It’s been a busy couple of weeks, and the surprisingly good weather continues, although the spots of rain last weekend did worry us as the start of the Ridgman trophy contest.

 

Contest reports

The last few weeks have seen striking contests locally and nationally. The Ridgman Trophy is organised for guilds & association that border the Ely diocese (roughly) and is held in rotation. The Peterborough Guild last hosted in 2016, so it was probably approaching our turn again. This year it was decided to host at Towcester, on the back 10, 7 teams entered, and Essex emerged victorious. Fuller report available on the Guild website, the Ridgman Trophy site has not yet been updated with band or winners’ photos. . https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/ridgman-trophy-day

 

Wellingborough branch held their branch striking contest, which was held at Wilby and won by Rushden. Striking contests happen at all scales of activity.

 

And the weekend just gone saw the National 12 bell striking contest held in Sheffield. It was also live streamed for those unable to make it, or who want to listen to the test pieces again. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIPuta5XCuQ Birmingham rang first and were awarded the Taylor trophy. They start at ~1:08 into the live stream. Its interesting to watch the bells through the touch as well as listen to it.

 

Other news

The Churches Conservation Trust has launched its annual awards for churches. It’s an opportunity to celebrate churches and their importance to community. Nominations need to be in by the 23^rd July and more details can be found on their website. https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/impact/awards/awards2023

 

In 2014, Ropley church, in Hampshire, was badly damaged by fire. The Alton & Petersfield District in the Winchester & Portsmouth Guild are organising a Fundraising Open Day on the 30^th September to help raise funds to restore the bells.

If a tower grabbing day is your thing, they would be very grateful for your help!

https://www.wpbells.org/open-day-for-ropley/

 

Guild AGM

For those that are interested, I have deciphered my scribblings and the minutes of the Guild AGM are available on the website. Any comments or corrections to me please. https://pdg.org.uk/latest-news/agm-2023-minutes

 

Also announced at the AGM was the calendar of events for the Guild’s 100^th anniversary. These are listed on the Guild website. https://pdg.org.uk/pdg-100 We’ll be asking for expressions of interest and advance bookings for some events, so get these in your diaries soonest.

 

Dates for the Diary

Guild 10 Bell Practice Saturday 8^th July. 10:30 Rothwell.

Guild Intermediate Practice Saturday 8^th July 7:30 Weedon Bec

 

Peterborough Social Surprise Minor Practice Wednesday 28^th June 7:30 Bulwick

Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 1^st July 3:00 Great Oxendon, 6:00 East Farndon

Rutland Branch 6 bell practice Wednesday 5^th July 7:30 Braunston Focus Surprise

Peterborough Branch 8 bell Practice Friday 7^th July 7:30 Castor

Wellingborough Surprise Practice Saturday 15^th July 10:30 Irthlingborough

Wellingborough Branch Practice Saturday 15^th July 2:30 Wollaston

Culworth Branch Half yearly meeting Saturday 15^th July 3:00 Charwelton

Daventry Branch Meeting Saturday 15^th July 3:00 Newnham

Kettering Branch Practice Saturday 15^th July 3:30 Burton Latimer

Rutland Branch 8 bell practice Thursday 20^th July 7:30 Uppingham

Towcester Branch Striking contest with North Bucks Saturday 22^nd July Time & location tbc

Northampton Branch Practice Saturday 22^nd July 7:00 Collingtree

 

There, that’s enough for this week. With the longest day past, it’s the start of the run into Christmas and 2024. What a cheery thought!

 

Thanks

Helen

Looking forward to seeing many of you for branch ringing at Bulwick on Wednesday.

Methods!

If you only ring one surprise minor method it is probably Cambridge and you are most welcome

If you want an alternative to Cambridge, then perhaps think about revising Norwich.

If you ring a few surprise minor methods, what about revising the Cambridge six: Cambridge Primrose Bourne Hull Ipswich Norfolk.

If you are a show off and want a challenge, think about London and/or London below methods like York/Lightfoot/Rossendale

If you are really only there for the chat in the pub afterwards then don’t let any of the above put you off!

James

Dear all, we are having an additional bell cast and installed at Yarwell Church to augment the existing 4 bells to 5.   Yarwell PCC has decided it will be called the Starsmore Jubilee Bell in recognition of the Jubilee in 2022 and in acknowledgement of the contribution made by Jack and Grace Starsmore to the life of the village and the church in particular.

We have raised nearly all the money needed, with significant donations from local bell ringers and the village, plus the Guild Bell Fund has kindly offered a grant towards the work.

We are planning two events to raise further funds, to which you are invited:

Sunday Teas      Sunday 2nd July      3pm – 5pm Yarwell Village Hall 

Flower Festival Saturday 22nd July    11am – 4pm   Yarwell Church and Yarwell Village Hall

I hope you will be able to join us at one of these events and contribute to raising the final funds required.

