Thank you to all those who joined us for our surprise minor social at Nassington on Sunday, particularly Hilary for organising the tea and coffee, Yvette for the cake, David, James and Joseph for conducting. We rang lots of Cambridge, London and some Norwich.
The next social surprise social event will be in February 2025 so please watch this space for details!
Elaine and Jane
Dear Branch Members,
We have the opportunity to ring for the Cathedral evensong on the 27th October, just a couple of weeks away.
This is an event that is inclusive of all levels, abilities and ambitions. The intention will be to have enough experienced support to allow those less experienced on higher numbers, to ring.
Meet at 2pm outside the west door.
Please can you email me secretary@peterborough.pdg.org.uk if you are planning to come.
Best regards
Debs
The Summer festival was an excellent day out. Even the weather decided to be summery for the day (it’s certainly changed its mind now). The Daventry branch laid on an excellent spread, Alistair cut another centenary cake, and Towcester won the 8 bell contest. A team of young ringers entered for the first time and did a sterling job on somewhat challenging bells. Fuller write up available on the website https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/2024-summer-festival and team photos here: https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/2024-summer-festival-teams If you want your team photo, let me know.
CCCBR News
At the Summer festival meeting, Alistair & Simon gave updates on different aspects of the CCCBR weekend. We’ll aim to get those on the website in the next week or so for more in depth reading.
Fundraising event
The Greetham Clangers are having a concert by the Corby Male Voice Choir on Saturday 28th September at 7:30 in Greetham church. Tickets are £10 and proceeds will go to the restoration and refurbishment of Greetham bells. https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/greetham-concert
Guild Quizzes
Hopefully this won’t get too confusing!
On Saturday 9th November there’s a Centenary year event – a quiz and chippy tea – being held in Syresham village hall. Tickets are £15 per person to include food, tea/coffee & cake. Teams will be of 6, but we’ll make up teams on the night if you’re not a 6. Chippy tea options are Fish & chips, Sausage & chips, Cheese & vegetable cake & chips or Fishcake & chips. Gluten free batter available; mushy peas & curry sauce available at £1.50 extra. Mail centenary@pdg.org.uk for tickets.
There is then the Guild’s annual paper Quiz available. Can be bought from your branch or from the Secretary. Sheets are £1 each. Send your answers in by the end of February (assuming you’ve not lost it by then) for the chance to win £25, £10 or £5 for the most correct answers. Not a ringing question in sight.
Dates for the Diary
Centenary Dinner Saturday 12th October 6:30 for 7:15 Kettering Park Spa Hotel. Tickets £45 per person from centenary@pdg.org.uk
Guild 10 bell Saturday 9th November10:30 am. Daventry
Quiz & Chippy tea Saturday 9th November 7:00Syresham Village Hall. Tickets £15 per person, including chippy tea. Tickets & meal order through centenary@pdg.org.uk.
And Branch events.
Towcester Branch Practice & Quiz Saturday 28thSeptember 5:45 Towcester
Northampton Branch Practice Saturday 28thSeptember 7:00 Duston
Peterborough Ring for your Cream tea Sunday 29thSeptember. 12:30 Great Casterton, 13:30 Ryhall, 14:30 Greatford
Rutland Branch Practice Wednesday 2nd October 7:00 Braunston/Brooke
Thrapston Branch Practice Friday 4th October 7:30Islip
Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 5thOctober 3:00 Naseby, 6:00 Creaton
Thrapston Branch Practice Thursday 17th October 2:30 Wadenhoe
Rutland Branch 8 bell Practice Thursday 17thOctober 7:30 Uppingham
Wellingborough Surprise Practice Saturday 19thOctober 10:30 Woodford
Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 19th October 3:00 Syresham
Daventry Branch Meeting Saturday 19th October 3:00 Barby for Service, tea & meeting, 6:30 Kilsby
Kettering Branch Practice & Social, Saturday 19thOctober 3:30 Desborough, followed by Beetle Drive
Wellingborough Branch Practice Saturday 19thOctober 7:00 Rushden
I was pleased to ring for Evensong at the Cathedral yesterday. There was a service for celebrating the 30th anniversary of the ordination of women. Taken by our first female bishop it was supported by the girls of the choir school. Thanks to the cathedral company for the invitation to join them for ringing beforehand.
