stanwick Lakes, so there should be plenty of people to talk to and raise awareness of ringing and what goes on upstairs. 

 

A poster for the next two events is available for you to put up in your tower.  https://pdg.org.uk/Events/2024_JulyAugust_poster.pdf

 

Guild’s centenary Dinner

Tickets are on sale for the Guild’s Centenary dinner. To be held at Ketting Park Spa Hotel on Saturday 12^th October, 6:30 for 7:15pm. Tickets are £45 per person. We have a fine array of speaker lined up, and are delighted that Bishop Debbie has accepted our invitation to speak. To register interest and get details of how to pay, contact centenary@pdg.org.uk.  Formal dress, so a chance to break out that posh togs and long frocks for a change. Who will you not recognise when not in their usual polo shirt & jeans! 

 

CCCBR News

The President’s blog is available. https://cccbr.org.uk/2024/06/14/presidents-blog-93/

 

Dates for the Diary

Guild 10-bell Practice  Saturday 29^th June. 10:30, Towcester. 

Guild Day Out Saturday 13^th July all day Stanwick Lakes

 

And Branch events. 

Thrapston Branch Practice Thursday 20^th June 2:30Wadenhoe

Rutland Branch 8 bell Practice Tuesday 20^th June 7:30 Uppingham

Towcester Branch Practice Saturday 22^nd June 10:30 Wappenham

Northampton Branch Practice Saturday 22^nd June 7:00 Brafield on the Green

Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 29^th June 7:30Aynho. 

Rutland Branch practice Thursday 4^th July 7:00Great Casterton

Thrapston Branch Practice Friday 5^th July 7:30 Islip

Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 6^th July 3:00 Great Oxendon, 6:00 Kelmarsh

Rutland Branch 8 bell Practice Tuesday 16^th July 7:30 Oakham

Thrapston Branch Practice Thursday 18^th July 2:30Thrapston

Wellingborough Surprise Practice, Saturday 20^thJuly,  10:30 Wilby

Wellingborough Branch Practice, Saturday 20^thJuly 2:30 Stanwick

Kettering Branch Practice, Saturday 20^th July, 2:00Wadenhoe, 3:30 Stoke Doyle

Daventry: Branch Practice, Saturday 20^th July 3:00Whilton, 6:30 Great Brington

Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 20^th July, 7:30Charwelton

 

If the recent Guild Open day has whet your appetite, there is one next month in the Southern District. Details can be found on their website https://eacr.org.uk/districts/s/southern-district-open-day.html

 

Helen

Cracking on with the item at the top of my current to-do list, it’s the AGM on Saturday. It’s taking up a lot of my attention! 

 

Guild AGM

Final reminder of the AGM details. To take place on Saturday 8^th June in Moulton. 

Open Ringing at Harlestone at 2 pm and Pitsford at 3 pm.

Ringing at Moulton at 4 pm, for the service at 4:30 pm.

This will be followed by tea in the church hall and the AGM at 5:45 pm. There will be evening ringing afterwards. 

All are welcome to the AGM, names for tea to me on secretary@pdg.org.uk by 5^th June please. 

 

The minutes of meetings in the last 12 months to be approved at the meeting can be found on the website, as can the agenda. https://pdg.org.uk/homepage/agm-2024

Nominations for officers need to be made in writing, if you want to propose anyone for any Guild role, get your nominations in soonest. 

 

Guild’s centenary Dinner

Tickets are on sale for the Guild’s Centenary dinner. To be held at Ketting Park Spa Hotel on Saturday 12^th October, 6:30 for 7:15pm. Tickets are £45 per person. We have a fine array of speaker lined up, and are delighted that Bishop Debbie has accepted our invitation to speak. To register interest and get details of how to pay, contact centenary@pdg.org.uk.  Formal dress, so a chance to break out that posh togs and long frocks for a change. Who will you not recognise when not in their usual polo shirt & jeans! 

 

CCCBR News

There’s a request to ring to mark the 80^thanniversary of D-Day on 6^th June, Not ringing at the time of the landings, the request is to ring at 6:30 pm, if possible. 

 

The CCCBR AGM arrangements are being made available, This year it is in Exeter. The CCCBR is looking for nominations for trustees. All the information can be found on the website. https://cccbr.org.uk/about/annual-meetings/2024-annual-meeting/meeting-papers/

 

Other news

In other local news, the Ridgman Trophy is being held at Biggleswade on the 8^th June. This is a 10 bell striking contest for Guilds that border the Ely DA. We hosted last year in Towcester. The Guild is not entering this year, due to the clash with the AGM. Anyone is welcome to go along to listen and there will be cake/light refreshments available in the Chapter House. The contest starts at 10 am

 

Dates for the Diary

Guild AGM Saturday 8^th June Harlestone 2:00, Pitsford 3:00, Moulton 4:00, service 4:30 then tea. AGM 5:45 then evening ringing at Moulton. 

