Quite a lot to get through this time, so I’ll crack on.

Guild news

Reminder that the Guild AGM takes place at 6 pm next Saturday, 19^th September. With the recent restriction on gatherings the decision to go virtual is looking like a sensible move! You can find the meeting papers here: http://www.pdg.btck.co.uk/AGM2020 and you can register here: https://bit.ly/PDGAGM2020

We do have an attendance limit of 100, so make sure you get in early… J

The Guild has also decided to postpone the deadline for the Autumn edition of the newsletter to the end of September. Make sure you get your stories of how you’ve kept your bands together in lockdown and how you’ve found returning to ringing to your branch PRO or the newsletter editor. 

Return to Ringing

The restriction on gathering to no more than 6 has been determined not to apply, in general, to churches. It is far to say that things are still being worked through. There are also the current local situations to consider. While that in Northampton seems to have improved, that in Corby & Wellingborough has not. Any bands that have bene or are planning on ringing should remain in touch with their incumbent. 

The Central Council guidance has not yet changed to allow closer distancing while ringing, although that remains under consideration. The interval between s=ringing sessions has been reduced from 72 to 48 hours. Information is updated weekly and is available here: https://cccbr.org.uk/coronavirus/  

Central Council news

The Central Council held its annual meeting last weekend via Zoom. The Guild’s representatives will provide an update at the AGM. The President wrote an addition blog, the view from the Captain’s chair. https://cccbr.org.uk/2020/09/11/captains-blog-supplemental-agm-sketch-from-the-chair/

There is also the regular fortnightly blog number 17. https://cccbr.org.uk/2020/09/01/presidents-blog-17/

The winner of the August YouTube contest was announced, this was judged by a non-ringer with mathematical and musical experience, which makes her remarks interesting. https://cccbr.org.uk/2020/09/09/august-youtube-winner/

September’s YouTube contest is looking for the best showcase of school or university ringing. More details can be found here: https://cccbr.org.uk/youtube-competition/

The other item of interest is the investigation of gender in ringing. Any experiences, both positive and negative, can be shared via the webpage that has been set up. You can choose to contribute but not to publish your experiences to the website. https://www.womeninringing.info/

Training showcase

Do you know what coursing order is and how it helps in bell ringing? The attached article may help. http://allsaintswokinghambells.org.uk/methods/CoursingOrder.pdf

My favourite method is Stedman, it’s just beautiful. So let’s see if this can convert you to the cause. https://youtu.be/Ebhxt_fltmY

Brain teasers

The wordsearch features methods beginning with H. https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/175733457365386

A crossword puzzle from a past edition of The Ringing World. Don’t let the crossword make you cross. https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/176734127265319

Stretching the brain with a word, number and logic puzzles from past editions of The Ringing World. https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/177455237193208

These are all visual clues to method names. The first one is easy, they get more, um, random from there. https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/178388050433260

We continue our series of how well do you know your Guild with three long serving ladies of the Guild. https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/176266167312115

And finally, some good news. The Kettering branch cyclists successfully completed their ride around Rutland water last weekend. It’s not too late to sponsor them for the BRF. Well done guys. https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/178082950463770

I hope to see as many of you as possible at the AGM next week. Until that’s done I will have my fingers firmly crossed that all goes to plan! 

Thanks

Helen

Helen Allton

Secretary: Peterborough Diocesan Guild of Church Bellringers

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR

Website: http://www.pdg.btck.co.uk/

e-mail: secretary@pdg.org.uk

telephone: 01832 735266

Good morning everyone and I hope you are having a happy bank holiday Monday. Helen’s update follows.

Best wishes

Sylvia

I’m not sure what’s happened to Summer recently! The air has had a distinctly autumnal feel. Let’s hope for some more cheerful weather – and news – in the final third of the year.

Guild News

There’s a lot to report. The Guild AGM is going to be held on Saturday 19^thSeptember at 6 pm. As an in person AGM is currently impractical, we are going to be using Zoom. You can register to attend using this link. https://bit.ly/PDGAGM2020It will request your name and e-mail address in order to send you a unique link to join the meeting. If your household intend to join on different devices, you will need to register separately. Any questions, please get in touch with me.

