A gentle reminder that on Sunday 26 March at 4pm (BST) the branch is holding a social event to ring minor methods at St John’s Church in Stanground. There are going to be some experienced ringers on hand to help those less experienced. Graham has kindly arranged for drinks to be available and there will be cake!
Please bring some cash with you to make donations to the tower fund and for drinks.
I look forward to seeing you.
Jane
Dear friends, there will not be a branch 8 bell practice on the first Friday in April as it is Good Friday.
See you very soon,
James
Second Saturday Sessions
Here are the sessions for the next few months.
April 8th 2023 (Holy Saturday), 10:30 – Beyond Plain Bob at Abington
For those ringers who have been confidently ringing Plain Bob (Doubles or Minor) and want to find out how to learn and ring other methods, such as St Simon’s Doubles, St Clements and Single Oxford Bob Minor. It will be a practical session with theory covered in a Zoom meeting in advance.
This course currently has a couple of spaces – contact Simon Dixon if interested (master@pdg.org.uk)
April 8th 2023, 14:30 – Ringing Up and Down in Peal at Ashley
With advice and practice for either one of these activities, this would suit ringers who are members of bands that regularly lower and raise their bells but do not have enough ringers who can do so in peal.
This course is oversubscribed but will be run again later
April 8th 2023, 18:30 – Submitting on BellBoard via Zoom
This will be a short session run via Zoom and will show how to enter details of sessions of general ringing for special occasions on BellBoard e.g., for the coronation of King Charles III. BellBoard submissions not only allow the Guild (or Branches) to collate data more easily but also allows all ringers’ efforts to be published in The Ringing World. This session can be attended by any member of any band but to keep things manageable, it is requested that only one person per tower puts their name forward.
This course is open to as many who are interested – contact Cathy Dixon if interested (pro@pdg.org.uk)
May 13th 2023, 10:30 – 10-bell practice at Towcester
An opportunity for ringers of all abilities to have a go at ringing on higher numbers. We regularly ring a range of methods from Grandsire and Little Bob up to Surprise Royal.
This practice is open to all – no need to register
May 13th 2023, 15:00 – Ringing Up and Down in Peal at Great Oxendon
With advice and practice for either one of these activities, this would suit ringers who are members of bands that regularly lower and raise their bells but do not have enough ringers who can do so in peal.
If interested please contact Simon Dixon (master@pdg.org.uk)
June 10th 2023, 10:30 – Leading Up and Down in Peal at Evenley
This will cover the additional skills needed to allow a band to raise and lower the bells safely and tunefully. It should be of particular interest to those who get called upon to carry out this task but are uncertain about how to make it work.
This course currently has a couple of spaces – contact Simon Dixon if interested (master@pdg.org.uk)
July 8th 2023, 10:30 – 10-bell practice at Rothwell
An opportunity for ringers of all abilities to have a go at ringing on higher numbers. We regularly ring a range of methods from Grandsire and Little Bob up to Surprise Royal.
This practice is open to all – no need to register
July 8th 2023, 14:30 – Bell Maintenance at Great Oakley
This is aimed at those who are interested in the mechanics of the bells and would like to learn a bit more, especially about how to keep the bells and fittings in good working order. It will be a mainly practical session held up in the belfry and would suit new recruits as well as existing ringers, it will also cover looking after ropes and stays; learning how to change a rope and stay, how to adjust the length of a tail-end, and how to splice a broken rope.
There are spaces available on this course – contact Simon Dixon if interested (master@pdg.org.uk)
July 8th 2023, 18:30 – Intermediate 8-bell practice at Weedon Bec
This is for the in-between methods on 7 &8 i.e., not Plain Bob or Grandsire or Surprise Major but methods such as Little Bob, Kent Treble Bob, Single Oxford Bob Triples.
This practice is open to all – no need to register
We ask that if anyone is interested in any of these sessions or have suggestions of their own to put forward, that they contact Simon Dixon (master@pdg.org.uk) or Cathy Dixon (pro@pdg.org.uk) to let us know and we’ll be in touch with more details. Please note that there will be a small fee of £3 per student for the training sessions to go towards a tower donation, and a request for £1 from each ringer at one of the open practice sessions.