Guild 10-bell Practice  Saturday 30^th June. 10:30, Towcester. 

 

And Branch events. 

Rutland Branch practice Wednesday 5^th June 7:00Braunston

Thrapston Branch Practice Friday 7^th June 7:30Islip

Wellingborough Striking contest, Tuesday 11^th May,  6:30 Mears Ashby

Wellingborough Surprise Practice, Saturday 15^thJune 10:30 Irthlingborough

Kettering Branch Practice, Saturday 15^th June, 3:30Cottingham

Daventry: Branch Practice, Saturday 15^th June 3:00Badby, 6:30 Eydon

Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 15^th June, 6:30Eydon

Thrapston Branch Practice Thursday 20^th June 2:30Wadenhoe

Rutland Branch 8 bell Practice Tuesday 20^th June 7:30 Uppingham

Towcester Branch Practice Saturday 22^nd June 10:30 Wappenham

Northampton Branch Practice Saturday 22^nd June 7:00 Brafield on the Green

Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 29^th June 7:30Aynho. 

 

See you Saturday!

Helen

I must start by thanking everyone who helped out in any way at last week’s Open day. It seems to have gone very well. Even the weather played ball. There were approaching 100 people visiting towers across our area over the course of the day and all the feedback has been most complimentary on the bells, the organisation and the people helping out. Thank you all. 

 

Guild AGM

Just a reminder of the AGM details. To take place on Saturday 8^th June in Moulton. 

Open Ringing at Harlestone at 2 pm and Pitsford at 3 pm.

Ringing at Moulton at 4 pm, for the service at 4:30 pm.

This will be followed by tea in the church hall and the AGM at 5:45 pm. There will be evening ringing afterwards. 

All are welcome to the AGM, names for tea to me on secretary@pdg.org.uk by 5^th June please. 

 

Also to remind you, all Guild officers are elected each year at the AGM. While almost all officers are willing to stand again, that should not prevent someone coming forward who wants to take on a role. All the officers’ job descriptions are available on the website, alongside the current position holder. https://pdg.org.uk/homepage/officers

One role where the current holder is standing down is PRO. If you know of someone who has a talent for communicating ringing to the wider world, do get in touch. We’re more than happy to talk about what is involved. 

 

CCCBR News

The Central Council of Church Bell Ringers is actively supporting the National Volunteers Week (3-9 June 2024) and would like some examples of people who volunteer their time through ringing.  There are more details on their website.  https://cccbr.org.uk/2024/05/18/volunteers-week/. 

 

The President’s blog https://cccbr.org.uk/2024/05/17/presidents-blog-92/

 

And a reminder that nominations for the Westley award for bell maintenance closes at the end of the month. https://cccbr.org.uk/about/workgroups/stewardship-and-management/westley-award-2024/

 

There’s a request to ring to mark the 80^thanniversary of D-Day on 6^th June, Not ringing at the time of the landings, the request is to ring at 6:30 pm, if possible. 

 

Old Black Lion project

The project at the Old Black Lion has taken a turn since the new year. The CCCBR has decided that the change in scope of the building use means that they are no longer able to support the use of the stable as a National Ringing Centre. The money that has been allocated has been re-directed to the ringing 2030 project. That means that the money to support the set up of the ringing centre is no longer available. The Guild is not in a position to move this forward itself, but would consider supporting if someone felt able to come forward and manage the project, apply for grants, liaise with the CCT and OBL etc. This will be on the agenda at the AGM. If someone has the time, skills and enthusiasm to try and move this forward, please get in touch with Chris FitzGerald, who has been the Guild’s main contact on the subject. He can be e-mailed at treasurer@pdg.org.uk.  

This does not affect the sound control at St Peter’s which is managed and funded separately. 

 

Dates for the Diary

Guild AGM Saturday 8^th June Harlestone 2:00, Pitsford 3:00, Moulton 4:00, service 4:30 then tea. AGM 5:45 then evening ringing at Moulton. 

Guild 10-bell Practice  Saturday 30^th June. 10:30, Towcester. 

 

And Branch events. 

Rutland Branch 8 bell Practice Tuesday 21^st May 7:30 Oakham

Thrapston Branch Practice Thursday 23^rd May 2:30Wadenhoe

Culworth Theory Session Saturday 25^th May 10:15Brackley church hall. 

Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 1^st June 3:00 Spratton, 6:00 Cottesbrooke

Rutland Branch practice Wednesday 5^th June 7:00Braunston

Thrapston Branch Practice Friday 7^th June 7:30Islip

Wellingborough Striking contest, Tuesday 11^th May,  6:30 Mears Ashby

Wellingborough Surprise Practice, Saturday 15^thJune 10:30 Irthlingborough

Kettering Branch Practice, Saturday 15^th June, 3:30Cottingham

Daventry: Branch Practice, Saturday 15^th June 3:00Badby, 6:30 Eydon

Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 15^th June, 6:30Eydon

 

If you are short of reading material, I seem to have taken over The Ringing World again this week, with an article on the Spring meeting and the new Centenary Trophy. It could be interesting – or a cure for insomnia, I leave that one up to you. 

 

Thanks

Helen

We seem to have had a reasonable bank holiday so far, although the weather’s not looking quite so good for tomorrow – but that’s just typical! Hope you’ve been able to make the most of it. Having got the Spring Meeting done, we’re moving on to the next few Guild events. 

 

Guild Open day

Saturday sees the Guild’s Open day. 30 towers across the Guild are open according to a timetable, towers from A (Aynho) to Y (Yarwell) and across all 10 branches of the Guild. There are a range of interesting, unusual and rare towers or recent augmentations to tempt you out. £2 per tower or £20 for a day ticket. These are available in advance by e-mailing centenary@pdg.org.uk or at the first 6 towers. Cash on the day please. 

https://pdg.org.uk/pdg-100/open-day

 

Guild AGM

The Guild’s AGM is planned for Saturday 8^th June. It was planned to be in Northampton town centre, visiting the 4 town centre churches. Unfortunately, Northampton town took no account of this and have decided to hold the town carnival that day. That closes roads across the centre, making the plan unworkable. There has been a rearrangement and the plan for the day is now as follows:

Open Ringing at Harlestone at 2 pm and Pitsfors at 3 pm.

Ringing at Moulton at 4 pm, for the service at 4:30 pm.

This will be followed by tea in the church hall and the AGM at 5:45 pm. There will be evening ringing afterwards. 

All are welcome to the AGM, names for tea to me on secretary@pdg.org.uk by 5^th June please. 

 

CCCBR News

The Westley awards for maintenance close at the end of the month. https://cccbr.org.uk/about/workgroups/stewardship-and-management/westley-award-2024/

Bell Sunday is the 12^th May this year. You can link your ringing to the event, if you do any special ringing. https://bellsunday.org/

There’s a request to ring to mark the 80^thanniversary of D-Day on 6^th June, Not ringing at the time of the landings, the request is to ring at 6:30 pm, if possible. 

 

Dates for the Diary

Guild Tower Open day Saturday 11^th May. Tower Open day across the Guild. https://pdg.org.uk/pdg-100/open-day

Guild AGM Saturday 8^th June Harlestone 2:00, Pitsford 3:00, Moulton 4:00, service 4:30 then tea. AGM 5:45 then evening ringing at Moulton. 

 

And Branch events. 

Wellingborough Surprise Practice, Saturday 18^thMay,  10:30 Mears Ashby

Kettering Branch Practice, Saturday 18^th May, 2:00Rushton, 15:15 Geddington

Wellingborough Branch Practice, Saturday 18^thMay,  2:30 Ecton

Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 18^th May, 6:30Croughton

Rutland Branch 8 bell Practice Tuesday 21^st May 7:30 Oakham

Thrapston Branch Practice Thursday 23^rd May 2:30Wadenhoe

Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 1^st June 3:00 Spratton, 6:00 Cottesbrooke

Rutland Branch practice Wednesday 5^th June 7:00Braunston

Thrapston Branch Practice Friday 7^th June 7:30Islip

 

Hope to see you on Saturday. 

Helen

Dear Members,

We hope this message finds you well. We wanted to extend our gratitude to everyone who joined us for the minor bell ringing social last Wednesday and to extend our apologies for any inconvenience caused by the lighting issue. However, it provided us with a good opportunity to ring our blue line and showcase our adaptability!

A big thank you to the members of the South Lincs and Rutland branch who joined us, as well as a special acknowledgment to hosts Sue, John, and Jerry from Easton on the Hill.