In order to help with a smooth running of a meeting, any apologies, AOB, matter arising and nominations to be with the Secretary by 14^th September.

The lack of ability to currently ring all bells and for bands to ring consecutively means that the striking competition of the Summer festival is a non-starter. This event will be cancelled for 2020.

David Dainty and Bill Adcock are intending to undertake their cycle ride round Rutland water on 5^th September. This is sponsored to raise funds for the Bell Fund. They would appreciate any support you can offer. This was originally scheduled for April, but was postponed due to lockdown.

Mental Exercise

A wordsearch of method beginning with Ghttps://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/172217811050284

A word fit of rings of 5 https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/174012917537440

Portmanteau places. There are some 60 or so towers in the diocese that have place names that are made up of 2 or more words. The file contains the first, middle and last parts of all those places. How many places can you find? Or what’s the most fun place you can invent?? https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/175039727434759

Ringing Training

Now we are getting back to a little bit of ringing but usually not on all the bells due to social distancing, how many methods do you know on 4 bells?

https://cccbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/ac_minimus.pdf

How well do you know your Guild

Some more officers when they were a little younger than they currently are. Three ladies and three gents to tax you. https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/173025050969560 and https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/174793417459390

Return to Ringing

Again, there has been little change to guidance since the last update. Ringing may take place with the incumbent’s permission, it does not have to be exclusively for a service. As an example, this opens the way for ringing on a Sunday, as an indication that the church is present in the community, even if there is not a service. The remainder of the guidance remains in place.

Central Council News

The Central Council produced a set of documents to encourage people to volunteer to assist the Council. These are available here: https://cccbr.org.uk/resources/volunteering-with-the-council/

The Central Council meeting will be held next weekend, virtually rather than in Nottingham. Meeting papers are available at the bottom of this page: https://cccbr.org.uk/about/annual-meetings/2020-meeting/ Any questions or comments can be put to the Guild Reps, Simon Dixon, Nick Elks, Jane Sibson or David Westerman.

The President produced his latest blog post. https://cccbr.org.uk/2020/08/18/presidents-blog-16/ I’ve rung with someone who’d rung with William Pye, funny how history can be just a step away.

And finally…

A cartoon  that may reflect the current situation. https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/174350157503716

Stay well and see you soon

Helen

Helen Allton

Secretary: Peterborough Diocesan Guild of Church Bellringers

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR

Website: http://www.pdg.btck.co.uk/

e-mail: secretary@pdg.org.uk

telephone: 01832 735266

An update on how to attend the Guild AGM:

Registration does not have to come through the secretary, it can be direct with the AGM meeting. The link to register is here: https://bit.ly/PDGAGM2020

The registration simply asks for your name and an email address. You will then receive an invitation that is unique to you. This helps us manage attendees.

Any business, matters arising or nominations still need to come to the secretary, as can any questions or queries.

Thanks

Helen

The AGM is to be held virtually via Zoom on Saturday 19th September 2020 at 6 pm. Full details will be available at: www.pdg.btck.co.uk/AGM2020.

Items of AOB, nominations and matters arising to be submitted to the Secretary  in advance, to be received by 14th September.

All members intending to attend are required to register with Secretary to receive joining details: secretary@pdg.org.uk or 01832 735266

The Exec debated the various options open to the Guild. It was felt that a physical meeting held too many limitations and risks at the present time. The constitution requires and AGM to be held, so a virtual meeting was the only option. Other societies have successfully held their AGM via Zoom, so we can learn from best practice. We are aware that some people would appreciate some assistance, so will be providing step by step guides to joining. We hope to host some practice sessions as well. Members should be aware that they do not have to have a webcam to join and contribute to the meeting. It is possible to join via a telephone line only, although that would preclude the option of voting.

