Dear Members,

The 2026 Peterborough Branch AGM will be held on the 17th of January at St Marys’s and All Saints Church, Fotheringhay. Agenda and previous AGM minutes to follow.

Confirmed Programme

14:00 Ringing

14:45 Service

15:30 AGM followed by Tea

16:30 Ringing until 17:30

In order to ensure we have adequate food, refreshments and CAKE please advise if you are able to attend. Email me on secretary@peterborough.pdg.org.uk

Best Regards
Debs

Hello all,

Helena Thorpe has asked whether there are any ringers who would like to ring for the following services:

14th December, 5pm meet.

Christmas Eve, 7pm meet.

To attend you will need to have previously rung on the Cathedral bells at one of our branch practices or are established at rounds and call changes on 8 bells.

If you are able to help please let me know at ewilkins 307 at hotmail.com and I will pass you name to Helena or let me know via WhatsApp or phone.

If you have questions please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Regards

Elaine Wilkinson

Branch Ringing Master

I was at the Towcester branch dinner on Saturday. The first of more Christmas dinners than is probably good for me. It is lovely to see ringers all dressed up – rather than the usual jeans & jumpers. It is also really lovely to spend time with the long-suffering non-ringing other halves. Excellent evening was had. 

ART Awards

You can nominate for the ART awards. Information on how to celebrate people towers or groups is available here: https://cccbr.org.uk/2025/11/14/nominate-someone-for-an-art-award-3/

EasyFundraising

Peterborough Diocesan Guild of Church Bellringers is registered on #easyfundraising which means you can raise free funds for them as you shop online for Christmas, at no extra cost!
All the big names like John Lewis & Partners, Argos, eBay and more are ready to donate. Every donation makes a difference.
Please sign up before midnight 7th December and they could win a £100 donation:
https://join.easyfundraising.org.uk/peterborough-diocesan-guild-of-church-bellringers/7AV533/s2s/Yif2bDAa/SE866/facebook/

Newsletter

Just a reminder that the newsletter print deadline is 31^st December. Any submissions of items of interest (with or without party hats) to Jonathan Stuart on newsletter@pdg.org.uk

Dates for the Diary

Guild 10 Bell Practice Saturday 10^th January. 10:30 – 12:30 Rothwell

And Branch events for December, it’s a short list this time. 

Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday  6^thDecember 3:00 Welford

Kettering Branch Practice Saturday 13^th December 2:00 Rothwell (mulled wine and nibbles afterwards)

Daventry Branch Practice & Carol Concert Saturday 13^th December 3:30 Whilton

Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 20^th December 3:00 Helmdon

The next update will include the AGM information for branches. Secretaries. Please check the website is complete and accurate before I send out next mail in a couple of weeks. 

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

Come and ring your Cathedral bells!

Dear Branch Members,

We have the opportunity to ring for the Cathedral evensong on Sunday the 23rd November.

This is an event that is inclusive of all levels, abilities and ambitions. The intention will be to have enough experienced support to allow those less experienced on higher numbers, to ring.

Meet at 2pm outside the west door.

Please can you email me secretary@peterborough.pdg.org.uk if you are planning to attend. 

Best regards

Debs

Sorry for the short notice.

The Branch Committee are preparing the events for next year so if you have a specific request please do contact a committee member.

With thanks

Elaine

As we approach Remembrance Day, it is time to remember which way to put the muffles on. No, I’m no help there. I really enjoy ringing half muffled but can’t remember if they go opposite the garter hole or not. 

Hoping your muffles didn’t slip and that they all go on the right side (or all on the same side, at least). 

It’s interesting how often half muffled ringing is noticed for being different, even if the public struggle to articulate what is different. Thanks to all those people going up to put the muffles on and take them off again. 

CCCBR Recruitment session

The CCCBR Recruitment workgroup is holding a session on recruitment & Training. You can sign up through this page https://cccbr.org.uk/2025/10/30/recruitment-development-ringing-2030-briefing/

Trustees Week

This week is Trustees week, as organised by the Charity Commission. https://trusteesweek.org/ The 5 members of the Executive are also trustees of the charity, meaning that we bear responsibility for the operation of the charity and its financial position. As of the AGM you will be looking for a new trustee, as I have decided to stand down as Secretary. It has been a rollercoaster of a time in the position, but it is time for me to take a break.  

Safeguarding Sunday

The diocese is advertising Sunday 16^th November as Safeguarding Sunday. This is run by Thirtyone:eight, the UK’s leading independent Christian safeguarding charity. This year the emphasis of the campaign is ‘Action Speaks Louder’ – encouraging churches to not just talk about safeguarding but to take positive action. The campaign is now in its 7th year. https://safeguardingsunday.org/

Towcester Branch Dinner

Towcester branch holds a dinner each year, and I have been asked to welcome members to the next edition, on 29^th November at the Boat in Stoke Bruerne. Tickets are £40 per person to include a 3 course meal and wine. More information from John Pardoe, branch secretary on secretary@towcester.pdg.org.uk

Dates for the Diary

Guild 10 Bell Practice Saturday 8^th November. 10:30 – 12:30 Daventry

Guild 10 Bell Practice Saturday 10^th January. 10:30 – 12:30 Rothwell

And Branch events. 

