BEDFORDSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF CHURCH BELL RINGERS

Update

Latest news and information for all towers and ringers in Bedfordshire

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

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

We need YOUR views please!
Thank you to those of you who have already completed the survey. If you haven't, please read on!

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 president@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)

THIS EVENT IS NOW FULLY SUBSCIBED FOR STUDENTS. If you have registered as a student, we will be in touch very soon to confirm the dates/towers for your allocated sessions. Each student will be allocated up to 2 sessions. We will be asking students for £5 per session please to cover the cost of tower donations and refreshments. If you haven't registered, but would like to be put on a reserve list in case anyone drops out, please email president@bacbr.org.uk

Thank you to everyone who has already volunteered to help. Again, we'll be in touch to confirm details very soon! We do have enough helpers for the event to be viable, however, MORE HELPERS WOULD BE GREAT! We would expect that helpers are experienced ringers, able to ring Plain Bob Doubles accurately and reliably. Please email president@bacbr.org.uk if you would be willing to commit to helping on one (or more!) days. .
 

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

Bedford District
6 August  Morning Outing  - for details see https://www.bacbr.org.uk/bedford/
3 September Wootton (6)  Training & Evening Ringing  19:30 – 21:00

Biggleswade District
13 August  Potton (6)  Afternoon ringing 15.30 - 17.30
10 September Afternoon ringing 15.30 - 17.30 (Tower tbc)

Luton District
27 August  Stanbridge (6)  Evening Ringing 19.00
24 September   Leighton Buzzard (12) 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:
13 August 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
at Stotfold

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.

Please let us know if you are coming to this practice via Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/surprise-major-practice-tickets-396426681877 or email president@bacbr.org.uk

Dates for your diary

Association Open Striking Competition
and BYO Picnic
including competition for the St Peter's Cup.

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

An enjoyable social occasion for EVERYONE!

What is an Open Striking Competition? ...

• It’s very inclusive … absolutely everyone can take part! (Learners can be assisted if required)
• Enter as a band or come along as individuals and we’ll put teams together on the day.
• Ring for more than one team.
• Teams can ring 120 changes of anything.
• Prizes awarded to the best rounds / rounds and call-changes / method ringing teams, and the youngest ringer taking part.

The St Peter’s Cup will be awarded to the best method ringing Sunday Service band

Tea/coffee and soft drinks will be available.
Please BYO picnic, chair/blanket, mug
We will picnic outside if weather permits or inside if wet.
A suggested donation of £3 per adult will be collected on the day to cover costs.

To help us with organisation, and so that we know that the event is viable, please register either yourself or your band by 12 noon on Friday 16^th September either via Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/open-striking-competition-and-byo-picnic-tickets-39396308318 or by emailing president@bacbr.org.uk

Other News and Events

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/

Ringing Roadshow

at Clifton Campus, Nottingham Trent University
Sunday 4th September

Something for everyone, including:

• A seminar programme with interesting and informative talks on a range of ringing topics
• All manner of ringing trade stands including bell founders, bell hangers, rope makers
• Expert handbell ringing demonstrations
• Historical ringing artefacts
• Mini rings to try
• Ringing accessories and ringing books to peruse and buy
• Your ringing questions answered by Council Workgroup experts

Just £10 for adults and free for under 18s
 
For more details, see: https://roadshow.cccbr.org.uk/

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

www.bacbr.org.uk

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