From:                                         Bedfordshire Association of Church Bell Ringers <president@bacbr.org.uk>

Sent:                                           31 October 2025 17:15

To:                                               Teresa Brown

Subject:                                     Update November 2025

 

 

BEDFORDSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF CHURCH BELL RINGERS


Update

 

November 2025 
 

 

In this issue:

An important announcement.
Forthcoming  ringing events - November and December.
Henlow re-dedication service and the true weight of Henlow tenor.
Association Bell Restoration Fund Grant towards a renovation project at St Thomas of Canterbury, Clapham.

Please see below for more details.

 

An important announcement

Linda Garton has reluctantly decided that she has to take a significant step back from her Presidential duties for the time being because of personal family reasons. This will take effect from 1 November.
The Management Committee fully support Linda in this decision and will take on any issues that arise in the coming months. Please respect Linda's wishes and don't contact her directly about Association matters. However, you can still use the president@bacbr.org.uk email address as it will be monitored regularly by the Management Committee.

To help the Management Committee in the coming months, Pat Albon has kindly agreed to be co-opted as the  Bells & Towers Officer  until the 2026 AGM - thank you Pat!
He will continue to be the Association's Technical Advisor and will use the techadvisor@bacbr.org.uk email address for both roles.

This is a timely opportunity to remind members that Linda said at the 2025 AGM that she wouldn't be seeking re-election as President at the 2026 AGM. With this in mind please give some thought to who will take on this role next year. Linda envisages that the role could be less onerous in terms of the day to day running of the Association and  be more a 'figure head' role such as just chairing meetings and representing the Association at relevant events.  A specific Role Profile along these lines is now available here - https://www.bacbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Role-Descriptions-President.docx.
If you have any ideas or views please email them to feedback@bacbr.org.uk

Forthcoming Events

 

Saturday 1 November 14.30 - 16.30
General Ringing and Short Business Meeting at Cardington
This general ringing meeting is for everyone, all levels will be catered for. There will be a short business meeting to elect new members, provide news and updates as necessary. Please let us know that you are coming so we know that the practice is viable.
Via the MemberMojo Store
https://membermojo.co.uk/bacbr/store 
OR Email Angela - trainingofficer@bacbr.org.uk
Subject: General Ringing Cardington
 

Saturday 8 November 
Second Saturday Training at the R J Sharp Ringing Centre at St Andrew's Biggleswade
10:00 - 11:00  Session 1: Bellhandling
11:00 - 11:15  Coffee (and cake!)
11:15 - 12:30  Session 2: 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.
Session 1: for those who are learning to handle a bell with assistance or wish to improve their handling skills
Session 2: For those who can handle a bell unassisted and wish to improve their bell control and progress to ringing rounds/call changes with others.
Sign up essential  (Helpers and students please)
Email Angela - trainingofficer@bacbr.org.uk 
Please state whether you are coming to Session 1 or Session 2.
Subject: Second Saturday October
 

Wednesday 12 November  14:00 - 16:00
General Ringing - Renhold (6)
This general ringing meeting is for everyone, all levels will be catered for.
Please let us know that you are coming so we know that the practice is viable.
Via the MemberMojo Store
https://membermojo.co.uk/bacbr/store 
OR Email Angela - trainingofficer@bacbr.org.uk
Subject: General ringing Renhold 
 

Saturday 15 November 14:30 - 16:00
Plain Hunt & Bob Doubles Workshop -  Aspley Guise (6)
For those who can ring Plain Hunt and would like to learn to hunt the treble or can hunt the treble and would like to ring plain courses of Plain Bob Doubles inside and touches unaffected
Sign up essential for students and helpers
Via the MemberMojo Store
https://membermojo.co.uk/bacbr/store 
OR Email Angela - trainingofficer@bacbr.org.uk email Angela trainingofficer@bacbr.org.uk
Subject: Plain Hunt Bob Doubles Aspley Guise
 

Sunday  16 November, 14:30 - 16:30 
Bedfordshire Young Ringers at St Peter, Sharnbrook (note change of date and place)
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 comfortable place to sit will be available). We will need some paperwork to be completed for each young ringer the first time they attend.
 For more details or to confirm that you are coming please sign up
Email youngringers@bacbr.org.uk
OR via the Bedfordshire Young Ringers WhatsApp Group (Please ask to be added to this when you attend a Young Ringers' session)
 

Saturday 22 November 14:00 - 16:00
Plain Doubles and Minor Workshop - Flitwick (6)
For those who can ring a touch of Plain Bob Doubles unaffected and beyond! 'Stepping Stones' learning to ring doubles and plain minor methods by structure, opportunities to call touches.
 Sign up essential for students and helpers
Via the MemberMojo Store
https://membermojo.co.uk/bacbr/store 
OR Email Angela - trainingofficer@bacbr.org.uk email Angela trainingofficer@bacbr.org.uk
Subject: Plain Doubles and Minor Workshop

 

It's really important to book your place/confirm your attendance for the events above.

There are TWO ways to do this ...
 

1. Via the MemberMojo Store https://membermojo.co.uk/bacbr/store 
Simply click on the link above and indicate which event(s) you wish to attend. 

 

2. By emailing  Angela Blackburn on trainingofficer@bacbr.org.uk giving the meeting name/venue in the subject line of your email.