Dear all, please see the list of Guild Training below:
Second Saturday Sessions
Here are the sessions for the next few months.
April 8th 2023 (Holy Saturday), 10:30 – Beyond Plain Bob at Abington
For those ringers who have been confidently ringing Plain Bob (Doubles or Minor) and want to find out how to learn and ring other methods, such as St Simon’s Doubles, St Clements and Single Oxford Bob Minor. It will be a practical session with theory covered in a Zoom meeting in advance.
This course currently has a couple of spaces – contact Simon Dixon if interested (master@pdg.org.uk)
April 8th 2023, 14:30 – Ringing Up and Down in Peal at Ashley
With advice and practice for either one of these activities, this would suit ringers who are members of bands that regularly lower and raise their bells but do not have enough ringers who can do so in peal.
This course is oversubscribed but will be run again later
April 8th 2023, 18:30 – Submitting on BellBoard via Zoom
This will be a short session run via Zoom and will show how to enter details of sessions of general ringing for special occasions on BellBoard e.g., for the coronation of King Charles III. BellBoard submissions not only allow the Guild (or Branches) to collate data more easily but also allows all ringers’ efforts to be published in The Ringing World. This session can be attended by any member of any band but to keep things manageable, it is requested that only one person per tower puts their name forward.
This course is open to as many who are interested – contact Cathy Dixon if interested (pro@pdg.org.uk)
May 13th 2023, 10:30 – 10-bell practice at Towcester
An opportunity for ringers of all abilities to have a go at ringing on higher numbers. We regularly ring a range of methods from Grandsire and Little Bob up to Surprise Royal.
This practice is open to all – no need to register
May 13th 2023, 15:00 – Ringing Up and Down in Peal at Great Oxendon
With advice and practice for either one of these activities, this would suit ringers who are members of bands that regularly lower and raise their bells but do not have enough ringers who can do so in peal.
If interested please contact Simon Dixon (master@pdg.org.uk)
June 10th 2023, 10:30 – Leading Up and Down in Peal at Evenley
This will cover the additional skills needed to allow a band to raise and lower the bells safely and tunefully. It should be of particular interest to those who get called upon to carry out this task but are uncertain about how to make it work.
This course currently has a couple of spaces – contact Simon Dixon if interested (master@pdg.org.uk)
July 8th 2023, 10:30 – 10-bell practice at Rothwell
An opportunity for ringers of all abilities to have a go at ringing on higher numbers. We regularly ring a range of methods from Grandsire and Little Bob up to Surprise Royal.
This practice is open to all – no need to register
July 8th 2023, 14:30 – Bell Maintenance at Great Oakley
This is aimed at those who are interested in the mechanics of the bells and would like to learn a bit more, especially about how to keep the bells and fittings in good working order. It will be a mainly practical session held up in the belfry and would suit new recruits as well as existing ringers, it will also cover looking after ropes and stays; learning how to change a rope and stay, how to adjust the length of a tail-end, and how to splice a broken rope.
There are spaces available on this course – contact Simon Dixon if interested (master@pdg.org.uk)
July 8th 2023, 18:30 – Intermediate 8-bell practice at Weedon Bec
This is for the in-between methods on 7 &8 i.e., not Plain Bob or Grandsire or Surprise Major but methods such as Little Bob, Kent Treble Bob, Single Oxford Bob Triples.
This practice is open to all – no need to register
We ask that if anyone is interested in any of these sessions or have suggestions of their own to put forward, that they contact Simon Dixon (master@pdg.org.uk) or Cathy Dixon (pro@pdg.org.uk) to let us know and we’ll be in touch with more details. Please note that there will be a small fee of £3 per student for the training sessions to go towards a tower donation, and a request for £1 from each ringer at one of the open practice sessions.
Dear all, please see Helen’s latest update.
Well, that was a bit cold! Hopefully it didn’t cause any harm to anyone, limiting damage to some rather cold hands in the tower. Maybe you were able to take a snowy picture of your tower for seasonal use.
