Congratulations

I am very happy to start with congratulations to the young ringers from the Guild that went to London on Saturday to take part in the RWNYC. They rang call changes on 6 bells and came in 4^th. Well done! 

It was the first time the Guild’s entered a team in this competition. They were one of 30 teams and over 300 young ringers running around London on Saturday. We hope they had a great time and look forward to hearing all about it.  

Results are on the Bellboard front page at the moment. https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/

 

Guild day out at Stanwick Lakes

Saturday 13^th July sees our next PDG100 event. This is at Stanwick Lakes. We have a location near the visitor centre where we will have the Maplestead mini ring available and the Guild training bell set up. These will be available for ringers to try and for the general public to introduce them to bellringing. We’ll also have some ringing themed activities and crafts for the youngsters. Branches have been asked to provide some people to assist, but we’ll be pleased to see you at any time of the day. 

This is one of the busiest days of the year at Stanwick Lakes, so there should be plenty of people to talk to and raise awareness of ringing and what goes on upstairs. 

The visitor centre is open from 10 am to 5 pm. We hope to see you there at some point. 

 

CCCBR News

At the CCCBR meeting in September, there will be an election of an Ordinary Trustee. Nominations are being sought and more details can be found here. https://cccbr.org.uk/2024/07/07/nominations-for-cccbr-trustee/

You may also like to look at the Charity Commission definition of the duties and requirements of a trustee.   https://www.gov.uk/guidance/charity-trustee-whats-involved

 

Guild 10 bell

This was held on Saturday 29^th June at Towcester and there were ~ 20 people up the tower. We rang lots of Grandsire & Little bob for those with less experience on 10 bells. For others it was a chance to be stretched, with Cambridge, Yorkshire & Stedman also featuring. We finished with rounds & call changes on all 12 and some Stedman Cinques. 

The next 10 bell is at Daventry on Saturday 14^thSeptember. 

 

Guild Outing and Picnic

The August event is a ringing outing and picnic. Towers and timings are as follows:

1:00-2:00

Ashwell

LE15 7LP

6

2:10-2:55

Cottesmore

LE15 7BW

6

3:10-3:50

Hambleton

LE15 8TH

5

4:05-4:35

Lyndon

LE15 8TU

4

4:40-5:20

Edith Weston

LE15 8EY

6

Afterwards we’ll move to Rutland Water Beach Car Park, Sykes Lane LE15 8QL.  For this part of the occasion, please bring your own sandwiches etc.  There is a play area, take-away café (which may be closed soon after we get there), and toilets.  Parking costs £2 per hour, and the car park stays open until 8pm.

As a large group, we need to let the site know how many are coming, so if you think you might like to join us, please let us know on centenary@pdg.org.uk. 

 

PDG100 ringing

In my last update I mentioned that the Guild wanted to achieve a piece of ringing in every tower across the diocese and that we were still a few short! Well a couple of towers have risen to the occasion. Duston dedicated a practice night to the anniversary, with 14 ringers participating. Meanwhile at Pytchley, the band rang a touch of 100 Bob Doubles, an appropriate length. Thank you to all involved for marking our anniversary in this way. Let’s hope that you’ve given other towers an idea to run with. 

 

Dates for the Diary

Guild Day Out Saturday 13^th July all day Stanwick Lakes

Guild Outing and Picnic  Saturday 10^th August 1:00 ringing at towers round Rutland Water, Picnic, 5:30 Rutland Water Beach Car Park, Sykes Lane LE15 8QL. 

 

And Branch events. 

Rutland Branch 8 bell Practice Tuesday 16^th July 7:30 Oakham

Thrapston Branch Practice Thursday 18^th July 2:30Thrapston

Wellingborough Surprise Practice, Saturday 20^thJuly,  10:30 Wilby

Wellingborough Branch Practice, Saturday 20^thJuly 2:30 Stanwick

Kettering Branch Practice, Saturday 20^th July, 2:00Wadenhoe, 3:30 Stoke Doyle

Daventry: Branch Practice, Saturday 20^th July 3:00Whilton, 6:30 Great Brington

Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 20^th July, 7:30Charwelton

Thrapston Branch Practice Friday 2^nd August 7:30Islip

Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 3^rd August 3:00 West Haddon, 6:00 Long Buckby

Peterborough Minor Social Sunday 4^th August 2:00Cotterstock

 

See you on Saturday!

