Dear all, with the celebrations for the Guild Centenary happening every month in 2024, there is less scope to organise Guild training events.  This is what has been scheduled in so far.  Please check with the Guild website (https://pdg.org.uk/events/second-saturday-events) for any updates.

January 13^th 2024, 10:30 – 10-bell practice at Kettering

An opportunity for ringers of all abilities to have a go at ringing on higher numbers.  We regularly ring a range of methods from Grandsire and Little Bob up to Surprise Royal.

This practice is open to all – no need to register.

January 13^th 2024, 15:00 – Ringing Up and Down in Peal at Great Oxendon

With advice and practice for either one of these activities, this would suit ringers who are members of bands that regularly lower and raise their bells but do not have enough ringers who can do so in peal. 

If interested please contact Simon Dixon (master@pdg.org.uk).

March 9^th 2024, 18:30 – 10-bell practice at Moulton

An opportunity for ringers of all abilities to have a go at ringing on higher numbers.  We regularly ring a range of methods from Grandsire and Little Bob up to Surprise Royal.  Please note that this is an evening not a morning practice.

This practice is open to all – no need to register.

April 13^th 2024, 10:00 – Bell Maintenance at Great Oakley

This is aimed at those who are interested in the mechanics of the bells and would like to learn a bit more, especially about how to keep the bells and fittings in good working order.  It will be a mainly practical session held up in the belfry and would suit new recruits as well as existing ringers, it will also cover looking after ropes and stays; learning how to change a rope and stay, how to adjust the length of a tail-end, and how to splice a broken rope.

There are spaces available on this course – please contact Simon Dixon if interested (master@pdg.org.uk) .

April 13^th 2024, 10:30 – 10-bell quarter peal at Rothwell (tbc)

This is for some of the regular attendees at the 10-bell practices to enjoy an extended piece of ringing.

If you would like to be considered for the band, please contact Simon Dixon (master@pdg.org.uk).

June 29^th 2024 (not a 2^nd Saturday), 10:30 – 10-bell practice at Towcester (tbc)

September 14^th 2024, 10:30 – 10-bell practice at St Giles, Northampton (tbc)

November 9^th 2024, 10:30 – 10-bell practice at Daventry (tbc)

These are opportunities for ringers of all abilities to have a go at ringing on higher numbers.  We regularly ring a range of methods from Grandsire and Little Bob up to Surprise Royal.

These practices are open to all – no need to register.

We ask that if anyone is interested in any of these sessions or have suggestions of their own to put forward, that they contact Simon Dixon (master@pdg.org.uk)  or Cathy Dixon (pro@pdg.org.uk) to let us know and we’ll be in touch with more details.  Please note that there will be a small fee of £3 per student for the training sessions to go towards a tower donation, and a request for £1 from each ringer at each of the open practice sessions.

Dear all, Helen writes that it has been announced that the new Bishop of Peterborough will be Bishop Debbie Sellin. She is currently the Bishop of Southampton and has been acting Bishop of Winchester. 

As the Bishop is patron of the Guild, Helen suggests we might like to consider a footnote dedicating a piece of ringing to welcome Bishop Debbie. She is due to be enthroned in early 2024. 

Thanks

Helen Allton

Secretary: Peterborough Diocesan Guild of Church Bellringers

Dear all, Helen’s latest update below:

It was great to see so many people at the Summer Festival last weekend. Over 70 people attended part of the day. It was, I admit, maybe a bit warm for ringing, but it was perfect for sitting in the Chantry House garden listening to someone else ring. Well done to all the teams that entered, the judges were most complimentary about the standard achieved. And congratulations to Towcester on both winning the trophy and hosting an excellent tea. Clearly a branch of many talents! 

Full write up available on the website. https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/a-sunny-summer-festival

PDG100

With the last of the Guild’s event in 2023, our thoughts turn to 2024 and our 100^th anniversary. 

You may have seen the merchandise available to celebrate at the Summer Festival and at various branch events. There are calendars, featuring 14 different churches across the diocese, these are £5 each. There are mugs (also £5) and clothing with the anniversary logo (prices from £11. And there is a jigsaw puzzle of a painting the Guild has commissioned from talented Thrapston artist, Sarah Pendred. It’s a fabulously busy image and will be available in 500 (£15) and 1000 pieces (£20). All details can be found here: https://pdg.org.uk/pdg-100/centenary-year-merchandise and orders can be placed through centenary@pdg.org.uk

We’re also taking expressions of interest in the events for the 100^th anniversary, mainly so we can make sure there’s enough birthday cake to go around. Mail interest to centenary@pdg.org.uk. The first event is at Peterborough Cathedral on Sunday 14^thJanuary. Ringing at the Cathedral from 2pm, then choral evensong in the Cathedral at 3:30. The Biship of Brixworth, as patron of the Guild, will give an address. And there will be a reception in one of the transepts afterwards. With cutting of a birthday cake, but maybe not 100 candles! 

