If there is a season for everything, then it seems like spring brings striking contests as well as spring flowers. After reporting the results of the Midland youth contest last time around, this time it’s the turn of the Towcester band to be congratulated for a respectable 5^th place finish (of 8 teams) in the 12 bell eliminator contest at Reading yesterday. They don’t qualify for the final, but there’s a silver lining there – no need to locate Chilcompton! 

 

Spring Meeting

If it is striking contest season, then the Guild diary follows suit. The next Guild event is the Spring Meeting on 13^th April, which includes the 6 bell striking contest. The new trophy is taking shape, still no pictures, that would spoil the surprise. There’s plenty of time to get your band organised, entries to Simon Dixon by Saturday 6^th April, master@pdg.org.uk. As a reminder, the rules are here https://pdg.org.uk/forms/6_Bell_competition.pdf  and there’s a poster here https://pdg.org.uk/meetings/Spring_Meeting_2024_poster.pdf

I know the Guilsborough branch are getting their ducks in a row for the tea, a range of scrumptious goodies are in the planning. Hope to see you there. 

 

Guild Newsletter

The next Guild newsletter deadline is the 31^st March, for distribution at the Spring Meeting. Any news or items of interest can be sent to Jonathan Stuart, the newsletter editor, newsletter@pdg.org.uk. What have you done recently that would make a good item to tell your fellow ringers about? The recent issues have had a wide range of interesting items, but we can only do that with your contributions. 

 

CCCBR news

An update on Bell Sunday, which this year takes place on Sunday 12^th May. It’s an opportunity for the church family to recognise the impact that bells can have on the community. There are resources to help here. https://cccbr.org.uk/2024/03/16/bell-sunday-12th-may-2024/

 

Dates for the Diary

Guild Spring Meeting Saturday 13^th April. 6 bell contest at Cold Ashby from 3 pm. Teams to the Master (master@pdg.org.uk) by the 6^th April. 

Guild Tower Open day Saturday 11^th May. Tower Open day across the Guild. https://pdg.org.uk/pdg-100/open-day

 

And branch events. 

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

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

Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 6^th April 3:00 Scaldwell, 6:00 Brixworth. 

Rutland Branch 8 bell Practice Thursday 18^th April 7:30 Uppingham

Wellingborough Surprise Practice, Saturday 20^thApril,  10:30 Rushden

Kettering Branch Practice, Saturday 20^th April, 2:00Great Oakley, 15:15 Weldon

Wellingborough Branch Practice, Saturday 20^thApril,  2:30 Yardley Hasting

Daventry Branch Practice, Saturday 20^th April, 3:00Preston Capes for ringing service, tea & meeting, 6:30 Moreton Pinkney (joint with Culworth)

Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 20^th April, 6:30Moreton Pinkney (joint with Daventry)

 

And with that I will leave you to debate what to do with yourself in the ringing desert (or so I mean dessert?) that is Holy week. Opportunity to Spring clean the ringing room? Or have a social evening? Whatever you do with it, have a happy Easter. 

 

Thanks

Helen

 

In my last update I did suggest that ringing quarters on leap day was a once in 4 year opportunity. Little did I realise that some of the Peterborough branch were already ahead of me. Elaine’s Leap day escapades  https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/event.php?id=18475 saw 7 attempts and 6 successes scored. I particularly like the genesis of the idea, take from the first footnote: “From an expanded idea over a beer and making the most of the extra day.”  In my experience many ideas can trace their origin to a beer! Quarters were also scored at Uppingham & Rushton. Well done gang. 

 

Bishop of Peterborough. 

The Diocese has a new Bishop, with Bishop Debbie being enthroned on Sunday 3^rd. The service can be viewed again through YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_dIaRbOIkw If you rang to welcome Bishop Debbie, there is a bellboard event you can link to, or let me know and I’ll collate all the ringing to send to her. The bellboard event is here: https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/event.php?id=18494

 

Guild Spring Meeting 

Next month sees the Guild’s Spring meeting and 6 bell striking contest. This year we are introducing a change. The existing Weaver Shield will be awarded to the best method ringing band, while there will be a new Centenary trophy that will be awarded to the best call change band. The contest remains largely unchanged, it’s one competition and two trophies rather than two independent competitions. The rules can be found on the website. https://pdg.org.uk/forms/6_Bell_competition.pdf. Entries to Simon Dixon on master@pdg.org.uk by 6^th April. 