Hoping that you’ve not been blown or washed away in the last few days. Stay safe out there!
Thanks
Helen
Just a final reminder that Diana needs your tea order by this Thursday please.
I do hope you will join her for this popular outing on Sunday 29 September. Details:
12:30 -1:15pm Great Casterton PE9 4AN Bells: 6 Tenor: 5-1-18 in A♭ Ground Floor toilet
1:30 – 2:15pm Ryhall PE9 4HR Bells: 6 Tenor: 11-1-5 in F toilet
2:30 – 3:15pm Greatford PE9 4PX Bells: 6 Tenor 6–1–4 in B♭ Ground Floor toilet
3:30pm Waterside Garden Centre, just off the A15 at King St, Baston PE6 9NY
I usually give a donation to each tower, so I would appreciate a rope fee of £1.50 per tower, or £4 for all towers, to cover this, given to me on the day, please?
Ringers are welcome to join us at any or all of the Towers, even if they cannot come to the Cream Tea.
Also families and friends are welcome to join in the Cream Tea, whether coming to the Towers or not; we will be pleased to see everyone. It is a good opportunity to get to know other better, as chatting is not always possible inside towers. Many people come for the company, and to catch up with friends’ news since last year!! Not all of the conversations are about bell ringing, so please feel free to join us.
Details of the Cream Tea Menu choices below. Please let me have your choices – food and drink – and any allergies, by Thursday 19th September, so I can make a timely order for The Waterside Garden Centre.
I look forward to receiving your tea order and to seeing you, at some point, on the afternoon of Sunday 29th September 2024, if not before.
Please forward to anyone else who would like to come and has not seen an invite anywhere – sorry I cannot see who is on Petbells.
Please email me if there is anything I have missed and/or anything you need to know.
Take care,
Diana
diana_cherryfields@yahoo.co.uk
The cream teas are £7.99 for one or £12 for two. They consist of a coffee or pot of tea and a fruit scone with jam (with a choice of raspberry or strawberry jam ) and clotted cream. If anyone would rather a cheese scone please say, as that is fine.
The full afternoon teas are £19.99 for one or £35 for two, see below or follow this link https://www.watersidegardencentre.co.uk/pub/media/wysiwyg/oasis/Oasis_Restaurant_Afternoon_Tea24.pdf
Sunday 6 October 2024, 2-4pm
Nassington
Please join Elaine and I for a Surprise Minor Social at Nassington on Sunday 6 October 2024 between 2 and 4pm. Methods to revise: Cambridge, Primrose and London.
There will be cake!
Look forward to seeing you!
Jane and Elaine
September looks to be getting off to a busy start, so I’ll crack on!
Summer Festival
14th September sees the Guild’s Summer Festival. It will be held in the Daventry branch and the arrangements are as follows:
Names for tea to Alison Buck on Secretary@daventry.pdg.org.uk
Be good to see you next weekend. The Harry Wooding trophy is a lovely item, a real item of craftmanship.
Guild 10 bell
The morning of the Summer Festival sees the Guild 10 bell practice at Daventry from 10:30 to 12:30. For anyone who wants to try ringing on 10, or for those looking for some practice on higher numbers. It is in the right corner of the Guild to go on to the Summer Festival.
Centenary Dinner
To be held Saturday 12th 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. Be good to see you there in your posh togs! The menu is now available here: https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/guild-centenary-dinner-menu. For the gluten free, all items except those marked, can be made suitable, we just need to know that. There is also a vegan menu available.
The hotel has requested all menu choices to be in by 14th September. Yes, I know that seems very early. If you are thinking of coming, please get your choices in to me asap!
CCCBR News
The CCCBR meeting was held over the weekend. A set of links is available from this page. https://cccbr.org.uk/2024/09/08/the-central-council-agm-in-urls/
As had been discussed at our AGM, our representatives asked questions of the CCCBR executive in respect of their handling of the project at the Old Black Lion.
