Dear all,

Good afternoon. Here we are on 1 September and officially it is the start of Autumn. Whilst Autumn means eight months of 2021 have already passed us by, with little or no ringing for many towers. The positive is that more bell towers are getting back to ringing for practice and Sunday services. Feel free to communicate your Tower activities to Helen if you haven’t already done so.

Enjoy reading Helen’s update and note the opportunity to ring on 30 October……….

Best wishes,

Julie

Helen’s text:

To: Branch Chairs, Secretaries & Treasurers. Please circulate to your members

I’m not sure what happened to Monday being a SUMMER bank holiday, it didn’t look a lot like summer where I was. Hopefully, you managed to do something that wasn’t dependent on sunny weather – or you have your own personal break in the cloud to take care of that. 

Guild news:

It was good to see so many people brave the inclement weather for the (Not the) Spring meeting. Hopefully we’ll see more of you at the next meeting, which will be the Guild’s Summer Festival, to be held on 25^th September at Thrapston from 3 pm. This usually hosts the inter-branch 8 bell contest. However this year it will be a little bit different, with open ringing from 3 pm and an informal striking contest for those who wish to (or can be coerced into) taking part. There will be drinks available in the church hall from 3 pm, feel free to bring a picnic if the weather gods decide to smile on us this time. 

There will be a business meeting to follow, at 5 pm. An actual in person meeting. Golly!

Details and a poster can be found here: https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/summer-festival

Safeguarding Officer:

There remains a need for the Guild to have someone dedicated to supporting and recording safeguarding coverage in the Guild. This role was new at the Guild AGM and remains unfilled. If you are interested, a role description is attached, or please contact me to find out more. Nominations could be made at the Summer meeting for a vacant post. 

Guild clothing:

The Guild is continuing to offer clothing embroidered with the Guild logo. Details can be found on the website and orders are made through Cathy Dixon, e-mail her on pro@pdg.org.uk  There is some customisation available, with your tower or benefice being embroidered below the logo, if you choose. 

Branch meetings:

It is good to hear of more branches that are beginning to put on their monthly meetings again. Towcester, Wellingborough, Peterborough & Kettering have already or are aiming to hold meetings or practices for the branch in September. If I’ve missed your branch activity, please feel free to bring me up to date. 

CCCBR:

The President’s latest blog where admits to a dubious relationship with the truth regarding his holiday destination… https://cccbr.org.uk/2021/08/24/presidents-holiday-blog-41/Here we are

Annual Meeting

This weekend sees the CCCBR annual meeting, again to be held virtually. Hopefully that will go smoothly and we’ll have an update from our representatives at the Summer Festival. Papers are available here if you have a desire to see what is going on. https://cccbr.org.uk/about/annual-meetings/2021-meeting/

COP26

You may well have seen that the United Nations Climate change conference is being held in Glasgow at the start of November. If your ringers or your church feel so inclined, you might like to ring to raise awareness of this important event. I know that some churches have been increasingly vocal on this subject in recent years. Suggested ringing would be on the eve of the conference, 30^th October at 6 pm, although ringing at any time that suits the band and church would be equally relevant. https://cccbr.org.uk/2021/08/31/cop26-united-nations-climate-change-conference/

And that’s all for now, folks. Hope to see you at the Summer Festival, or at branch events in the coming months. 

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

Four more ringers required to ring for a wedding on Friday 27th August (Bank holiday weekend) at Lower Benefield PE8 5AF. £25 per ringer. Wedding starts at 12:30pm so you would need to arrive by 1:00pm. Let me know if you are available to ring please nick.elks@gmail.com or call me on 07961 916819

Dear all,

Good morning on this rather damp and miserable August day.

While Helen’s update is short, there are plenty of good reads in it including the President’s latest blog, where he is promoting an on-line publication entitled “Calling it Round”. For those wanting to progress to calling and conducting, this could be part of your way forward.

Best wishes,

Julie

Helen’s text:

To: Branch Chairs, Secretaries & Treasurers. Please circulate to your members

Just a reminder of the (Not the) Spring festival, the guild ringing and social event taking place this Saturday, 21st August at SS Peter & Paul church, Abington, Northampton, from 3 to 5 pm. It will be an opportunity for general ringing and the chance to catch up with ringers from across the Guild. If you wish to, please bring a picnic, including drinks of your choice.

The church has a number of requirements for those attending, in order to keep attendees and those using the church safe. Please see https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/spring-meetingfor more details.

A poster is available to circulate, available here: https://pdg.org.uk/forms/Not_the_Spring_meeting.pdf

In other CCCBR news:

The president’s latest blog: https://cccbr.org.uk/2021/08/10/presidents-blog-40/

The Westley award for church bell maintenance and improvement 2021 was presented recently: https://cccbr.org.uk/2021/08/06/westley-award-for-church-bell-maintenance-and-improvement-2021/

It might be that your church is considering opening for the annual Heritage open days, from 10^th to 19^th September. Think about if you can use the opportunity to engage the public in the history and art of bellringing. https://cccbr.org.uk/2021/08/10/heritage-open-day-10th-19th-september-2021/

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

I am delighted to give you advanced notice that the branch practices will be restarting! The first practice will be 1930hrs Friday 3rd September at Castor.