Best wishes,

Hilary

It was great to see so many of you at the Guild AGM yesterday. I’m sorry to say that there were no other nomination for Secretary, so you’re stuck with me for another year. Thanks to Culworth branch for the arrangements and for magic-ing up the fabulous weather and an excellent tea in the marvellous (HS2 funded) village hall.



Guild AGM

In a very productive meeting, all officers were returned to their posts, with the exception of the Safeguarding Officer, where John Beresford has stepped into the role, alongside his role for his benefice. We have a vacant post for Youth Ringing officer. This is one post that doesn’t have a long history, so the incumbent could shape this as they see fit. Get in touch to discuss further.

There was a vote in favour of a change to the rules, these will be posted to the Guild website shortly once we’ve updated the Charity Commission. Thank you to the committee that undertook this, it’s not an easy task.

And the plans for the 100th anniversary were revealed. We’ve been working hard to try and provide a range of ringing and non-ringing opportunities. Events are listed on the website for 2024, we’ll have more details up soon. You can see our special logo which has been added to the footer of this mail – get used to it, you’ll be seeing a lot of it.

As to merchandise, mugs with the logo are currently available for £5 from the PRO (pro@pdg.org.uk), and clothing is available to order via the attached order form. Again, more to follow as we approach the anniversary, including calendars and a special anniversary jigsaw.

Finally, we elected Graham & Bridget Paul as Honorary Life Members of the Guild, honouring their service to ringing in the Northampton area for many years. Congratulations to both. We’ll present your certificates at a later date.



Ridgman trophy

The Guild is hosting the Ridgman Trophy on Saturday 17th June. This is a 10 bell striking competition for guilds and associations that border the Ely DA. This year it is being hosted at Towcester, with ringing from 10 to ~ 2:30 and results at about 3pm. The Towcester ringers are laying on some refreshments; bacon rolls from 9:30, tea/coffee soft drinks & cake through the day. It’s a chance to listen to what should be some good striking on an excellent ring of bells (OK, I might be a little bit biased here). And (fingers crossed) the weather gods look to be smiling on us, so should be a good day. Do pop along and support your local team.



Guild Newsletter

The Coronation edition of the Guild newsletter is now available. It can be found here: https://pdg.org.uk/newsletters/newsletter_202306.pdf and paper copies will be making their way to towers shortly. It’s an excellent record of an awful lot of ringing.

Next edition due for circulation at the Summer Festival, print deadline the end of August. Any items for inclusion to the newsletter editor, newsletter@pdg.org.uk

The newsletter editor is also looking for an assistant to help with collating the incoming news items and producing the magazine. Talk to Jonathan if you feel you can help or would want to learn more.



CCCBR news

The president’s latest blog is available here: https://cccbr.org.uk/2023/06/09/presidents-blog-80/

There’s also an appreciation of volunteers in Volunteer’s week. https://cccbr.org.uk/2023/06/09/thank-you-to-all-our-volunteers/ Ringers are invariably volunteers, some step forward and take on further responsibility, be that at tower, branch, Guild or national level. Maybe take a minute to say thank you to those people who volunteer and make your ringing life more fulfilling. Or consider how you might volunteer your time or expertise further.



Dates for the Diary

Guild 10 Bell Practice Saturday 8th July. 10:30 Rothwell.

Guild Intermediate Practice Saturday 8th July 7:30 Weedon Bec



One change and one new event. Wellingborough now start at 6:30 on Tuesday and Peterborough are socially ringing Surprise later in the month.

Wellingborough Striking contest Wilby Tuesday 13th June 6:30 Wilby

Rutland Branch 8 bell practice Thursday 15th June 7:30 Uppingham

Wellingborough Surprise Practice Saturday 17th June 10:30 Orlingbury

Daventry Branch Meeting Saturday 17th June 3:00 Whilton 6:30 Norton

Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 17th June 7:30 King’s Sutton

Towcester Branch Practice Thursday 22nd June 7:30 Greens Norton

Peterborough Social Surprise Minor Practice Wednesday 28th June 7:30 Bulwick

Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 1st July 3:00 Great Oxendon, 6:00 East Farndon

Rutland Branch 6 bell practice Wednesday 5th July 7:30 Braunston Focus Surprise

Peterborough Branch 8 bell Practice Friday 7th July 7:30 Castor



Hope you have enjoyed the rather flaming June and have welcomed or dodged the rather large raindrops we had this afternoon (your opinion possibly depending on if you are a gardener or BBQ-er!).



Thanks

Helen

Dear friends, there will be a branch ringing social event on 28th June 1930h at Bulwick.