Helen

Dear all, a reminder that the next major event in the Guild Centenary calendar is the day out at Stanwick Lakes next Saturday, 13 July. This will be an interesting day, with lots to do in addition to bell ringing, so I hope you will be able to join the Guild. The detailed information about the event is on a previous post

I am still short of volunteers to join the Branch for our slot on the mini ring from 2.30-3.30pm, Please let me know if you are available. https://petbells.org.uk/contact/chairman/

Hilary

Some admin and some advance notices this time. 

 

Guild day out at Stanwick Lakes

Saturday 13^th July sees our next PDG100 event. This is at Stanwick Lakes. We have a location near the visitor centre where we will have the Maplestead mini ring available and the Guild training bell set up. These will be available for ringers to try and for the general public to introduce them to bellringing. We’ll also have some ringing themed activities and crafts for the youngsters. Branches have been asked to provide some people to assist, but we’ll be pleased to see you at any time of the day. 

This is one of the busiest days of the year at Stanwick Lakes, so there should be plenty of people to talk to and raise awareness of ringing and what goes on upstairs. 

 

A poster for the next two events is available for you to put up in your tower.  https://pdg.org.uk/Events/2024_JulyAugust_poster.pdf

 

CCCBR News

At the last CCCBR annual meeting, the structure of fees was changed from a rate per representative to a flat fee per member. The flat fee was set at 20p per member. That was, for us, an increase in the amount we paid per year to be affiliated to the CCCBR from £160 to £188 in 2024. 

There is now a consultation from the CCCBR to raise the flat rate per member to 40p in 2025 and progressing to £1 per member in 2023. 

There is a consultation with sessions set up on 30^thJune and 3^rd July and a session for Treasurers in July. 

There are some brief consultation media available here https://cccbr.org.uk/2024/06/21/affiliation-fee-consultations-open-now/ and here https://cccbr.org.uk/ringing-2030/ringing-finance/.Theconsultation is all at quite short notice. You can communicate your thoughts directly to the CCCBR, or to one of the Guild’s four CC reps, cc_reps@pdg.org.uk, or you can let me know what you think.

 

Handbell concert

Nether Heyford church have invited the Welford handbell ringers to present a concert on Thursday 11^th July at 7:30 pm. Tickets are £10 for adults, £5 for under 16s and include a glass of something and nibbles. The concert will feature a range of light and classical music. The audience may also have the opportunity to try ringing off the table after the concert. Tickets can be obtained from Jane Rands, janerands@gmail.com

 

Guild’s centenary Dinner

Tickets are on sale for the Guild’s Centenary dinner. To be held at Ketting Park Spa Hotel on Saturday 12^th October, 6:30 for 7:15pm. Tickets are £45 per person. We have a fine array of speaker lined up, and are delighted that Bishop Debbie has accepted our invitation to speak. To register interest and get details of how to pay, contact centenary@pdg.org.uk.  Formal dress, so a chance to break out that posh togs and long frocks for a change. Who will you not recognise when not in their usual polo shirt & jeans! 

 

PDG100 ringing

At the AGM you’ll have seen the board of firsts that have been achieved across the Guild this year.  It can be seen here https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/shout-out-for-success. If you think you have a first that’s not here, check it is entered on bellboard and linked to the PDG100 event. That can be done after the event. Alternatively, you still have 6 months to get that first of something. 

So far the range of firsts is from first Sunday Service ringing to first peal of Horton’s 4 spliced. Which just goes to show that no matter where you are in your ringing career, there is always something to achieve. 

 

We also aimed to achieve some ringing in each tower of the diocese. So far 82 different towers have reported a piece of ringing. With 271 towers in the diocese, that still leaves us some way to go. OK, so some are unringable, but that’s still 160 or so towers. Have you rung for the anniversary yet? If you need help to ring something specific, get in tough with your branch or neighbouring towers. 

 

Dates for the Diary

Guild 10-bell Practice  Saturday 29^th June. 10:30, Towcester. 

Guild Day Out Saturday 13^th July all day Stanwick Lakes

 

And Branch events. 

Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 29^th June 7:30Aynho. 