Bells on Sunday
Next Sunday, 19th March, sees Bells on Sunday featuring Stoke Albany, in the Kettering branch. The program broadcasts at 05.43 and repeats on Monday at 00.45. Assuming that might be a bit early or late for you it will also be available on the BBC Sounds App or on their website after the broadcast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001k7n9
Guild news
April sees the Spring Meeting. Hoping that it looks like Spring by the time we get to 22nd April. This opportunity to ring and meet friends includes the 6 bell striking contest for the Weaver shield. If your tower or group wishes to enter a team, entries should be with Simon Dixon (master@pdg.org.uk) by the 15th April. Should you want to read them, the rules and past winners can be found here: https://pdg.org.uk/events/competitions
There will be ringing at Mears Ashby from 2pm, then the contest will start at Orlingbury at 3 pm. The tea will be in the village hall, about 5 minutes stroll from the church. The results and meeting will follow and there will be evening ringing at Orlingbury.
The GMC meeting last weekend was busy and lots of work was done by those involved (and I’ve had a lot of minutes to write!). The meeting agreed that the current Recruitment & Training committee structure was not entirely effective due to the breadth of remit and the different skills required to cover this. It was agreed that this should have 2 dedicated sub-committees with separate areas of focus.
If you or anyone else wishes to join, be involved in or support either committee, please express interest to the Master, Simon Dixon, master@pdg.org.uk. There is as much a place for those with organisational skill as those who can teach or train on these committee. There is no need to be on a branch committee or tower captain; just to be interested or have something to offer on the topic.
Ringing for the Coronation
There has been ongoing publicity for ringing in the last few weeks. Items have appeared in the Express https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1743033/Britain-bell-ringers-every-bell-in-Britain-ring-out-The-Kings-Coronation and Daily Mail https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11824315/Campaign-seeks-Britains-38-000-church-bells-ringing-Kings-coronation.html (surprisingly good, this one. Not sure how the pre-practice pint might translate into quality of ringing).
The latest guidance to churches from the CofE is now available here:
https://www.churchofengland.org/coronation/churches
If you download the Information pack you can find a short paragraph about ringing on page 14. It says that:
Guidance for bell ringers
It is suggested that Churches and Bell Ringers may wish to consider ringing, where possible, before and/or after the Coronation service to locally gather and mark the Anointing and Crowning of the King at a practicable time (with the agreement of the Parochial Church Council). It is suggested that if you have the facility, a quarter peal would be appropriate, or whatever can be managed with the
resource available.
Bell Ringers may also wish to consider how they could offer ‘taster’ sessions and training as part of your local community gathering or Big Help Out, with the appropriate risk assessments undertaken.
The Guild would add that ringing should be organised to fit in with other local activities and that getting in touch with your church/village to see what they have planned would be advisable. There are plans for events from the 6th to the 8th and fitting in with local arrangement would always be preferred.
CCCBR news
The president’s latest blog is available here: https://cccbr.org.uk/2023/03/10/presidents-blog-76/
Registration for Heritage Open Days is now open. https://cccbr.org.uk/2023/03/04/heritage-open-days-2023/
The CCCBR has published an online information source on running a tower. This can be found here: https://runningatower.cccbr.org.uk/ It can be printed, either in part or full, for in-tower reference.
Dates for the Diary
Guild Spring Meeting Saturday 22nd April. 14:00 Open Ringing at Mears Ashby, 15:00 Contest at Orlingbury.
