Hopefully the clocks going back didn’t leave anyone standing outside their tower an hour early, feeling all alone. I felt like I spent quite a lot of my extra hour putting the clocks in the house right. Hope you made more of yours!

Guild News

The Guild newsletter is available online. Due to ongoing issues with distribution and ability to read it once in the tower, this edition will again be electronic only. http://btckstorage.blob.core.windows.net/site8108/GuildNewsletterOct20.pdf

The 2020 Guild Quiz is now available for the princely price of £1. 100 questions to amuse, bemuse and confuse. Submit your entry by the end of January for a chance to win one of 3 cash prizes for the most correct answers. Get one from your branch or direct from the Guild Secretary.  

Meet the President

As the new President can’t meet you at branch events and practices at the moment, he invites you to meet him via Zoom. Over the next 5 weekends there are sessions for each branch. Starting at 6pm, you can access the sessions via the link: http://bit.ly/PDGPresident  

Ringing in Tiers.

With the potential for some areas moving out of Tier 1 at some time in the future, the Guild has been in touch with the diocese on the subject. The Bishop’s office views service ringing as part of worship and are of the opinion that if the church concerned continues to have worship in person, then ringing can potentially continue at the church for the service. This is providing that ringing takes place in accordance with the updated risk assessment, that suitable measures (including distancing, face coverings and sanitiser) are applied and that the incumbent agrees that ringing can continue. Obviously different towers and churches are in different situations and a one-size-fits-all approach cannot necessarily be applied. Good communication between ringers and incumbents is key. Please get in touch should you need any support. 

In the last week, the Central Council has updated its opinion on ringing when an area is in Tiers 2 & 3. This is available on their website: https://cccbr.org.uk/2020/10/23/tiers-2-and-3-in-england-update/

Central Council updates

October’s category in the YouTube competition is for the most effective instructional video (could be handling, maintenance, rope splicing, etc). Details of how to enter are here: https://cccvgvbr.org.uk/youtube-competition/

The President published his 20^th blog: https://cccbr.org.uk/2020/10/13/presidents-blog-20/

Practical matters

It’s heading towards the time of year when tail ends get damp and stiff. The link below is instructions to make a rope warmer to reduce the effects of damp. https://www.ringing.info/odg_leaflet_5.pdf

When teaching people to ring it’s often better to have the bell silenced in the early stages to allow for one to one lessons without annoying the neighbours! There are various ways to silence bells, some easier and quicker to use than others.

Brain training

This will get your logic muscles working. It’s a nonogram. This is a logic puzzle where the numbers next to each row (or column) indicate the number of coloured squares in that row (or column). Where there are two numbers, there are two blocks of coloured squares, with the blocks comprising of the number given and must have at least 1 empty cell between them. A little example, and solution, before you launch onto the larger puzzle.

This word search includes methods starting with one of the higher scoring letters, it’s J for JUMP! https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/186298512975547

Get the brain moving with a word, number and logic puzzles from past editions of The Ringing World.

And finally a bit of light relief, courtesy of Isabelle, who has a troublesome band… https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/185229953082403

Helen Allton

Secretary: Peterborough Diocesan Guild of Church Bellringers

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR

Website: http://www.pdg.btck.co.uk/

e-mail: secretary@pdg.org.uk

telephone: 01832 735266

Ringing in Tiers.

The introduction of Tiers with different permissions across England raises the question of what to do should an area be put into Tier 2 or 3. The Central Council’s opinion is available on their website: https://cccbr.org.uk/2020/10/16/england-tier-2-and-tier-3-restrictions/. 

In some diocese, ringing is being viewed as part of worship, and has been considered acceptable to continue while in a Tier 2 area. In which case it might be that some towers may decide, in conjunction with the incumbent, that they can continue to ring. This would be contingent on always taking appropriate care and updating the risk assessment to capture the latest situation. The Guild would remind you that ringing is always to take place with the incumbent’s permission. 

Guild Newsletter

The Autumn edition of the Guild newsletter is now available. This will, again, be a purely electronic edition. This is due to the ongoing issues relating to distribution and the lack of opportunity to read the newsletter in the tower. If there is a need for a limited number of printed copies, please get in touch and we’ll do what we can to assist. 

The usual update will follow next week. 

Thanks

Helen

Hello everyone

Wasn’t it lovely when the sun came out this morning. Walking down to Warmington church and seeing it outlined against a deep blue sky was a very cheering sight, only bettered in the happiness stakes by having my first ring of the bells in 7 months!

I hope you are all keeping well. Helen’s update from the Guild follows.

