Dear all,

Herewith Helen’s latest update.

Please read and act on Helen’s request in the paragraph about 12 days of giving.

Happy reading,

Best wishes,

Julie

Helen’s text starts here:

To: Branch Chairs, secretaries & treasurers, please pass on to members. 

I don’t know about you, but ringing half muffled this morning sent shivers down my spine. It is such a haunting sound. A lot of Guild news this week. 

12 days of giving. 

As we approach the Christmas season, Ecclesiastical are again running their 12 days of giving campaign in December. You just have to nominate the Guild, and we go into the 12 draws that take place between the 6^th & 21^stDecember. The more nominations, the more likelihood there is of us being awarded one of 120 grants of £1000 each. This would go to the Guild’s training fund. This has received a number of applications as ringing starts up again. 

We’ve been successful in the last few years; all it needs is you to get your clicking fingers out. The link below takes you to a page with prefilled details, just scroll down the page, complete the form and submit. 

10-bell practice. 

I had a busy ringing Saturday, with the 10-bell practice at Kettering and then the Kettering branch meeting at Burton Latimer in the afternoon. It was good to see 27 people at Kettering, with a wide range of methods for those of different experience. Those present rang Little Bob Royal,  Grandsire & Stedman Caters, Cambridge, London & Bristol Royal. It gave everyone a chance to stretch themselves and to try and dust some pretty heavy cobwebs off some methods! The next practice will be 22^nd January, location will be advertised once it is finalised. 

100 club.

At the same practice we held the draw at the 10-bell practice at Kettering. Congratulations to Sarah Burrows, Peter Fleckney and Richard Allton who share this month’s prize fund of £89.57. For any information about how to become a member, or details about how to pay if you are already a member, contact Cathy Dixon, 100_club@pdg.org.uk  

Ringing World.

There are 2 articles with local interest in this week’s edition of the Ringing World, one about St Mary’s Peterborough, the other about recent recruitment activity in Rutland and the Guild’s Flying Squad’s involvement (better names for that are still welcomed!). Individual issues are available through the Ringing World website. https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/issues.php

What are you doing locally that would be of interest to other people? The editor always welcomes submissions, as does the guild newsletter editor, newsletter@pdg .org.uk Don’t hide your light under a bushel. 

Hopefully, you’ll soon be hearing from your branch with arrangements for the branch AGMs in January. These are an important opportunity for you to make sure that the branch and the Guild meets your needs – what do you want to see? Roll up your sleeves and get involved, to make it happen. 

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

Telephone: 01832 735 266

Dear all,

Herewith Helen’s latest update.

I am sure many bellringers will be having the same thoughts as Helen when you read her final paragraph.

Happy reading,

Best wishes,

Julie

Helen’s text:

To: Branch Chairs, secretaries & treasurers, please pass on to members. 

Hopefully by now you’ve found out the muffles for fitting for ringing next weekend. The answer to the seasonal question is opposite the garter hole. What’s the question? Let me know if you think you know. There are no prizes, this one’s just for pride. 

Guild updates

Just a reminder that the Guild 10- bell practice will be at Kettering next Saturday, 13^th November, from 10:30 to 12:30. 

All are welcome – the practices aim to help ringers move from being able to ring methods on 8 to starting to ring on 10. Methods previously rung have included Grandsire and Little Bob, and onto Stedman and Surprise.

The intention is to resume the 10-bell practice every other month. Contact The Master, Simon Dixon, with any queries. master@pdg.org.uk

https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/10-bell-practices

With more events taking place in branches, you can keep up to date with what is planned across the Guild via the website, the events page lists what is upcoming. https://pdg.org.uk/events

CCCBR news

The president has published his latest blog. https://cccbr.org.uk/2021/11/02/presidents-blog-46/

The CCCBR has launched a discussion site, Ringing Forums. https://www.ringingforums.org/ It aims to be a place for ringers to ask questions and debate topics in a ringing exclusive environment. It will take a while to reach a critical mass of users, but there’s some items of interest already. You need to register to post, but not to read what has bene posted. 

I wonder if I’m the only person debating quite how many jumpers it is possible to wear at once while ringing. The desire to have ventilation is becoming less comfortable as the temperature drops. I’ll let you know when I discover how many jumpers is one too many. 😊

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

Telephone: 01832 735 266

Dear all,

A good and positive update from Helen.

There are dates for the diary if you are a 10 bell ringer, wish to ring on the eve of the COP26 and a reminder about ringing for Remembrance Sunday.

