BEDFORDSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF CHURCH BELL RINGERS

Update

Latest news and information for all towers and ringers in Bedfordshire

January 2024

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

Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year

Forthcoming Training Sessions and Meetings

Saturday Ringing Meetings  

Annual District Meetings:
13 January  Biggleswade District: Henlow (8) 15:30 Service, 16:15 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 ringing
27 January   Luton District: Silsoe (6)   15:30 Afternoon ringing: 16:30 Service, 17:00 Tea: 18:00 Meeting, Evening ringing until 20:30.Names for tea to   luton@bacbr.org.uk.

At each of these meetings there will be a presentation 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 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 talk to any of your current District Officers to find out what is involved or to express your interest. (Contact details on the website)

This is also a good opportunity to elect new members. Details of how to join (or to propose new members from your tower) can be found here: 
https://www.bacbr.org.uk/association/business/subscriptions/
We look forward to seeing you, and welcoming some new members, at one of the ADMs.

Bedfordshire Young Ringers Returns :-)

Sunday 21 January  14:30-16:30
at All Saints, Campton

Open to all young ringers aged 18 or under, whatever your ringing experience. (Experienced tutors will be there to help!) 

Come along to ring with ringers your own age, eat cake and have fun!

For safeguarding reasons, we ask that all young ringers under the age of 18 are accompanied by an adult please. Adults do not need to stay for the whole session (though you are very welcome to do so - tea, coffee and a warm place to sit will be available). We will need some paperwork to be completed for each young ringer.

Pease complete the form below to give us an idea of numbers (and so that we can make sure that there is enough cake!):  https://forms.gle/mq91johhaRWpvDXL9
or email Linda president@bacbr.org.uk
 

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

Next session: Saturday 13 January

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.  
Students: please sign up in advance by completing the googleform:  https://forms.gle/fGQhuGefCGFNKjMq8  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.)
Helpers: if you haven't already received an email requesting your availability for the first 6 months 2024 but would like to be a helper, please email president@bacbr.org

Dates for your Diary

Surprise Major Practices

The next practice is on
Sunday 18 February 14:30-16:30
Venue tbc

Dates for 2024 practices: 14 April, 9 June, 18 August, 13 October, 15 December

These advanced practice are 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

The success of the practices does depend on experienced ringers coming along, so if this is you, please do put these dates in your diary now, so that less experienced Surprise ringers have the opportunity to progress!

Ring a First in February

What would you / members of your band like to achieve for YOUR First in February this year? ....

When and where? Any time during February on a practice night, at a District Meeting or specially arranged just for you!

What? Here's some ideas for starters ....

• First Quarter / First Quarter of … / First Quarter as conductor/ local band Quarter ....
• Conduct call changes (to Queens and back)
• 120 of Plain Bob Doubles (treble, tenor behind, inside bell or as conductor) 
• Ring the treble to a course of Treble Bob or Surprise Minor
• Course/touch of Cambridge S Minor inside

How?  Can you arrange to ring this with your local band? If not:

• Go along to your District Meeting (Contact your District Ringing Master in advance to check that what you are hoping to ring might be possible)
• If you would like to attempt or need help with arranging a Quarter Peal, request help by completing the form below / sign up at your ADM. We will do our best to faciliate! https://forms.gle/H487hw4CjuF2Bji96

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 our revised objects, to function more efficiently as an organisation and to provide better opportunities to all of our members. 

Details of these proposals will be presented at the ADMs, with an opportunity for questions and discussion, with a view to voting on any changes at the AGM on 18 May.

Other News and Notices
 

A Good Read!

The Ringing World is a magazine for bellringers that has been printed every week since 1911.
The 80 page Christmas edition is a really good read, including an article by Chris Pickford "Three Wise Men from the East: Reminiscences of Bedfordshire Ringing"
To subscribe to a paper or online copy or to buy a one off copy, go to  https://www.ringingworld.co.uk/.
 

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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