This will be a social surprise minor event. Anyone who can ring a surprise minor method is welcome. It isn’t a training event as such but if you don’t get an opportunity to bring your Cambridge out very often and would like a go with a strong band around you then you will be in the right place.

Equally if you would like a go at some spliced, I would hope we will be strong enough.

Equally if you would just like some nice simple surprise minor with old friends and the opportunity to catch up in the pub afterwards then please come!

Please let me know if this is of interest

James

Well, what a lovely couple of weekends we’ve had! Last weekend had rather too much ringing, I went on an outing and was involved in a tower tour at my home tower. We have far too many stairs to be running up & down them that many times in a morning.

Then this weekend I’ve been to Peterborough where the branch rang for Evensong at the Cathedral. Great to see so many people being stretched outside their comfort zone, ringing on different bells and higher numbers. Superb enthusiasm and some excellent successes. There are even more stairs there, at least I only had to go up them the once – I begin to see how ringing can keep you fit.

 

Guild AGM

One final reminder that the next Guild event is the AGM on the 10th June. Names to tea to me by the Thursday 7^th please. secretary@pdg.org.uk

The timetable for the day is as follows:

2:00 Ringing at Greatworth

3:30 ringing at Marston St Lawrence for Service at 4:00

Tea in Marston St Lawrence village hall followed by AGM at 5:30 pm.

Evening ringing at Moreton Pinkney.

The AGM is open to ALL members, it is your chance to elect the Guild’s officers and have your say on what is going on. If you have any items to raise, or just have a question, please get in touch. Of interest is a nomination for Honorary Life Membership to be voted upon.

All the details can be found on the Guild website: https://pdg.org.uk/homepage/agm-2023

 

CCCBR news

The first Bell Sunday received some interest from some churches across the diocese. Interest was possibly muted by the efforts for the Coronation the week before. The CCCBR has announced that next year Bell Sunday will be 12^th May, thus avoiding Pentecost. https://cccbr.org.uk/2023/06/03/bell-sunday-2024-12th-may/

 

Diocese reports Coronation Ringing

The efforts for the Coronation feature in the Diocese’s monthly mailing, and the item is also available on the website. https://www.peterborough-diocese.org.uk/coronation-ringers-make-memories-.php Makes a nice change for there to be pictures of smiling ringers – we seem to be a pretty camera shy bunch as a whole! Final tally of performances to appear in the next newsletter.

 

Ridgman Trophy

The draw for the Ridgman trophy was made at Towcester on Friday and I can’t tell you what the ringing order is. What I can say is that ringing will be between about 10:00am & 2:00pm on Saturday 17^th June at Towcester. The Ridgman Trophy is a regional striking contest held on 10 bells and is open to Guilds and Associations that border the Ely Association. Quite a large trophy is on offer. Should be a good opportunity to listen to some good ringing. https://ridgmantrophy.elyda.org.uk/ Let’s hope the run of good weekend weather continues!

 

Dates for the Diary

Guild AGM Saturday 10^th June. Culworth branch. Open Ringing at Greatworth from 2pm. Ringing and Service at Marston St Lawrence from 15:30. Tea and Meeting (at 17:30) in Marston St Lawrence Village Hall. Evening ringing at Moreton Pinkney.  

Guild 10 Bell Practice Saturday 8^th July. 10:30 Rothwell.

Guild Intermediate Practice Saturday 8^th July 7:30 Weedon Bec

 

Rutland Branch 6 bell practice Wednesday 7^th June 7:30 Cottesmore Focus Plain Bob Minor & Stedman

Wellingborough Striking contest Wilby Tuesday 13^th June 7:30 Wilby

Rutland Branch 8 bell practice Thursday 15^th June 7:30 Uppingham

Wellingborough Surprise Practice Saturday 17^th June 10:30 Orlingbury

Daventry Branch Meeting Saturday 17^th June 3:00 Whilton 6:30 Norton

Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 17^th June 7:30 King’s Sutton

Towcester Branch Practice Thursday 22^nd June 7:30 Greens Norton

Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 1^st July 3:00 Great Oxendon, 6:00 East Farndon

Rutland Branch 6 bell practice Wednesday 5^th July 7:30 Braunston Focus Surprise

Peterborough Branch 8 bell Practice Friday 7^th July 7:30 Castor

 

Hope to see lots of you next weekend. You know, someone else could always volunteer to be secretary, then you wouldn’t have to hear from me so often…

 

Thanks

Helen

Looking forward to seeing many of you tomorrow for evensong service ringing. We are meeting at 2pm outside to West door.

The code for the barrier is now needed to gain access to the precinct by car. You will need it on arrival if driving. The current code is: 0605

See you there,

James 07763876883

It is the branch practice this Friday, and I hope to see many of you.

The practice will suit those who would like to move on to Bob Major after becoming confident at Bob Minor. If you have managed Bob Major previously, think about looking at Little Bob as a next step.