The CCCBR President’s blogs will be of interest if you wish to hear more about a ringing recruitment campaign, news on the Jubilee celebrations and questions on where to take the new Mobile Belfry 2.0.

There is also a positive update on the Northampton Old Black Lion and St Peter’s project.

Happy reading,

Best wishes,

Julie

Helen’s text starts:

To Branch Chairs, secretaries & treasurers – please pass on to members.  It’s certainly turned autumnal recently. I’ve fetched my jumpers from the back of the wardrobe and back into regular use. I’d like to remind you all at that the clocks go backwards on Sunday, 31^st October. If you’re ringing for morning service, you can have that little bit of a lie in. Enjoy!! 

Guild updates
Guild 10 bell practicesWe are pleased to announce the resumption of the Guild bi-monthly 10-bell practices.  The first is taking place Saturday 13th November, 10:30 to 12:30 at Kettering. All are welcome – the practices aim to help ringers move from being able to ring methods on 8 to starting to ring on 10. Methods previously rung have included Grandsire and Little Bob, and onto Stedman and Surprise.The intention is to resume the 10-bell practice every other month. Contact The Master, Simon Dixon, with any queries. master@pdg.org.uk
https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/10-bell-practices

100 Club
The October 100 club draw winners are Norman Pope, Helen Cornford and Andy Bimson. Congratulations to all three. Cheques will be in the post. Contact Cathy Dixon if you need to know when your membership is due for renewal and details of how to pay or to join. 100_club@pdg.org.uk 

The Guild’s officers met recently to discuss the future. What would help us is knowing what you want to see from your Guild. Do let us know.  

CCCBR news
In the month since my last update, the CCCBR president has blogged twice:
https://cccbr.org.uk/2021/10/05/presidents-blog-44/
https://cccbr.org.uk/2021/10/19/presidents-blog-45/

Other news
COP 26
The CofE is supporting an initiative to ring bells on the eve of the COP 26 climate conference in Glasgow. If your incumbent is agreeable, you might like to consider ringing on the 30th of October. https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/…/church-bell-ringers… 

Northampton Old Black Lion and St Peter’s project. 
West Northamptonshire council approved the business case for a Towns Fund grant for the St Peter’s and the Old Black Lion Project. The project has received £315,000 from the Towns Fund, plus a £150,000 Section 106 grant. The lease from the Council was also approved. This is an important step in the restoration of the Old Black Lion and the surrounding area.  And one final piece of timely advice, with Remembrance Sunday coming up. It is usual to muffle bells at backstroke, but as long as they’re all muffled the same way, the majority of those listening downstairs or outside will not know the difference. Remembrance Sunday is often a service with a higher than usual attendance. It is an opportunity for bells and ringers to play a role in the wider community and hopefully many towers will be ringing in muffled sadness this year.  

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
Telephone: 01832 735 266

Dear all,

Helen’s update is a good read. It includes an online version of the Guild newsletter with contributions from many towers. There are also details of the Guild Quiz. I have 50 paper copies of the quiz being delivered to me, so if anyone would like some to sell for £1 per copy please let me know.

Congratulations to the 100 Club winners – see if you are one of them!

A date for your diary. Peterborough Branch will host the Guild AGM on Saturday 11 June 2022.

Best wishes,

Julie

Helen’s text starts:

To Branch Chairs, Secretaries & Treasurers – please pass on to members. 

It was lovely to see so many people at the Summer Festival yesterday, and even the weather co-operated – the sun shone and people gathered to chat and ring. The informal contest saw 4 teams drawn at random from those present and resulted in a win for team 2, for which they were warmly applauded.  

Guild updates

100 Club

The Summer festival saw the first draw of the 100 club after it had been put into hibernation through covid. There were 172 members paid up, meaning prizes were £56.76, £20.64 and £13.76. These were won by Ruth Stokes (94), Tim Samson (104) and Jane Webb (144) respectively. The amount members were in credit in March last year has carried forward. Contact Cathy Dixon if you need to know when your membership is due for renewal and details of how to pay or to join. 100_club@pdg.org.uk

Newsletter

The Guild’s newsletter is now available. Paper copies will be circulated to towers. It is also available online, here:  https://pdg.org.uk/newsletters/newsletter_202109.pdf. Have a read and see what is going on across the Guild. The intention is to publish the newsletter more frequently, making it more timely in sharing information. The next print deadline will be the end of January, to capture all the fun goings on between now and into Christmas/New Year.  You can contact Jonathan Stuart with any comments or to ask for additional copies. newsletter@pdg.org.uk

Guild Quiz

The 2021 Guild Quiz is now available. A new quiz master sees a new format, no theme just 10 questions in 6 very different subjects and styles. No ringing knowledge required, so suitable to sell to friends, family, neighbours, acquaintances and total strangers. Bundles have been prepared for branches to sell, it is also available as a pdf from the Guild Secretary, mail me if you want a copy on secretary@pdg.org.uk. Answers need to be in by the end of January to be in with a chance of winning a prize!