The Summer Festival, postponed to 3^rdOctober, has been cancelled for 2020. The inability to ring 8 bells and to ring consecutively makes a striking contest impossible at present. Towcester will hold the trophy for a bonus year. No, they don’t get their name on it again.

If there are any questions, please get in touch.

Dear al, Helen’s weekly update is below.

Best wishes,

Hilary

It’s been lovely to  hear of more towers starting to ring, with towers marking VJ day and Sunday services. If you need any help to get back to ringing, the Guild is keeping the website up to date, check here for help and support. http://www.pdg.btck.co.uk/LATESTGUILDNEWS#ANCHORC19restart

Return to Ringing

There has been little change to guidance since the last update, although some refinement. The Central Council guidance makes clear that ringing for any service is acceptable, meaning that weddings can be rung for, as long as a suitable risk assessment is carried out.

The guidance has had the term “face masks” replaced with “face coverings”, which brings this into line with the language used in both the government and CofE documentation.

Where there are exemptions for those who cannot wear a face covering in public spaces, for whatever reason, the Central Council’s view is that “… face coverings reduce the risk of transmission of the virus and therefore protect our fellow ringers. Anyone who is unable to wear a face covering should not ring.” The Guild would like to encourage towers with ringers who cannot or are reluctant to wear a face covering to seriously consider the situation before proceeding; we would not want to either ostracise a ringer nor to cause an increase infection risk to other ringers.

Training Session

From ‘adjacent places’ to ‘Yorkshire tail ends’, how much bell ringing language do you understand? This site is very useful for helping with this!
http://jaharrison.me.uk/Ringing/Glossary/A.html#top

And what’s a Bob? And how do you call them? An introduction to simple touches.  https://youtu.be/6IegmkcSEto

How well do you know your Guild

We have 2 sets of 3 images to tax your brain. Can you identify 3 Branch Ringing Masters and 3 Branch Chairs from their younger selves? https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/170936851178380 and https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/169078514697547

Brain teasers

A word fit challenge this time, can you fit these heavy rings of eight into the grid provided?https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/170153087923423

A reminder of the secretary’s competition: Read the text carefully. Devised by the Secretary herself, she’ll offer a prize if you can solve it. https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/168573534748045

And the more visually satisfying Ringers’ Tea competition. https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/166296381642427

The Language of Bells

This project is looking to put together a sound exhibition of bells, and things that are inspired by bells. Ringing, tolling, chiming or using the ellacombe chime would all fit the bill. Any short clip can be submitted. How inventive can you be?

https://www.thelanguageofbells.com/sound-exhibition.html

A little light relief

One for the star gazers, is this an easy way to see stars.
Disclaimer – I can’t say this is recommended!

Cartoon: Les Lamb, Orwell Astronomical Society

https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/169785087960223

Central Council

The President wrote his 15^th blog https://cccbr.org.uk/2020/08/05/presidents-blog-15/

The Westley Award for Bell maintenance was awarded in a virtual session. You can read about those who were highly commended and the winner here: https://cccbr.org.uk/2020/08/05/westley-award-for-church-bell-maintenance-2020/

The Blooms from Leeds judged the July YouTube competition. https://cccbr.org.uk/2020/08/09/july-youtube-winner/August’s contest is for a video demonstrating change ringing but not on tower bells. How to enter can be found here: https://cccbr.org.uk/youtube-competition/

As ever, if there is anything you want to see or know about, get in touch.

Thanks

Helen

Dear all,

Following discussions with Helen, the Guild has decided to go ahead with the September edition of the newsletter.

It would be good to have correspondence telling us what your towers have been doing during the lockdown period. Is your tower able to ring again now or do the distancing constraints still affect you? Has your tower been doing any virtual ringing? I.E. Using Ringing Room, Abel or Mobel? let us all know how you have been getting on with them.

At present I have no deadline for correspondence as Helen is trying to get the publishing date put back to the end of September. I will keep you informed once a deadline date has been set.

If you would send any entries through to me please at, terry62.wright@outlook.com. I will collate ready for publishing.

Kind Regards.

Terry.

Terry Wright, Peterborough Branch Press Correspondent.

