BEDFORDSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF CHURCH BELL RINGERS

Update

Latest news and information for all towers and ringers in Bedfordshire

July 2022
Please forward to other ringers in your tower and print off a copy for your tower notice board.

Ringing in Bedfordshire needs YOUR help!

What should the Bedfordshire Association of Church Bell Ringers look like in the 21st Century?

The BACBR was founded 140 years ago, in 1882. At the last AGM in May it was agreed that we would conduct a full review of the Association to ensure that we are delivering what ringers in Bedfordshire need in the 21st century. To do this we need the views of all ringers in Bedfordshire, whatever your level of experience.

To find out more, and to help us by completing a survey, please click on the link below:

https://forms.gle/GhGKmAEpAoj94eFv9

We estimate the survey will take about 10 minutes to complete.

If at all possible, please complete the survey electronically via the link above. All the hard work collating the data is then done for us! However, we know that not everyone has internet access. Printed copies of the questionnaire will be available at District Meetings, or if you would like a pdf version to print off for those in your tower who cannot access the online survey, or request copies by another means, please email backtoringing@bacbr.org.uk

The closing date to receive responses is 30 September 2022

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE and we look forward to hearing your views!

Forthcoming Training Sessions and Meetings

We are please to announce the first (and hopefully not the last!)
Bedfordshire Ringing Summer School
Focus: Plain Hunting on 5 and Plain Bob Doubles

Monday 21 - Friday 26 August
at various different towers (tbc)

The aim of this new (trial) event is to offer a selection of morning, afternoon and evening sessions with experienced ringers to give tuition and intensive practice ringing from Plain Hunt on 5 up to Plain Bob Doubles. Each session will have a maximum of 3 students and will be tailored to the needs of the individual students. There will also be an emphasis on developing good handling and good striking. The sessions are aimed at any Bedfordshire ringers who:

• can ring rounds and call changes competently and are ready to progress onto Plain Hunt.
• have some experience of ringing Plain Hunt / Plain Bob Doubles but want to improve and gain more confidence. 

The number of sessions offered will depend on the availability of helpers and the demand from students. It is envisaged that each student will be able to sign up for one (possibly 2) sessions, again depending on numbers. We will be asking students for £5 per session to cover the cost of tower donations and refreshments.

We would expect that helpers are experienced ringers, able to ring Plain Bob Doubles accurately and reliably.

To assist with planning, and to ensure that there is sufficient demand, at this stage we are asking for initial indications of interest from both potential students and helpers by Monday 25 July 

In order to register your interest as either a student or helper please click on the link below:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bedfordshire-ringing-summer-school-tickets-376248157367

PLEASE NOTE: We know that Eventbrite is not everyone's cup of tea! However, using Eventbrite to register for an event such as this does not cost us anything, we will only use your data to help us organise the event for which you have signed up, and it makes the admin for the organisers SO much easier. The Eventbrite form will ask you for some details which will assist greatly with our planning. If you have difficulty with the link do email backtoringing@bacbr.org.uk, but PLEASE USE EVENTBRITE IF AT ALL POSSIBLE!!!!!

If successful, we hope that the Summer School might become an annual event, offering a wider range of courses.

Bedford District
2 July  Cardington (8) Ringing and Quarterly meeting  10.00 -11.30 
6 August  Morning Outing  - for details see https://www.bacbr.org.uk/bedford/

Biggleswade District
9 July   Tempsford (6)  Afternoon ringing 15.30 - 17.30
13 August  Potton (6)  Afternoon ringing 15.30 - 17.30

Luton District
23 July   Steppingley (6) Quarterly Meeting18.30; Evening Ringing 19.00
27 August  Stanbridge (6)  Evening Ringing 19.00

Please do support District Meetings. They are a great opportunity for

• less experienced ringers to progress and to consolidate what they may have learned at training sessions.
• more experienced ringers to support those who are learning - we were all learners once! - and ring something with other experienced ringers too!
• having a sociable time!

Don't forget - you are always very welcome to go along to meetings in any District, not just your own!  For details of all forthcoming District events please see: https://www.bacbr.org.uk/districts/ 

Second Saturday Training
 
at the R J Sharp Ringing Centre 
at St Andrews Biggleswade

Next session:
9 July 10.00 - 12.00

Open to all Bedfordshire ringers.  The sessions are aimed at less experienced ringers who can handle a bell but want to improve technique, confidence and progress.
For more details, please contact Philippa Whittington, pw48@btinternet.com or Sue Silver, vicepresident@bacbr.org.uk

Association Surprise Major Practice
 

Next practice:
Saturday 20 August, 10.00 - 12.00
Tower tbc

This is an advanced practices for experienced ringers who:

• can already ring Surprise Major inside

• or have rung the treble to Surprise Major and have learned Cambridge S Major

• or have rung Surprise Minor and would like to extend this to Major,

Focus methods: Cambridge, Yorkshire, Superlative, Lessness, Bristol, plus spliced.

Donation of £2 per ringer requested.

Dates for your diary

Beer, Bells and Bangers
Blunham Church

Saturday 23 July 14.00 - 16.00

Please do support this event to help raise funds to repair the bells. Details below.

Please note access to the ringing chamber is via a wooden ladder.  Therefore, unfortunately, it is not suitable for anyone who doesn’t like heights or has mobility problems.
For further details or to make a donation to the Bell Repair Fund please contact blunham@bacbr.org.uk

Association Open Striking Competition and BYO Picnic

at St Mary's Bletsoe
on Saturday 17 September, 15.00 - 18.00

Book the date now! Details to follow.

Other News and Events

Update on ringing for the Platinum Jubilee of HM The Queen

Thursday 2 - Sunday 5 June

Well done and thank you to the 192 Bedfordshire ringers who took part in special ringing for HM the Queen's Platinum Jubilee! 35 performances in Bedfordshire were recorded on BellBoard at 33 different towers. This included 2 peals, 4 Quarter Peals and, very appropriately, lots of Queens!

It's wonderful that bells were heard by so many people ringing out in celebration across Bedfordshire over the Jubilee weekend.

To see details of all ringing for the Platinum Jubilee weekend, go to:
https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/event.php?id=14958 
You can then search for Bedfordshire (or your own tower, or name) It is also possible to download and print a copy of the certificate above to record your ringing. 

Special congratulations to Cliff Izzard of Kempston, who not only rang for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, but also for her Diamond, Golden and Silver Jubilees, and for her coronation! Cliff's remarkable achievement was the subject of an article in the Ringing World (p592, 17 June) which we hope to reproduce on the website soon, and also a TV interview which you can watch on: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jSnTft-DSY at 2h42

Ridgman Trophy

A Bedfordshire team took part in the 10 bell Ridgman Trophy competition at St Margaret's, Kings Lynn on 18 June 2022, and came 4th out of 7 teams. For more details see:
https://www.bacbr.org.uk/events/striking-competitions/ridgman-trophy/

Losses of Members

We are sorry to announce the deaths of:
 

Derek Hammond of Bromham

Dennis Davis, formerly of Campton

Tributes to both will appear in due course at :

https://www.bacbr.org.uk/association/tributes/

Updates from the Central Council of Church Bellringers

Do keep an eye on the Central Council website for wider ringing news, including the very readable weekly President's Blog (that's the CC President, not Linda!), resources and helpful information!
https://cccbr.org.uk/

Linda Garton
President, BACBR 
backtoringing@bacbr.org.uk

www.bacbr.org.uk

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