This aims to encourage those bands that are more confident ringing call changes with a shiny trophy incentive to enter. Good striking is, after all, what ringing should be about, regardless of the complexity of the ringing. 

The contest will be held at Cold Ashby, with the call change element potentially being held at Guilsborough, depending on the number of teams that enter. With ringing at Spratton from 2 pm and contest and tea at Cold Ashby it should be a good day out, regardless of if you come away with a trophy or not. 

 

Fund raising opportunity

Benefact group is drawing their next Movement for Good grants from 18^th March. Charities nominated stand the chance to win £1000. The Guild can be entered into the draw using the link below. 

https://movementforgood.com/index.php?cn=258271&ct=heritage_arts#nominateACharity

The more entries, the more chances we have to win, so get your clinking fingers out. Nominations run to the end of the year so nominating us now enters us into draws across the rest of the year. 

 

Young Ringers.

We understand that a team of young ringers from the Daventry branch represented the Guild in the Midland young ringers striking contest, held in the vicinity of Loughborough yesterday. They came a highly creditable 3^rd in the call change competition. Impressive, especially as it was their first contest and some of the band only started learning in October. I’m told that there is an item being prepared to appear in the next Guild newsletter. Well done team. 

 

Midlands Young Ringers striking contest

9 March 2024

Oaks in Charnwood, Leicestershire.

Call change ringing contest

1 Derby 91%

2 Nottingham 90%

3 Peterborough 86%

4 Birmingham 81%

5 Coventry 51%

 

CCCBR news

The CCCBR is again working with Westley group to promote steeple keeping. The Westley award aims to recognise those who are new to steeple keeping or making a significant impact. Nomination information can be found here: https://cccbr.org.uk/2024/03/03/2024-westley-award-nominations-now-open/

 

Dates for the Diary

Guild Spring Meeting Saturday 13^th April. 6 bell contest at Cold Ashby from 3 pm. Teams to the Master (master@pdg.org.uk) by the 6^th April. 

Guild Tower Open day Saturday 11^th May. Tower Open day across the Guild. https://pdg.org.uk/pdg-100/open-day

 

And branch events. 

 Wellingborough Surprise Practice, Saturday 16^thMarch,  10:30 Orlingbury

Kettering Branch Practice, Saturday 16^th March, 2:00 Burton Latimer

Daventry Branch Practice, Saturday 16^th March, 3:00 Bugbrooke for ringing service & tea, 6:30Kislingbury

Wellingborough Branch Practice, Saturday 16^thMarch,  7:00 Higham Ferrers

Rutland Branch 8 bell Practice Tuesday 19^th March 7:30 Oakham

Towcester Branch Practice, Saturday 23^rd March, 10:30 Greens Norton

Northampton, Branch Practice 23^rd March, 7:00Harpole

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

Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 6^th April 3:00 Scaldwell, 6:00 Brixworth. 

 

March is supposed to come in like a lion and go out like a lamb. I’m hoping that having come in laden with water it leaves us in sunshine. That might be rather optimistic, but one can but hope. See you at the Spring Meeting, by which I hope to have seen some spring sunshine! 

 

Thanks

Helen

Please see below details for six bell striking contest to be held at the Guild Spring Meeting Saturday 13^th April at Cold Ashby from 3 pm.