Good afternoon

Have many of you been able to return to ringing? Do you enjoy receiving a weekly newsheet from the Guild while so many of us are not meeting in person? It would be good to give Helen some feedback and help her decide how often to write to us.

Please get in touch with any  comments you’d like to make. You can contact me here

Best wishes

Sylvia

Helen’s message:

Not a huge amount of change this week. More towers rang again at the weekend, as more churches begin to have services. It feels that we’re making progress but still have a long way to go. Certainly open practices are not yet on the horizon. In some instances a church may be having a service, but ringing may be problematic. In that case, you might consider ringing some handbells in the churchyard or porch, to be an audible indication that ringers are part of the church even if you can’t actually ring yet. Need not be anything other than rounds, most people will just appreciate the sound and the effort you’ve made. We have some resources to help you start in this week’s training slot.

Return to ringing

Little change this week. The Church of England published guidance on facemasks which said: “We strongly advise that face coverings should be worn by all those attending a place of worship, including ministers, worshippers, staff, volunteers, contractors and visitors, where there may be other people present; remembering that they are mainly intended to protect other people, not the wearer, from coronavirus COVID-19 and that they are not a replacement for physical distancing and regular hand washing.”

Then Central Council goes on to say that “Although we have not had explicit instruction that this includes bellringers, the Church considers bellringers to fall under ‘volunteers’ and we must therefore assume that facemasks should also be worn for ringing.” It could be argued that they should also be worn for passing through the church to get to the ringing chamber (assuming you don’t have an external tower access).

The Guild expects that towers will continue with their risk assessment to identify risks and introduce actions to mitigate those, where possible. They must also obtain permission from the incumbent before ringing. This process remains unchanged.

Training slot

Why not try something new and have a go at handbell ringing? You can do this through Ringing Room so it doesn’t matter if you don’t have any handbell ringers nearby. This video is a good place to start, it helps you understand the basics before you have a go. If you want to try handbells in Ringing Room please get in touch with us and we can help you get that organised. https://youtu.be/93_0MmAjxo4

Bells on Sunday

I hope more of you have been able to ring for your services. This week’s bells on Sunday comes from St Peter’s church, Curdridge in Hampshire. They clearly have great taste, as they are ringing Stedman.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000l71s

Saturday Debate

This week’s Saturday debate is how to cut sandwiches at a ringing tea. We clearly have some classy ladies in the Guild, who prefer to cut into 4 triangles. Join the conversation on the Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/160313275574071

Mental Exercise

Today’s mental exercise is to fit the 23 mythical beasts into the grid provided. As this is related to ringing, they are all method names and have been rung in a peal. Can you work out which one of the method names might be the “odd one out”. https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/164401605165238

Continuing the theme of how well do you know your Guild. This cheeky chappie grew up to be one of your Guild officers; who do you think it is? https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/165906028348129

Central Council Updates

The president is at it again. Blog 14. Guild news this time includes John Beresford, our Guild Steward, stepping forward to provide the Stewardship workgroup with the benefit of his technical expertise. https://cccbr.org.uk/2020/07/21/presidents-blog-14

And the results of the June YouTube contest were announced. The winner was Tim Handbell Robot, who, it turns out, is not a robot at all! Shocking!! You can view the winner here: https://youtu.be/0rIfZroE_4k and the judges’ comments on the entries here: https://cccbr.org.uk/2020/07/13/most-interesting-unusual-youtube-video-competition-winners-june-2020

July’s competition is for good striking on 8 or more bells. What have you got hidden in the digital equivalent of the side of the sofa cushions? Rules and address for entries are here: https://cccbr.org.uk/youtube-competition/

Thanks and see you all next week. Any thoughts and comments always welcomed.

Helen

Helen Allton

Secretary: Peterborough Diocesan Guild of Church Bellringers

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR

Website: http://www.pdg.btck.co.uk/

e-mail: pdgsecretary@allton.org.uk

telephone: 01832 735266

Good morning everyone

What a beautiful day! It was good to hear that several towers in the Branch have been ringing for Sunday service – Nassington, the Cathedral, St John’s & Castor so far to the best of my knowledge. Unfortunately the conditions and restrictions make it  unsuitable for all of us to be able to return to ringing but at least a faint semblance of normality is beginning to return to our lives.

