Monday update, with lots of news from the weekend. 

 

Guild Spring Meeting

Saturday was an excellent day. Guilsborough branch did a superb job of hosting, laying on the most spectacular tea I think I’ve ever seen and even organising some spring-like weather. The 21 teams that entered is the most we’ve ever had, 12 teams rang call changes at Guilsborough and 9 teams rang methods at Cold Ashby.  

There was a packed church at Cold Ashby for the results, with Towcester taking the Weaver Shield for the method ringing contest while Pattishall were the first winners of the Centenary Trophy for call changes. 

Results and photographs of the winners and their teams can be found on the website, https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/spring-meeting-results

A full report will follow. We have photos of each band, drop me a mail and I can send yours over to you. If there was a prize for most original pose, Cransley would have taken that by a country mile! 

 

Newsletter

The April edition of the Guild newsletter was distributed in paper form, expect to see one coming to a tower near you soon. Also available to read online. https://pdg.org.uk/newsletters/newsletter_202404.pdf

There’s lots of different items, including a welcome from Bishop Debbie. 

The next edition will be for the September Summer Festival, print deadline is end of August. Items can be sent in at any time to newsletter@pdg,org.uk

 

Annual Report

This is also being distributed, one copy for each tower. This year’s is a lively green cover. If any members want a copy, they are available for £2 to members (including postage). Get in touch and I’ll get one out to you. 

 

CCCBR News

2 blogs from the President on the same day. 

President’s blog #91

President’s blog #90

 

The CCCBR is looking for a new adviser on bell complaints. Robert Wood has dealt with such enquiries for some years and has decided to stand down. They are looking for someone with relevant experience and knowledge of UK Environmental Legislation. Anyone wanting more information should contact Alison Hodge alison.hodge@cccbr.org.uk

 

Bell Sunday is 12^th May this year, see what your incumbent has planned and let them see the resources available on the CCCBR website for ideas on how to include ringing in your service. https://bellsunday.org/

 

100th Anniversary

It was excellent to see PDG 100 clothing out in force at the weekend. There’s still a chance to get yours before the year is out… Also mugs and puzzles still available https://pdg.org.uk/pdg-100/centenary-year-merchandise

The next 100^th anniversary is the Open day. A chance to ring at towers across the Guild from A (Aynho) to Y (Yarwell). Towers are open for 1 hour, with start times from 09:00 to 18:50. Cost £2 per tower or £20 for a day ticket, available in advance from centenary@pdg.org.uk All details on the website: https://pdg.org.uk/pdg-100/open-day

  

Bells on Sunday

Starting their 900^th anniversary, the bells of St Kyneburgha’s church, Castor features on Sunday 14^th April at 5:43 am. You can listen again via BBC sounds using the link below. 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001y7y9

 

Dates for the Diary

Guild Tower Open day Saturday 11^th May. Tower Open day across the Guild. https://pdg.org.uk/pdg-100/open-day

Guild AGM Saturday 8^th June Hosted by Northampton branch. 

 

And Branch events. 

Thrapston Branch Practice Thursday 18^th April 2:30Wadenhoe

Rutland Branch 8 bell Practice Thursday 18^th April 7:30 Uppingham

Wellingborough Surprise Practice, Saturday 20^thApril,  10:30 Rushden

Kettering Branch Practice, Saturday 20^th April, 2:00Great Oakley, 15:15 Weldon

Wellingborough Branch Practice, Saturday 20^thApril,  2:30 Yardley Hasting

Daventry Branch Practice, Saturday 20^th April, 3:00Preston Capes for ringing service, tea & meeting, 6:30 Moreton Pinkney (joint with Culworth)

Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 20^th April, 6:30Moreton Pinkney (joint with Daventry)

Peterborough Young Ringers group Sunday 21^stApril, 4:00 Nassington

Peterborough Minor Social Wednesday 24^th April, 7:30 Easton on the Hill

Rutland Branch practice Wednesday 1^st May 7:30Cottesmore 

Thrapston Branch Practice Friday 3^rd May 7:30 Islip

Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 4^th May 3:00 Lilbourne, 6:00 Crick

 

After all that, I’m going for a nice sit down!  

