With a sigh of relief, I can start with the report on last weekend’s AGM. It all went rather well, with an excellent tea. 

 

Guild AGM

It was great to see around 70 of you at the Guild AGM on Saturday last. 

All the officers proposed were duly elected. Sorry, that means you’ve got me as secretary for another year. We are lacking a PRO and a Youth officer. If you feel you could assist, do get in touch. 

A summary of the meeting can be found on the website. https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/2024-agm-summary

Congratulations to Ian Willgress on being elected a Life Honorary Member of the Guild for his service to the guild. 

 

John Beresford, as Safeguarding Officer, gave a summary of the current situation with the diocese. The current recommendations are available on the website. https://pdg.org.uk/documents/20240608_PDG_Safeguarding_Guidance.pdf Any questions, please get in touch with John on safeguarding@pdg.org.uk.  

 

Guild day out at Stanwick Lakes

Saturday 13^th July sees our next PDG100 event. This is at Stanwick Lakes. We have a location near the visitor centre where we will have the Maplestead mini ring available and the Guild training bell set up. These will be available for ringers to try and for the general public to introduce them to bellringing. We’ll also have some ringing themed activities and crafts for the youngsters. Branches have been asked to provide some people to assist, but we’ll be pleased to see you at any time of the day. 

This is one of the busiest days of the year at Stanwick Lakes, so there should be plenty of people to talk to and raise awareness of ringing and what goes on upstairs. 

 

A poster for the next two events is available for you to put up in your tower.  https://pdg.org.uk/Events/2024_JulyAugust_poster.pdf

 

Guild’s centenary Dinner

Tickets are on sale for the Guild’s Centenary dinner. To be held at Ketting Park Spa Hotel on Saturday 12^th October, 6:30 for 7:15pm. Tickets are £45 per person. We have a fine array of speaker lined up, and are delighted that Bishop Debbie has accepted our invitation to speak. To register interest and get details of how to pay, contact centenary@pdg.org.uk.  Formal dress, so a chance to break out that posh togs and long frocks for a change. Who will you not recognise when not in their usual polo shirt & jeans! 

 

CCCBR News

The President’s blog is available. https://cccbr.org.uk/2024/06/14/presidents-blog-93/

 

Dates for the Diary

Guild 10-bell Practice  Saturday 29^th June. 10:30, Towcester. 

Guild Day Out Saturday 13^th July all day Stanwick Lakes

 

And Branch events. 

Thrapston Branch Practice Thursday 20^th June 2:30Wadenhoe

Rutland Branch 8 bell Practice Tuesday 20^th June 7:30 Uppingham

Towcester Branch Practice Saturday 22^nd June 10:30 Wappenham

Northampton Branch Practice Saturday 22^nd June 7:00 Brafield on the Green

Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 29^th June 7:30Aynho. 

Rutland Branch practice Thursday 4^th July 7:00Great Casterton

Thrapston Branch Practice Friday 5^th July 7:30 Islip

Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 6^th July 3:00 Great Oxendon, 6:00 Kelmarsh

Rutland Branch 8 bell Practice Tuesday 16^th July 7:30 Oakham

Thrapston Branch Practice Thursday 18^th July 2:30Thrapston

Wellingborough Surprise Practice, Saturday 20^thJuly,  10:30 Wilby

Wellingborough Branch Practice, Saturday 20^thJuly 2:30 Stanwick

Kettering Branch Practice, Saturday 20^th July, 2:00Wadenhoe, 3:30 Stoke Doyle

Daventry: Branch Practice, Saturday 20^th July 3:00Whilton, 6:30 Great Brington

Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 20^th July, 7:30Charwelton

 

If the recent Guild Open day has whet your appetite, there is one next month in the Southern District. Details can be found on their website https://eacr.org.uk/districts/s/southern-district-open-day.html

 

Helen

Dear all, the next major event in the Guild Centenary calendar is the day out at Stanwick Lakes on Saturday 13 July. This will be an interesting day, with lots to do in addition to bell ringing, so I hope you will be able to join the Guild. The detailed information about the event is below.