Here in Warmington we’ve been having a go at handbell ringing in my garden over the last few weeks – and have developed a whole new level of respect for handbell ringers! I wish I could say we had also developed a whole new level of skill but to say we have found it rather difficult would be something of an understatement. But at least it has given us a lot of amusement and a chance to catch up with each other after weeks of solitude.

All best wishes

Sylvia

Helen’s message follows and I would just like to say Thankyou , Helen, for all you have done keeping us all informed and entertained.

Maybe it’s the weather, but this week feels more positive. From hearing of towers that rang last weekend, to those that were planning to ring this weekend, it feels like we are moving forward.

Branch secretaries will also be receiving copies of the 2019 Guild annual report for distribution. We accept that the usual distribution network is not yet fully operational, so we ask you to have some patience and work with the branch secretaries to ensure report distribution takes place.

Return to ringing

It was great to be able to share a clip of the Cathedral’s ringing last Sunday. https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/videos/310049313675378/ They shared how they went about preparing to ring, which may help other towers feel that this is achievable.

Guidance

The CCCBR guidance will be updated each Friday; any significant changes will be communicated. The Guild website will be kept up to date accordingly. http://www.pdg.btck.co.uk/LATESTGUILDNEWS#ANCHORC19restart

Posters

Towers that are beginning to ring would be advised to advertise the fact. While some people may have missed the sound of bells, others will have got used to having their Sunday mornings undisturbed. To help there are a couple of posters available that you can print and post up (with spaces for contact details). Consider using the parish magazine, the village newsletter social media and physical posters or flyers to get the message out. It would be a shame to trigger complaints by failing to communicate that you’ll be ringing again.

If you want anything specific, get in touch with your branch PRO or me and we can discuss.

Safeguarding

For when we get back to ringing, may I reiterate the diocese’s position with respect to safeguarding training. The expectation of the diocese is available via the PDG website. This can be found here: http://www.pdg.btck.co.uk/SocialRegulations#ANCHORSAFEGUARDING

In summary:

·         All ringers advised to have completed C0/C1

·         Those in a training or leadership role required to have completed C0, C1 and C2.

Training for levels C0 and C1 is available through the CofE’s training portal. https://safeguardingtraining.cofeportal.org/ While there’s no practice nights you could put that time to good use and complete the online sessions.

Mental Exercise

Quizzy Monday this week bring you another homage to Only Connect and asks you what should be in the 4th box in each line. https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/162769861995079

We then asked you how well do you know your Guild? These are Guild officers in anagram form, how many can you unravel and identify?  https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/163885331883532

Training

The Association of Ringing Teachers first online training course on bell maintenance – ROPEWORK, KNOTS AND SPLICES – has just gone live. It is made up of a series of videos so you can either sit back and watch the whole show or jump to the bit that you’re interested in. They would love your feedback and improvement suggestions – the good, the bad and the ugly. The course can be found on the online learning portal – https://onlinelearning.bellringing.org – and is taught by Richard Booth and Marley. A series of online bell maintenance courses is being developed by ART and the Central Council.

Blast from the past

This week’s picture (courtesy of Graham Paul) shows 6 pairs of siblings, who had each rung more than 1000 peals, after adding one more to their totals. Interestingly, 4 of those pictured have ringing links to Northamptonshire. https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=1078400
I’ve rung 1 peal with my brother; we both think that was enough! https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/163856651886400

Saturday Debate

This week’s Saturday debate was the presence of pineapple on a pizza. The debate veered off to discuss of pizza should form part of a ringer’s tea at all! Seems some people have quite strong opinions… Join the conversation on the Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/160311605574238

CCCBR updates

The results of the June YouTube competition have been announced. https://cccbr.org.uk/2020/07/13/most-interesting-unusual-youtube-video-competition-winners-june-2020