Photo contest

For the 100th anniversary, in 2024, the Guild will be producing a calendar for the year, decorated with images of churches within the Peterborough Diocese. The calendar will be produced with images in landscape format A4 size. Many towers may look better in portrait than landscape, so submissions can be a single landscape image or a selection of images of a single church to produce a collage. Images may be an external view of the church or tower, of the bells or installation, or architectural features of the church – be as inventive and artistic as you like. Images of a vibrant town centre church would be as interesting as an idyllic country church in a peaceful landscape. Images showing different seasons are particularly welcomed. 
Pictures must be of churches within the boundaries of the Peterborough diocese with three or more bells hung for ringing. The bells do not need to be ringable. For ideas about towers, see the Towers section of the Guild website. The competition is open to anyone and closes on the 1st September 2022, with winners to be announced at the Summer Festival that month. The three best images, as judged by the 100th Anniversary Committee, will be the recipient of a 100th Anniversary Calendar each for the photographer and for the tower pictured. Terms and conditions are in the newsletter and on the website, see here: https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/photo-contest. Entries to be e-mailed to photos100@pdg.org.uk. Good luck! 

CCCBR updates:
The president’s blog reaches edition 43. https://cccbr.org.uk/2021/09/21/presidents-blog-43/

Lots to keep you busy there, and I hope to hear from you on one subject or another. I’m about to get busy with events in 2022, after a very slow start 2021 is now flying by. 

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

Telephone: 01832 735 266

Dear all,

Good afternoon,

Here is Helen’s latest update. Please note the date of the next Guild meeting.

Helen has also asked that information on future Branch events be sent to the Guild Webmaster for inclusion in the Guild Events calendar.

Best wishes,

Julie

Helen’s text:

To: Branch Chair, secretaries & treasurers. Please circulate to members. 

That made a nice change – I was able to attend Kettering’s branch meeting on Saturday afternoon; two sixes, nice weather and a convenient pub afterwards – what was not to like! Thank you for having us. Wellingborough are having their first branch event this Saturday. It’s good to see branches making steps back to ringing as well as towers. It’s an important part of ringing to get out and about to other towers and bells and to enjoy chatting to people again (Yes, I know ringing masters disapprove of too much of that while they’re trying to arrange ringing!)

Guild news

The next Guild meeting is a fortnight away, on Saturday 25^th September at Thrapston. There will be open ringing at 3 pm and an informal contest before the business meeting at 5 pm. See here for details: https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/summer-festival. Nomination for Safeguarding Officer can be sent to me ahead of the meeting or taken at the meeting. Advance notice of any other items of business would be appreciated. 

If you want to see what events are taking place across the Guild, please check out the Guild website, they are listed on the Events page: https://pdg.org.uk/events

Can branches please let the webmaster (webmaster@pdg.org.uk) know of any changes, cancellations, or additions so that the page can be kept up to date. Tower special events taking place within the Guild can also be included, as an event or a news item, just let the webmaster know. Until things are entirely back to normal, it would be as well to confirm that an event is taking place before travelling any great distance. 

CCCBR

The president’s latest blog, with additional mathematics, is available here: https://cccbr.org.uk/2021/09/08/presidents-blog-6×9/

Youth Ringing

This weekend saw the National Youth Ringing competition, hosted at Worcester. Teams from across the country took part, ringing rounds or methods in the contests. Kent and Oxford were successful. At this event the Young Change Ringers Association was launched. https://ycra.org.uk/ This is a national association for young ringers (under 30) to encourage the younger ringers. If you have some in your tower you might like to point them in that direction. 

The Guild is aiming to gather young ringers is our area to enable younger ringers to ring with other of their age group. If you are or have young ringers in your tower, please get in touch with Nich Wilson on young_ringers@pdg.org.uk to find out more. Helpers of a less young variety are also appreciated!

Hopefully see some of you at events in the next few weeks. 

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,

Good afternoon. Here we are on 1 September and officially it is the start of Autumn. Whilst Autumn means eight months of 2021 have already passed us by, with little or no ringing for many towers. The positive is that more bell towers are getting back to ringing for practice and Sunday services. Feel free to communicate your Tower activities to Helen if you haven’t already done so.