Guild 10 bell practice Saturday 13th May 10:30 Towcester
Rutland Branch 8 bell Practice Thursday 16th March 7:30 Uppingham
Wellingborough Surprise Practice Saturday 18th March 10:30 Wilby
Wellingborough Branch Practice Saturday 18th March 7:00 Earls Barton
Daventry Branch Practice Saturday 18th March 3:00 Braunston including service and tea, Welton 6:30
Northampton Branch Practice Saturday 18th March 7:00 West Hunsbury
Towcester Branch Practice Saturday 25th March 10:30 Cosgrove
Rutland Branch Progress event Saturday 25th February 1:30 Preston. Focus Rounds & Call changes
Kettering Joint practice with Thrapston Saturday 25th March 2:00 pm Cranford St John, 3:15 Islip
Peterborough Afternoon Social – ringing with tea and cake 4:00 Stanground (tbc)
Rutland Branch Progress event Saturday 1st April 1:30 Edith Weston. Focus Rounds & Call changes
Guilsborough Branch Practice Saturday 1st April 3:00 Scaldwell 6:00 Walgrave
Peterborough 8 bell practice Friday 7th April 7:30 Castor
Rutland Branch 6 bell practice Wednesday 12th April 7:30 Braunston. Focus Surprise
Wellingborough Surprise Practice Saturday 15th April 10:30 Ecton
Wellingborough Branch Practice Saturday 15th April 7:00 Bozeat
Daventry Branch Practice Saturday 15th April 3:00 Weedon Bec including service, tea & meeting
Culworth Branch Practice Saturday 15th April 7:30 Chipping Warden
Hopefully Spring will have sprung by the time you hear from me next.
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
We are planning a social afternoon ringing minor methods on 26 March, 4pm (BST). Venue to be confirmed but hopefully St John the Baptist, Stanground. We will ring for an hour and a half and there will be tea and cake! The tower has a ground floor ring and plenty of room for socialising. I have arranged for some experienced ringers to come to support those with less experience. 50p donation towards the tower.
It would be a good idea to know how many people are planning to attend so we can have enough cake and if you would like to come and have a specific method you would like to ring please let me know so I can warn potential conductors.
Email contact: jrcalamity@icloud.com
We look forward to seeing you.
Jane
Assistant Ringing Master
This Friday 3rd March the branch practice will be at St John’s Peterborough, at 1930hrs. Please note the CHANGE OF USUAL VENUE. This is not a permanent change of venue just a different opportunity for this month.
Please come for a taster of 8 bell ringing on the heavier St John’s bells.
There will be Bob Major available and the special method will be Lessness. If you have been practising Cambridge we will plan to ring this too.
See you on Friday
James
Dear all, Diana Street has again organised a ringing event for the afternoon of Sunday 17 September, with the added bonus of a Cream Tea at the Johnson Farm in Old Hurst.
All are welcome. She has provided the following information:
12:15 (as bells down) – 1pm Hemingford Abbots 6 14 cwt in G# (toilet in kitchen area)
1:15 to 2pm Hemingford Grey 8 11-2-12 in G# (toilet in kitchen area)
2:15 to 3pm await confirm St. Ives 8 12-0-4 in G (Portaloo inside South Porch)
3:30pm Johnson’s Farm Old Hurst (off A141) Church St, Huntingdon PE28 3AF
We will leave a donation at each tower, so £3 each should cover this, please give it on the day.|
Details of how to pre-order from the cream tea menu will be available a bit nearer the time. Diana did have to check their home-made scones (scone and tea = cream tea) out before she made the booking!!
Both ringing and non-ringing family members and friends are welcome to join us for afternoon tea at Johnson’s Farm at Old Hurst – we may have a function room to ourselves.
For non-ringers there is the added bonus of the Farm, with its animals, birds and ‘safe distance’ crocodiles to look round for a £3 adult entry fee, including a children’s play park (please have sensible footwear, for the fields part, if there has been any rain), while the rest of us ring!
This Fridayweek is the first Friday of the month so I will look forward to seeing you at the branch practice.
1930hrs at Castor as usual.
If you are a surprise ringer please look at Superlative. If you need Bob major you will be most welcome.
See you there
James
Dear all, at the Branch AGM on Saturday, the Guild presented a paper on possible configurations of Branches across the Peterborough Guild of Bell Ringers. This paper, called Rethinking the Branches, can be found on the downloads page for the AGM, follow this link https://petbells.org.uk/downloads/.
The Branch Committee will be holding a meeting to discuss the document on 26 February. Nick Elks and I will then be attending a Guild Management Committee meeting on Saturday 4 March, which will discuss the way forward.
If you have any views on the matter which you would like us to take into account, please let Nick, nick.elks@gmail.com or me, chairman@peterborough.pdg.org.uk know by Saturday 25 February.
Best wishes,
Hilary