Best wishes

Sylvia

Not sure who has turned winter on all of a sudden! The heating might need to go on soon. The chill in the air could almost make me pleased not to be having to attend a cold, draughty tower – almost, but not quite. 

Return to Ringing

An update on the situation with respect to ringing was published in the Ringing World this week. It can be read here: https://cccbr.org.uk/2020/10/09/further-development-of-coronavirus-guidance-the-path-ahead/

The more towards localised risk assessment, taking into account a more rounded review of risk than simply distance between ropes, is to be welcomed. The Guild has resources to aid towers in performing and documenting a risk assessment, which can be found here: http://www.pdg.btck.co.uk/LATESTGUILDNEWS#ANCHORC19restart

If you’re at all uncertain, please get in touch and the Guild will do what it can to help. 

Puzzle time

These towers would all practice on a Monday, can you grab them in turn and slot them into the grid? https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/182354970036568

One for the wordsmiths and scrabble fiends. How many words (of 3 letters or more) can you make from Peterborough? What’s your highest scoring word?? The most fun word to say???

A cross word with no words this time. The answers to all the clues are numbers, and they fit into the grid as indicated. https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/183987023206696

A word puzzle for you. Can you change 1 letter, and rearrange the letters, if necessary, to make a sequence of words to convert the top word into the bottom word. There’s a worked example to get you started, hand to back in 3 moves. How many do you need to solve the other puzzles? https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/185571289714936

Training to ring

Have you ever seen an unusual apparatus in a tower and wondered what it was? Click on the link to see it in action! https://youtu.be/qBAN6Pgx3VY Maybe even see if yours can be got going safely?

An excellent video to introduce ringing in general and Ringing Room in particular. https://youtu.be/l0mYK8QQx8w

How do you keep your concentration when ringing a touch, a quarter or a peal? Maybe this will help….. https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/how-to-improve-concentration#brain-training

Ringing in art and news 

1^st October was national poetry month. I picked Myfanwy by John Betjeman for mentioning bells. Which is your favourite poem mentioning bells? https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/183326273272771

I’m sure a lot of us could relate to the emotion in this article. https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/bring-back-westminster-abbeys-bells

Central Council

The President released his 19^th Blog. https://cccbr.org.uk/2020/09/29/presidents-blog-19/

That’s it for this time, stay safe, keep your spirits up and we’ll be in touch again soon.

Helen

Helen Allton

Secretary: Peterborough Diocesan Guild of Church Bellringers

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR

Website: http://www.pdg.btck.co.uk/

e-mail: secretary@pdg.org.uk

telephone: 01832 735266

I’ve been trying to get out as many Guild reports as possible but still have a few towers that I haven’t been able to deliver to. If you are still waiting for your copy my apologies – it has been a bit difficult this year. I will now post some and will of course slip a few copies of this year’s Guild quiz in the envelope in the hopes that you can buy / sell a few.

The committee have been discussing the Branch AGM and have decided it will be held via Zoom on January 16 th at 2 pm. Details about how to join will be sent out nearer the time.

Best wishes to you all

Sylvia

Seems like autumn has arrived all of a sudden this week, although there’s less in the way of change to report in ringing. The introduction of the “Rule of Six” has been determined to have little impact on ringing, with very few towers being able to ring more than 6 at present with the current distance requirements. Latest information can be found from the Central Council website. https://cccbr.org.uk/coronavirus/

Guild news

The Guild AGM went off surprisingly well, using the Zoom platform and webinar add on. Geoff stood down as President and Alistair Donaldson was elected. You can find more about Alistair on the Guild website, http://btckstorage.blob.core.windows.net/site8108/AGM%20Alistair%20Donaldson%20CV%20(2).pdf. There were 2 nominations for Life Honorary Membership, with Sue Jones and Richard Yates both being approved by the meeting. Congratulations to both of them. A summary of the meeting can be found here: http://www.pdg.btck.co.uk/LATESTGUILDNEWS#ANCHORAGM2020

Having completed the Guild AGM, thoughts turn to Branch AGMs. According to the Guild’s rules, all branches have to hold an AGM in January. Each branch will be working through the process by which they’ll plan to achieve this, look out for news locally. 