Helen

April has arrived, and with it, we hope, Spring is on its way. Particularly with the name of our next Guild meeting.

 

Guild Spring Meeting

Saturday sees the Guild’s Spring meeting, including the 6 bell striking contest. There’s been a record entry this year, such that the call change bands will be at Guilsborough from 2 pm and the Method ringing bands at Cold Ashby from 3 pm. Spratton will be open for general ringing from 2pm to 3:30. The tea, meeting and results will all be at Cold Ashby, followed by evening ringing.  

There’s a handy map of Cold Ashby with locations of the village hall and parking locations. As Cold Ashby is a small village, please share transport, where possible, and park with consideration for the residents. https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/spring-meeting-arrangements

Guilsborough branch have the catering well in hand, it should be an excellent day. See you there. 

The Centenary trophy has been collected; you’ll have to turn up on Saturday to see it. Will your band win it first? 

 

Bells on Sunday

This will feature the bells of St Kyneburgha’s church, Castor on Sunday 14^th April at 5:43 am. Or, if that’s a little early, you can listen via BBC sounds using the link below. 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001y7y9

Dates for the Diary

Guild Spring Meeting Saturday 13^th April. 6 bell contest at Cold Ashby from 3 pm. Parking information on the website: https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/spring-meeting-arrangements

Guild Tower Open day Saturday 11^th May. Tower Open day across the Guild. https://pdg.org.uk/pdg-100/open-day

 

And branch events. 

Thrapston Branch Practice Thursday 18^th April 2:30Wadenhoe

Rutland Branch 8 bell Practice Thursday 18^th April 7:30 Uppingham

Wellingborough Surprise Practice, Saturday 20^thApril,  10:30 Rushden

Kettering Branch Practice, Saturday 20^th April, 2:00Great Oakley, 15:15 Weldon

Wellingborough Branch Practice, Saturday 20^thApril,  2:30 Yardley Hasting

Daventry Branch Practice, Saturday 20^th April, 3:00Preston Capes for ringing service, tea & meeting, 6:30 Moreton Pinkney (joint with Culworth)

Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 20^th April, 6:30Moreton Pinkney (joint with Daventry)

Peterborough Young Ringers group Sunday 21^stApril, 4:00 Nassington

Peterborough Minor Social Wednesday 24^th April, 7:30 Easton on the Hill

Rutland Branch practice Wednesday 1^st May 7:30Cottesmore 

Thrapston Branch Practice Friday 3^rd May 7:30 Islip

Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 4^th May 3:00 Lilbourne, 6:00 Crick

 

See you Saturday!

Helen

Elaine and I are planning an outing to King’s Lynn and Wisbech on Saturday May 18th from 10am to 5pm. There will be ringing at 4 towers and plenty of time for people to have some lunch in King’s Lynn. Please note we are not arranging a lunch venue so you will be left to your own devices.

Towers and timings to be confirmed at a later date. Details will be provided when towers are confirmed.

Please can you let us know if you would like to come along.

Elaine and Jane

A social event with some minor method ringing

Wednesday 24 April 2024 19.30-21.00

All Saints Church, Church Street, Easton on the Hill, Stamford. PE9 3NZ (What 3 Words ///constrain.playroom.ignore)

Please let us know if you are coming and if there is a particular method that you would like to ring so we can be prepared (e.g. Kent, Single/ Double Oxford, St Clements, Plain Bob Minor, Little Bob). There will be tea/ coffee and cake but there is no toilet.

Elaine and Jane

Dear all, at the AGM in January, it was suggested that we should bring together young ringers across the branch.  A successful first event was held in February and 5 young ringers plus two learners joined us at St Mary’s in Peterborough on a Sunday afternoon.  It was a good opportunity for these ringers to get to know one another both through ringing and through chatting.  Thank you to the teachers and ringing parents for supporting it.  As always with a ringing event there was cake. 

A second event is planned for Sunday 21 April, 4pm at Nassington, and we expect it to then continue every 6 weeks or so. 

If you are interested in joining this group, please get in touch with me https://petbells.org.uk/contact/chairman/

Hilary Hardie

If there is a season for everything, then it seems like spring brings striking contests as well as spring flowers. After reporting the results of the Midland youth contest last time around, this time it’s the turn of the Towcester band to be congratulated for a respectable 5^th place finish (of 8 teams) in the 12 bell eliminator contest at Reading yesterday. They don’t qualify for the final, but there’s a silver lining there – no need to locate Chilcompton! 

