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?

Please let us have your views!
The closing date to receive responses to the survey is 30 September 2022. Thank you to those of you who have already completed the survey. If you haven't, please read on!

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! Printed copies of the questionnaire will be available at District Meetings and at the Striking Competition on 17 September, 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 results of the Survey will be available from the beginning of October. (See next Update for details) Please also see note about Open Meeting on Saturday 15 October in Dates for Your Diary below.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. We look forward to hearing your views!

Forthcoming Training Sessions and Meetings

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

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.

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

Bedford District
3 September Meeting cancelled. Tower unavailable.
1 October Bromham (8)  Tea, Service, Meeting and Evening Ringing  15:30 – 20:30

Biggleswade District
10 September Stotfold (8) Afternoon ringing 15.30 - 17.30 
8 October Clifton (8) Afternoon ringing 15.30 - 17.30 

Luton District
24 September   Leighton Buzzard (12) Evening Ringing 19.00. EVERYONE VERY WELCOME (from all Districts, as always!). A great opportunity to gain experience ringing on higher numbers. More experienced ringers, please do come along to support!
22 October Woburn (8) Quarterly meeting. Meeting 18:30, 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:
8 October 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:
Sunday 16 October, 14.30 - 16.30
Venue tbc
Please book the date now!

This is an advanced practice 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

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

Saturday 15 October, 10.00-12.00
Venue tbc

YOUR opportunity to be involved in the initial discussions and to shape important decisions about any changes to the objectives, structure and roles of the Association, as suggested by the Survey. Please book the date now and come along to have your say. The General Committee will be meeting in the afternoon to consider outcomes from the Open meeting.

Other News and Events

A successful Bedfordshire Ringing Summer School
22-26 August

Well done to the 11 students at last month's Summer School, who all made lots of progress Plain Hunting on 5 and ringing Plain Bob Doubles! A huge thank you to the 18 helpers and to the 9 towers who allowed us the use of their bells for the sessions. As one participant said "Hard work but really worthwhile!". Watch this space for details of future similar events!  Pictured: Students and helpers at Colmworth.
A full write up by John Loveless will appear in the Ringing World and on the BACBR website in due course.

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/
Latest President's Blog: https://cccbr.org.uk/2022/08/31/presidents-blog-67/

Ringing Roadshow

at Clifton Campus, Nottingham Trent University
Sunday 4 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. Advance bookings now closed, but entry available on the door.  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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