As part of the Guild’s centenary, we are going to make a change to the Guild’s 6 bell striking contest, to take place on Saturday April 13^th. In order to encourage band with less experience, we’re going to introduce a new, Centenary Trophy. This will be awarded to the highest placed band ringing call changes. The current Weaver Shield will be presented to the highest placed method ringing band. This aims to encourage bands that might feel they might not produce their best ringing while ringing methods to enter a band. Good striking is important no matter the complexity of what is being rung and well struck call changes are a challenge for all bands. I went to see the maker this afternoon and it is going to be an impressive piece that will look good in any tower. No pictures, that would spoil the surprise. There’s plenty of time to get practising…  

If you have a band/tower to enter please send direct to the Ringing Master (master@pdg.org.uk) by the 6^th April. Alternatively, if you’re interested in participating and joining a band or tower, please reach out to our Branch Ringing Master (ringing_master@peterborough.pdg.org.uk), Assistant to Ringing Master (deputy_ringing_master@peterborough.pdg.org.uk), and Secretary (secretary@peterborough.pdg.org.uk). We’ll endeavour to coordinate bands or towers for your involvement in this event.

If you haven’t already seen this and would like to take part please see below the details and link to the guild website.

Saturday 9th March : Nene Valley Challenge 
This will be a fun mini outing/tower grab with space for many ringers of all abilities. Held in the morning, it will culminate in a ringers’ lunch with hot drinks at Thrapston. Please note that this event is also suited to less experienced ringers (who may like to bring along a mentor).

The Challenge: Ringers may have aspirations, they want to challenge themselves a little. Could you ring plain bob or call changes on different rings of bells on the same day? Or would you just like to confidently ring at three different towers without assistance? Come along to the Nene Valley and get a certificate to prove that you can….

Participants should register in advance with their personal challenge so that they can be assigned to a particular route, and to allow assessors in each tower to have a list of who to expect. Bookings for lunch will also be required.

For more information, and to book for the lunch, please contact centenary pdg.org.uk

https://www.pdg.org.uk/pdg-100#3

At the danger of sounding like a scratched record, it’s been very wet of late. Maybe with March starting next week and spring on the horizon it might start to dry out. Hopefully you’ve not, like Dr Foster, stepped into a puddle up to you middle – or even just above your boot tops. Squelch. 

 

Guild 100^th Anniversary 

As part of the Guild’s centenary, we are going to make a change to the Guild’s 6 bell striking contest, to take place on Saturday April 13^th. In order to encourage band with less experience, we’re going to introduce a new, Centenary Trophy. This will be awarded to the highest placed band ringing call changes. The current Weaver Shield will be presented to the highest placed method ringing band. This aims to encourage bands that might feel they might not produce their best ringing while ringing methods to enter a band. Good striking is important no matter the complexity of what is being rung and well struck call changes are a challenge for all bands. I went to see the maker this afternoon and it is going to be an impressive piece that will look good in any tower. No pictures, that would spoil the surprise. There’s plenty of time to get practising…  

 

The next event is the Nene Valley Challenge on 9^thMarch. Details have been circulated. If you want to set yourself a challenge, or come to help (or both) get in touch. 

 

There was a peal rung at Desborough on Friday 9^thFebruary. This was on the 100^th anniversary of the first peal for the Guild and was rung using the same method and composition (but not the same ringers). Well done to all concerned on marking the anniversary this way. Not an easy feat. https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=1697748

The picture of the original peal band with their peal board can be found here. https://pdg.org.uk/history/photos

 

Dates for the Diary

Guild 100th Anniversary event Sunday 9^th MarchNene Valley Challenge, Thrapston area. Ringing at a variety of towers in the morning followed by a light lunch.  

Guild 10 bell Practice Saturday 9^th March 6:30Location Moulton (note this is an evening practice)

Guild Spring Meeting Saturday 13^th April. 6 bell contest at Cold Ashby from 3 pm. Teams to the Master (master@pdg.org.uk) by the 6^th April. 

 

And branch events. 

Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 2^nd March 3:00 Cold Ashby

Rutland Branch practice Wednesday 6^th February 7:30 Braunston, focus Surprise 

Wellingborough Surprise Practice, Saturday 16^thMarch,  10:30 Orlingbury

Kettering Branch Practice, Saturday 16^th March, 2:00 Burton Latimer

Wellingborough Branch Practice, Saturday 16^thMarch,  7:00 Higham Ferrers

Rutland Branch 8 bell Practice Tuesday 19^th March 7:30 Oakham

Towcester Branch Practice, Saturday 23^rd March, 10:30 Greens Norton

Daventry Branch Practice, Saturday 23^rd March, 3:00 Bugbrooke for ringing service & tea, 6:30Kislingbury

Northampton, Branch Practice 23^rd March, 7:00Harpole

 

There’s a chance for those people who want to ring on each date in the year to grab a rare date this year. Score on the 29^th February, or it’s 4 years before you get to do it again – no pressure then! Good luck to anyone trying it. For me it’s an office work day, so not a hope there! 

