Please note that there will not be a branch practice at Castor on 3rd June, which would otherwise clash with Jubilee celebrations.
I hope that the majority of you will be looking forward to plenty of Jubilee ringing next week, a time to focus on the performance of our art rather than to practice.
James
More Second Saturday Sessions
May 14th 2022 saw the first Guild-organised SSS which allowed expertise across the Guild to be shared and enjoyed by many ringers. Two separate sessions were run, but both appeared popular, so they are being repeated as follows.
Session 1 – Basic Bell Maintenance on Saturday 10th September.
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. At the moment this date is looking fully subscribed.
Session 2 – Beyond Plain Bob on Saturday 9th July.
For those ringers who have been confidently ringing Plain Bob (Doubles or Minor) and want to find out how to learn and ring other methods, such as St Simon’s Doubles, St Clements and Single Oxford Bob Minor. It will be a practical session, preceded by a theory session by Zoom. At the moment there is space on this course.
We would also like to put on a few other courses that combine theory and practice.
Session 3 – Understanding Call Changes on Saturday 13th August.
This will be for those who can keep their bell in the right place in rounds but want to move onto ringing Call Changes or who have started to do so but keep “getting it wrong”. Places will be limited and the location will be chosen to suit those who put their names forward. If necessary, a re-run will be organised.
Session 4 – Intermediate Bell Maintenance
A follow-up, hands-on session for those who have attended session 1. It will 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. The date and location will be shared with those who attended “Basic Bell Maintenance” but additional places may be available for anyone who just needs to learn these skills.
Session 5 – Ringing up and down in peal
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. Date and location will be sorted out based on demand.
Therefore, we are asking that if anyone is interested in any of these sessions, 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 £2 per student to go towards a tower donation.
In addition, we are putting on some open practise sessions. No need to register interest in advance. Just turn up, with a £1 fee towards tower donations, in the confidence that there will be a suitably experienced band to ring with you.
Saturday 11th June 10am-12noon at Thrapston – Surprise Major Practice
Saturday 13th August 7-9pm – Intermediate 8-bell (i.e., not Plain Bob or Grandsire or Surprise Major but methods such as Little Bob, Kent Treble Bob, Single Oxford Bob Triples). Location to be decided.
Many Thanks
Cathy Dixon
The link below takes you to a Facebook post from Helen the secretary about a source of charitable funding. It needs individuals to vote for the Peterborough Guild and only takes 2 minutes to do. There’s a £1000 up for grabs
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=527175248887870&id=103283644610368
Don’t forget!
Tomorrow at 2 pm. See you there
J
On the 15th May, the branch will be ringing at Peterborough cathedral for evensong. Please meet at the foot of the tower (inside the shop) at 2pm. I do hope that as many of you as possible will take this opportunity to ring at your cathedral.
For those not experienced on higher numbers, you can expect to ring rounds on 10, for those who are comfortable with it, you could try some plain hunt. I am hoping to drum up some support from the cathedral band to support branch members who are ready to ring methods on higher numbers.
Those that have previously attended have always given positive feedback about the experience. See you there!
James
Dear branch members, the branch eight bell practice is approaching in just over a week. It would be great to see you.
The practice will suit those who call ring Bob minor and would like to move on the Bob major as well as surprise major ringers.
The special method will be Cornwall surprise, but you don’t have to be able to ring this to be welcome.
James
This Friday 1st April is the branch 8 bell practice at Castor 1930h.
The special method will be Bristol. If you ring Cambridge or Yorkshire but you haven’t previously rung Bristol, you could decide to learn just 5th or 6th placed bell to reduce your homework.
If you ring Bob minor but don’t have 8 bell experience then the practice will be an opportunity to ring Bob major with support around you.
I look forward to seeing you there,
James
Please could you let me know if you are interested in attending a striking workshop at Cotterstock on Wednesday 6th April at 7pm.
As previously, the idea will be to ring something well within your comfort zone with an experienced band, in order to focus on striking.
The intention is that everybody goes home with one or two things to think about and work on at their usual practice.
Let me know,
James
Welcome to March! Our first Friday practice will be at Castor as usual this Fridayv at 1930hrs
As previously this practice will suit those that can methods on six but would like an opportunity on eight bells.
For my experienced support, and those that are learning surprise major methods, please would you come along having looked at Superlative SM. As usual Stedman will also probably feature.
See you there,
James
Do remember this Friday is the monthly branch practice, 1930hr at Castor.
The special methods will be Double Norwich and London…. back by popular request!!
If you cannot manage these yet, don’t worry there will be opportunities to ring Plain Bob8/Little Bob8.
See you there,
James
Peterborough Branch 