Dear all,

No intro from me tonight. I’ll leave you to read and digest Helen’s latest update.

Best wishes,

Julie

To: Branch Chairs, secretaries & treasurers, please pass on to members. 

It seems that winter has decided to arrive with a vengeance over the weekend. Worcester Cathedral lost a pinnacle after storm Arwen blew one off and through the roof. Hopefully nothing like that happened to anyone. 

St Peters & Old Black Lion project 

Lots of progress on the project in the last few weeks. The CCT is looking to partner with an operator for the pub. As ringers have a certain affinity with pubs, you may know someone who may be able to make a success of this. If so, point them in the direction of the CCT website: https://www.visitchurches.org.uk/what-we-do/news/cct-is-seeking-a-suitable-hospitality-operator-for-the-old-black-lion-pub.html

The project was also granted planning permission and listed building consent for the changes to be made. https://www.visitchurches.org.uk/what-we-do/news/planning-permission-and-listed-building-consent-granted-for-old-black-lion-pub-in-northampton.html

And, finally, the CCCBR signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the CCT over the ringing centre element of the plans. This is featured in the President’s latest blog: https://cccbr.org.uk/2021/11/16/presidents-blog-47/

CCCBR 

The Central Council’s Covid guidance team has recently met to consider revising guidance, not least because there is anecdotal evidence that some bands and towers are still more locked down than they may need to be, and the team wants to facilitate responsible ringing as far as possible. The team has a further meeting with the Church of England Recovery Group next week and in advance of that we are interested to hear of any instances of difficulties with guidance, contrary views on ringing guidance from clergy or churchwardens, or any specific issues that you think need to be addressed or clarified as we approach our first ‘vaccinated winter’. 

Please send any observations directly to simon.linford@cccbr.org.uk

The first YACR event is planned for early January. YACR is open to ringers aged under 30. https://cccbr.org.uk/2021/11/19/ycra-event/

Guild reminders

12 days of giving

As we approach the Christmas season, Ecclesiastical are again running their 12 days of giving campaign in December. You just have to nominate the Guild, and we go into the 12 draws that take place between the 6^th & 21^st December. The more nominations, the more likelihood there is of us being awarded one of 120 grants of £1000 each. This would go to the Guild’s training fund. This has received a number of applications as ringing starts up again. 

We’ve been successful in the last few years; all it needs is you to get your clicking fingers out. The link below takes you to a page with prefilled details, just scroll down the page, complete the form and submit. 

Photo contest
Seeing the weather’s turned frosty, how about getting out and taking a seasonal picture of your church for the Guild photo contest. Or has it been adorned with festive lights and decorations? Seasonal entries are most definitely welcomes. 

January AGMs

Branches should be sharing details of their AGMs now, if they haven’t already. Keep up to date with the where and when by looking at the events page of the Guild website. https://pdg.org.uk/events. I know that branches are always looking for help and support to arrange the events that are laid on for ringers across the year. They would love you to get involved, if you are able to. 

I had my first Christmas dinner last night, Towcester branch’s annual dinner. Excellent event with some very good speeches and handbells to get us all in festive mood. This is the first of several dinners for us between now and Christmas day – at none of them will I be ordering turkey. Knowing how much I dislike the cold; you’ll not be surprised to hear that I did pick my outfit based on how warm it was. One day I will work out how to effectively pair an evening gown with a jumper and fluffy slippers, but not this year. 

Stay safe and warm

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

It is that time again!

The branch eight bell will be Friday 3rd December at Castor 1930hrs

The special method will be Lessness surprise (one of the core seven). We may need to ring it spliced with Little Bob…you have been warned😉

The practice will also suit those who can already ring Bob Minor and wish to apply the same principles to Bob Major.

See you there, James

Dear all,

Herewith Helen’s latest update.

Please read and act on Helen’s request in the paragraph about 12 days of giving.

Happy reading,

Best wishes,

Julie

Helen’s text starts here:

To: Branch Chairs, secretaries & treasurers, please pass on to members. 

I don’t know about you, but ringing half muffled this morning sent shivers down my spine. It is such a haunting sound. A lot of Guild news this week. 

12 days of giving. 

As we approach the Christmas season, Ecclesiastical are again running their 12 days of giving campaign in December. You just have to nominate the Guild, and we go into the 12 draws that take place between the 6^th & 21^stDecember. The more nominations, the more likelihood there is of us being awarded one of 120 grants of £1000 each. This would go to the Guild’s training fund. This has received a number of applications as ringing starts up again. 