Branch outing

Looking ahead, we’re excited to announce our next event on Saturday the 18th of May. We’ll be visiting three towers around Kings Lynn, including the Kings Lynn Minster and Wisbech, both with 10 bells. We’ll kick off the day at 10 am in Gaywood. Lunch arrangements will be left to individuals, with plenty of options available in the town center, including numerous pubs and cafes. Alternatively, The Walks park offers a lovely spot for a spring picnic – weather permitting!

Further details about the event will be shared closer to the date. We’re eagerly anticipating another memorable day of ringing and fellowship!

Warm regards,

Deborah Bray (Branch Secretary)

---

Monday update, with lots of news from the weekend. 

 

Guild Spring Meeting

Saturday was an excellent day. Guilsborough branch did a superb job of hosting, laying on the most spectacular tea I think I’ve ever seen and even organising some spring-like weather. The 21 teams that entered is the most we’ve ever had, 12 teams rang call changes at Guilsborough and 9 teams rang methods at Cold Ashby.  

There was a packed church at Cold Ashby for the results, with Towcester taking the Weaver Shield for the method ringing contest while Pattishall were the first winners of the Centenary Trophy for call changes. 

Results and photographs of the winners and their teams can be found on the website, https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/spring-meeting-results

A full report will follow. We have photos of each band, drop me a mail and I can send yours over to you. If there was a prize for most original pose, Cransley would have taken that by a country mile! 

 

Newsletter

The April edition of the Guild newsletter was distributed in paper form, expect to see one coming to a tower near you soon. Also available to read online. https://pdg.org.uk/newsletters/newsletter_202404.pdf

There’s lots of different items, including a welcome from Bishop Debbie. 

The next edition will be for the September Summer Festival, print deadline is end of August. Items can be sent in at any time to newsletter@pdg,org.uk

 

Annual Report

This is also being distributed, one copy for each tower. This year’s is a lively green cover. If any members want a copy, they are available for £2 to members (including postage). Get in touch and I’ll get one out to you. 

 

CCCBR News

2 blogs from the President on the same day. 

President’s blog #91

President’s blog #90

 

The CCCBR is looking for a new adviser on bell complaints. Robert Wood has dealt with such enquiries for some years and has decided to stand down. They are looking for someone with relevant experience and knowledge of UK Environmental Legislation. Anyone wanting more information should contact Alison Hodge alison.hodge@cccbr.org.uk

 

Bell Sunday is 12^th May this year, see what your incumbent has planned and let them see the resources available on the CCCBR website for ideas on how to include ringing in your service. https://bellsunday.org/

 

100th Anniversary

It was excellent to see PDG 100 clothing out in force at the weekend. There’s still a chance to get yours before the year is out… Also mugs and puzzles still available https://pdg.org.uk/pdg-100/centenary-year-merchandise

The next 100^th anniversary is the Open day. A chance to ring at towers across the Guild from A (Aynho) to Y (Yarwell). Towers are open for 1 hour, with start times from 09:00 to 18:50. Cost £2 per tower or £20 for a day ticket, available in advance from centenary@pdg.org.uk All details on the website: https://pdg.org.uk/pdg-100/open-day

  

Bells on Sunday

Starting their 900^th anniversary, the bells of St Kyneburgha’s church, Castor features on Sunday 14^th April at 5:43 am. You can listen again via BBC sounds using the link below. 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001y7y9

 

Dates for the Diary

Guild Tower Open day Saturday 11^th May. Tower Open day across the Guild. https://pdg.org.uk/pdg-100/open-day

Guild AGM Saturday 8^th June Hosted by Northampton branch. 

 

And Branch events. 

Thrapston Branch Practice Thursday 18^th April 2:30Wadenhoe

Rutland Branch 8 bell Practice Thursday 18^th April 7:30 Uppingham

Wellingborough Surprise Practice, Saturday 20^thApril,  10:30 Rushden

Kettering Branch Practice, Saturday 20^th April, 2:00Great Oakley, 15:15 Weldon

Wellingborough Branch Practice, Saturday 20^thApril,  2:30 Yardley Hasting

Daventry Branch Practice, Saturday 20^th April, 3:00Preston Capes for ringing service, tea & meeting, 6:30 Moreton Pinkney (joint with Culworth)

Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 20^th April, 6:30Moreton Pinkney (joint with Daventry)

Peterborough Young Ringers group Sunday 21^stApril, 4:00 Nassington

Peterborough Minor Social Wednesday 24^th April, 7:30 Easton on the Hill

Rutland Branch practice Wednesday 1^st May 7:30Cottesmore 

Thrapston Branch Practice Friday 3^rd May 7:30 Islip

Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 4^th May 3:00 Lilbourne, 6:00 Crick

 

After all that, I’m going for a nice sit down!  

Helen