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Please find attached a poster for the next guild 8/10bell dedicated practice.
I have decided to mix things up a little and introduce an 8-bell practice which will alternate with the 10-bell practice on the odd months of the year.
For those who don’t have the opportunity very often to ring on 8 bells, please come along and have a go. Ringing will range from rounds and call changes through to surprise major and may even include some simple surprise variations which can be learnt on the day.
If you would like to practice a specific method, please would you let me know in advance so I can make sure we have the support required.
Looking forward to seeing you there.
Best wishes
Jim
Kind regards
Jim Bence
07807 561277
Guild Ringing Master
Peterborough Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers
Just a quick reminder that our first branch event of the year — the Surprise Minor Social — is happening this Sunday, 15 February, at St Mary’s Church, Peterborough, from 14:00 to 15:30.
The 3 surprise methods are Cambridge, Primrose and Norwich.
You don’t need to be an expert to take part. If you’re interested in trying a surprise method, this is a great opportunity — there’ll be plenty of support, encouragement, and friendly guidance throughout.
We’d love to see as many of you there as possible. If you’re planning to come along, please drop me an email at secretary@peterborough.pdg.org.uk.
We’re excited to kick off this year’s programme of events, with several already in the calendar and more on the way. Our first get‑together will be a Surprise Minor Social on Sunday 15 February at St Mary’s Church, Peterborough, from 14:00 to 15:30.
You don’t need to be an expert to join in — if you’re curious about trying a surprise method, this is a great opportunity. There’ll be plenty of support and friendly guidance.
We’d love to see as many of you there as possible. If you can come along, please drop an email to secretary@peterborough.pdg.org.uk
Having passed the 4th weekend in January we’ve now had the complete compliment of branch AGMs. I wish the branch committees all the best as they kick off activity in the coming year.
Guild Quiz and Chippy Tea
After the success of the social events, it was decided to hold more Guild events, not necessarily involving ringing. We now have full details of the Guild Quiz, to be held on Saturday 14th February starting at 7 pmin Nether Heyford Village Hall. Tickets are £15, in advance, and will include a chippy tea. There’s a choice of meals:
Fish and Chip supper (gluten-free batter available)
Sausage and Chip supper
Cheese & Vegetable Cake and Chip supper
Fishcake and Chip supper
If you wish to have mushy peas or curry sauce, there is a surcharge of £2.00 for each.
Teams of up to 6, come with a team or we can pair you up with a team on the night.
The next edition of the Guild newsletter is now available. The physical copies will be circulated via your branch. If you can’t wait, there’s a copy on the website, here: https://pdg.org.uk/newsletters/newsletter_202601.pdf
The next print deadline for the April edition is 22ndMarch.
Jonathan is standing down from the post of Newsletter editor, if this is something you think you can do 3 times a year, get in touch with him to find out more.
Second Saturday Session
There will be an all day ART M1 course run at Rothwell on Saturday 14th March. If you are interested in attending, please sign up via the ART website, or email the Training Officer, Nich Wilson, for more details on training@pdg.org.uk
CCCBR
There’s a Recruitment & Development for Ringing 2030 workgroup briefing on 8th February. Details, including how to request access are here:
The Dorothy L Sayers Society has announced an exciting new annual initiative to celebrate and support the next generation of bellringers. The Dorothy L Sayers Award for Young Ringers will grant £500 to a young person under the age of 18 who has shown leadership and dedication within the bellringing community. More details, including how to apply, can be found here: https://cccbr.org.uk/2026/01/23/dorothy-l-sayers-society-launches-500-award-for-young-bellringers/
The UK recently joined the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH). The Central Council has set up a Task Group to co-ordinate a submission to create inventories of living heritage in the UK. A pre-requisite is that the application must be made with the prior consent of the community of practice, i.e. the ringing fraternity. Therefore, we ask for your help. If you would like to show support, you can do so at the link below: https://cccbr.org.uk/heritage/
The Guild will discuss a response at the GMC in March, any comments can be fed back through your committee or to a Guild officer.
Dates for the Diary
Guild Social Event Saturday 14th February Quiz and chippy tea 7:00 pm Nether Heyford Village Hall
Guild 8 Bell Practice Saturday 14th March. 10:30 – 12:30 Weedon Bec.
And Branch events for December, it’s a short list this time, as not all branches have yet sent in their events for the coming year.
Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 7thFebruary 3:00 East Haddon
Kettering Branch Practice Saturday 14th February, 3:30 Orlingbury
Wellingbrough Branch Practice Saturday 21stFebruary 2:30 Wollaston
Daventry Branch Practice Saturday 21st February 3:30 Braunston 6:30 Welton
Towcester Branch Practice Saturday 28thFebruary10:30 Blisworth
Thanks
Helen
Helen Allton
Secretary: Peterborough Diocesan Guild of Church Bellringers
Please find a revised copy of the 2026 AGM minutes in the downloads section of the website and also in the link below. Revisions shown dated in italics.
A gentler reminder we have the branch AGM in just over a weeks time. Please advise if you are able to attend asap to ensure we can cater accordingly. If you have any food allergies or intolerances please let me know in advance.
Email me on secretary@peterborough.pdg.org.uk
Please find links in the downloads to the 2026 Agenda and 2025 minutes.
Confirmed Programme
14:00 Ringing
14:45 Service
15:30 AGM followed by Tea (held in the village hall)
Peterborough Branch 