All the events can be found on the website https://pdg.org.uk/pdg-100 and we’ll update with more details as we get closer. 

We’re also aiming to have a piece of ringing dedicated to the anniversary in each tower in the diocese. More on that later on.  

Young Ringers Practice & Pizza

One to get to your young ringers. On 23^rd September, Daventry branch are hosting an event for young ringers (from 10 to 25 ish). It’s an opportunity for younger ringers to meet and ring with other young ringers outside of their tower/branch. While organised by the Daventry branch, all young ringers are welcome. This is at Daventry tower and will start at 3:00. Donations are invited towards the costs of refreshments & pizza. Please spread the word to your younger ringers. Ringing will be run by Miles Baker, with support from DBS checked adults in the branch. The previous event was a success, and this should be just as good. I’m tempted to lie about my age and sneak in…

Parents are welcome to stay or to leave their offspring, whichever they feel more comfortable with. 

Any queries to Justin Baker ringing_master@pdg.org.uk

CCCBR news

The CCCBR annual meeting was held the first weekend in September. That saw a change in President, with Tina Stocklin taking over. Her first blog is available here: https://cccbr.org.uk/2023/09/15/presidents-blog-84/

The meeting discussed the change in number of representatives (which was rejected), and a survey for Ringing 2030 initiative. It may take some time to be distributed, but please fill it in when you see it. It’s important to know where ringers are and what they are ringing in order to know how to progress. 

Finally there have been some promotional videos produced. They are available to share, so please consider using them in your next open day or recruitment opportunity. https://cccbr.org.uk/2023/09/05/recruitment-and-promotional-videos-go-live/

While we are sharing ringing PR, this piece from the National Churches Trust might be worth bookmarking and sending to those wanting a general introduction to ringing. https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/explore/story/ringing-changes

Ringing for a charity walk

Between the 22^nd September & 8^th October a group are walking from Staffordshire to Kent to raise awareness of Papyrus, a charity that works to prevent youth suicide and support the bereaved. They are passing through our area between 26^th & 28^th September, the route takes them between Yelvertoft, West Haddon, Long Buckby, Great Brington, Duston, Hunsbury and Collingtree. If you are able to ring around this time, or place information in a pewsheet the group would appreciate that support.

Dates for the Diary

Guild Plain Bob Practice Saturday 14^th October. 6:30 Desborough

Rutland Branch 8 bell practice Tuesday 19^th August 7:30 Oakham

Young Ringers Practice & Pizza Saturday 23^rd September 3:00 Daventry 

Culworth Branch 8 bell Practice Saturday 30^th September 7:30 King’s Sutton

Rutland Branch 6 bell practice Wednesday 4^th October 7:30 Cottesmore

Peterborough Branch 8 bell Practice Friday 6^th October 7:30 Castor

Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 7^th October 3:00 Brixworth, 6:00 Maidwell

Rutland Branch 8 bell practice Thursday 19^th October 7:30 Uppingham

Wellingborough Surprise Practice Saturday 21^st October 10:30 Yardley Hastings

Wellingborough Branch Practice Saturday 21^st October 7:00 Irchester

Daventry Branch Meeting Saturday 21^st October 3:00 Litchborough

Kettering: Branch Practice Saturday 21^st October 3:30 Barton Seagrave

Northampton Branch Practice Saturday 21^st October 7:00 Church Brampton

Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 21^st October 7:30 Evenley

Seems the Summer Festival was a last hurrah of the summer weather. Ho hum. Looking on the bright side, I might finally get some wear out of my anniversary fleece!

See you at a ringing event soon. 

Thanks

Helen

Dear all, there is a second menu for this event, attached

Dear all, a final reminder that Diana Street has organised a ringing event for the afternoon of Sunday 17 September, with the added bonus of a Cream Tea at The Johnson Farm in Old Hurst. All are welcome. 

Diana needs to know your tea order by Tuesday 12 September, please.

She has provided the following information (all now confirmed):

12:15pm (bells down) to 1pm Hemingford Abbots PE28 9AL 6 14 cwt in G# (toilet in kitchen area)

1:15pm to 2pm Hemingford Grey PE28 9DF 8 11-2-12 in G# (toilet in kitchen area)

2:15pm to 3pm St. Ives PE27 6DG 8 12-0-4 in G (Portaloo inside South Porch)

3:30pm Tea at Johnson’s Farm Old Hurst (off A141) Church St, Huntingdon PE28 3AF

I will leave a donation at each tower, so £3 each should cover this, please give it to me on the day.