 

Spring Meeting

If it is striking contest season, then the Guild diary follows suit. The next Guild event is the Spring Meeting on 13^th April, which includes the 6 bell striking contest. The new trophy is taking shape, still no pictures, that would spoil the surprise. There’s plenty of time to get your band organised, entries to Simon Dixon by Saturday 6^th April, master@pdg.org.uk. As a reminder, the rules are here https://pdg.org.uk/forms/6_Bell_competition.pdf  and there’s a poster here https://pdg.org.uk/meetings/Spring_Meeting_2024_poster.pdf

I know the Guilsborough branch are getting their ducks in a row for the tea, a range of scrumptious goodies are in the planning. Hope to see you there. 

 

Guild Newsletter

The next Guild newsletter deadline is the 31^st March, for distribution at the Spring Meeting. Any news or items of interest can be sent to Jonathan Stuart, the newsletter editor, newsletter@pdg.org.uk. What have you done recently that would make a good item to tell your fellow ringers about? The recent issues have had a wide range of interesting items, but we can only do that with your contributions. 

 

CCCBR news

An update on Bell Sunday, which this year takes place on Sunday 12^th May. It’s an opportunity for the church family to recognise the impact that bells can have on the community. There are resources to help here. https://cccbr.org.uk/2024/03/16/bell-sunday-12th-may-2024/

 

Dates for the Diary

Guild Spring Meeting Saturday 13^th April. 6 bell contest at Cold Ashby from 3 pm. Teams to the Master (master@pdg.org.uk) by the 6^th April. 

Guild Tower Open day Saturday 11^th May. Tower Open day across the Guild. https://pdg.org.uk/pdg-100/open-day

 

And branch events. 

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

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

Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 6^th April 3:00 Scaldwell, 6:00 Brixworth. 

Rutland Branch 8 bell Practice Thursday 18^th April 7:30 Uppingham

Wellingborough Surprise Practice, Saturday 20^thApril,  10:30 Rushden

Kettering Branch Practice, Saturday 20^th April, 2:00Great Oakley, 15:15 Weldon

Wellingborough Branch Practice, Saturday 20^thApril,  2:30 Yardley Hasting

Daventry Branch Practice, Saturday 20^th April, 3:00Preston Capes for ringing service, tea & meeting, 6:30 Moreton Pinkney (joint with Culworth)

Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 20^th April, 6:30Moreton Pinkney (joint with Daventry)

 

And with that I will leave you to debate what to do with yourself in the ringing desert (or so I mean dessert?) that is Holy week. Opportunity to Spring clean the ringing room? Or have a social evening? Whatever you do with it, have a happy Easter. 

 

Thanks

Helen

 

In my last update I did suggest that ringing quarters on leap day was a once in 4 year opportunity. Little did I realise that some of the Peterborough branch were already ahead of me. Elaine’s Leap day escapades  https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/event.php?id=18475 saw 7 attempts and 6 successes scored. I particularly like the genesis of the idea, take from the first footnote: “From an expanded idea over a beer and making the most of the extra day.”  In my experience many ideas can trace their origin to a beer! Quarters were also scored at Uppingham & Rushton. Well done gang. 

 

Bishop of Peterborough. 

The Diocese has a new Bishop, with Bishop Debbie being enthroned on Sunday 3^rd. The service can be viewed again through YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_dIaRbOIkw If you rang to welcome Bishop Debbie, there is a bellboard event you can link to, or let me know and I’ll collate all the ringing to send to her. The bellboard event is here: https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/event.php?id=18494

 

Guild Spring Meeting 

Next month sees the Guild’s Spring meeting and 6 bell striking contest. This year we are introducing a change. The existing Weaver Shield will be awarded to the best method ringing band, while there will be a new Centenary trophy that will be awarded to the best call change band. The contest remains largely unchanged, it’s one competition and two trophies rather than two independent competitions. The rules can be found on the website. https://pdg.org.uk/forms/6_Bell_competition.pdf. Entries to Simon Dixon on master@pdg.org.uk by 6^th April. 

