Ringers required to ring for a wedding this coming Saturday 23rd April. Wedding service is due to start at 11:00am, we plan to ring before from 10:45am and afterwards. £25 per rope. Let me know please if you are able to ring.

Nick Elks

A positive covid test means we are now one ringer short for the wedding at Oundle this coming Saturday April 9th. The wedding service is at 1:00pm, with ringing afterwards only from 1:30pm, ringing up (if you are able to come early) at 12:45pm. There is £25 per rope. Please let me know if you are able to ring.

Nick Elks

Dear Ringers,

Helen Allton’s latest update is below.  There is plenty of news as well as dates for your diary.

Best wishes,

Julie

Helen’s text:

To Branch chair, treasurers & secretaries, please pass on to members

So much for much for my weather forecasting skills. After the last update when I confidently predicted that winter was behind us, the weather decided to prove me wrong. Snow, hail, wind and rain all made an appearance over the last few days. April is usually unpredictable but let’s hope that’s the end of that!

Guild news:
The Guild is planning a series of ringing opportunities to take place on Second Saturdays. The first two sessions will cover Basic Bell maintenance and Beyond Plain Bob. Express interest by e-mailing Simon Dixon. It is anticipated that sessions will be repeated at a later date. Locations will be advised once interest has been expressed. For more details, see https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/second-saturday-sessions

There is also now a web page to encourage ringers to learn as a result of the Jubilee. See here for more details: https://pdg.org.uk/jubilee-ringing

And a reminder that the Spring meeting is on the 23^rd April in the Kettering branch. Ringing at Stoke Albany (14:00) then the contest and ringing at Wilbarston (15:00). This will be followed by a brief business meeting before evening ringing at Brampton Ash. Names for tea to Jane Marsh by e-mail chairman@kettering.pdg.org.uk or by phone/text on 07708 376 524

Teams for the 6-bell striking contest should e-mail Simon Dixon, master@pdg.org.uk, to enter their team. For further details, see https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/spring-meeting-23rd-april

Dates for your Diary
You can check for details on the Guild’s events page for more details. https://pdg.org.uk/events Easter sees more than the usual number of events this coming Saturday.

Culworth: 9^th April, 7:30 pm Upper Boddington.
Daventry: 9^th April, 15:00 Everdon. Followed by service, tea & meeting from 4:30. Special method is Little Everdon Bob Doubles https://rsw.me.uk/blueline/methods/view/Little_Everdon_Bob_Doubles
Kettering: 9^th April, Isham, 14:00. Ringing and social gathering
Wellingborough: 9^th April, 10:30 Earl’s Barton. Surprise practice to include both surprise minor and major.
Wellingborough: 9^th April 14:30 Yardley Hastings.
Guild 10 bell: 14^th May, 10:30 – 12:30 location tbc. If you want to receive updates on this subject directly, please let the Guild Secretary know.  

CCCBR updates:
The President’s latest blog covers a lot of ground, https://cccbr.org.uk/2022/03/29/presidents-blog-56/

That’s enough from me. No predictions this week in case they are instantly proven false!

Thanks

Helen

Dear Ringers,

Helen Allton has asked that we promote the Spring meeting taking place on 23 April on Petbells. The poster has already been put onto the Petbells downloads page, but to make it easy, here is the link:

Many thanks,

Julie

Dear Ringers,

Helen Allton has asked that information about this Spring meeting be circulated to Guild members, hence this e-mail. Please find details of the Spring Meeting and 6 Bell Contest taking place on Saturday 23 April, St George’s Day, at: https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/spring-meeting-23rd-april

Please note team entries should be submitted by 16 April 2022.

Best wishes,

Julie

This Friday 1st April is the branch 8 bell practice at Castor 1930h.

The special method will be Bristol. If you ring Cambridge or Yorkshire but you haven’t previously rung Bristol, you could decide to learn just 5th or 6th placed bell to reduce your homework.

If you ring Bob minor but don’t have 8 bell experience then the practice will be an opportunity to ring Bob major with support around you.

I look forward to seeing you there,

James

Dear Ringers,

Here is Helen’s latest update. Again there are dates for your diary and updates about on-going projects. So, have a read.

Best wishes,

Julie

To Branch Chairs, Secretaries & Treasurers, please forward to members.

I’ve been to a number of Guild and branch events in the last few weeks. In each case I have been impressed by a couple of things. Firstly, the enthusiasm of those who attended. In each case there was a good turn out, it seems that our members want to get out and to ring, which is really heartening. The second thing was the meetings that had cake; In two weeks I had a cupcake and millionaires shortbread, respectively. I’m not sure that cake does much for my ringing or, indeed, my waistline, but it has been rather yummy!

Guild news:
Some advance notice, the 23^rd April sees the Guild Spring Meeting, in the Kettering branch. Ringing at Stoke Albany (14:00) then the contest and ringing at Wilbarston (15:00). This will be followed by a brief business meeting before evening ringing at Brampton Ash. Names for tea to Jane Marsh by e-mail chairman@kettering.pdg.org.uk or by phone/text on 07708 376 524

Teams for the 6-bell striking contest should e-mail Simon Dixon, master@pdg.org.uk, to enter their team. Just to remind you that teams can be from a tower, benefice or group of towers that ring together.  You can ring call changes, doubles or minor; the piece should be at least 120 changes long. Additional details will be provided in the next update. It’ll be great to see you there.