Events will only go ahead if there are enough people to make them viable. 
 

Angela would also appreciate helpers giving their availability for specific workshop/targeted practices.
We look forward to seeing you at an event soon!

Please note: Not all events shown below have a confirmed venue at the time of writing and venues may change at short notice, please see the Website for the up to date situation.  If any event has to be cancelled due to lack of numbers, we'll email those who have signed up. It may not be possible to post any amendments on the website at short notice.
 

 

Proposed December events

Please check website calendar for latest situation. 


Saturday 6 December 14:30-16:30 General Ringing and Short Business Meeting at Oakley (6)
Saturday 13 December. 10:00 - 12:30 - Second Saturday Training at the RJ Sharp Ringing Centre, St Andrew's, Biggleswade, two sessions.
Sunday 14 November. 14:30 - 16:30 - Young Ringers practice at Campton (8)
Saturday 20 November. 15:30 - 17:30 - Plain Hunt and Bob Doubles Workshop at Potton (6)
Saturday 27 November. 10:30 - 12:00 - General Ringing at Totternhoe (8)

 

 

Other notices and news

 

Henlow Bells - re-dedication service and tenor weight
On Saturday 18th October a large number of ringers and friends gathered at St Mary's Henlow for a service of re-dedication following a major overhaul of the bells by Whites of Appleton. A new peal board in memory of David A Hope, a former chorister, server and ringer at St Mary’s, and a new rope spider, made by John Hunt, were also dedicated.
Philip Jewell thanked all those who had made the bell project possible - Whites staff and volunteer helpers; generous grants from the Sharpe Trust, the Biggleswade District BRF and the Association BRF; and the generosity of the extended family of Henlow ringers. 
The Tenor weight was revealed as 12-2-18 (quite a bit lighter than the previously attributed 14-2-0!) and the' Guess the Weight' competition winner was Chris Middleton from West Sussex.
You can read the full report on the website here www.bacbr.org.uk/event/past-events


Association Bell Restoration Fund (BRF) Grant towards a renovation project at St Thomas of Canterbury, Clapham.
An application for an Association  BRF grant was received from the PCC of St Thomas of Canterbury, Clapham for some remedial work recommended by Taylors of Loughborough following their inspection in December 2024. The works comprise a full  service and bolt tightening on all fixtures and fittings  as well as clapper and wheel restoration, installation of ‘Galebreaker’ membrane over the louvres to minimise water ingress, strengthen the bell frame, lift and clean all bearings and replace the stays. The total cost quote was just over £18k (which includes VAT and a reduction  for local labour to help).
The BRF Committee recommended a £2000 grant towards the cost of this work which was approved by the Management Committee.
Work began on the 8 September for five days when the wheels and braces, stays, clappers and one headstock were removed. The bells were lifted to work on the bearings and all of the bolts on the frame were tightened. All items removed were taken to Loughborough for refurbishment. Taylors and Pat Albon returned on 22 October for 3 days when they replaced all the refurbished items and fitted strengthening steels to the frame. Taylors have to come back again to change some temporary nuts, complete work on the treble and fit the Galebreaker. The work should be finished before the end of the year and see the bells being much easier to ring for current and new band members. Practice nights and training are regularly held for ringers from Clapham and Milton Ernest and will undoubtedly be a venue for Association meetings in the future! Some pictures are on the website here .
A reminder that £5 of every Member's subscription goes into the Association Bell Restoration Fund- so thank you for helping to make this grant possible.


Commemorative ringing in October
There weren't any 'ringing firsts' in October but there were some special pieces of commemorative ringing: 

On Saturday 18 October at St Mary, Henlow,  96 Bristol Surprise Major - rung as part of the re-dedication service following refurbishment of the bells. BellBoard

On Monday 20 October at St Paul, Bedford, Rounds on 12 - rung half-muffled in memory of Graham Ridgway immediately following his funeral service. 
BellBoard

On Tuesday 28 October at St Owen, Bromham, Rounds on 8 - rung after the interment of ashes for Derek A Hammond, a longstanding member, ringer & organist at this Church. BellBoard
 

 

 

Keep up to date with all things ringing in
The Ringing World

The Ringing World is a magazine for bellringers that has been printed every week since 1911. 

The Ringing World also runs BellBoard, the complete record of current change-ringing performances worldwide. Visit BellBoard to see any recent news and updates about ringing or The Ringing World.  

 

The Ringing World also produces books and other products for bellringers, and runs the Ringing World National Youth Contest to support young ringers and bring them together to enjoy the Exercise.

Visit the Ringing World website www.ringingworld.org.uk to download a free issue, subscribe to the printed or online version, or head to the Ringing World Shop to browse other ringing merchandise.

 

 

Update from the CCCBR 
Central Council of Church Bell Ringers

 

.The Central Council Code for Ringing  - a reminder for everyone about this code for ringers - Code-for-Ringing-Edition-1-v1-285.pdf 

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

 

 

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

Angela Blackburn
Ringing Master / Training Officer
trainingofficer@bacbr.org.uk

www.bacbr.org.uk

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Bedfordshire Association of Church Bell Ringers · 10 Arnhem Place · Arnhem Place · Shefford, Bedfordshire SG175UJ · United Kingdom

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