This aims to encourage those bands that are more confident ringing call changes with a shiny trophy incentive to enter. Good striking is, after all, what ringing should be about, regardless of the complexity of the ringing. 

The contest will be held at Cold Ashby, with the call change element potentially being held at Guilsborough, depending on the number of teams that enter. With ringing at Spratton from 2 pm and contest and tea at Cold Ashby it should be a good day out, regardless of if you come away with a trophy or not. 

 

Fund raising opportunity

Benefact group is drawing their next Movement for Good grants from 18^th March. Charities nominated stand the chance to win £1000. The Guild can be entered into the draw using the link below. 

https://movementforgood.com/index.php?cn=258271&ct=heritage_arts#nominateACharity

The more entries, the more chances we have to win, so get your clinking fingers out. Nominations run to the end of the year so nominating us now enters us into draws across the rest of the year. 

 

Young Ringers.

We understand that a team of young ringers from the Daventry branch represented the Guild in the Midland young ringers striking contest, held in the vicinity of Loughborough yesterday. They came a highly creditable 3^rd in the call change competition. Impressive, especially as it was their first contest and some of the band only started learning in October. I’m told that there is an item being prepared to appear in the next Guild newsletter. Well done team. 

 

Midlands Young Ringers striking contest

9 March 2024

Oaks in Charnwood, Leicestershire.

Call change ringing contest

1 Derby 91%

2 Nottingham 90%

3 Peterborough 86%

4 Birmingham 81%

5 Coventry 51%

 

CCCBR news

The CCCBR is again working with Westley group to promote steeple keeping. The Westley award aims to recognise those who are new to steeple keeping or making a significant impact. Nomination information can be found here: https://cccbr.org.uk/2024/03/03/2024-westley-award-nominations-now-open/

 

Dates for the Diary

Guild Spring Meeting Saturday 13^th April. 6 bell contest at Cold Ashby from 3 pm. Teams to the Master (master@pdg.org.uk) by the 6^th April. 

Guild Tower Open day Saturday 11^th May. Tower Open day across the Guild. https://pdg.org.uk/pdg-100/open-day

 

And branch events. 

 Wellingborough Surprise Practice, Saturday 16^thMarch,  10:30 Orlingbury

Kettering Branch Practice, Saturday 16^th March, 2:00 Burton Latimer

Daventry Branch Practice, Saturday 16^th March, 3:00 Bugbrooke for ringing service & tea, 6:30Kislingbury

Wellingborough Branch Practice, Saturday 16^thMarch,  7:00 Higham Ferrers

Rutland Branch 8 bell Practice Tuesday 19^th March 7:30 Oakham

Towcester Branch Practice, Saturday 23^rd March, 10:30 Greens Norton

Northampton, Branch Practice 23^rd March, 7:00Harpole

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

Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 6^th April 3:00 Scaldwell, 6:00 Brixworth. 

 

March is supposed to come in like a lion and go out like a lamb. I’m hoping that having come in laden with water it leaves us in sunshine. That might be rather optimistic, but one can but hope. See you at the Spring Meeting, by which I hope to have seen some spring sunshine! 

 

Thanks

Helen

Please see below details for six bell striking contest to be held at the Guild Spring Meeting Saturday 13^th April at Cold Ashby from 3 pm.

As part of the Guild’s centenary, we are going to make a change to the Guild’s 6 bell striking contest, to take place on Saturday April 13^th. In order to encourage band with less experience, we’re going to introduce a new, Centenary Trophy. This will be awarded to the highest placed band ringing call changes. The current Weaver Shield will be presented to the highest placed method ringing band. This aims to encourage bands that might feel they might not produce their best ringing while ringing methods to enter a band. Good striking is important no matter the complexity of what is being rung and well struck call changes are a challenge for all bands. I went to see the maker this afternoon and it is going to be an impressive piece that will look good in any tower. No pictures, that would spoil the surprise. There’s plenty of time to get practising…  

If you have a band/tower to enter please send direct to the Ringing Master (master@pdg.org.uk) by the 6^th April. Alternatively, if you’re interested in participating and joining a band or tower, please reach out to our Branch Ringing Master (ringing_master@peterborough.pdg.org.uk), Assistant to Ringing Master (deputy_ringing_master@peterborough.pdg.org.uk), and Secretary (secretary@peterborough.pdg.org.uk). We’ll endeavour to coordinate bands or towers for your involvement in this event.