We’ve been successful in the last few years; all it needs is you to get your clicking fingers out. The link below takes you to a page with prefilled details, just scroll down the page, complete the form and submit. 

10-bell practice. 

I had a busy ringing Saturday, with the 10-bell practice at Kettering and then the Kettering branch meeting at Burton Latimer in the afternoon. It was good to see 27 people at Kettering, with a wide range of methods for those of different experience. Those present rang Little Bob Royal,  Grandsire & Stedman Caters, Cambridge, London & Bristol Royal. It gave everyone a chance to stretch themselves and to try and dust some pretty heavy cobwebs off some methods! The next practice will be 22^nd January, location will be advertised once it is finalised. 

100 club.

At the same practice we held the draw at the 10-bell practice at Kettering. Congratulations to Sarah Burrows, Peter Fleckney and Richard Allton who share this month’s prize fund of £89.57. For any information about how to become a member, or details about how to pay if you are already a member, contact Cathy Dixon, 100_club@pdg.org.uk  

Ringing World.

There are 2 articles with local interest in this week’s edition of the Ringing World, one about St Mary’s Peterborough, the other about recent recruitment activity in Rutland and the Guild’s Flying Squad’s involvement (better names for that are still welcomed!). Individual issues are available through the Ringing World website. https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/issues.php

What are you doing locally that would be of interest to other people? The editor always welcomes submissions, as does the guild newsletter editor, newsletter@pdg .org.uk Don’t hide your light under a bushel. 

Hopefully, you’ll soon be hearing from your branch with arrangements for the branch AGMs in January. These are an important opportunity for you to make sure that the branch and the Guild meets your needs – what do you want to see? Roll up your sleeves and get involved, to make it happen. 

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

Dear all,

Herewith Helen’s latest update.

I am sure many bellringers will be having the same thoughts as Helen when you read her final paragraph.

Happy reading,

Best wishes,

Julie

Helen’s text:

To: Branch Chairs, secretaries & treasurers, please pass on to members. 

Hopefully by now you’ve found out the muffles for fitting for ringing next weekend. The answer to the seasonal question is opposite the garter hole. What’s the question? Let me know if you think you know. There are no prizes, this one’s just for pride. 

Guild updates

Just a reminder that the Guild 10- bell practice will be at Kettering next Saturday, 13^th November, from 10:30 to 12:30. 

All are welcome – the practices aim to help ringers move from being able to ring methods on 8 to starting to ring on 10. Methods previously rung have included Grandsire and Little Bob, and onto Stedman and Surprise.

The intention is to resume the 10-bell practice every other month. Contact The Master, Simon Dixon, with any queries. master@pdg.org.uk

https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/10-bell-practices

With more events taking place in branches, you can keep up to date with what is planned across the Guild via the website, the events page lists what is upcoming. https://pdg.org.uk/events

CCCBR news

The president has published his latest blog. https://cccbr.org.uk/2021/11/02/presidents-blog-46/

The CCCBR has launched a discussion site, Ringing Forums. https://www.ringingforums.org/ It aims to be a place for ringers to ask questions and debate topics in a ringing exclusive environment. It will take a while to reach a critical mass of users, but there’s some items of interest already. You need to register to post, but not to read what has bene posted. 

I wonder if I’m the only person debating quite how many jumpers it is possible to wear at once while ringing. The desire to have ventilation is becoming less comfortable as the temperature drops. I’ll let you know when I discover how many jumpers is one too many. 😊

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

Ringers required at Whittlesey – Friday 5th November

A ringer from Yorkshire is looking for ringers to ring before a memorial service for her Godmother at Whittlesey St Andrew on Friday 5th November. The service is 2pm. She hopes to ring a quarter so ringing would be from 12.45 approx. If a quarter is not possible then it would be general ringing for 30 minutes or so. If you are free to ring, please message me and I will pass on details to the organiser.

It is that time again! The branch eight bell practice will be at Castor as usual on Friday 5th November at 1930hrs. Please come along.

The special method has to be Superlative surprise major as the practice falls on the 200th anniversary of the first peal in the method.

See you there,
James

Dear all,

A good and positive update from Helen.

There are dates for the diary if you are a 10 bell ringer, wish to ring on the eve of the COP26 and a reminder about ringing for Remembrance Sunday.

The CCCBR President’s blogs will be of interest if you wish to hear more about a ringing recruitment campaign, news on the Jubilee celebrations and questions on where to take the new Mobile Belfry 2.0.

There is also a positive update on the Northampton Old Black Lion and St Peter’s project.