Central Council News

The President presented his latest blog. https://cccbr.org.uk/2020/09/16/presidents-blog-18/

You have just a few more days to enter September’s YouTube contest (Best showcase of school or university ringing) while October’s theme is Most effective instructional video (could be handling, maintenance, rope splicing, etc). More details on past winners and how to enter can be found here: https://cccbr.org.uk/youtube-competition/

Presenting Ringing

Bells on Sunday this week is something a bit different – a news report from my old home tower about the return to ringing and the difficulties that exist. It’s a good piece, have a look and share to your communities to explain what we’re up against. 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-nottinghamshire-54191120

Training showcase

How much do you know about bell tuning? Read on to learn more…. http://www.hibberts.co.uk/tuning.htm

A “well I never” moment today, courtesy of the National Churches Trust, featuring Brixworth as their church of the week. https://www.facebook.com/nationalchurchestrust/posts/5126884547337008

Bell ringing and maths, a bit of light reading! https://plus.maths.org/content/ringing-changes

Brain teasers

Towcester tower has been having a Zoom get together and quiz in lieu of practice night. It had to happen, finally someone produced a quiz about ringing. See if you do any better than we did! https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/179212487017483

I spy with my little eye, something beginning with I. In this case a lot of methods beginning with I are hidden in the wordsearch. Can you spy them out?https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/181902826748449

Picture Post

A picture of the band that rang the first quarter on the new 10 at All Saints, Northampton. 14 years ago this week. While you’re not ringing, how about plotting your dream project – then go and make it happen! https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=55033  https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/181608680111197

Our last in the current series of how well do you know your guild features some elder statesmen when they were a little less elder… Who can you identify? https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/179965420275523

And just to let you know that the Guild quiz for 2020 will start being circulated through the branches and will be available direct from me on request. Cost a whole £1 as usual. 

Thanks

Helen

Helen Allton

Secretary: Peterborough Diocesan Guild of Church Bellringers

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR

Website: http://www.pdg.btck.co.uk/

e-mail: secretary@pdg.org.uk

telephone: 01832 735266

Quite a lot to get through this time, so I’ll crack on.

Guild news

Reminder that the Guild AGM takes place at 6 pm next Saturday, 19^th September. With the recent restriction on gatherings the decision to go virtual is looking like a sensible move! You can find the meeting papers here: http://www.pdg.btck.co.uk/AGM2020 and you can register here: https://bit.ly/PDGAGM2020

We do have an attendance limit of 100, so make sure you get in early… J

The Guild has also decided to postpone the deadline for the Autumn edition of the newsletter to the end of September. Make sure you get your stories of how you’ve kept your bands together in lockdown and how you’ve found returning to ringing to your branch PRO or the newsletter editor. 

Return to Ringing

The restriction on gathering to no more than 6 has been determined not to apply, in general, to churches. It is far to say that things are still being worked through. There are also the current local situations to consider. While that in Northampton seems to have improved, that in Corby & Wellingborough has not. Any bands that have bene or are planning on ringing should remain in touch with their incumbent. 

The Central Council guidance has not yet changed to allow closer distancing while ringing, although that remains under consideration. The interval between s=ringing sessions has been reduced from 72 to 48 hours. Information is updated weekly and is available here: https://cccbr.org.uk/coronavirus/  

Central Council news

The Central Council held its annual meeting last weekend via Zoom. The Guild’s representatives will provide an update at the AGM. The President wrote an addition blog, the view from the Captain’s chair. https://cccbr.org.uk/2020/09/11/captains-blog-supplemental-agm-sketch-from-the-chair/

There is also the regular fortnightly blog number 17. https://cccbr.org.uk/2020/09/01/presidents-blog-17/

The winner of the August YouTube contest was announced, this was judged by a non-ringer with mathematical and musical experience, which makes her remarks interesting. https://cccbr.org.uk/2020/09/09/august-youtube-winner/

September’s YouTube contest is looking for the best showcase of school or university ringing. More details can be found here: https://cccbr.org.uk/youtube-competition/

The other item of interest is the investigation of gender in ringing. Any experiences, both positive and negative, can be shared via the webpage that has been set up. You can choose to contribute but not to publish your experiences to the website. https://www.womeninringing.info/

Training showcase

Do you know what coursing order is and how it helps in bell ringing? The attached article may help. http://allsaintswokinghambells.org.uk/methods/CoursingOrder.pdf

My favourite method is Stedman, it’s just beautiful. So let’s see if this can convert you to the cause. https://youtu.be/Ebhxt_fltmY

Brain teasers

The wordsearch features methods beginning with H. https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/175733457365386

A crossword puzzle from a past edition of The Ringing World. Don’t let the crossword make you cross. https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/176734127265319

Stretching the brain with a word, number and logic puzzles from past editions of The Ringing World. https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/177455237193208

These are all visual clues to method names. The first one is easy, they get more, um, random from there. https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/178388050433260

We continue our series of how well do you know your Guild with three long serving ladies of the Guild. https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/176266167312115

And finally, some good news. The Kettering branch cyclists successfully completed their ride around Rutland water last weekend. It’s not too late to sponsor them for the BRF. Well done guys. https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/178082950463770

I hope to see as many of you as possible at the AGM next week. Until that’s done I will have my fingers firmly crossed that all goes to plan! 