July’s competition is for examples of good striking on 8 bells or more. https://cccbr.org.uk/youtube-competition/

It wasn’t possible to ring for VE day, as lockdown was in full swing and churches were closed. With the opening of churches, ringing of some description to mark the 75 anniversary of VJ day may be more feasible.  https://cccbr.org.uk/2020/07/19/ringing-for-vj-day-75-11am-saturday-15th-august-2020/

Bells on Sunday

This week comes from St Michael’s Southampton. Ringing Kent Royal. If you rang and share a recording with us, we may feature your band next week. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000l1d8

Thanks

Helen

Helen Allton

Secretary: Peterborough Diocesan Guild of Church Bellringers

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR

Website: http://www.pdg.btck.co.uk/

e-mail: pdgsecretary@allton.org.uk

telephone: 01832 735266

Good afternoon everyone

As Helen says , it has been another strange week, but I know it ended happily for some of you with ringing taking place at the Cathedral and at Nassington and perhaps some other places too that I don’t yet know about. Congratulations – it must have been lovely to hear those bells ringing out once more, signalling I hope the start of a return to more normal times. For others of us of course the wait is nothing like over yet, what with the current restrictions making it nigh on impossible to use our towers, but we will try to sit it out patiently.

Best wishes

Sylvia

Helen’s message follows:

Another odd week, lots of waiting for something that never came –  a bit like an English summer really. In which case the usual mix of random, educational and (hopefully) interesting items follow.

Return to ringing

This week sees the first ringing since 22^nd March, let’s hope that this is the start of a gradual return across the diocese. I’m pleased to report that the Cathedral rang, do let us know if you did. If you need any support producing your risk assessment, get in touch with the branch and guild, we’re here to try and help where we can.

The promised guidance from PHE didn’t arrive this week, although it is imminent. The news that was released was that the CofE and  CCCBR were happy for ringing to proceed in accordance with the guidance produced. There are some updates to the CCCBR guidance, and their website has been updated to capture these.  https://cccbr.org.uk/coronavirus/. The most significant changes are those in Guidance note two, with the following bullets:

·         Make sure bells can be rung which are 2 metres apart. Where ropes fall in a straight line then 1.5m will be sufficient distance so long as ringers remain facing forwards into the centre of the ringing circle and the ringers opposite are at least 2m away.

·         If you want to ring all your bells, you will need additional mitigations or additional PPE

These may well make ringing at more towers more practical. Again, if you need any help, support, or just want to chat your ideas through, do get in touch.

CCCBR updates

The President’s 13th blog – hoping it isn’t an unlucky one.

https://cccbr.org.uk/2020/07/07/presidents-blog-13/

I also completed a survey on behalf of the Guild relating to equal opportunities in ringing. If anyone wishes to participate and communicate their experiences, positive and negative, please get in touch. I can pass your contact details on to Julia Cater, who is collating the information for the CCCBR.

Training Talk

This week we’re posing a question. What aspirations do your ringers have for themselves? If you are the ringing master, what aspirations do you have for your ringers as individuals and as a band?

While we are waiting to go back to ringing it’s a good opportunity to find out and discuss with your team where they want to progress to and how they can get there. This is a good way to make sure you retain existing ringers as well as encouraging new learners. Do you know where to direct your ringers if their aspirations are different than those of your band? Does your band’s aspiration need a bit of outside help to be achieved? Please get in touch with your branch / guild if you need any support with this, or comment below and we will do our best to help.