Happy reading,

Best wishes,

Julie

Helen’s text starts:

To Branch Chairs, secretaries & treasurers – please pass on to members.  It’s certainly turned autumnal recently. I’ve fetched my jumpers from the back of the wardrobe and back into regular use. I’d like to remind you all at that the clocks go backwards on Sunday, 31^st October. If you’re ringing for morning service, you can have that little bit of a lie in. Enjoy!! 

Guild updates
Guild 10 bell practicesWe are pleased to announce the resumption of the Guild bi-monthly 10-bell practices.  The first is taking place Saturday 13th November, 10:30 to 12:30 at Kettering. All are welcome – the practices aim to help ringers move from being able to ring methods on 8 to starting to ring on 10. Methods previously rung have included Grandsire and Little Bob, and onto Stedman and Surprise.The intention is to resume the 10-bell practice every other month. Contact The Master, Simon Dixon, with any queries. master@pdg.org.uk
https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/10-bell-practices

100 Club
The October 100 club draw winners are Norman Pope, Helen Cornford and Andy Bimson. Congratulations to all three. Cheques will be in the post. Contact Cathy Dixon if you need to know when your membership is due for renewal and details of how to pay or to join. 100_club@pdg.org.uk 

The Guild’s officers met recently to discuss the future. What would help us is knowing what you want to see from your Guild. Do let us know.  

CCCBR news
In the month since my last update, the CCCBR president has blogged twice:
https://cccbr.org.uk/2021/10/05/presidents-blog-44/
https://cccbr.org.uk/2021/10/19/presidents-blog-45/

Other news
COP 26
The CofE is supporting an initiative to ring bells on the eve of the COP 26 climate conference in Glasgow. If your incumbent is agreeable, you might like to consider ringing on the 30th of October. https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/…/church-bell-ringers… 

Northampton Old Black Lion and St Peter’s project. 
West Northamptonshire council approved the business case for a Towns Fund grant for the St Peter’s and the Old Black Lion Project. The project has received £315,000 from the Towns Fund, plus a £150,000 Section 106 grant. The lease from the Council was also approved. This is an important step in the restoration of the Old Black Lion and the surrounding area.  And one final piece of timely advice, with Remembrance Sunday coming up. It is usual to muffle bells at backstroke, but as long as they’re all muffled the same way, the majority of those listening downstairs or outside will not know the difference. Remembrance Sunday is often a service with a higher than usual attendance. It is an opportunity for bells and ringers to play a role in the wider community and hopefully many towers will be ringing in muffled sadness this year.  

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

Dear all,

Helen’s update is a good read. It includes an online version of the Guild newsletter with contributions from many towers. There are also details of the Guild Quiz. I have 50 paper copies of the quiz being delivered to me, so if anyone would like some to sell for £1 per copy please let me know.

Congratulations to the 100 Club winners – see if you are one of them!

A date for your diary. Peterborough Branch will host the Guild AGM on Saturday 11 June 2022.

Best wishes,

Julie

Helen’s text starts:

To Branch Chairs, Secretaries & Treasurers – please pass on to members. 

It was lovely to see so many people at the Summer Festival yesterday, and even the weather co-operated – the sun shone and people gathered to chat and ring. The informal contest saw 4 teams drawn at random from those present and resulted in a win for team 2, for which they were warmly applauded.  

Guild updates

100 Club

The Summer festival saw the first draw of the 100 club after it had been put into hibernation through covid. There were 172 members paid up, meaning prizes were £56.76, £20.64 and £13.76. These were won by Ruth Stokes (94), Tim Samson (104) and Jane Webb (144) respectively. The amount members were in credit in March last year has carried forward. Contact Cathy Dixon if you need to know when your membership is due for renewal and details of how to pay or to join. 100_club@pdg.org.uk

Newsletter

The Guild’s newsletter is now available. Paper copies will be circulated to towers. It is also available online, here:  https://pdg.org.uk/newsletters/newsletter_202109.pdf. Have a read and see what is going on across the Guild. The intention is to publish the newsletter more frequently, making it more timely in sharing information. The next print deadline will be the end of January, to capture all the fun goings on between now and into Christmas/New Year.  You can contact Jonathan Stuart with any comments or to ask for additional copies. newsletter@pdg.org.uk

Guild Quiz

The 2021 Guild Quiz is now available. A new quiz master sees a new format, no theme just 10 questions in 6 very different subjects and styles. No ringing knowledge required, so suitable to sell to friends, family, neighbours, acquaintances and total strangers. Bundles have been prepared for branches to sell, it is also available as a pdf from the Guild Secretary, mail me if you want a copy on secretary@pdg.org.uk. Answers need to be in by the end of January to be in with a chance of winning a prize!