As you will see from the schedule, Peterborough Branch has a slot to ring from 2.30-3.30pm, and I am asking for volunteers to come to join us to ring. Please let me know if you are available. https://petbells.org.uk/contact/chairman/

Objectives

This is going to be a superb public relations exercise where we can all experience something slightly different in the art of bellringing, but share our passion with members of the public.  It takes place on what is usually one of the busiest weekends of the year at Stanwick Lakes. (https://stanwicklakes.org.uk/)

Overview

We will have a prominent location, where we will set up the Wombell and the Maplestead Mini Ring.  In addition to this we hope to have handbells and bellplates for making a noise on.  There will be some display materials, merchandise for sale, quizzes, and craft activities, so plenty to attract visitors.

Branches have been assigned a time slot for manning the site and using the equipment but as these are all open ringing sessions, feel free to come at any time to join in.  As necessary, a group of confident users will come to ring for a short time on the Mini Ring each hour. 

There is plenty to do at Stanwick Lakes – play areas, an assault course, a visitor centre with a café and heritage centre, a myriad of paths for walks – making it an opportunity for a great family day out.

Parking rates are currently £3.40 for up to 2 hours, £4.90 for up to 4 hours and £6.40 for the whole day per vehicle, so people may want to arrange to share lifts.  For anyone planning to come for two separate time periods, we can organise a discount.

A team of members is being arranged for the assembly and dismantling of the equipment – if you are willing and able to help with this, please contact centenray@pdg.org.uk

Schedule

Visitor Centre open 9:30-17:00

Time slot	Branch/group
08:00 – 09:00	Setting up
09:00 – 10:00	Trial session
10:00 – 11:00	Northampton
11:00 – 12:00	Towcester
12:00 – 13:30	Culworth/Daventry
13:30 – 14:30	Guilsborough
14:30 – 15:30	Peterborough
15:30 – 16:30	Kettering
16:30 – 17:30	Wellingborough
17:30 – 19:00	Taking down

Cotterstock, Sunday 4 August, 2-4pm

After a lovely, well attended ring at Bulwick last Sunday we have arranged another Surprise minor social.

We’re planning to go to Cotterstock this time so please put the date in the diary now. If it’s a good day Cotterstock is a lovely place for a picnic by the river or even in the churchyard if you want to bring your family. There will be cake!

A great opportunity to ring a surprise method. If there are any special requests for methods please let us know in advance so we can share and other people can do some revision if necessary.

We look forward to seeing you.

Elaine and Jane

Cracking on with the item at the top of my current to-do list, it’s the AGM on Saturday. It’s taking up a lot of my attention! 

 

Guild AGM

Final reminder of the AGM details. To take place on Saturday 8^th June in Moulton. 

Open Ringing at Harlestone at 2 pm and Pitsford at 3 pm.

Ringing at Moulton at 4 pm, for the service at 4:30 pm.

This will be followed by tea in the church hall and the AGM at 5:45 pm. There will be evening ringing afterwards. 

All are welcome to the AGM, names for tea to me on secretary@pdg.org.uk by 5^th June please. 

 

The minutes of meetings in the last 12 months to be approved at the meeting can be found on the website, as can the agenda. https://pdg.org.uk/homepage/agm-2024

Nominations for officers need to be made in writing, if you want to propose anyone for any Guild role, get your nominations in soonest. 

 

Guild’s centenary Dinner

Tickets are on sale for the Guild’s Centenary dinner. To be held at Ketting Park Spa Hotel on Saturday 12^th October, 6:30 for 7:15pm. Tickets are £45 per person. We have a fine array of speaker lined up, and are delighted that Bishop Debbie has accepted our invitation to speak. To register interest and get details of how to pay, contact centenary@pdg.org.uk.  Formal dress, so a chance to break out that posh togs and long frocks for a change. Who will you not recognise when not in their usual polo shirt & jeans! 

 

CCCBR News

There’s a request to ring to mark the 80^thanniversary of D-Day on 6^th June, Not ringing at the time of the landings, the request is to ring at 6:30 pm, if possible. 

 

The CCCBR AGM arrangements are being made available, This year it is in Exeter. The CCCBR is looking for nominations for trustees. All the information can be found on the website. https://cccbr.org.uk/about/annual-meetings/2024-annual-meeting/meeting-papers/

 

Other news

In other local news, the Ridgman Trophy is being held at Biggleswade on the 8^th June. This is a 10 bell striking contest for Guilds that border the Ely DA. We hosted last year in Towcester. The Guild is not entering this year, due to the clash with the AGM. Anyone is welcome to go along to listen and there will be cake/light refreshments available in the Chapter House. The contest starts at 10 am

 

Dates for the Diary

Guild AGM Saturday 8^th June Harlestone 2:00, Pitsford 3:00, Moulton 4:00, service 4:30 then tea. AGM 5:45 then evening ringing at Moulton. 