 

Thanks

Helen

Dear all, the ever popular event Ring for your Cream Tea is in planning, so please make a note of the date of 29 September in your diary.

More details to follow.

Best wishes,

Hilary

February seems to have brought a lot of rain so far. It may be worth viewing your tower for water ingress (form above or below looking at the rover levels!). Hopefully, apart from the odd detour to avoid deep puddles, you’ve not been too badly inconvenienced. 

 

Guild 100^th Anniversary 

February’s event – a barn dance at Moulton Community Centre – went off successfully on Saturday night. There were lots of enthusiastic dancers, some with two left feet. Some took the opportunity to dress differently from their usual ringing garb, with skirts, a fab hat and some brilliant silver boots in evidence. The band kept us all in some sort of order and a good time was had by all. There was a Ploughman’s supper, and the promised birthday cake was cut by the Secretary (again – I might get the hang of it by December). I’m told that the last Guild barn dance was in 1998. Maybe we won’t wait 25 odd years for the next! 

 

Talking about what comes next, the next event is the Nene Valley Challenge on 9^th March. Look out for more details soon. 

 

Open Day

The Guild is holding a Tower Open Day on Saturday May 11^th. The tower list and details of timings are now available from the website. https://pdg.org.uk/pdg-100/open-day. There is a charge of £2 per tower or a day ticket for £20. These are available in advance by mailing centenary@pdg.org.uk for details of how to pay. 

 

CCCBR news

The President’s blog is available https://cccbr.org.uk/2024/02/02/presidents-blog-89/

And there’s a desire to have bells rung for the 80^thanniversary of D Day, on 6^th June. https://cccbr.org.uk/2024/02/03/ringing-out-for-peace/

 

ART Training

If you want to learn to teach bell handling or already do but want some ideas and support, there’s an ART M1 training course being held at Rothwell on Saturday 30^th March, from 9:15 to 5:00. I believe that there are still places available, and this is now open for general booking.  https://events.bellringing.org/en/events/module-1/teaching-course-module-1-rothwell-northamptonshire  Cost is £25 per person. 

 

Dates for the Diary

Guild 100th Anniversary event Sunday 9^th MarchNene Valley Challenge, Thrapston area. Ringing at a variety of towers in the morning followed by a light lunch.  

Guild 10 bell Practice Saturday 9^th March 6:30Location Moulton (note this is an evening practice)

Guild Spring Meeting Saturday 13^th April. 6 bell contest at Cold Ashby from 3 pm. Teams to the Master (master@pdg.org.uk) by the 6^th April. 

 

Not yet got all branches calendars, this is what I know of for now. 

Rutland Branch 8 bell Practice Thursday 15^thFebruary, 7:30 Uppingham

Wellingborough Surprise Practice, Saturday 17^thFebruary,  10:30 Earls Barton

Kettering Branch Practice, Saturday 17^th February, 2:00 Warkton, 3:15 Grafton Underwood (tea & coffee at Grafton Underwood)

Wellingborough Branch Practice, Saturday 17^thFebruary,  2:30 Orlingbury

Daventry/ Culworth Branch Practice, Saturday 17^thFebruary, 3:00 Byfield for ringing service & tea, 6:30Woodford Halse

Towcester Branch Practice, Saturday 24^th February, 10:30 Grafton Regis

Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 2^nd March 3:00 Cold Ashby

Rutland Branch practice Wednesday 6^th February 7:30 Braunston, focus Surprise 

 

That seems to be enough to keep you busy until next time. 

 

Thanks

Helen

 

Golly isn’t January long! Finally, the end seems to be in sight. It’s been busy too, with 10 AGMs successfully completed. Thank you to all those who have taken branch office, good luck for the upcoming year. 

