I am still one ringer short for the wedding at Lower Benefield on Saturday 15th July – 1:30pm meet, £25 per rope. Please let me know if you are able to ring (and have not responded already). Regards, Nick

With nowhere near enough ringers coming, the practice is CANCELLED.

Apologies to the person who said they would come 😂

James

This Friday there is a Castor village event that means open ringing will not be possible. I have tried unsuccessfully to get permission at another tower (Pboro St Mary’s, Thrapston and Stamford) but unfortunately they cannot accommodate us.

We can however ring at Castor using the simulator equipment.

Please let me know if you will be coming so I can reassure people that we are quorate.

Hopefully people will be happy to support this branch event and we will ring LITTLE BOB (rather than plain bob) if you are inexperienced on eight. In addition to the usual surprise major methods being available could my experienced helpers revise GLASGOW – and particularly 4th place bobs with the hope that we might ring a BOB COURSE.

Please let me know,

James

Dear all, here are the sessions for the next few months:

July 8^th 2023, 10:30 – 10-bell practice at Rothwell

An opportunity for ringers of all abilities to have a go at ringing on higher numbers.  We regularly ring a range of methods from Grandsire and Little Bob up to Surprise Royal.

This practice is open to all – no need to register

July 8^th 2023, 14:30 – Bell Maintenance at Great Oakley

This is aimed at those who are interested in the mechanics of the bells and would like to learn a bit more, especially about how to keep the bells and fittings in good working order.  It will be a mainly practical session held up in the belfry and would suit new recruits as well as existing ringers, it will also cover looking after ropes and stays; learning how to change a rope and stay, how to adjust the length of a tail-end, and how to splice a broken rope.

There are spaces available on this course – please contact Simon Dixon if interested (master@pdg.org.uk)

July 8^th 2023, 18:30 – Intermediate 8-bell practice at Weedon Bec

This is for the in-between methods on 7&8 i.e., not Plain Bob or Grandsire, or Surprise Major, but methods such as Little Bob, Kent Treble Bob, Single Oxford Bob Triples.

This practice is open to all – no need to register in advance, just turn up with a £1 fee towards tower donations

August 12^th, 15:00 – Running a good practice at Spratton

This will be run as a workshop that encourages sharing from the participants.  It will be suitable for anyone who currently (or aspires to) run ringing sessions at tower or branch level and wants to make them as successful as possible.  Individual ringing ability is not an issue, although there will be an opportunity to try out new ideas.  It is hoped that some people who have many years of experience will also come to share ideas.

There is no limit to the number of places available but an idea of numbers will be useful for planning purposes – please contact Simon Dixon (master@pdg.org.uk) if you want to come to participate.

August 12^th, 18:30 – Stedman practice at Irthlingborough

This session is for all those who want to practice ringing either Stedman Triples or Stedman Doubles – plain courses or touches.

This practice is open to all – no need to register in advance, just turn up with a £1 fee towards tower donations

September 9^th, 10:30 – 10-bell practice at Daventry

An opportunity for ringers of all abilities to have a go at ringing on higher numbers.  We regularly ring a range of methods from Grandsire and Little Bob up to Surprise Royal.

This practice is open to all – no need to register

October 14^th, 10:30 – Grandsire – location tbd

This will cover the structure of the plain course of Grandsire (Doubles, Triples and above).  It will also look at how bobs and singles affect the working bells with hints on how to ring touches in the method.  The practical session will focus on ringing touches of doubles and triples and will take place at a location that is most convenient for those who sign up.  The course will be suitable for any ringer who can either ring plain bob or treble to different plain methods competently.

If interested please contact Simon Dixon (master@pdg.org.uk)

October 14^th, 18:30 – Plain Bob Practice at Desborough

This session is for all those who want to practice Plain Bob from Doubles up to Major – plain courses or touches.

This practice is open to all – no need to register in advance, just turn up with a £1 fee towards tower donations

November 11^th, 10:30 – 10-bell practice at Higham Ferrers

An opportunity for ringers of all abilities to have a go at ringing on higher numbers.  We regularly ring a range of methods from Grandsire and Little Bob up to Surprise Royal.  We will be ringing half-muffled and there will be a period of silence around 11am.

This practice is open to all – no need to register

November 11^th, 15:00 – Leading Up and Down in Peal at Grafton Underwood

This will cover the additional skills needed to allow a band to raise and lower the bells safely and tunefully.  It should be of particular interest to those who get called upon to carry out this task but are uncertain about how to make it work.

If interested please contact Simon Dixon (master@pdg.org.uk)

December 9^th, 15:00 – Ringing Up and Down in Peal at Isham

With advice and practice for either one of these activities, this would suit ringers who are members of bands that regularly lower and raise their bells but do not have enough ringers who can do so in peal. 

If interested please contact Simon Dixon (master@pdg.org.uk)

We ask that if anyone is interested in any of these sessions or have suggestions of their own to put forward, that they contact Simon Dixon (master@pdg.org.uk)  or Cathy Dixon (pro@pdg.org.uk) to let us know and we’ll be in touch with more details.  Please note that there will be a small fee of £3 per student for the training sessions to go towards a tower donation, and a request for £1 from each ringer at one of the open practice sessions.