Rutland Branch practice Thursday 4^th July 7:00Great Casterton

Thrapston Branch Practice Friday 5^th July 7:30 Islip

Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 6^th July 3:00 Great Oxendon, 6:00 Kelmarsh

Rutland Branch 8 bell Practice Tuesday 16^th July 7:30 Oakham

Thrapston Branch Practice Thursday 18^th July 2:30Thrapston

Wellingborough Surprise Practice, Saturday 20^thJuly,  10:30 Wilby

Wellingborough Branch Practice, Saturday 20^thJuly 2:30 Stanwick

Kettering Branch Practice, Saturday 20^th July, 2:00Wadenhoe, 3:30 Stoke Doyle

Daventry: Branch Practice, Saturday 20^th July 3:00Whilton, 6:30 Great Brington

Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 20^th July, 7:30Charwelton

 

And with that I will sign off and go and bask in what remains of the sun. Maybe this is summer at last… 

 

Thanks

Helen

With a sigh of relief, I can start with the report on last weekend’s AGM. It all went rather well, with an excellent tea. 

 

Guild AGM

It was great to see around 70 of you at the Guild AGM on Saturday last. 

All the officers proposed were duly elected. Sorry, that means you’ve got me as secretary for another year. We are lacking a PRO and a Youth officer. If you feel you could assist, do get in touch. 

A summary of the meeting can be found on the website. https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/2024-agm-summary

Congratulations to Ian Willgress on being elected a Life Honorary Member of the Guild for his service to the guild. 

 

John Beresford, as Safeguarding Officer, gave a summary of the current situation with the diocese. The current recommendations are available on the website. https://pdg.org.uk/documents/20240608_PDG_Safeguarding_Guidance.pdf Any questions, please get in touch with John on safeguarding@pdg.org.uk.  

 

Guild day out at Stanwick Lakes

Saturday 13^th July sees our next PDG100 event. This is at Stanwick Lakes. We have a location near the visitor centre where we will have the Maplestead mini ring available and the Guild training bell set up. These will be available for ringers to try and for the general public to introduce them to bellringing. We’ll also have some ringing themed activities and crafts for the youngsters. Branches have been asked to provide some people to assist, but we’ll be pleased to see you at any time of the day. 

This is one of the busiest days of the year at Stanwick Lakes, so there should be plenty of people to talk to and raise awareness of ringing and what goes on upstairs. 

 

A poster for the next two events is available for you to put up in your tower.  https://pdg.org.uk/Events/2024_JulyAugust_poster.pdf

 

Guild’s centenary Dinner

Tickets are on sale for the Guild’s Centenary dinner. To be held at Ketting Park Spa Hotel on Saturday 12^th October, 6:30 for 7:15pm. Tickets are £45 per person. We have a fine array of speaker lined up, and are delighted that Bishop Debbie has accepted our invitation to speak. To register interest and get details of how to pay, contact centenary@pdg.org.uk.  Formal dress, so a chance to break out that posh togs and long frocks for a change. Who will you not recognise when not in their usual polo shirt & jeans! 

 

CCCBR News

The President’s blog is available. https://cccbr.org.uk/2024/06/14/presidents-blog-93/

 

Dates for the Diary

Guild 10-bell Practice  Saturday 29^th June. 10:30, Towcester. 

Guild Day Out Saturday 13^th July all day Stanwick Lakes

 

And Branch events. 

Thrapston Branch Practice Thursday 20^th June 2:30Wadenhoe

Rutland Branch 8 bell Practice Tuesday 20^th June 7:30 Uppingham

Towcester Branch Practice Saturday 22^nd June 10:30 Wappenham

Northampton Branch Practice Saturday 22^nd June 7:00 Brafield on the Green

Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 29^th June 7:30Aynho. 

Rutland Branch practice Thursday 4^th July 7:00Great Casterton

Thrapston Branch Practice Friday 5^th July 7:30 Islip

Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 6^th July 3:00 Great Oxendon, 6:00 Kelmarsh

Rutland Branch 8 bell Practice Tuesday 16^th July 7:30 Oakham

Thrapston Branch Practice Thursday 18^th July 2:30Thrapston

Wellingborough Surprise Practice, Saturday 20^thJuly,  10:30 Wilby

Wellingborough Branch Practice, Saturday 20^thJuly 2:30 Stanwick

Kettering Branch Practice, Saturday 20^th July, 2:00Wadenhoe, 3:30 Stoke Doyle

Daventry: Branch Practice, Saturday 20^th July 3:00Whilton, 6:30 Great Brington

Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 20^th July, 7:30Charwelton

 

If the recent Guild Open day has whet your appetite, there is one next month in the Southern District. Details can be found on their website https://eacr.org.uk/districts/s/southern-district-open-day.html

 

Helen

Dear all, the next major event in the Guild Centenary calendar is the day out at Stanwick Lakes on Saturday 13 July. This will be an interesting day, with lots to do in addition to bell ringing, so I hope you will be able to join the Guild. The detailed information about the event is below.