The standard Cream Tea (scone with jam & cream plus tea/coffee) offered by the Tearoom is priced at £7.25, but if you want something more substantial, the whole Steakhouse Afternoon Tea offer is £27 per person, see menu below for other choices. They can cater for special requests and for nut allergy as long as it is stated with order, please. I did have to check out their home-made scones (scone and tea = cream tea) before I made the booking!!

PLEASE NOTE the order the will need to be placed, with Diana, by Tuesday 12^th September so she can collate and forward to them in one go please. (please include price to ensure I order correct items for you). Thank you.

Both ringing and non-ringing family members and friends are welcome to join us for afternoon tea at Johnson’s Farm at Old Hurst – we may have a function room to ourselves. 

For non-ringers there is the added bonus of the Farm, with its animals, birds and ‘safe distance’ crocodiles to look round for a £3 adult entry fee, including a children’s play park (please have sensible footwear, for the fields part, if there has been any rain), while the rest of us ring!

It should be a lovely afternoon for us all to enjoy together, with the added bonus of food after the ringing workout.  I look forward to seeing you all and there is the chance we will get to know each other better.  

Thank you and see you then if not before.

Take care, Diana diana_cherryfields@yahoo.co.uk

Dear all, Helen has realised she has put a wrong date in her update, see below.

The Guild’s Summer Festival and 8 bell striking contest takes place on Saturday 9^th August September (Secretary having a diary madness moment) in the Towcester branch. 

Dear all, please find below Helen’s latest update.

I’m not sure how we manage to be half-way through August, but that sees us looking forward to the Summer Festival in September. 

Guild Summer Festival

The Guild’s Summer Festival and 8 bell striking contest takes place on Saturday 9^th August in the Towcester branch. Ringing to take place at Weedon (tbc) from 2 pm, Cold Higham from 3 pm and then the contest and tea at Towcester from 4 pm. A short meeting will be followed by evening ringing, also at Towcester. 

Branches wanting to enter should get in touch with Simon Dixon by Saturday 2^nd September, mailing master@pdg.org.uk

More information and a poster is available on the guild website: https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/guild-summer-festival-2023

See you there – even if you’re not ringing, it’s an opportunity to try some different bells and socialise with ringers from across the Guild. 

Central Council items

President’s Blog looks forward to the meeting in early September. https://cccbr.org.uk/2023/08/04/presidents-blog-82/

The papers for this year’s Central Council meeting are now available. https://cccbr.org.uk/about/annual-meetings/2023-annual-meeting/

Motions to reduce the size of the council and the elections are the most notable items. 

Dates for the Diary

Guild 10 Bell Practice Saturday 9^th September. 10:30 Daventry

Guild Summer Festival Saturday 9^th September Contest 4:00 pm Towcester, for competition, tea, meeting and Evening ringing. Ringing at Weedon Bec from 2pm & Cold Higham from 3 pm. 

One change, Northampton have changed their practice location. 

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

Rutland Branch 8 bell practice Thursday 17^th August 7:30 Uppingham 

Daventry Branch Meeting Saturday 19^th August 3:00 Everdon 6:30 Dodford (tbc)

Northampton Branch Practice Saturday 19^th August 7:00 Coggenhoe

Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 19^th August 7:30 Woodford Halse

Peterborough Branch 8 bell Practice Friday 1^st September 7:30 Castor

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

Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 2^nd September 3:00 Sibbertoft, 6:00 Welford

Rutland Branch 6 bell practice Thursday 7^th September 7:00 Great Casterton

See you all at some of these in the near future. 

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

Telephone: 01832 735 266

Dear all, there is a second menu for this event, attached

Diana Street has organised a ringing event for the afternoon of Sunday 17 September, with the added bonus of a Cream Tea at The Johnson Farm in Old Hurst. All are welcome. 

She has provided the following information (all now confirmed):

12:15pm (bells down) to 1pm Hemingford Abbots PE28 9AL 6 14 cwt in G# (toilet in kitchen area)

1:15pm to 2pm Hemingford Grey PE28 9DF 8 11-2-12 in G# (toilet in kitchen area)

2:15pm to 3pm St. Ives PE27 6DG 8 12-0-4 in G (Portaloo inside South Porch)

3:30pm Tea at Johnson’s Farm Old Hurst (off A141) Church St, Huntingdon PE28 3AF

I will leave a donation at each tower, so £3 each should cover this, please give it to me on the day.