Enjoy reading Helen’s update and note the opportunity to ring on 30 October……….

Best wishes,

Julie

Helen’s text:

To: Branch Chairs, Secretaries & Treasurers. Please circulate to your members

I’m not sure what happened to Monday being a SUMMER bank holiday, it didn’t look a lot like summer where I was. Hopefully, you managed to do something that wasn’t dependent on sunny weather – or you have your own personal break in the cloud to take care of that. 

Guild news:

It was good to see so many people brave the inclement weather for the (Not the) Spring meeting. Hopefully we’ll see more of you at the next meeting, which will be the Guild’s Summer Festival, to be held on 25^th September at Thrapston from 3 pm. This usually hosts the inter-branch 8 bell contest. However this year it will be a little bit different, with open ringing from 3 pm and an informal striking contest for those who wish to (or can be coerced into) taking part. There will be drinks available in the church hall from 3 pm, feel free to bring a picnic if the weather gods decide to smile on us this time. 

There will be a business meeting to follow, at 5 pm. An actual in person meeting. Golly!

Details and a poster can be found here: https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/summer-festival

Safeguarding Officer:

There remains a need for the Guild to have someone dedicated to supporting and recording safeguarding coverage in the Guild. This role was new at the Guild AGM and remains unfilled. If you are interested, a role description is attached, or please contact me to find out more. Nominations could be made at the Summer meeting for a vacant post. 

Guild clothing:

The Guild is continuing to offer clothing embroidered with the Guild logo. Details can be found on the website and orders are made through Cathy Dixon, e-mail her on pro@pdg.org.uk  There is some customisation available, with your tower or benefice being embroidered below the logo, if you choose. 

Branch meetings:

It is good to hear of more branches that are beginning to put on their monthly meetings again. Towcester, Wellingborough, Peterborough & Kettering have already or are aiming to hold meetings or practices for the branch in September. If I’ve missed your branch activity, please feel free to bring me up to date. 

CCCBR:

The President’s latest blog where admits to a dubious relationship with the truth regarding his holiday destination… https://cccbr.org.uk/2021/08/24/presidents-holiday-blog-41/Here we are

Annual Meeting

This weekend sees the CCCBR annual meeting, again to be held virtually. Hopefully that will go smoothly and we’ll have an update from our representatives at the Summer Festival. Papers are available here if you have a desire to see what is going on. https://cccbr.org.uk/about/annual-meetings/2021-meeting/

COP26

You may well have seen that the United Nations Climate change conference is being held in Glasgow at the start of November. If your ringers or your church feel so inclined, you might like to ring to raise awareness of this important event. I know that some churches have been increasingly vocal on this subject in recent years. Suggested ringing would be on the eve of the conference, 30^th October at 6 pm, although ringing at any time that suits the band and church would be equally relevant. https://cccbr.org.uk/2021/08/31/cop26-united-nations-climate-change-conference/

And that’s all for now, folks. Hope to see you at the Summer Festival, or at branch events in the coming months. 

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

Telephone: 01832 735 266

Dear all,

Good morning on this rather damp and miserable August day.

While Helen’s update is short, there are plenty of good reads in it including the President’s latest blog, where he is promoting an on-line publication entitled “Calling it Round”. For those wanting to progress to calling and conducting, this could be part of your way forward.

Best wishes,

Julie

Helen’s text:

To: Branch Chairs, Secretaries & Treasurers. Please circulate to your members

Just a reminder of the (Not the) Spring festival, the guild ringing and social event taking place this Saturday, 21st August at SS Peter & Paul church, Abington, Northampton, from 3 to 5 pm. It will be an opportunity for general ringing and the chance to catch up with ringers from across the Guild. If you wish to, please bring a picnic, including drinks of your choice.

The church has a number of requirements for those attending, in order to keep attendees and those using the church safe. Please see https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/spring-meetingfor more details.

A poster is available to circulate, available here: https://pdg.org.uk/forms/Not_the_Spring_meeting.pdf

In other CCCBR news:

The president’s latest blog: https://cccbr.org.uk/2021/08/10/presidents-blog-40/

The Westley award for church bell maintenance and improvement 2021 was presented recently: https://cccbr.org.uk/2021/08/06/westley-award-for-church-bell-maintenance-and-improvement-2021/

It might be that your church is considering opening for the annual Heritage open days, from 10^th to 19^th September. Think about if you can use the opportunity to engage the public in the history and art of bellringing. https://cccbr.org.uk/2021/08/10/heritage-open-day-10th-19th-september-2021/

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

Telephone: 01832 735 266

Dear all,

Herewith the latest news from Helen Allton about Guild events happening very soon. Check your diary folks…..

