BEDFORDSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF CHURCH BELL RINGERS

Update

Latest news and information for all towers and ringers in Bedfordshire

October 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?
Thank you to everyone who responded to the survey, which is now closed.

A summary of responses will be available within the next week via a separate emailed update and on the website.
Although we have not yet had a chance to look at the results of the survey in detail, there is an indication that some changes do need to be made to the way in which the Association is structured and what it provides for its members.

So what happens next ....

You are invited to an
OPEN MEETING
on Saturday 15 October, 10.00-12.00 at St Mary's Church, Cardington
Bedford Rd, Cardington, MK44 3SU

This is YOUR opportunity to be involved in initial discussions and to shape important decisions about changes to the objectives, structure and roles of the Association as suggested by the survey.
The General Committee will be meeting in the afternoon to consider outcomes from this Open Meeting, with a view to putting forward proposals which will be communicated to members and discussed further at the ADMs in January.
It would be extremely helpful to know numbers for this meeting in advance. Please let us know that you intend to come by booking on Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/open-meeting-what-should-the-bacbr-look-like-in-the-21st-century-tickets-429609352137
or by emailing president@bacbr.org.uk

Forthcoming Training Sessions and Meetings

Bedford District
1 October Bromham (8)  Tea, Service, Meeting and Evening Ringing  15:30 – 20:30

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

Luton District
22 October Woburn (8) Quarterly meeting. Meeting 18:30, Ringing 19:00.

Please do support these events. 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 events anywhere in the Association, not just in your own area!  For details of all forthcoming 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
at Totternhoe

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.

So that we know that the practice is viable, please let us know that you ae coming by signing up via Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/surprise-major-practice-tickets-429626503437
or by emailing president@bacbr.org.uk
 

Dates for your diary
 

OPEN MEETING - What should the Bedfordshire Association of Church Bell Ringers look like in the 21st Century?
on Saturday 15 October, 10.00-12.00 at St Mary's Church, Cardington 
See details above

Other News and Events

Ringing in Memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Thank you to all who ensured that bells were heard across the county to mark the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Special thanks to those who climbed up towers to fit muffles, and take them off again.

A special mention to Fraser Morgan, a young ringer from St Paul's Bedford, who tolled the bell 96 times in the tower at Bedford School Chapel on Friday 9th September. Also to young ringers Alissia Williams, Caleb Daines, and Faith Daines who may have been the first people to toll a bell for the Queen. The news came through on their parent’s mobile during their practice at Elstow on the Thursday afternoon, so the practice was stopped and they tolled immediately.

Between the announcement of Her Majesty's death on Thursday 8th September and the day of her funeral on Monday 19th September, 84 performances in Bedfordshire are recorded on BellBoard, at 43 different towers. These can be viewed on:
https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/search.php?region=Bedfordshire&event=15306

All quarters and peals rung in memory of Her Majesty, plus articles about the ringing which has taken place across the country, have been published in three special editions of the Ringing World, culminating in the 30 September issue. To get the Ringing World weekly, or buy single copies of back issues, go to:
https://www.ringingworld.co.uk/purchase.html

Updates from the Central Council of Church Bellringers

Belfry Upkeep - A useful resource for your tower.

The Stewardship & Management Workgroup of the CCCBR are pleased to announce Belfry Upkeep, an online document aimed at the Steeple Keeper – the person responsible for keeping the bells in order. The aims of the document are:·         
To help you understand the installation in your tower
To describe the checks you should carry out to identify any problems
To advise you on the maintenance tasks that you should be able to carry out, possibly with expert advice or assistance
Most importantly, to help you recognise the tasks that require specialist knowledge from a Bell Hanger or other expert
The document can be found at https://belfryupkeep.cccbr.org.uk

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 
president@bacbr.org.uk

www.bacbr.org.uk

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