The covid policy for the practice will be that:

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

From a ringing point of view the practice will be on eight bells and aim to achieve some surprise major ringing and/or Stedman – if you need to revise yorkshire and cambridge then you have two weeks notice!!

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

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

James Thorpe

Four ringers required for a wedding at Lutton on Saturday 14th August. Wedding starts at 1pm. Please note that the bells are not to be rung full circle, but are only to be chimed because they are currently unsafe to ring full circle. Let me (Nick Elks) know if you are available please. £20 per rope.

Dear all,

Herewith the latest news from Helen Allton about Guild events happening very soon. Check your diary folks…..

Best wishes,

Julie

Helen’s text :

The first Guild event in almost 2 years will be held on 21st August at SS Peter & Paul church, Abington, Northampton, from 3 to 5 pm. It will be an opportunity for general ringing and the chance to catch up with ringers from across the Guild. If you wish to, please bring a picnic, including drinks of your choice.

The church has a number of requirements for those attending, in order to keep attendees and those using the church safe. Please see https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/spring-meetingfor more details.

A poster is available to circulate, available here: https://pdg.org.uk/forms/Not_the_Spring_meeting.pdf

Arrangements for the Summer Festival for the 25^th September are underway. Arrangements will be announced shortly. 

In other CCCBR news:

The president struggles with a cat/mask incident. https://cccbr.org.uk/2021/07/27/presidents-blog-39/  

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, unfortunately, having told you yesterday that the Branch was planning an outing on 21 August, I have been notified that the date clashes with a rearranged Guild event, so we can’t go ahead on that date.  It may now be better to postpone until 2022.

Best wishes,

Hilary Hardie

Events Organiser

Now we are able to ring and socialise again, your Branch Committee thought it would be a good idea to organise an all day Branch outing and lunch in August. The date for this is Saturday 21 August.

I am contacting towers around Huntingdon to put together the progrramme, and as soon as I have them confirmed I will let you know.

In the meantime, please put the date in your diary, and let me know if you would like to join us.

Hilary Hardie, Events Organiser – hilary.hardie@btinternet.com

Dear all,

Below is Helen’s latest update. Whilst it is good news that proper ringing in towers is returning, there are still areas of concern to be aware of.

Helen makes reference to The Flying Squad, aka “The Sweeney” in her update, so if you are intrigued, read on!

Best wishes,

Julie

Start of Helen’s text:

To: Branch Chairs, Secretaries & Treasurers

With the government’s announcement of relaxation in legal restrictions from the 19^th, the CCCBR has been working with the CofE and has updated its guidance. It can be found here: https://cccbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Guidance-at-a-glance-2.0-3.pdf

While ringing is allowed, it will vary across different towers with different situations and populations. We should bear in mind that some people may not yet be ready to mingle in an unlimited manner, or to be shoulder to shoulder in an enclosed space. We should also be mindful of an increasing infection rate and the impact that could have on the band. Remember that all ringing is with the permission of the incumbent and they could set additional restrictions. 

In light of this, if any tower or branch finds that it needs some assistance in getting back to ringing, or brushing the rust off some methods, please contact the Master, Simon Dixon, for support using master@pdg.org.uk. The Flying squad are poised and ready to help. There’s a sentence I never thought I’d be writing! 

Other CCCBR news

CCCBR President’s latest blog: https://cccbr.org.uk/2021/07/13/presidents-blog-38/

The CCCBR is running a photo competition to generate a gallery of good quality images of various aspects of ringing. The first round is completed, and the winners can be viewed here: https://cccbr.org.uk/2021/07/09/round-1-photo-competition-winners/ . Round 2 is bells and installations and details of how to enter can be found here: https://cccbr.org.uk/competition/

And with that I will leave you to enjoy your sunny weekend, as I’m just about to enjoy mine. 

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

So Boris has spoken! With the lifting of social restrictions there will be more opportunities to resume ringing after 19th July.

However, whilst legal restrictions like the “rule of six” will have disappeared there may be other restrictions or mitigations suggested by any of the interested parties: The Church of England, individual incumbants, tower captains and indeed individual ringers. Any advice that emerges about masks, vaccination, lateral flow tests and tower ventilation will be circulated as it becomes available.

As far as branch organised ringing is concerned, we will NOT be having a branch practice on the first friday in August. My hope is that a practice can be arranged in September but I will confirm that nearer the time.

I am organising one or more striking workshops. These will suit people who can already ring plain hunt or above – if you already know that you ARE interested in attending a 2 hour workshop to work on rhythm listening and handling to allow better striking then please let me know.

Look to…

James