Photo contest

For the 100th anniversary, in 2024, the Guild will be producing a calendar for the year, decorated with images of churches within the Peterborough Diocese. The calendar will be produced with images in landscape format A4 size. Many towers may look better in portrait than landscape, so submissions can be a single landscape image or a selection of images of a single church to produce a collage. Images may be an external view of the church or tower, of the bells or installation, or architectural features of the church – be as inventive and artistic as you like. Images of a vibrant town centre church would be as interesting as an idyllic country church in a peaceful landscape. Images showing different seasons are particularly welcomed. 
Pictures must be of churches within the boundaries of the Peterborough diocese with three or more bells hung for ringing. The bells do not need to be ringable. For ideas about towers, see the Towers section of the Guild website. The competition is open to anyone and closes on the 1st September 2022, with winners to be announced at the Summer Festival that month. The three best images, as judged by the 100th Anniversary Committee, will be the recipient of a 100th Anniversary Calendar each for the photographer and for the tower pictured. Terms and conditions are in the newsletter and on the website, see here: https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/photo-contest. Entries to be e-mailed to photos100@pdg.org.uk. Good luck! 

CCCBR updates:
The president’s blog reaches edition 43. https://cccbr.org.uk/2021/09/21/presidents-blog-43/

Lots to keep you busy there, and I hope to hear from you on one subject or another. I’m about to get busy with events in 2022, after a very slow start 2021 is now flying by. 

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

Our next practice will be 1930hrs Friday 1st October at Castor.

The practice will be on eight bells and aim to achieve some surprise major ringing and/or Stedman.

The practice will also suit those who can already ring bob minor and wish to apply the same principles to bob major.

The covid policy for the practice will remain:

• hand sanitisation will be available
• mask wearing will not be required and is a matter of personal choice
• confirming or demonstrating evidence of your vaccination status will not be required

I appreciate that for many individual reasons not every ringer will be ready, willing or able to ring – please let me know if you ARE planning to come – apologies/explanations for absence are not required.

James Thorpe

Dear all,

Good afternoon,

Here is Helen’s latest update. Please note the date of the next Guild meeting.

Helen has also asked that information on future Branch events be sent to the Guild Webmaster for inclusion in the Guild Events calendar.

Best wishes,

Julie

Helen’s text:

To: Branch Chair, secretaries & treasurers. Please circulate to members. 

That made a nice change – I was able to attend Kettering’s branch meeting on Saturday afternoon; two sixes, nice weather and a convenient pub afterwards – what was not to like! Thank you for having us. Wellingborough are having their first branch event this Saturday. It’s good to see branches making steps back to ringing as well as towers. It’s an important part of ringing to get out and about to other towers and bells and to enjoy chatting to people again (Yes, I know ringing masters disapprove of too much of that while they’re trying to arrange ringing!)

Guild news

The next Guild meeting is a fortnight away, on Saturday 25^th September at Thrapston. There will be open ringing at 3 pm and an informal contest before the business meeting at 5 pm. See here for details: https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/summer-festival. Nomination for Safeguarding Officer can be sent to me ahead of the meeting or taken at the meeting. Advance notice of any other items of business would be appreciated. 

If you want to see what events are taking place across the Guild, please check out the Guild website, they are listed on the Events page: https://pdg.org.uk/events

Can branches please let the webmaster (webmaster@pdg.org.uk) know of any changes, cancellations, or additions so that the page can be kept up to date. Tower special events taking place within the Guild can also be included, as an event or a news item, just let the webmaster know. Until things are entirely back to normal, it would be as well to confirm that an event is taking place before travelling any great distance. 

CCCBR

The president’s latest blog, with additional mathematics, is available here: https://cccbr.org.uk/2021/09/08/presidents-blog-6×9/

Youth Ringing

This weekend saw the National Youth Ringing competition, hosted at Worcester. Teams from across the country took part, ringing rounds or methods in the contests. Kent and Oxford were successful. At this event the Young Change Ringers Association was launched. https://ycra.org.uk/ This is a national association for young ringers (under 30) to encourage the younger ringers. If you have some in your tower you might like to point them in that direction. 

The Guild is aiming to gather young ringers is our area to enable younger ringers to ring with other of their age group. If you are or have young ringers in your tower, please get in touch with Nich Wilson on young_ringers@pdg.org.uk to find out more. Helpers of a less young variety are also appreciated!

Hopefully see some of you at events in the next few weeks. 

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