Two more ringers required please for a wedding at Lower Benefield on Saturday 15th July. Wedding service starts at 1:00pm, ringing afterwards only, meet time is 1:30pm. £25 paid to each ringer.

Nick Elks – nick.elks@gmail – tel 07961 916819

It’s been a busy couple of weeks, and the surprisingly good weather continues, although the spots of rain last weekend did worry us as the start of the Ridgman trophy contest.

Contest reports

The last few weeks have seen striking contests locally and nationally. The Ridgman Trophy is organised for guilds & association that border the Ely diocese (roughly) and is held in rotation. The Peterborough Guild last hosted in 2016, so it was probably approaching our turn again. This year it was decided to host at Towcester, on the back 10, 7 teams entered, and Essex emerged victorious. Fuller report available on the Guild website, the Ridgman Trophy site has not yet been updated with band or winners’ photos. . https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/ridgman-trophy-day

Wellingborough branch held their branch striking contest, which was held at Wilby and won by Rushden. Striking contests happen at all scales of activity.

And the weekend just gone saw the National 12 bell striking contest held in Sheffield. It was also live streamed for those unable to make it, or who want to listen to the test pieces again. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIPuta5XCuQ Birmingham rang first and were awarded the Taylor trophy. They start at ~1:08 into the live stream. Its interesting to watch the bells through the touch as well as listen to it.

Other news

The Churches Conservation Trust has launched its annual awards for churches. It’s an opportunity to celebrate churches and their importance to community. Nominations need to be in by the 23^rd July and more details can be found on their website. https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/impact/awards/awards2023

In 2014, Ropley church, in Hampshire, was badly damaged by fire. The Alton & Petersfield District in the Winchester & Portsmouth Guild are organising a Fundraising Open Day on the 30^th September to help raise funds to restore the bells.

If a tower grabbing day is your thing, they would be very grateful for your help!

https://www.wpbells.org/open-day-for-ropley/

Guild AGM

For those that are interested, I have deciphered my scribblings and the minutes of the Guild AGM are available on the website. Any comments or corrections to me please. https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/agm-2023-minutes

Also announced at the AGM was the calendar of events for the Guild’s 100^th anniversary. These are listed on the Guild website. https://pdg.org.uk/pdg-100 We’ll be asking for expressions of interest and advance bookings for some events, so get these in your diaries soonest.

Dates for the Diary

Guild 10 Bell Practice Saturday 8^th July. 10:30 Rothwell.

Guild Intermediate Practice Saturday 8^th July 7:30 Weedon Bec

Peterborough Social Surprise Minor Practice Wednesday 28^th June 7:30 Bulwick

Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 1^st July 3:00 Great Oxendon, 6:00 East Farndon

Rutland Branch 6 bell practice Wednesday 5^th July 7:30 Braunston Focus Surprise

Peterborough Branch 8 bell Practice Friday 7^th July 7:30 Castor

Wellingborough Surprise Practice Saturday 15^th July 10:30 Irthlingborough

Wellingborough Branch Practice Saturday 15^th July 2:30 Wollaston

Culworth Branch Half yearly meeting Saturday 15^th July 3:00 Charwelton

Daventry Branch Meeting Saturday 15^th July 3:00 Newnham

Kettering Branch Practice Saturday 15^th July 3:30 Burton Latimer

Rutland Branch 8 bell practice Thursday 20^th July 7:30 Uppingham

Towcester Branch Striking contest with North Bucks Saturday 22^nd July Time & location tbc

Northampton Branch Practice Saturday 22^nd July 7:00 Collingtree

There, that’s enough for this week. With the longest day past, it’s the start of the run into Christmas and 2024. What a cheery thought!

Thanks

Helen

Looking forward to seeing many of you for branch ringing at Bulwick on Wednesday.

Methods!

If you only ring one surprise minor method it is probably Cambridge and you are most welcome

If you want an alternative to Cambridge, then perhaps think about revising Norwich.

If you ring a few surprise minor methods, what about revising the Cambridge six: Cambridge Primrose Bourne Hull Ipswich Norfolk.

If you are a show off and want a challenge, think about London and/or London below methods like York/Lightfoot/Rossendale

If you are really only there for the chat in the pub afterwards then don’t let any of the above put you off!

James

Dear all, we are having an additional bell cast and installed at Yarwell Church to augment the existing 4 bells to 5.   Yarwell PCC has decided it will be called the Starsmore Jubilee Bell in recognition of the Jubilee in 2022 and in acknowledgement of the contribution made by Jack and Grace Starsmore to the life of the village and the church in particular.

We have raised nearly all the money needed, with significant donations from local bell ringers and the village, plus the Guild Bell Fund has kindly offered a grant towards the work.

We are planning two events to raise further funds, to which you are invited:

Sunday Teas      Sunday 2nd July      3pm – 5pm Yarwell Village Hall 

Flower Festival Saturday 22nd July    11am – 4pm   Yarwell Church and Yarwell Village Hall

I hope you will be able to join us at one of these events and contribute to raising the final funds required.