Thanks

Helen

Helen Allton

Secretary: Peterborough Diocesan Guild of Church Bellringers

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR

Website: http://www.pdg.btck.co.uk/

e-mail: secretary@pdg.org.uk

telephone: 01832 735266

Good morning everyone and I hope you are having a happy bank holiday Monday. Helen’s update follows.

Best wishes

Sylvia

I’m not sure what’s happened to Summer recently! The air has had a distinctly autumnal feel. Let’s hope for some more cheerful weather – and news – in the final third of the year.

Guild News

There’s a lot to report. The Guild AGM is going to be held on Saturday 19^thSeptember at 6 pm. As an in person AGM is currently impractical, we are going to be using Zoom. You can register to attend using this link. https://bit.ly/PDGAGM2020It will request your name and e-mail address in order to send you a unique link to join the meeting. If your household intend to join on different devices, you will need to register separately. Any questions, please get in touch with me.

In order to help with a smooth running of a meeting, any apologies, AOB, matter arising and nominations to be with the Secretary by 14^th September.

The lack of ability to currently ring all bells and for bands to ring consecutively means that the striking competition of the Summer festival is a non-starter. This event will be cancelled for 2020.

David Dainty and Bill Adcock are intending to undertake their cycle ride round Rutland water on 5^th September. This is sponsored to raise funds for the Bell Fund. They would appreciate any support you can offer. This was originally scheduled for April, but was postponed due to lockdown.

Mental Exercise

A wordsearch of method beginning with Ghttps://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/172217811050284

A word fit of rings of 5 https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/174012917537440

Portmanteau places. There are some 60 or so towers in the diocese that have place names that are made up of 2 or more words. The file contains the first, middle and last parts of all those places. How many places can you find? Or what’s the most fun place you can invent?? https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/175039727434759

Ringing Training

Now we are getting back to a little bit of ringing but usually not on all the bells due to social distancing, how many methods do you know on 4 bells?

https://cccbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/ac_minimus.pdf

How well do you know your Guild

Some more officers when they were a little younger than they currently are. Three ladies and three gents to tax you. https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/173025050969560 and https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/174793417459390

Return to Ringing

Again, there has been little change to guidance since the last update. Ringing may take place with the incumbent’s permission, it does not have to be exclusively for a service. As an example, this opens the way for ringing on a Sunday, as an indication that the church is present in the community, even if there is not a service. The remainder of the guidance remains in place.

Central Council News

The Central Council produced a set of documents to encourage people to volunteer to assist the Council. These are available here: https://cccbr.org.uk/resources/volunteering-with-the-council/

The Central Council meeting will be held next weekend, virtually rather than in Nottingham. Meeting papers are available at the bottom of this page: https://cccbr.org.uk/about/annual-meetings/2020-meeting/ Any questions or comments can be put to the Guild Reps, Simon Dixon, Nick Elks, Jane Sibson or David Westerman.

The President produced his latest blog post. https://cccbr.org.uk/2020/08/18/presidents-blog-16/ I’ve rung with someone who’d rung with William Pye, funny how history can be just a step away.

And finally…

A cartoon  that may reflect the current situation. https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/174350157503716

Stay well and see you soon

Helen

Helen Allton

Secretary: Peterborough Diocesan Guild of Church Bellringers

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR

Website: http://www.pdg.btck.co.uk/

e-mail: secretary@pdg.org.uk

telephone: 01832 735266

An update on how to attend the Guild AGM:

Registration does not have to come through the secretary, it can be direct with the AGM meeting. The link to register is here: https://bit.ly/PDGAGM2020

The registration simply asks for your name and an email address. You will then receive an invitation that is unique to you. This helps us manage attendees.

Any business, matters arising or nominations still need to come to the secretary, as can any questions or queries.

Thanks

Helen

The AGM is to be held virtually via Zoom on Saturday 19th September 2020 at 6 pm. Full details will be available at: www.pdg.btck.co.uk/AGM2020.

Items of AOB, nominations and matters arising to be submitted to the Secretary  in advance, to be received by 14th September.

