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

Sent:                                           30 September 2025 10:13

To:                                               Teresa Brown

Subject:                                     Update October 2025

 

 

BEDFORDSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF CHURCH BELL RINGERS


Update

 

October 2025 
 

 

In this issue:

Forthcoming  ringing events - October and November

A new straightforward way of signing up for events

RIP Vernon Green

Report of outing on 20 September

Henlow rededication service and try your luck with 'Guess the weight of Henlow tenor'!

Please see below for more details.

 

Signing up for events!


We are trialling a new way to sign up for events, as used very successfully by many other Associations.
You can now quickly and easily sign up for events via the MemberMojo Store
https://membermojo.co.uk/bacbr/store 
Simply click on the link above, sign in using your email if requested, and indicate which event(s) you wish to attend.
The advantages of this are:

  • You can book for more than one event at a time.
  • You can book for more than one person.
  • You will immediately receive an email confirming your booking.
  • This system makes it much more straightforward for us to keep a track of how many have people have signed up to each event.

Please do use this new system if at all possible, though you can still sign up by emailing training.officer@bacbr.org.uk

Forthcoming Events

 

Saturday 4 October, 14.30 - 16.30
General Ringing and Short Business Meeting at Thurleigh (6)
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 Thurleigh
 

Saturday 11 October (Morning) 
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)
Via the MemberMojo Store
https://membermojo.co.uk/bacbr/store 
OR Email Angela - trainingofficer@bacbr.org.uk
Please state whether you are coming to Session 1 or Session 2.
Subject: Second Saturday October
 

Sunday 12 October, 14:30 - 16:30
Bedfordshire Young Ringers at All Saints, Campton
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
Via the MemberMojo Store
https://membermojo.co.uk/bacbr/store 
OR 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 18 October  14:30 - 16:30
Plain Hunt and Plain Bob Doubles Workshop - venue tbc (Luton/Dunstable area)
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.
PLACES LIMITED. Booking essential 
Via the MemberMojo Store
https://membermojo.co.uk/bacbr/store 
OR Email Angela - trainingofficer@bacbr.org.uk
Subject: Plain Hunt/Bob Doubles Workshop
 

Saturday 25 October 14:00 - 16:00
Surprise Major Practice - Ampthill (8)
Focus Methods are likely to be Cambridge, Yorkshire, Superlative and Bristol. Sign up essential 
Via the MemberMojo Store
https://membermojo.co.uk/bacbr/store 
OR Email Angela - trainingofficer@bacbr.org.uk email Angela trainingofficer@bacbr.org.uk
Subject: Surprise Major Ampthill

 

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.

A provisional calendar for the rest of the year can be found  on the website here:
https://www.bacbr.org.uk/events/forthcoming-events/
This will be updated during the year, once towers are confirmed and we know which types of events are being supported.

 

Proposed November events
Please check website calendar for latest situation. 


Saturday 1 November 10:30-12:30 General Ringing and Short Business Meeting. Venue tbc.
Saturday 8 November. 10:00 - 12:30 - Second Saturday Training at the RJ Sharp Ringing Centre, St Andrew's, Biggleswade, two sessions.
Sunday 9 November. 14:30 - 16:30 - Young Ringers practice at Campton (8)
Wednesday 12 November. 14:00 - 16:00 - General ringing at Renhold (6)
Saturday 15 November. 15:30 - 17:30 - Plain Hunt and Bob Doubles Workshop at Apsley Guise (6)
Saturday 22 November. 14:30 - 16:00 - Plain Doubles and Minor Workshop at Flitwick (6)

 

 

RIP

 

Vernon Green

We’re sorry to tell you that Vernon Green passed away on Friday 19 Sept. He had been unwell for some time.

Vernon came to live in Flitton about 1980. He joined the Church there helping to encourage and extend the local band, becoming Tower Captain and Church Warden. During his time in Bedfordshire he was always willing to support the general ringing scene and many people benefitted from his help with extending their abilities, ringing first quarters and peals etc. He was a member of the Bedford band in the National 12 bell competition for several years.

Prior to moving to Bedfordshire, Vernon lived in Birmingham. He was a past Secretary and Treasurer of St Martin’s Guild (1974-1977) and Ringing Master at St Alphege, Solihull (1976-1980). In the 1970's Vernon rang in many of the early peals of Bristol Maximus at Birmingham Cathedral, and was part of the Birmingham team in the National 12 Bell Contest several times, including the winning team in 1979.

 

 

Congratulations to ...

 

David Collins: First Quarter Peal  BellBoard 

Stephen Parslow: First QP in more than 1 Surprise Minor method  BellBoard

Paul Hassan: First QP of Beverley S Minor  BellBoard

Dean De-Matteis: Most Surprise Minor to a peal (12m)  BellBoard
 

 

 

Other notices and news

 

Outing to Milton Keynes area

A very enjoyable outing to 5 towers in the Milton Keynes area was held on Saturday 20 September. It was attended by 24 ringers, including a couple of our Young Ringers. The day ended with a very convivial meal. Thank you to Sarah Ward, Ann Steward and Simon Smith for the organisation. Looking forward to the next one already! A full report can be read here:
https://www.bacbr.org.uk/events/past-events/
 

 

 

Rededication Service at St Mary's Henlow
Following the successful completion of major refurbishment work at St Mary's Henlow, the bells are being rededicated in a service at 3.00pm on Saturday 18th October. There will be refreshments and general ringing afterwards. 
And if you haven't already done so please to have a go at guessing the weight of the tenor, the winner will be announced following the service.

Guess the weight of Henlow tenor!
The true weight of the Henlow tenor has been a matter of speculation for 150 years and could be anything between 12½ and 15½ cwt – but the mystery will be solved when it is weighed this summer. Whilst the bells are undergoing some refurbishment, the ringers have decided to have a 'Guess the weight of the tenor' competition to raise funds for the church. The bell hangers will weigh the tenor and put the weight in a sealed envelope.

Click on the link below to enter as many guesses as you want to pay for, at £5 a guess. The winner will be revealed when the envelope is opened at the Rededication Service on 18th October The closest guess will win £50 and a bottle of Bells! It will be fun to guess, fascinating to learn the true weight and should raise some money for the church.

ENTER on  this link https://www.guesstheweightofthetenor.co.uk/

 

 

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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