Fundraising event
The Greetham Clangers are having a concert by the Corby Male Voice Choir on Saturday 28th September at 7:30 in Greetham church. Tickets are £10 and proceeds will go to the restoration and refurbishment of Greetham bells. A poster is attached.
Dates for the Diary
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 6:00 meeting followed by evening ringing.
Centenary Dinner Saturday 12th October 6:30 for 7:15 Kettering Park Spa Hotel. Tickets £45 per person from centenary@pdg.org.uk
And Branch events.
Rutland Branch 8 bell Practice Tuesday 17thSeptember 7:30 Oakham
Thrapston Branch Practice Thursday 19thSeptember 2:30 Wadenhoe
Kettering Branch Practice & Social, Saturday 21stSeptember 2:00 Cransley, 3:20 Scaldwell
Daventry Branch Practice, Saturday 21st September 3:00 Newnham, 6:30 Church Stowe
Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 21st September, 7:30 Upper Boddington
Towcester Branch Practice & Quiz Saturday 28thSeptember 5:45 Towcester
Northampton Branch Practice Saturday 28thSeptember 7:00 Duston
Peterborough Ring for your Cream tea Sunday 29thSeptember. 12:30 Great Casterton, 13:30 Ryhall, 14:30 Greatford
Rutland Branch Practice Wednesday 2nd October 7:00 Braunston/Brooke
Thrapston Branch Practice Friday 4th October 7:30Islip
Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 5thOctober 3:00 Naseby, 6:00 Creaton
And that’s me done for now. I have a batch of choccy cornflake cakes to make (and then not eat) for next weekend, be good to see you there.
Helen
Just a reminder from Diana of the details of the popular “Ring For Your Cream Tea” outing on Sunday 29 September.
12:30 -1:15pm Great Casterton PE9 4AN Bells: 6 Tenor: 5-1-18 in A♭ Ground Floor toilet
1:30 – 2:15pm Ryhall PE9 4HR Bells: 6 Tenor: 11-1-5 in F toilet
2:30 – 3:15pm Greatford PE9 4PX Bells: 6 Tenor 6–1–4 in B♭ Ground Floor toilet
3:30pm Waterside Garden Centre, just off the A15 at King St, Baston PE6 9NY
I usually give a donation to each tower, so I would appreciate a rope fee of £1.50 per tower, or £4 for all towers, to cover this, given to me on the day, please?
Ringers are welcome to join us at any or all of the Towers, even if they cannot come to the Cream Tea.
Also families and friends are welcome to join in the Cream Tea, whether coming to the Towers or not; we will be pleased to see everyone. It is a good opportunity to get to know other better, as chatting is not always possible inside towers. Many people come for the company, and to catch up with friends’ news since last year!! Not all of the conversations are about bell ringing, so please feel free to join us.
Details of the Cream Tea Menu choices below. Please let me have your choices – food and drink – and any allergies, by Thursday 19th September, so I can make a timely order for The Waterside Garden Centre.
I look forward to receiving your tea order and to seeing you, at some point, on the afternoon of Sunday 29th September 2024, if not before.
Please forward to anyone else who would like to come and has not seen an invite anywhere – sorry I cannot see who is on Petbells.
Please email me if there is anything I have missed and/or anything you need to know.
Take care,
Diana
diana_cherryfields@yahoo.co.uk
The cream teas are £7.99 for one or £12 for two. They consist of a coffee or pot of tea and a fruit scone with jam (with a choice of raspberry or strawberry jam ) and clotted cream. If anyone would rather a cheese scone please say, as that is fine.
The full afternoon teas are £19.99 for one or £35 for two, see below or follow this link https://www.watersidegardencentre.co.uk/pub/media/wysiwyg/oasis/Oasis_Restaurant_Afternoon_Tea24.pdf
Are you interested in developing your striking skills in a supportive and encouraging environment?
The competition is taking place at 4pm on Saturday, 14th September in Byfield, near Daventry. Two members have already expressed their willingness to take part, and we’re looking for six more ringers to join the team representing the Peterborough Branch.
You do not need to be an expert to participate—this is a chance for everyone to practice and improve their striking. If you’re comfortable with Plain Bob Triples or Grandsire Triples, this is a perfect development opportunity to hone your skills with the support of fellow ringers.