Best wishes,

Hilary

It was great to see so many of you at the Guild AGM yesterday. I’m sorry to say that there were no other nomination for Secretary, so you’re stuck with me for another year. Thanks to Culworth branch for the arrangements and for magic-ing up the fabulous weather and an excellent tea in the marvellous (HS2 funded) village hall.



Guild AGM

In a very productive meeting, all officers were returned to their posts, with the exception of the Safeguarding Officer, where John Beresford has stepped into the role, alongside his role for his benefice. We have a vacant post for Youth Ringing officer. This is one post that doesn’t have a long history, so the incumbent could shape this as they see fit. Get in touch to discuss further.

There was a vote in favour of a change to the rules, these will be posted to the Guild website shortly once we’ve updated the Charity Commission. Thank you to the committee that undertook this, it’s not an easy task.

And the plans for the 100th anniversary were revealed. We’ve been working hard to try and provide a range of ringing and non-ringing opportunities. Events are listed on the website for 2024, we’ll have more details up soon. You can see our special logo which has been added to the footer of this mail – get used to it, you’ll be seeing a lot of it.

As to merchandise, mugs with the logo are currently available for £5 from the PRO (pro@pdg.org.uk), and clothing is available to order via the attached order form. Again, more to follow as we approach the anniversary, including calendars and a special anniversary jigsaw.

Finally, we elected Graham & Bridget Paul as Honorary Life Members of the Guild, honouring their service to ringing in the Northampton area for many years. Congratulations to both. We’ll present your certificates at a later date.



Ridgman trophy

The Guild is hosting the Ridgman Trophy on Saturday 17th June. This is a 10 bell striking competition for guilds and associations that border the Ely DA. This year it is being hosted at Towcester, with ringing from 10 to ~ 2:30 and results at about 3pm. The Towcester ringers are laying on some refreshments; bacon rolls from 9:30, tea/coffee soft drinks & cake through the day. It’s a chance to listen to what should be some good striking on an excellent ring of bells (OK, I might be a little bit biased here). And (fingers crossed) the weather gods look to be smiling on us, so should be a good day. Do pop along and support your local team.



Guild Newsletter

The Coronation edition of the Guild newsletter is now available. It can be found here: https://pdg.org.uk/newsletters/newsletter_202306.pdf and paper copies will be making their way to towers shortly. It’s an excellent record of an awful lot of ringing.

Next edition due for circulation at the Summer Festival, print deadline the end of August. Any items for inclusion to the newsletter editor, newsletter@pdg.org.uk

The newsletter editor is also looking for an assistant to help with collating the incoming news items and producing the magazine. Talk to Jonathan if you feel you can help or would want to learn more.



CCCBR news

The president’s latest blog is available here: https://cccbr.org.uk/2023/06/09/presidents-blog-80/

There’s also an appreciation of volunteers in Volunteer’s week. https://cccbr.org.uk/2023/06/09/thank-you-to-all-our-volunteers/ Ringers are invariably volunteers, some step forward and take on further responsibility, be that at tower, branch, Guild or national level. Maybe take a minute to say thank you to those people who volunteer and make your ringing life more fulfilling. Or consider how you might volunteer your time or expertise further.



Dates for the Diary

Guild 10 Bell Practice Saturday 8th July. 10:30 Rothwell.

Guild Intermediate Practice Saturday 8th July 7:30 Weedon Bec



One change and one new event. Wellingborough now start at 6:30 on Tuesday and Peterborough are socially ringing Surprise later in the month.

Wellingborough Striking contest Wilby Tuesday 13th June 6:30 Wilby

Rutland Branch 8 bell practice Thursday 15th June 7:30 Uppingham

Wellingborough Surprise Practice Saturday 17th June 10:30 Orlingbury

Daventry Branch Meeting Saturday 17th June 3:00 Whilton 6:30 Norton

Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 17th June 7:30 King’s Sutton

Towcester Branch Practice Thursday 22nd June 7:30 Greens Norton

Peterborough Social Surprise Minor Practice Wednesday 28th June 7:30 Bulwick

Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 1st July 3:00 Great Oxendon, 6:00 East Farndon

Rutland Branch 6 bell practice Wednesday 5th July 7:30 Braunston Focus Surprise

Peterborough Branch 8 bell Practice Friday 7th July 7:30 Castor



Hope you have enjoyed the rather flaming June and have welcomed or dodged the rather large raindrops we had this afternoon (your opinion possibly depending on if you are a gardener or BBQ-er!).



Thanks

Helen

Dear friends, there will be a branch ringing social event on 28th June 1930h at Bulwick.

This will be a social surprise minor event. Anyone who can ring a surprise minor method is welcome. It isn’t a training event as such but if you don’t get an opportunity to bring your Cambridge out very often and would like a go with a strong band around you then you will be in the right place.

Equally if you would like a go at some spliced, I would hope we will be strong enough.

Equally if you would just like some nice simple surprise minor with old friends and the opportunity to catch up in the pub afterwards then please come!

Please let me know if this is of interest

James