BEDFORDSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF CHURCH BELL RINGERS

Update

Latest news and information for all towers and ringers in Bedfordshire

December 2023
Please forward to other ringers in your tower and print off a copy for your tower notice board.

Forthcoming Training Sessions and Meetings

Saturday Ringing Meetings  

2 December    Cardington (8)  Morning ringing 10:00-11:30
9 December    Biggleswade (10) Afternoon ringing 15:30-17:30
30 December  Totternhoe (8) Morning Ringing: 10:30-12:00

Everyone is welcome to go along to any of these events, not just those in your own area!  For details of all forthcoming events please see:  https://www.bacbr.org.uk

Annual District Meetings

At the forthcoming ADMs there will be an update on and opportunity to discuss significant plans to restructure the Association (See below - Review of Association) and other important business, including electing officers and the District Committees for the following year. Please do come along so that your views can be heard!

Please do consider standing for one of the posts in your District. It's always good to have new faces with fresh ideas on the committees. None of the jobs need to be onerous, and you don't have to be a really experienced ringer to make a valuable contribution! Please do talk to any of your current District Officers to find out what is involved or to express your interest. (Contact details on the website)

The dates of ADMs are as follows:
13 January  Biggleswade District: Henlow (8) 15:30 Service, 16:00 Tea, 17:00 Meeting. Evening ringing until 20:15
20 January   Bedford District: Bedford, St Paul (12) 15:30 - 20:30 Service, Tea, ADM, Evening riging
27 January   Luton District: Silsoe (6)   15:30 Afternoon Ringing: 16:30 Service: 16.30; Tea: 17:00pm; Meeting 18:00; Evening Ringing until 20:30
 

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

Next session: Saturday 9 December

10:00 - 11:00  Bellhandling
11:00 - 11:15  Coffee (and cake!)
11:15 - 12:30  Foundation skills - rounds, call changes, Plain Hunt

These sessions are aimed at less experienced Bedfordshire ringers who would like to improve basic skills and confidence.  
It would be really helpful if students could sign up in advance please as far as possible by completing the googleform:  https://forms.gle/VMYVaFapF7BkBeAc7  or email Chris Williams christine.williams.bells@gmail.com  so that we know who is coming and can plan accordingly. (If you haven't signed up but find yourself able to come at the last minute, please do still come along.)

Dates for your Diary

Surprise Major Practice

The next practice is on
Sunday 3 December 14:30-16:30
at Campton

Tea, coffee and mince pies!

Please sign up by Friday 1 December if you are coming, either via this link (preferably):
https://forms.gle/K9Wyv7XWkTMqMPQbA
or send an email to president@bacbr.org.uk

Tower donation of £2 per ringer requested, payable on the day.

This advanced practice is aimed at 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

Ridgman Trophy ... A Grand Day Out!

Saturday 8 June 2024 at Biggleswade

This year Bedfordshire are hosting the Ridgman Trophy, a Ten Bell Striking Competition with teams representing Guilds and Associations across the Eastern Counties..

Come along to support the Bedfordshire team (who will be aiming to put the home advantage to good use by reclaiming the Trophy ... previous winners 4 times, but not since 2013!), listen to some excellent ringing, enjoy refreshments and meet lots of people! We will also need volunteers to help with stewarding, refreshments etc.
Put the date in your new 2024 diaries now!!
More details to follow in due course.

Review of the Association

Revised Association Objects were agreed at the AGM in May, subject to approval by the Charity Commission. This approval has now been received, and the objects are now updated on both the Charity Commission's and our website. 
https://www.bacbr.org.uk/association/business/rules/ 

The next stage of the Review is to look at the structure of the Association. At a meeting on 11 November, the General Committee discussed proposals for some major changes to the structure of the Association, to enable us to meet these objectives, to function more efficiently as an organisation and to provide better opportunities to all of our members. Discussions took into account views expressed in the surveys we have undertaken since Covid, and more recently at District meetings in October and by email following the November Update. Thank you to all who responded to any of these.

Work is ongoing to fully research any ramifications of the proposed changes before circulating them more widely for discussion at the ADMs in January.

Details of the proposals will be published on the website early in January, with details in the January Update and copies circulated with paperwork for the ADMs. (Paper copies will be made available)

Other News and Events

Firsts are not just for February! Please submit any Firsts to BellBoard  https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/ so that we can all share in the achievements of Bedfordshire ringers.
 

Updates from the CCCBR
Central Council of Church Bell Ringers

Do keep an eye on the Central Council website for wider ringing news, resources and helpful information!   https://cccbr.org.uk

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

www.bacbr.org.uk

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