Kettering Branch Practice Saturday 8^th November 2:00 Wilbarston

Peterborough 8 bell practice Friday 14^th November 7:30 Castor

Wellingborough Surprise Practice Saturday 15^th November 10:30 Earls Barton

Wellingborough Branch Practice Saturday 15^th November 2:30 Bozeat

Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 15^th November 3:00 Chacombe, 6:30 Cropredy (Oxon)

Daventry Branch Practice Saturday 15^th November 3:00 Byfield, 6:30 Cropredy (Oxon)

Thrapston Branch Practice Thursday 20^th November 2:30 Thrapston

Towcester Branch Practice Saturday 22^nd November 10:30 Wicken

Northampton Branch Practice Saturday 22^nd November 2:30 Abington

Daventry Branch Quiz Night Saturday 22^nd November 7:00 Daventry Band Hall

Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday  6^th December 3:00 Welford

I saw a recent Instagram post of ringing in our area where the efficiency of the heaters was remarked upon. May your heaters all be working to their utmost as the year closes in and the temperatures take a tumble… Or may you be able to ring in many many layers!

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

Come and ring your Cathedral bells!

Dear Branch Members,

We have the opportunity to ring for the Cathedral evensong on Sunday the 23rd November, just a few of weeks away.

This is an event that is inclusive of all levels, abilities and ambitions. The intention will be to have enough experienced support to allow those less experienced on higher numbers, to ring.

Meet at 2pm outside the west door.

Please can you email me secretary@peterborough.pdg.org.uk if you are planning to attend. 

Best regards

Debs

Guild Newsletter

The Guild newsletter has been circulated to branches, so should be appearing at a tower near you. It is also available to read online here: https://pdg.org.uk/newsletters/newsletter_202509.pdf

Remember copy for the next edition to be sent in by the end of the year. We are also looking for a new Newsletter Editor, as Jonathan Stuart has said in this edition that he will be standing down. Do get in touch to discuss what is involved. 

Stedman Training course

The Culworth branch is hosting a training seminar on Stedman. It will be given by Robert Wood on Saturday 8^th November at King’s Sutton from 2:30, with an opportunity to put theory into practice afterwards. Ringers from other branches are welcome. There will be no charge, but donations for refreshments are welcomed. More details are on the website: https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/stedman-training-seminar

Benefact Arts and Culture Draw

Benefact are running a special subject focussed draw for Arts and Culture, which we fall into. Please click the image below to enter the Guild int the draw for the chance to win £5000. 

Future Dates

At the F&GP this weekend we discussed the Guilds future events. 2026 is almost finalised, 2027 has dates identified. After the popularity of the social events in 2024 we have increased the number of events the Guild is supporting, with a Quiz on 14^thFebruary 2026, and then 13^th February 2027. An Open day (which will cover a smaller area than last time!) on 8^th May 2027. And looking even further ahead, we’ve decided to have a dinner on a 5 yearly basis, so get the 13^th October 2029 in your diary now! 

Ringing World News

The Ringing World has sent out an update of their activity in the last few months. It has been attached.

Remember to order your diary or calendar before stocks run out. The shop can be found here. https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/rw-shop.php

CCCBR news

The Recruitment & Leadership workgroup is looking for some admin support. More details here. 

Dates for the Diary

Guild 10 Bell Practice Saturday 8^th November. 10:30 – 12:30 Daventry

Guild 10 Bell Practice Saturday 10^th January. 10:30 – 12:30 Rothwell

And Branch events. 

Thrapston Branch Practice Thursday 16^th October 2:30 Wadenhoe

Rutland 8 bell Practice Thursday 16^th October 7:30Uppingham

Wellingborough Surprise Practice Saturday 18^thOctober 10:30 Mears Ashby

Wellingborough Branch Practice Saturday 18^thOctober 7:00 Irchester

Daventry Branch Practice Saturday 18^th October 3:00 Nether Heyford, 7:00 Upper Boddington

Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 18^th October 3:00 Nether Heyford, 7:00 Upper Boddington

Northampton Branch Practice Saturday 25^thOctober 7:00 Church Brampton

Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 1^stNovember 3:00 Yelvertoft

Kettering Branch Practice Saturday 8^th November 2:00 Ashley, 3:15 Wilbarston

Peterborough 8 bell practice Friday 14^th November 7:30 Castor

The Daventry & Culworth afternoon ringing at Badby has been moved to Nether Heyford as the bells are not yet back in the tower. 

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

Sunday 5 October, 2.30pm

Wansford

Please join us for a surprise minor social at Wansford this Sunday.

Methods will include: Bourne, Cambridge and London.

We ask a donation of £2 for each ringer to make a payment to the tower for the use of their facilities.

Elaine and Jane

CANCELLED – Branch 8 Bell practice at St Mary’s, Peterborough

12 October 2025, 2.30pm

Unfortunately, we have had to cancel the Branch 8 Bell practice this month due to road closure’s for the Great Eastern Run.

Elaine and Jane