Saturday Debate

This time it’s the important matter of how to apply cream and jam to your scone. Cream then jam or jam then cream? It’s provoked some strong emotions on the Facebook page. Even the type of jam gets a mention! Who knew?! https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/160312152240850

Brain Training

Quizzy Monday this week featured phrases or sayings, about and related to ringing, with the words replaced by their initial letter. Can you recreate the phrases? Yes, questions 4 and 5 are the same, you get one for free! Question setter’s error, sorry. https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/161183902153675

Blast from the Past

This week’s image might be considered an ideal ringing situation – no need to walk far or get wet on the way to the pub. On the other hand, you run the risk of lassoing the optics with a stray tail end. What unusual locations have you ring in? The portability of mini rings or handbells could give rise to all sorts of random ringing locations! Surprise us!!
Thanks to Sue and Derek Jones for this photo.

https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/161967848741947

A little light relief

Something fun to finish, in the form of a cartoon. It was made for me in the gap between my A levels and university. I will decline to mention how long ago that was! https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/162233242048741

Bells on Sunday

Maybe this time next week I can share some ringing recorded in the guild itself. If you send it in, of course. For now it is from the BBC and you can enjoy some Stedman Triples from Christ Church, Radyr in Cardiff. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000kwcr

Thanks

Helen

Helen Allton

Secretary: Peterborough Diocesan Guild of Church Bellringers

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR

Website: http://www.pdg.btck.co.uk/

e-mail: pdgsecretary@allton.org.uk

telephone: 01832 735266

Hello everyone

Here is Helen’s latest update full of interesting items.

These are certainly unusual times and it looks like returning to ringing is going to be a rather complicated matter.

Best wishes

Sylvia

Helen’s message:

I don’t know about you, but it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster of a week. The below tries to sum all of that up, and provide some light relief along the way.

Return to ringing

The latest guidance from the Church of England on reopening churches includes returning to ringing (page 9). https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2020-06/COVID%2019%20advice%20on%20conducting%20public%20worship%20v1.1.pdf

It references the CCCBR’s guidance,  which can be found here https://cccbr.org.uk/coronavirus/
Later in the week, the CofE requested that the CCCBR ask ringers to hold off ringing until after the guidance expected from PHE during week commencing 6^th July. We will send information on as we become aware of it.

You can find more support from the Guild latest news, and this is kept up to date as information becomes available: http://www.pdg.btck.co.uk/LATESTGUILDNEWS#ANCHORC19restart Get in touch with your branch or the Guild officers if you need any support – we’re here to help.

Bells on Sunday

This week Bells on Sunday comes from The Parish Church of Our Lady and St Nicholas, Pier Head, in Liverpool. For some reason they’re ringing Pudsey Surprise Maximus. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000kmsj
This time next week, some of us might be ringing. If you do, let us know, we’ll want to share in the return of our hobby to the soundscape.

Blast from the past

This photograph, taken in 1974, includes most of the founder members of the Guild, receiving their 50 year membership certificates. Looks like some right characters in there. There is a higher resolution scan available on request. I wonder who is the longest serving member of the Guild now? https://bit.ly/1974PDGfounders

Training

Time to brush the cobwebs off the methods in the brain. A couple of videos this week on how methods are constructed and learning them.
https://youtu.be/n01YsjYd-zs
https://youtu.be/n-g0PWcnj0I

Brain training

In another homage to Only Connect, this time we have a slight twist. There are 4 items in each line and they are in order, what’s the sequence that connects them? Thinking caps on. https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/159249052347160

And, to continue the series, there’s a word search featuring methods beginning with the letter F. https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR/posts/160374885567910

Saturday debate

It’s Saturday debate time! Ringers’ teas: how do you like your tea? There’s been quite a variety of opinions on the Facebook page so far! https://bit.ly/ringerstea

CCCBR news

This week there has been an update from the Schools & Youth Workgroup. https://cccbr.org.uk/2020/06/26/young-ringers-schools-youth-groups-workgroup-update-june-2020/

I think that’s all for this week. By this time next week some of us may have being ringing some bells. Some of us (me!) will have had a haircut and will stop looking at the world from behind an unruly fringe, a fact about which I an unreasonably excited! I hope the relaxation of rules is treating you well and that you’re all managing to navigate your way through the changing landscape safely.

Thanks

Helen

Helen Allton

Secretary: Peterborough Diocesan Guild of Church Bellringers

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PDGCBR

Website: http://www.pdg.btck.co.uk/

e-mail: pdgsecretary@allton.org.uk

telephone: 01832 735266