Guild 10-bell Practice  Saturday 30^th June. 10:30, Towcester. 

 

And Branch events. 

Rutland Branch practice Wednesday 5^th June 7:00Braunston

Thrapston Branch Practice Friday 7^th June 7:30Islip

Wellingborough Striking contest, Tuesday 11^th May,  6:30 Mears Ashby

Wellingborough Surprise Practice, Saturday 15^thJune 10:30 Irthlingborough

Kettering Branch Practice, Saturday 15^th June, 3:30Cottingham

Daventry: Branch Practice, Saturday 15^th June 3:00Badby, 6:30 Eydon

Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 15^th June, 6:30Eydon

Thrapston Branch Practice Thursday 20^th June 2:30Wadenhoe

Rutland Branch 8 bell Practice Tuesday 20^th June 7:30 Uppingham

Towcester Branch Practice Saturday 22^nd June 10:30 Wappenham

Northampton Branch Practice Saturday 22^nd June 7:00 Brafield on the Green

Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 29^th June 7:30Aynho. 

 

See you Saturday!

Helen

Dear all, Diana has now made the arrangements for this popular event. Please see below:

12:30 -1:15pm Great Casterton PE9 4AN Bells: 6 Tenor: 5-1-18 in A♭ Ground Floor(GF)  no toilet

1:30 – 2:15pm  Ryhall              PE9 4HR  Bells: 6 Tenor: 11-1-5 in F    toilet available

2:30 – 3:15pm  Greatford         PE9 4PX  Bells: 6 Tenor 6–1–4 in B♭  Ground Floor (GF) no toilet?

3:30pm  Waterside Garden Centre just off the A15 ie  King St, Baston PE6 9NY

Waterside Garden Centre has just reopened after severe flooding; I have personally checked out their fruit scones and confirmed they are really yummy!! I am just waiting for them to update the menu, which I think only affects the full Afternoon Tea, as the fruit/cherry/Cheese scones are on their menu, but I will circulate that as soon as I have it.

I did have jam (choice of raspberry or strawberry) and clotted cream on my scone, which are extra at present and drinks separate, but as they have reopened earlier than the expected July, the online menus have not yet been updated. 

Anyway the ringing details are confirmed, and I will provide more news as soon as I have some.

Thank you

Diana Street

Any queries please email me on diana_cherryfields@yahoo.co.uk 

Dear all, the Guild AGM is next Saturday (details below) and the Guild would like to take the opportunity to take photos of members to form part of a visual record of the Guild in its centenary year.

So dig out your centenary clothing if you have got some, book your teas with Helen (secretary@pdg.org.uk) by Wednesday, and turn up with smiles on your faces.  The forecast looks good so hopefully we can get some great group shots.

AGM details

Open Ringing at Harlestone at 2 pm and Pitsford at 3 pm.

Ringing at Moulton at 4 pm, for the service at 4:30 pm.

This will be followed by tea in the church hall and the AGM at 5:45 pm. There will be evening ringing afterwards.

2 June 2024, 1 to 3pm

St Nicholas’, Bulwick

Just a reminder that there’s a minor surprise social this Sunday, 1pm at Bulwick. Cambridge will be on offer for those just getting to grips with that and we’ve had a request for Norwich so for those that are happy with Cambridge please come prepared to ring that. Treble bobbing opportunities will also be available.

There will be cake!

Jane

I must start by thanking everyone who helped out in any way at last week’s Open day. It seems to have gone very well. Even the weather played ball. There were approaching 100 people visiting towers across our area over the course of the day and all the feedback has been most complimentary on the bells, the organisation and the people helping out. Thank you all. 

 

Guild AGM

Just a reminder of the AGM details. To take place on Saturday 8^th June in Moulton. 

Open Ringing at Harlestone at 2 pm and Pitsford at 3 pm.

Ringing at Moulton at 4 pm, for the service at 4:30 pm.

This will be followed by tea in the church hall and the AGM at 5:45 pm. There will be evening ringing afterwards. 

All are welcome to the AGM, names for tea to me on secretary@pdg.org.uk by 5^th June please. 