As you will see from the schedule, Peterborough Branch has a slot to ring from 2.30-3.30pm, and I am asking for volunteers to come to join us to ring. Please let me know if you are available. https://petbells.org.uk/contact/chairman/

Objectives

This is going to be a superb public relations exercise where we can all experience something slightly different in the art of bellringing, but share our passion with members of the public.  It takes place on what is usually one of the busiest weekends of the year at Stanwick Lakes. (https://stanwicklakes.org.uk/)

Overview

We will have a prominent location, where we will set up the Wombell and the Maplestead Mini Ring.  In addition to this we hope to have handbells and bellplates for making a noise on.  There will be some display materials, merchandise for sale, quizzes, and craft activities, so plenty to attract visitors.

Branches have been assigned a time slot for manning the site and using the equipment but as these are all open ringing sessions, feel free to come at any time to join in.  As necessary, a group of confident users will come to ring for a short time on the Mini Ring each hour. 

There is plenty to do at Stanwick Lakes – play areas, an assault course, a visitor centre with a café and heritage centre, a myriad of paths for walks – making it an opportunity for a great family day out.

Parking rates are currently £3.40 for up to 2 hours, £4.90 for up to 4 hours and £6.40 for the whole day per vehicle, so people may want to arrange to share lifts.  For anyone planning to come for two separate time periods, we can organise a discount.

A team of members is being arranged for the assembly and dismantling of the equipment – if you are willing and able to help with this, please contact centenray@pdg.org.uk

Schedule

Visitor Centre open 9:30-17:00

Time slot	Branch/group
08:00 – 09:00	Setting up
09:00 – 10:00	Trial session
10:00 – 11:00	Northampton
11:00 – 12:00	Towcester
12:00 – 13:30	Culworth/Daventry
13:30 – 14:30	Guilsborough
14:30 – 15:30	Peterborough
15:30 – 16:30	Kettering
16:30 – 17:30	Wellingborough
17:30 – 19:00	Taking down

Cotterstock, Sunday 4 August, 2-4pm

After a lovely, well attended ring at Bulwick last Sunday we have arranged another Surprise minor social.

We’re planning to go to Cotterstock this time so please put the date in the diary now. If it’s a good day Cotterstock is a lovely place for a picnic by the river or even in the churchyard if you want to bring your family. There will be cake!

A great opportunity to ring a surprise method. If there are any special requests for methods please let us know in advance so we can share and other people can do some revision if necessary.

We look forward to seeing you.

Elaine and Jane

Cracking on with the item at the top of my current to-do list, it’s the AGM on Saturday. It’s taking up a lot of my attention! 

 

Guild AGM

Final reminder of the AGM details. To take place on Saturday 8^th June in Moulton. 

Open Ringing at Harlestone at 2 pm and Pitsford at 3 pm.

Ringing at Moulton at 4 pm, for the service at 4:30 pm.

This will be followed by tea in the church hall and the AGM at 5:45 pm. There will be evening ringing afterwards. 

All are welcome to the AGM, names for tea to me on secretary@pdg.org.uk by 5^th June please. 

 

The minutes of meetings in the last 12 months to be approved at the meeting can be found on the website, as can the agenda. https://pdg.org.uk/homepage/agm-2024

Nominations for officers need to be made in writing, if you want to propose anyone for any Guild role, get your nominations in soonest. 

 

Guild’s centenary Dinner

Tickets are on sale for the Guild’s Centenary dinner. To be held at Ketting Park Spa Hotel on Saturday 12^th October, 6:30 for 7:15pm. Tickets are £45 per person. We have a fine array of speaker lined up, and are delighted that Bishop Debbie has accepted our invitation to speak. To register interest and get details of how to pay, contact centenary@pdg.org.uk.  Formal dress, so a chance to break out that posh togs and long frocks for a change. Who will you not recognise when not in their usual polo shirt & jeans! 