Guild 100^th Anniversary 

The next event is a barn dance in Moulton Community Centre on Saturday 10^th February. The dancing will be from 7 pm and will be to a live band, Kelly’s Eye. The tickets are £15 each and includes a ploughman’s supper, with a choice of meat, cheese or vegan. There will be a bar and a games room for when you need to take a breather. Tickets available from centenary@pdg.org.uk. Open to all, non-ringers can dance too, you know. Bring your friends for what should be an entertaining evening. 

CCCBR news

The President wants for one more ringer https://cccbr.org.uk/2024/01/18/presidents-blog-88/

The news that the government is considering signing the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage has prompted activity to see of bellringing might be eligible. There’s one more change to join a CCCBR meeting to discuss he implications. https://cccbr.org.uk/2024/01/18/what-is-intangible-cultural-heritage-and-why-does-it-matter-to-bellringing/

ART conference

The ART conference is the first weekend in March, at Hanbury. https://bellringing.org/2024/01/13/book-your-place-at-the-art-conference/ No need to be an ART member to attend either day. 

ART Training

If you want to learn to teach bell handling or already do but want some ideas and support, there’s an ART M1 training course being held at Rothwell on Saturday 30^th March, from 9:15 to 5:00. There are 12 places available, and initial booking is limited to PDG members, use code 1682. https://events.bellringing.org/en/events/module-1/teaching-course-module-1-rothwell-northamptonshire  Cost is £25 per person. 

Guild Newsletter

This was circulated in hardcopy and should be arriving in your tower soonest. It is also available to read online.  https://pdg.org.uk/newsletters/newsletter_202401.pdf
Next print deadline late March, so get your snippets of news to the branch or the newsletter editor soonest. 

Dates for the Diary

Guild 100th Anniversary event Saturday 10^th February Moulton Village Hall, Barn dance with live band & ploughman’s supper.  Starts at 7 pm. Tickets are £15 in advance from centenary@pdg.org.uk

Guild 100th Anniversary event Sunday 9^th March Nene Valley Challenge, Thrapston area. Ringing at a variety of towers in the morning followed by a light lunch.  

Guild 10 bell Practice Saturday 9^th March 6:30 Location Moulton (note this is an evening practice)

Not yet got all branches calendars, this is what I know of for February now. 

Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 3^rd February 3:00 East Haddon

Rutland Branch practice Wednesday7^th February 7:00 Cottesmore, focus Minor & Stedman. 

Kettering Branch Practice, Saturday 17^th February, 2:00 Warkton, 3:15 Grafton Underwood (tea & cake at Grafton Underwood)

Wellingborough Branch Practice, Saturday 17^th February,  2:30 Orlingbury

Daventry Branch Practice, Saturday 17^th February, 3:00 Byfield for ringing service & tea, 6:30 Woodford Halse

Rutland Branch 8 bell Practice Tuesday 20^th February, 7:30 Oakham

Towcester Branch Practice, Saturday 24^th February, 10:30 Grafton Regis

With 29 days, we’re in for a longer than usual February as well. Hopefully it doesn’t involve being drenched, frozen or blown away. And maybe the first signs of Spring are just around the corner. 

Thanks

Helen

Please note that the 8-bell practice at Castor, typically scheduled for the first Friday of each month, is temporarily postponed as we seek input from branch members to better align with their preferences and support their training needs.

Best regards

Debs

Train the Trainers Course – Saturday the 30th March @ Rothwell

We need more ringers to ring our bells – and so we need more trainers to teach Bellringing.Would you like to teach someone to ring your bells?  If so we have the ideal course for you! 
The Guild is putting on a course run by the Association of Ringing Teachers to train and support ringers wishing to become competent Trainers.The Course takes place at Holy Trinity Church, Rothwell
On Saturday 30th March, starting at 9:15am, finishing by 5pm.To find out more and to book your place go online to :
http://tinyurl.com/Rothwell-M1or contact Alistair Donaldson on president@pdg.org.uk
Hurry – only 12 places available!
To book your PDG priority place use PIN code 1682

Thanks!
Alistair Donaldson