If you’re interested, please contact secretary@peterborough.pdg.org.uk
Seems we had every variety of weather over the Bank Holiday weekend. I didn’t see any snow, but I don’t put it past the weather gods to have thrown some in somewhere… I had washing on the line and a very close eye on the clouds! Hope your long weekend was interesting, relaxing or productive, as you needed It to be.
Summer Festival
14th September sees the Guild’s Summer Festival. It will be held in the Daventry branch and the arrangements are as follows:
Team entries to Master, Simon Dixon by 7th September, draw to be made in advance.
Names for tea to Alison Buck on Secretary@daventry.pdg.org.uk
Guild 10 bell
The morning of the Summer Festival sees the Guild 10 bell practice at Daventry from 10:30 to 12:30. For anyone who wants to try ringing on 10, or for those looking for some practice on higher numbers. It is in the right corner of the Guild to go on to the Summer Festival.
Centenary Dinner
To be held Saturday 12th 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. Be good to see you there in your posh togs! The menu is now available here: https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/guild-centenary-dinner-menu. For the gluten free, all items except those marked, can be made suitable, we just need to know that. There is also a vegan menu available.
CCCBR News
The President’s latest blog. https://cccbr.org.uk/2024/08/25/presidents-blog-95/ Complete with new logo.
If you have university age ringers about to head off to exciting adventures, they can access the Young Ringers Hub. https://cccbr.org.uk/2024/08/25/going-to-uni-or-leaving-home-find-a-place-to-ring/
The CCCBR is holding a consultation on Ringing 2030. This meeting is open to all. https://cccbr.org.uk/2024/08/15/ringing-2030-open-meeting/
September sees Heritage Open days. https://cccbr.org.uk/2024/08/19/heritage-open-days-2024-6-15-september/ If your tower is participating, do let us know the details and we’ll help publicise your event.
Diocese news
On Sunday 22nd September, Bishop Debbie is hosting a service celebrating the 30th anniversary of the ordination of women. You may like to take the opportunity to ring to mark this.
Dates for the Diary
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.
Centenary Dinner Saturday 12th October 6:30 for 7:15 Kettering Park Spa Hotel. Tickets £45 per person from centenary@pdg.org.uk
And Branch events.
Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 31st August, 7:30 King’s Sutton
Rutland Branch Practice Wednesday 4th September 7:30 Cottesmore
Thrapston Branch Practice Friday 6th September7:30 Islip
Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 7th September 3:00 Marston Trussell, 6:00 Welford
Rutland Branch 8 bell Practice Tuesday 17th September 7:30 Oakham
Thrapston Branch Practice Thursday 19th September 2:30 Wadenhoe
Kettering Branch Practice & Social, Saturday 21st September 2:00 Cransley, 3:20 Scaldwell
Daventry Branch Practice, Saturday 21st September 3:00 Newnham, 6:30 Church Stowe
Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 21st September, 7:30 Upper Boddington
Towcester Branch Practice & Quiz Saturday 28th September 5:45 Towcester
Northampton Branch Practice Saturday 28th September 7:00 Duston
And that’s me done for now. I just need to remember tomorrow is Tuesday even though it will feel like Monday!
Helen
Summer Festival.
14th September sees the Guild’s Summer Festival. It will be held in the Daventry branch and the arrangements are as follows:
Team entries to Master, Simon Dixon by 7th 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 100th Anniversary
Outing & Picnic at Rutland Water
Looking forward, the next 100th anniversary event is the Outing and picnic on 10th 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 12th 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 10th 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 15th August 7:30 Uppingham
Daventry: Branch Practice, Saturday 17th August 3:00 Staverton, 6:30 Hellidon
Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 17th August, 7:30 Greatworth
Thrapston Branch Practice Thursday 22nd August 2:30 Wadenhoe
Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 31st August, 7:30 King’s Sutton
Rutland Branch Practice Wednesday 4th September 7:30 Cottesmore
Thrapston Branch Practice Friday 6th September7:30 Islip
Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 7th 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
Peterborough Branch 