CCCBR updates:
The School & Youth groups workgroup has issued an update. https://cccbr.org.uk/2022/03/18/schools-youth-groups-workgroup-update/

The President’s latest blog ends on a cliff hanger – what exactly did Charlie wear to school??? https://cccbr.org.uk/2022/03/16/presidents-blog-55/

Entries are invited for the 2022 Westley Award for Church Belfry Maintenance and Improvement, you can find out more here: https://cccbr.org.uk/2022/03/11/2022-westley-award-for-church-belfry-maintenance-and-improvement/

Dates for your Diary
You can check for details on the Guild’s events page for more details. https://pdg.org.uk/events

Towcester: 26^th March, 10:30 – 12:00 Potterspury. Special methods All Saints Doubles and Kent Treble Bob Minor.  

Peterborough: 1^st April 19:30 8 bell practice at Castor

Guilsborough: 2^nd April, 15:30 Scaldwell, with service, tea & meeting then from 18:30 Walgrave

Guild 10 bell: 12^th May, 10:30 – 12:30 location tbc. If you want to receive updates on this subject directly, please let the Guild Secretary know.  

Other ringing events
Saturday 26th sees the 3 eliminators for the National Twelve-Bell Striking Contest. One is being held at Bury St Edmunds and Towcester will be taking part. Draw is at 11, contest ringing from 11:30. Bury St Edmunds is a lovely place to while away some time, while listening to some of the best striking you’ll hear.

Seeing the weather forecast is currently sunny, it could be a good day out (no promises). See the links below for more information.

http://www.12bell.org.uk/

http://www.12bell.org.uk/…/uploads/2022/02/2022-Bury.pdf

The annual ART conference will take place on Saturday 7 May at Erdington Academy, Birmingham. ART are working with the CCCBR again, and the second day of the conference weekend will be hosted by the Tower Stewardship and Management Workgroup of the CCCBR. There is no need to be an ART learner or tutor to attend. For more details, and to register, see this link. https://ringingteachers.org/news/ART-Conference

With the Spring equinox now past, the long drag from winter is beyond us. Summer may seem a while away yet – it might be sunny but that doesn’t mean it’s warm – I’m not about to shed my jumper quite yet!! But there’s that promise of warmth and sunshine and that only makes things feel better. Hopefully it might entice you out and about.

Thanks

Helen

Helen Allton
Secretary: Peterborough Diocesan Guild of Church Bellringers
Facebook: www.facebook.com/PDGCBR
Website: www.pdg.org.uk
e-mail: secretary@pdg.org.uk
Telephone: 01832 735 266

Please could you let me know if you are interested in attending a striking workshop at Cotterstock on Wednesday 6th April at 7pm.

As previously, the idea will be to ring something well within your comfort zone with an experienced band, in order to focus on striking.

The intention is that everybody goes home with one or two things to think about and work on at their usual practice.

Let me know,

James

Dear Ringers,

Herewith Helen’s latest update.

Congratulations to the 3 winners of the 100 Club. Check out the website to see if you are a winner.

There are dates for your ringing diary, documents to read and a final thought on the possibility of towers following the the example set by Yardley Hastings St Andrews. Read on.

Best wishes,

Julie

Helen’s text starts:

To branch chairs, secretaries & treasurers. Please circulate to members. 

The start of March is the herald of Spring – and the Guild Management Committee meeting. It was a productive meeting, and we thank all those who put in the time to attend and discuss the issues and opportunities that the Guild faces going forwards. As to spring, the daffs are certainly out. How about trying to catch them in a photograph for the Spring months of the upcoming Guild calendar. You can send photos at any time, but they must be received before the beginning of September for the competition. https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/anniversary-photo-competition

Guild News
Towcester Branch recently ran a focussed practice as a branch event, followed by a sociable lunch. It seems to have worked rather well. Read more about it here: https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/something-for-everyone

And the March 100 club draw was made. When will you be so lucky? You’ll need to join first. https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/march-2022-100-club-draw

Dates for your Diary
You can check for details on the Guild’s events page for more details. https://pdg.org.uk/events

Guild 10 bell: 12^th March, 10:30 – 12:30 at Towcester. 
Kettering: 12^th March, 14:00 at Brampton Ash, with tea at the conclusion of ringing, then on to Dingley from 15:00 to 16:00. 
Daventry: 12^th March 15:00 at Great Brington. 
Culworth: 19^th March 15:00 at Culworth
Wellingborough: 19^th March. Surprise practice at Ecton 10:30 to 12:30. 
Wellingborough: 19^th March Branch Practice at Finedon at 19:00 until 21:00

Central Council news
The President’s latest Blog can be found here: https://cccbr.org.uk/2022/03/01/presidents-blog-54/

The Stewardship & Management Workgroup published an update. If you can’t really work out what they do from their title (it’s not terribly clear, is it?), hopefully this will help a little.  https://cccbr.org.uk/2022/02/25/workgroup-update-stewardship-management-workgroup/

And a final thought. Yardley Hastings St Andrew is ringing a peace bell every evening. They will ring 30 times representing the number of years Ukraine has been independent. This will be totally inclusive as they intend to invite villagers to chime. They will use a mix of bells and will continue for as long as the war goes on or are unable to sustain the ringing. Bells have been an audible signal of events both local and worldwide, with ringing as a signal of triumph and tragedy. It is suggested that you consult your incumbent to confirm if they think ringing for a political purpose is appropriate. 

Thanks
Helen
Helen Allton
Secretary: Peterborough Diocesan Guild of Church Bellringers
Facebook: www.facebook.com/PDGCBR
Website: www.pdg.org.uk
e-mail: secretary@pdg.org.uk
Telephone: 01832 735 266

Welcome to March! Our first Friday practice will be at Castor as usual this Fridayv at 1930hrs

As previously this practice will suit those that can methods on six but would like an opportunity on eight bells.

For my experienced support, and those that are learning surprise major methods, please would you come along having looked at Superlative SM. As usual Stedman will also probably feature.

See you there,

James