The standard Cream Tea (scone with jam & cream plus tea/coffee) offered by the Tearoom is priced at £7.25, but if you want something more substantial, the whole Steakhouse Afternoon Tea offer is £27 per person, see menu below for other choices. They can cater for special requests and for nut allergy as long as it is stated with order, please. I did have to check out their home-made scones (scone and tea = cream tea) before I made the booking!!

PLEASE NOTE the order the will need to be placed, with me, by Tuesday 12^th September so I can collate and forward to them in one go please. (please include price to ensure I order correct items for you). Thank you.

Both ringing and non-ringing family members and friends are welcome to join us for afternoon tea at Johnson’s Farm at Old Hurst – we may have a function room to ourselves. 

For non-ringers there is the added bonus of the Farm, with its animals, birds and ‘safe distance’ crocodiles to look round for a £3 adult entry fee, including a children’s play park (please have sensible footwear, for the fields part, if there has been any rain), while the rest of us ring!

It should be a lovely afternoon for us all to enjoy together, with the added bonus of food after the ringing workout.  I look forward to seeing you all and there is the chance we will get to know each other better.  

Thank you and see you then if not before.

Take care, Diana diana_cherryfields@yahoo.co.uk

Please see Helen’s latest update, below:

It’s not reasonable to expect summer to last ALL summer, but it tipping down doesn’t make for nice wedding photos nor is it conducive to listening to the bells outside while at a striking contest. I know the garden needs it, but neither of my ringing events yesterday was improved by the weather! Hope it has not interfered too deeply with your weekend or ringing activities. 

Training opportunities

There are always training opportunities, these are a little further afield. A reminder that the Training fund can offer a contribution to attendance at training courses for learners. https://pdg.org.uk/homepage/content-2/training-fund

North West Ringing Course

Next month is the North West Ringing Course and they are still in need of more helpers for courses up to Stedman. The website gives more details https://nwringingcourse.uk. Helpers can stay (accommodation and meals incur costs) or on a daily basis.   

ART M1 course

There will be an ART M1 (Teaching Bell Handling) course at Kineton on Saturday the18th November. If you have ringers that are teaching and would like a refresher, some new tips, or are entirely new to teaching handling this well established course could suit them. Please contact Graham Nabb gnabb50@gmail.com or find out more via the website. https://bellringing.org/about-teaching/bell-handling/

Central Council items

President’s Blog from far flung places. https://cccbr.org.uk/2023/07/07/presidents-icelandic-blog-81/

At this year’s Central Council meeting in September, nominations are required for a number of posts. Some information about what is involved can be found on the CCCBR site. https://cccbr.org.uk/2023/07/02/presidents-interview/ and https://cccbr.org.uk/2023/07/10/deputy-president-interview/

Other bell news

Not about change ringing, but about bells and their place in religion in Africa, this may prove interesting. 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3ct5j1s

Ashwell bells

In the last few weeks, work has been underway at Ashwell in Rutland. The fixtures and fittings were removed, then the bells lowered and removed to Taylors for work. The 2nd will be checked for cracks and retuned to better match te rest of the 6. Then the Treble will be rehung in the 2nd bell pit, 2nd going into the 3rd bell pit and then the 3rd rehung on its own independent tower frame above the other 5. 

https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/ashwell-bells-rehang

Artworks for sale

The church at Weston Flavell has received a selection of water colour paintings, which are being offered for sale.

There are over 150 different paintings of churches across the area. They were painted by C Stephenson-Mole and have been offered to the church by the family after the death of the painter. The church are asking for £30 per painting and the funds raised will go towards the work identified as necessary in the most recent quinquennial inspection. The Churchwarden, Phil Norris, should be contacted with any queries. He has photographs of all the paintings and can provide these on request. https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/watercolours-for-sale

Dates for the Diary

Not all branches have events in August, so it’s a slightly shorter list this time around. 

Guild 10 Bell Practice Saturday 9^th September. 10:30 Daventry

Guild Summer Festival Saturday 9^th September Contest 4:00 pm Towcester, for competition, tea, meeting a7 Evening ringing. Towers prior to be confirmed.  

Culworth Branch 8 bell practice Saturday 29^th July 7:30 Aynho

Rutland Branch 8 bell practice Tuesday 1^st August 7:30 Oakham 

Peterborough Branch 8 bell Practice Friday 4^th August 7:30 Castor

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

Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 5^th August 3:00 Long Buckby, 6:00 Crick

Daventry Branch Meeting Saturday 19^th August 3:00 Everdon 6:30 Dodford (tbc)

Northampton Branch Practice Saturday 19^th August 7:00 Rothersthorpe

Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 19^th August 7:30 Woodford Halse

Hopefully summer will come back before you hear from me again. 

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

Telephone: 01832 735 266