Best wishes,

Julie

Helen’s text :

The first Guild event in almost 2 years will be held on 21st August at SS Peter & Paul church, Abington, Northampton, from 3 to 5 pm. It will be an opportunity for general ringing and the chance to catch up with ringers from across the Guild. If you wish to, please bring a picnic, including drinks of your choice.

The church has a number of requirements for those attending, in order to keep attendees and those using the church safe. Please see https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/spring-meetingfor more details.

A poster is available to circulate, available here: https://pdg.org.uk/forms/Not_the_Spring_meeting.pdf

Arrangements for the Summer Festival for the 25^th September are underway. Arrangements will be announced shortly. 

In other CCCBR news:

The president struggles with a cat/mask incident. https://cccbr.org.uk/2021/07/27/presidents-blog-39/  

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

Telephone: 01832 735 266

Dear all,

Below is Helen’s latest update. Whilst it is good news that proper ringing in towers is returning, there are still areas of concern to be aware of.

Helen makes reference to The Flying Squad, aka “The Sweeney” in her update, so if you are intrigued, read on!

Best wishes,

Julie

Start of Helen’s text:

To: Branch Chairs, Secretaries & Treasurers

With the government’s announcement of relaxation in legal restrictions from the 19^th, the CCCBR has been working with the CofE and has updated its guidance. It can be found here: https://cccbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Guidance-at-a-glance-2.0-3.pdf

While ringing is allowed, it will vary across different towers with different situations and populations. We should bear in mind that some people may not yet be ready to mingle in an unlimited manner, or to be shoulder to shoulder in an enclosed space. We should also be mindful of an increasing infection rate and the impact that could have on the band. Remember that all ringing is with the permission of the incumbent and they could set additional restrictions. 

In light of this, if any tower or branch finds that it needs some assistance in getting back to ringing, or brushing the rust off some methods, please contact the Master, Simon Dixon, for support using master@pdg.org.uk. The Flying squad are poised and ready to help. There’s a sentence I never thought I’d be writing! 

Other CCCBR news

CCCBR President’s latest blog: https://cccbr.org.uk/2021/07/13/presidents-blog-38/

The CCCBR is running a photo competition to generate a gallery of good quality images of various aspects of ringing. The first round is completed, and the winners can be viewed here: https://cccbr.org.uk/2021/07/09/round-1-photo-competition-winners/ . Round 2 is bells and installations and details of how to enter can be found here: https://cccbr.org.uk/competition/

And with that I will leave you to enjoy your sunny weekend, as I’m just about to enjoy mine. 

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

Telephone: 01832 735 266

Dear all,

Please find Helen’s latest update below.

To all those ringing this evening for the NHS, to honour their service during the pandemic, do ring your hearts out.

Best wishes,

Julie

Helen’s text:

It appears that today is “thank you day” an opportunity to thank those members of our communities who make a difference to those around them. In which case I’d like to thank the members of the bellringing community and those who hold office at branch or Guild level. 

Thank you. One and all. 

Guild news

If you were unable to make the Guild AGM, or were maybe not paying complete attention, there’s a write up of the meeting available on the website. https://www.pdg.org.uk/latest-news/agm-2021-report

CCCBR update

The President’s latest blog is available here. I’m not sure about his predilection for cricket, I’ve been getting my sport watching fix with Wimbledon. https://cccbr.org.uk/2021/06/30/presidents-blog-37/

There’s also a latest edition of the Survival & Recovery newsletter. https://cccbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Survival-Recovery-Newsheet-Issue-6.pdf Just to remind you that the Guild has a CO2 monitor that can be borrowed – requests to John Beresford – steward@pdg.org.uk

Hopefully some of you will be able to be involved in the NHS thank you day on 5^th July. https://cccbr.org.uk/2021/05/28/nhs-social-care-frontline-workers-day-5th-july-2021/ Don’t forget to submit your ringing to Bellboard, linking to the event. It would be good to get a good representation form the Guild. 

Hopefully more ringers’ minds are turning towards ringing, if you’ve not already. For those who have, it seems that the muscle memory is still there and the method memory is beginning to have the dust blown off. Don’t be afraid to ask for some support, it’s there for you if we know you want it.

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

telephone: 01832 735266