BEDFORDSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF CHURCH BELL RINGERS

Update

Latest news and information for all towers and ringers in Bedfordshire

April 2024

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

Review of the Association

The General Committee is currently in the process of finalising proposals to change the structure of the Association and drafting the required rule changes. Notice of the proposed rule changes will be given by the end of April, prior to being put to the vote at the AGM on Saturday 18 May.

PLEASE NOTE: In order to vote on the proposed rule changes at the AGM you MUST be a Voting Member ie a paid up Resident Member, Life Member or Honorary Life member of the Association. If you have not yet paid your subs for this year, please ensure that they are received by your District Treasurer by 1st May. This is to give us time to make sure that we have an up to date list of those eligible to vote in time for the AGM

Forthcoming Events

Saturday Ringing Meetings  

6 April    Biddenham (8)  Ringing 16.30, Quarterly Meeting (Bedford District) 18.00 in the Church Barn, followed by tea and biscuits.
13 April   Maulden (8)  Afternoon ringing 15:30 - 17:30 
27 April  Dunstable (8)  Meeting (Luton District)18.30; Evening Ringing: 19:00-20:30

You are always very 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

Association Annual General Meeting
at St Owen's Bromham
on Saturday 18 May
15:00 Open ringing, 16:00 service,
17:00 AGM at which we will be voting on changes to the structure of the Association. (See Association Review above)

Followed at 19:00 by
Quiz Evening and Supper.
A fun social evening for all ringers, friends and family. Bring a team of 6 or come as individuals to make up teams on the night 

£12.50 per person including supper. (Payment by cash on the day)
Supper: jacket potatoes with fillings, including vegetarian option.
BYO drinks.
Raffle in aid of the Association Bell Restoration Fund

Booking essential by Wednesday 15 May ideally via this GoogleForm:
https://forms.gle/XEk42qUq891KQTPX7
or email sarahlouiseward34@gmail.com
 

A Challenge for April
to commemorate the 
140th Anniversary
of the First Peal
for the Association

As you can see by the details above, the 1884 peal was also the first by all of the band! To mark the anniversary of this remarkable achievement, a peal attempt of Plain Bob Minor has already been arranged at Biddenham on the morning of Friday 26 April. In addition, as many members as possible are also invited to take part in

A Challenge for April...
Ring a First of Plain Bob Minor (peal / quarter / touch / plain course)
sometime during April!
 

If you do, please add it to BellBoard and link it to the event:
Bedfordshire Association — 140th anniversary of the First Peal for the Association   https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/event.php?id=18711 
(Tower captains/Mentors: please contact president@bacbr.org.uk if you would like to organise a commemorative peal or quarter and need help completing the band)

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

Next session: Saturday 13 April

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/8w1NWogrQUauwiKBA
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.)

Surprise Major Practices

The next practice is on
Sunday 21 April 14:30-16:30
at Totternhoe

Dates for 2024 practices, to be held on the third Sunday of alternate months:16 June, 18 August, 20 October, 15 December (Note: NOT as published in January Update)

To assist planning and to ensure that the practice is viable*, please let us know that you are coming by completing the GoogleForm below:

https://forms.gle/eaGwyBgXgUhE71wL7

* If there were a last minute need to cancel we can only let you know if you've signed up.

We usually aim to ring Cambridge, Yorkshire and Bristol S Major plus
Special methods: Superlative S Major and Cornwall S Major (including in Spliced)

These advanced practices 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 too. 

We look forward to seeing you!

Bedfordshire Young Ringers

The next practice is on
Sunday 14 April
at All Saints Campton, 14:30-16:30

Future dates - 12 May, 9 June All Sundays 14:30 - 16:30 at All Saints Campton, plus Saturday 6 July RWNYC in London (Ringing World National Youth Contest)

Bedfordshire Young Ringers is for 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. 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 the first time they attend. 

For further details please email Linda president@bacbr.org.uk

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.
Please book the date!  More details to follow in due cours

Other News...

Congratulations

Lots of Firsts were rung by members last month!
Well done to everyone!

Do please add details of all Firsts to BellBoard so that we can all celebrate your achievements! https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/

Updates from the CCCBR
Central Council of Church Bell Ringers

Bell Sunday 12 May
Endorsed by the Bishop of St Albans, himself a ringer, it is hoped that this annual day will raise awareness and emphasise the importance of the sound of bells in our communities and help bring Church and Community together. To find out how you can take part, look at:
https://bellsunday.org/

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

www.bacbr.org.uk

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