All members intending to attend are required to register with Secretary to receive joining details: secretary@pdg.org.uk or 01832 735266

The Exec debated the various options open to the Guild. It was felt that a physical meeting held too many limitations and risks at the present time. The constitution requires and AGM to be held, so a virtual meeting was the only option. Other societies have successfully held their AGM via Zoom, so we can learn from best practice. We are aware that some people would appreciate some assistance, so will be providing step by step guides to joining. We hope to host some practice sessions as well. Members should be aware that they do not have to have a webcam to join and contribute to the meeting. It is possible to join via a telephone line only, although that would preclude the option of voting.

The Summer Festival, postponed to 3^rdOctober, has been cancelled for 2020. The inability to ring 8 bells and to ring consecutively makes a striking contest impossible at present. Towcester will hold the trophy for a bonus year. No, they don’t get their name on it again.

If there are any questions, please get in touch.

Good afternoon

Have many of you been able to return to ringing? Do you enjoy receiving a weekly newsheet from the Guild while so many of us are not meeting in person? It would be good to give Helen some feedback and help her decide how often to write to us.

Please get in touch with any  comments you’d like to make. You can contact me here

Best wishes

Sylvia

Helen’s message:

Not a huge amount of change this week. More towers rang again at the weekend, as more churches begin to have services. It feels that we’re making progress but still have a long way to go. Certainly open practices are not yet on the horizon. In some instances a church may be having a service, but ringing may be problematic. In that case, you might consider ringing some handbells in the churchyard or porch, to be an audible indication that ringers are part of the church even if you can’t actually ring yet. Need not be anything other than rounds, most people will just appreciate the sound and the effort you’ve made. We have some resources to help you start in this week’s training slot.

Return to ringing

Little change this week. The Church of England published guidance on facemasks which said: “We strongly advise that face coverings should be worn by all those attending a place of worship, including ministers, worshippers, staff, volunteers, contractors and visitors, where there may be other people present; remembering that they are mainly intended to protect other people, not the wearer, from coronavirus COVID-19 and that they are not a replacement for physical distancing and regular hand washing.”

Then Central Council goes on to say that “Although we have not had explicit instruction that this includes bellringers, the Church considers bellringers to fall under ‘volunteers’ and we must therefore assume that facemasks should also be worn for ringing.” It could be argued that they should also be worn for passing through the church to get to the ringing chamber (assuming you don’t have an external tower access).

The Guild expects that towers will continue with their risk assessment to identify risks and introduce actions to mitigate those, where possible. They must also obtain permission from the incumbent before ringing. This process remains unchanged.

Training slot

Why not try something new and have a go at handbell ringing? You can do this through Ringing Room so it doesn’t matter if you don’t have any handbell ringers nearby. This video is a good place to start, it helps you understand the basics before you have a go. If you want to try handbells in Ringing Room please get in touch with us and we can help you get that organised. https://youtu.be/93_0MmAjxo4

Bells on Sunday

I hope more of you have been able to ring for your services. This week’s bells on Sunday comes from St Peter’s church, Curdridge in Hampshire. They clearly have great taste, as they are ringing Stedman.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000l71s

Saturday Debate

This week’s Saturday debate is how to cut sandwiches at a ringing tea. We clearly have some classy ladies in the Guild, who prefer to cut into 4 triangles. Join the conversation on the Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/160313275574071

Mental Exercise

Today’s mental exercise is to fit the 23 mythical beasts into the grid provided. As this is related to ringing, they are all method names and have been rung in a peal. Can you work out which one of the method names might be the “odd one out”. https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/164401605165238

Continuing the theme of how well do you know your Guild. This cheeky chappie grew up to be one of your Guild officers; who do you think it is? https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/165906028348129

Central Council Updates

The president is at it again. Blog 14. Guild news this time includes John Beresford, our Guild Steward, stepping forward to provide the Stewardship workgroup with the benefit of his technical expertise. https://cccbr.org.uk/2020/07/21/presidents-blog-14

And the results of the June YouTube contest were announced. The winner was Tim Handbell Robot, who, it turns out, is not a robot at all! Shocking!! You can view the winner here: https://youtu.be/0rIfZroE_4k and the judges’ comments on the entries here: https://cccbr.org.uk/2020/07/13/most-interesting-unusual-youtube-video-competition-winners-june-2020

July’s competition is for good striking on 8 or more bells. What have you got hidden in the digital equivalent of the side of the sofa cushions? Rules and address for entries are here: https://cccbr.org.uk/youtube-competition/

Thanks and see you all next week. Any thoughts and comments always welcomed.

Helen

Helen Allton

Secretary: Peterborough Diocesan Guild of Church Bellringers

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR

Website: http://www.pdg.btck.co.uk/

e-mail: pdgsecretary@allton.org.uk

telephone: 01832 735266