The special surprise method will be Glasgow in support of the small Glasgow project we have had locally recently!

If Glasgow seems a bit much, why not come along having looked at Double Norwich, a perennial classic.

See you all there!

James

Dear all, please see the latest update from Helen.

Seems that summer might be on the way, it’s been a beautiful weekend. 

Guild AGM

The next Guild event is the AGM on the 10th June. The timetable for the day is as follows:

2:00 Ringing at Greatworth

3:30 ringing at Marston St Lawrence for Service at 4:00

Tea in Marston St Lawrence village hall followed by AGM at 5:30 pm.

Evening ringing at Moreton Pinkney.

Names to tea to me by the Thursday 7^th please. secretary@pdg.org.uk

The AGM is open to ALL members, it is your chance to elect the Guild’s officers and have your say on what is going on. If you have any items to raise, or just have a question, please get in touch. 

All the details are available on the website . https://pdg.org.uk/homepage/agm-2023

CCCBR news

The President’s latest blog is available here: https://cccbr.org.uk/2023/05/18/presidents-blog-79/

There is a new page available aiming to provide guidance on belfry projects. Produced by the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers Stewardship & Management Workgroup, offers advice to anyone who is considering a project to install bells or undertake restoration work on a bell installation. It will evolve with new information as it becomes available. https://belfryprojects.cccbr.org.uk/

Ridgman Trophy

On Saturday 17^th June, the Guild is hosting the Ridgman Trophy at Towcester. This is a regional striking contest held on 10 bells and is open to Guilds and associations that border the Ely Association. Quite a large trophy is on offer. Should be a good opportunity to listen to some good ringing. https://ridgmantrophy.elyda.org.uk/

Coronation Ringing

A fortnight later, there have been no new entries to Bellboard from our area in the last few days, so I’m hoping that means that everyone has added their ringing. We now have ringing at 199 towers and featuring over 900 people. That’s almost three quarters of the towers in the diocese. Excellent effort by all concerned. 

The ringers at St Mary’s Peterborough, Great Oxenden & Rothwell each rang and named a new method to mark the occasion. In the 13 peals and 27 quarters there were a number of notable achievements. At Nassington and Great Oakley the first peals since augmentation were rung and at Aynho the first peal in the tower since 1955 was rung. 

First Peal: Hilary Hardie (Nassington) & Deborah Bray (Castor) 

First Quarter: Josh White (Earls Barton), Garth Ratcliffe (Bozeat), Andrew Green (Bozeat), Paul Szyszka (Ryhall), Howard Murphy (Cold Ashby)

First Quarter away from Cover: Rachael Szyszka (Ryhall)

First Quarter Inside: Helena-Katie H Scholes (Ryhall) & Ethan Szyszka (Ryhall)

First Quarter of Minor: Lynda Jaycocks (Lubenham

First Quarter of Triples: Sue Webster (Uppingham) & Ian Bell (Uppingham)

First Quarter of Major: Jane Robinson (Cathedral)

First Quarter of Surprise: Janet Donaldson (Saddington)

First Quarter as Conductor: Thomas Saunders (Uppingham)

Dates for the Diary

Guild AGM Saturday 10^th June. Culworth branch. Open Ringing at Greatworth from 2pm. Ringing and Service at Marston St Lawrence at 15:30. Tea and Meeting (at 17:30) in Marston St Lawrence Village Hall. Evening ringing at Moreton Pinkney.  

Guild 10 Bell Practice Saturday 8^th July. 10:30 Rothwell. 

Guild Intermediate Practice Saturday 8^th July 7:30 Weedon Bec

Peterborough Branch 8 bell Practice Friday 2^nd June 7:30 Castor

Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 3^rd June 3:00 Spratton, 6:00 Cottesbrooke

Peterborough Branch Cathedral Ringing Sunday 4^th June Meet outside the West Door at 2:00

Rutland Branch 6 bell practice Wednesday 7^th June 7:30 Cottesmore Focus Plain Bob Minor & Stedman 

Wellingborough Striking contest Wilby Tuesday 13^th June 7:30 Wilby

Wellingborough Surprise Practice Saturday 17^th June 10:30 Orlingbury

Daventry Branch Meeting Saturday 17^th June 3:00 Whilton 6:30 Norton

Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 17^th June 7:30 King’s Sutton

Rutland Branch 8 bell practice Wednesday 21^st June 7:30 Oakham

Towcester Branch Practice Thursday 22^nd June 7:30 Greens Norton

Hoping that the Bank Holiday weekend turns out nice, which would be a bit of a surprise. 

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

Telephone: 01832 735 266

Dear friends, the branch has the opportunity to ring for Cathedral evensong on 4th June.

Come and ring your cathedral bells!

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 let me know that you are planning to come.

James