 

Also to remind you, all Guild officers are elected each year at the AGM. While almost all officers are willing to stand again, that should not prevent someone coming forward who wants to take on a role. All the officers’ job descriptions are available on the website, alongside the current position holder. https://pdg.org.uk/homepage/officers

One role where the current holder is standing down is PRO. If you know of someone who has a talent for communicating ringing to the wider world, do get in touch. We’re more than happy to talk about what is involved. 

 

CCCBR News

The Central Council of Church Bell Ringers is actively supporting the National Volunteers Week (3-9 June 2024) and would like some examples of people who volunteer their time through ringing.  There are more details on their website.  https://cccbr.org.uk/2024/05/18/volunteers-week/. 

 

The President’s blog https://cccbr.org.uk/2024/05/17/presidents-blog-92/

 

And a reminder that nominations for the Westley award for bell maintenance closes at the end of the month. https://cccbr.org.uk/about/workgroups/stewardship-and-management/westley-award-2024/

 

There’s a request to ring to mark the 80^thanniversary of D-Day on 6^th June, Not ringing at the time of the landings, the request is to ring at 6:30 pm, if possible. 

 

Old Black Lion project

The project at the Old Black Lion has taken a turn since the new year. The CCCBR has decided that the change in scope of the building use means that they are no longer able to support the use of the stable as a National Ringing Centre. The money that has been allocated has been re-directed to the ringing 2030 project. That means that the money to support the set up of the ringing centre is no longer available. The Guild is not in a position to move this forward itself, but would consider supporting if someone felt able to come forward and manage the project, apply for grants, liaise with the CCT and OBL etc. This will be on the agenda at the AGM. If someone has the time, skills and enthusiasm to try and move this forward, please get in touch with Chris FitzGerald, who has been the Guild’s main contact on the subject. He can be e-mailed at treasurer@pdg.org.uk.  

This does not affect the sound control at St Peter’s which is managed and funded separately. 

 

Dates for the Diary

Guild AGM Saturday 8^th June Harlestone 2:00, Pitsford 3:00, Moulton 4:00, service 4:30 then tea. AGM 5:45 then evening ringing at Moulton. 

Guild 10-bell Practice  Saturday 30^th June. 10:30, Towcester. 

 

And Branch events. 

Rutland Branch 8 bell Practice Tuesday 21^st May 7:30 Oakham

Thrapston Branch Practice Thursday 23^rd May 2:30Wadenhoe

Culworth Theory Session Saturday 25^th May 10:15Brackley church hall. 

Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 1^st June 3:00 Spratton, 6:00 Cottesbrooke

Rutland Branch practice Wednesday 5^th June 7:00Braunston

Thrapston Branch Practice Friday 7^th June 7:30Islip

Wellingborough Striking contest, Tuesday 11^th May,  6:30 Mears Ashby

Wellingborough Surprise Practice, Saturday 15^thJune 10:30 Irthlingborough

Kettering Branch Practice, Saturday 15^th June, 3:30Cottingham

Daventry: Branch Practice, Saturday 15^th June 3:00Badby, 6:30 Eydon

Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 15^th June, 6:30Eydon

 

If you are short of reading material, I seem to have taken over The Ringing World again this week, with an article on the Spring meeting and the new Centenary Trophy. It could be interesting – or a cure for insomnia, I leave that one up to you. 

 

Thanks

Helen

18 May 2024

Unfortunately the branch outing has not received the interest for us to be able to make the most of ringing on 10 bells and so Elaine and I have come to the decision to cancel.

The next event is the Surprise (minor) Social on Sunday 2 June at Bulwick 1-3pm. Hopefully being more local and not the majority of day will mean more of you are able to attend.

If you plan to attend please can you let us know. Thank you.

Jane

Saturday 18 May 2024, 10am to 5pm

King’s Lynn and Wisbech

Please can you let us know if you are planning to attend the branch outing next Saturday by Sunday (12 May) at 4pm. Thank you. We are needing to let one tower know how many people are coming as they have external contractors setting up for an event in the evening and they want to know if it is possible for them to carry out their work whilst we are there.

We are also currently quite low on people who have said they are able to attend and don’t want to turn up at 10 bell towers and not be able to ring all 10 bells! It’s a great opportunity for people to ring on higher numbers of bells who don’t get much opportunity to do so.

You are welcome to ring at all or one of the towers. Details of the towers can be found https://petbells.org.uk/2024/05/06/branch-outing/

For those who have already replied there is no need to let us know again.

Thank you.

Elaine and Jane