 

CCCBR News

There’s a request to ring to mark the 80^thanniversary of D-Day on 6^th June, Not ringing at the time of the landings, the request is to ring at 6:30 pm, if possible. 

 

The CCCBR AGM arrangements are being made available, This year it is in Exeter. The CCCBR is looking for nominations for trustees. All the information can be found on the website. https://cccbr.org.uk/about/annual-meetings/2024-annual-meeting/meeting-papers/

 

Other news

In other local news, the Ridgman Trophy is being held at Biggleswade on the 8^th June. This is a 10 bell striking contest for Guilds that border the Ely DA. We hosted last year in Towcester. The Guild is not entering this year, due to the clash with the AGM. Anyone is welcome to go along to listen and there will be cake/light refreshments available in the Chapter House. The contest starts at 10 am

 

Dates for the Diary

Guild AGM Saturday 8^th June Harlestone 2:00, Pitsford 3:00, Moulton 4:00, service 4:30 then tea. AGM 5:45 then evening ringing at Moulton. 

Guild 10-bell Practice  Saturday 30^th June. 10:30, Towcester. 

 

And Branch events. 

Rutland Branch practice Wednesday 5^th June 7:00Braunston

Thrapston Branch Practice Friday 7^th June 7:30Islip

Wellingborough Striking contest, Tuesday 11^th May,  6:30 Mears Ashby

Wellingborough Surprise Practice, Saturday 15^thJune 10:30 Irthlingborough

Kettering Branch Practice, Saturday 15^th June, 3:30Cottingham

Daventry: Branch Practice, Saturday 15^th June 3:00Badby, 6:30 Eydon

Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 15^th June, 6:30Eydon

Thrapston Branch Practice Thursday 20^th June 2:30Wadenhoe

Rutland Branch 8 bell Practice Tuesday 20^th June 7:30 Uppingham

Towcester Branch Practice Saturday 22^nd June 10:30 Wappenham

Northampton Branch Practice Saturday 22^nd June 7:00 Brafield on the Green

Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 29^th June 7:30Aynho. 

 

See you Saturday!

Helen

Dear all, Diana has now made the arrangements for this popular event. Please see below:

12:30 -1:15pm Great Casterton PE9 4AN Bells: 6 Tenor: 5-1-18 in A♭ Ground Floor(GF)  no toilet

1:30 – 2:15pm  Ryhall              PE9 4HR  Bells: 6 Tenor: 11-1-5 in F    toilet available

2:30 – 3:15pm  Greatford         PE9 4PX  Bells: 6 Tenor 6–1–4 in B♭  Ground Floor (GF) no toilet?

3:30pm  Waterside Garden Centre just off the A15 ie  King St, Baston PE6 9NY

Waterside Garden Centre has just reopened after severe flooding; I have personally checked out their fruit scones and confirmed they are really yummy!! I am just waiting for them to update the menu, which I think only affects the full Afternoon Tea, as the fruit/cherry/Cheese scones are on their menu, but I will circulate that as soon as I have it.

I did have jam (choice of raspberry or strawberry) and clotted cream on my scone, which are extra at present and drinks separate, but as they have reopened earlier than the expected July, the online menus have not yet been updated. 

Anyway the ringing details are confirmed, and I will provide more news as soon as I have some.

Thank you

Diana Street

Any queries please email me on diana_cherryfields@yahoo.co.uk 

Dear all, the Guild AGM is next Saturday (details below) and the Guild would like to take the opportunity to take photos of members to form part of a visual record of the Guild in its centenary year.

So dig out your centenary clothing if you have got some, book your teas with Helen (secretary@pdg.org.uk) by Wednesday, and turn up with smiles on your faces.  The forecast looks good so hopefully we can get some great group shots.

AGM details

Open Ringing at Harlestone at 2 pm and Pitsford at 3 pm.

Ringing at Moulton at 4 pm, for the service at 4:30 pm.

This will be followed by tea in the church hall and the AGM at 5:45 pm. There will be evening ringing afterwards.

2 June 2024, 1 to 3pm

St Nicholas’, Bulwick

Just a reminder that there’s a minor surprise social this Sunday, 1pm at Bulwick. Cambridge will be on offer for those just getting to grips with that and we’ve had a request for Norwich so for those that are happy with Cambridge please come prepared to ring that. Treble bobbing opportunities will also be available.

There will be cake!

Jane