If you haven’t already seen this and would like to take part please see below the details and link to the guild website.

Saturday 9th March : Nene Valley Challenge 
This will be a fun mini outing/tower grab with space for many ringers of all abilities. Held in the morning, it will culminate in a ringers’ lunch with hot drinks at Thrapston. Please note that this event is also suited to less experienced ringers (who may like to bring along a mentor).

The Challenge: Ringers may have aspirations, they want to challenge themselves a little. Could you ring plain bob or call changes on different rings of bells on the same day? Or would you just like to confidently ring at three different towers without assistance? Come along to the Nene Valley and get a certificate to prove that you can….

Participants should register in advance with their personal challenge so that they can be assigned to a particular route, and to allow assessors in each tower to have a list of who to expect. Bookings for lunch will also be required.

For more information, and to book for the lunch, please contact centenary pdg.org.uk

https://www.pdg.org.uk/pdg-100#3

At the danger of sounding like a scratched record, it’s been very wet of late. Maybe with March starting next week and spring on the horizon it might start to dry out. Hopefully you’ve not, like Dr Foster, stepped into a puddle up to you middle – or even just above your boot tops. Squelch. 

 

Guild 100^th Anniversary 

As part of the Guild’s centenary, we are going to make a change to the Guild’s 6 bell striking contest, to take place on Saturday April 13^th. In order to encourage band with less experience, we’re going to introduce a new, Centenary Trophy. This will be awarded to the highest placed band ringing call changes. The current Weaver Shield will be presented to the highest placed method ringing band. This aims to encourage bands that might feel they might not produce their best ringing while ringing methods to enter a band. Good striking is important no matter the complexity of what is being rung and well struck call changes are a challenge for all bands. I went to see the maker this afternoon and it is going to be an impressive piece that will look good in any tower. No pictures, that would spoil the surprise. There’s plenty of time to get practising…  

 

The next event is the Nene Valley Challenge on 9^thMarch. Details have been circulated. If you want to set yourself a challenge, or come to help (or both) get in touch. 

 

There was a peal rung at Desborough on Friday 9^thFebruary. This was on the 100^th anniversary of the first peal for the Guild and was rung using the same method and composition (but not the same ringers). Well done to all concerned on marking the anniversary this way. Not an easy feat. https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=1697748

The picture of the original peal band with their peal board can be found here. https://pdg.org.uk/history/photos

 

Dates for the Diary

Guild 100th Anniversary event Sunday 9^th MarchNene Valley Challenge, Thrapston area. Ringing at a variety of towers in the morning followed by a light lunch.  

Guild 10 bell Practice Saturday 9^th March 6:30Location Moulton (note this is an evening practice)

Guild Spring Meeting Saturday 13^th April. 6 bell contest at Cold Ashby from 3 pm. Teams to the Master (master@pdg.org.uk) by the 6^th April. 

 

And branch events. 

Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 2^nd March 3:00 Cold Ashby

Rutland Branch practice Wednesday 6^th February 7:30 Braunston, focus Surprise 

Wellingborough Surprise Practice, Saturday 16^thMarch,  10:30 Orlingbury

Kettering Branch Practice, Saturday 16^th March, 2:00 Burton Latimer

Wellingborough Branch Practice, Saturday 16^thMarch,  7:00 Higham Ferrers

Rutland Branch 8 bell Practice Tuesday 19^th March 7:30 Oakham

Towcester Branch Practice, Saturday 23^rd March, 10:30 Greens Norton

Daventry Branch Practice, Saturday 23^rd March, 3:00 Bugbrooke for ringing service & tea, 6:30Kislingbury

Northampton, Branch Practice 23^rd March, 7:00Harpole

 

There’s a chance for those people who want to ring on each date in the year to grab a rare date this year. Score on the 29^th February, or it’s 4 years before you get to do it again – no pressure then! Good luck to anyone trying it. For me it’s an office work day, so not a hope there! 

 

Thanks

Helen