BEDFORDSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF CHURCH BELL RINGERS

Update

January 2026  - Happy New Year!
 

Forthcoming Events

January 2026

Saturday 10 January 
Second Saturday Training at the R J Sharp Ringing Centre at St Andrew's Biggleswade
10:00 - 11:00  Session 1: Bell handling
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 is essential  for both students and helpers please
Email Chris Williams -  christine.williams.bells@gmail.com
Please state whether you are coming to Session 1 or Session 2.
Subject: Second Saturday January
 

Sunday  11 January, 14:30 - 16:30 
Bedfordshire Young Ringers at 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
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 17 January, 14:30 - 16:30
General Ringing and Short Business Meeting at St Peter de Merton, Bedford (8) 
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 this will be a viable session.
Sign up via the MemberMojo Store
https://membermojo.co.uk/bacbr/store 
or Email Angela - trainingofficer@bacbr.org.uk
Subject: General Ringing St Peter de Merton
 

Saturday 24 January, 10.30 - 12.00 
Focus practice on Plain Hunt & Plain Bob Doubles -  Caddington (6)
This is for everyone who can handle a bell safely, ring unassisted in rounds and aimed at those wishing to practice Plain Hunt on 5 or 6 bells, ringing or conducting Bob Doubles or ringing the tenor behind.
We will focus on Plain Hunt, plain courses and touches of Plain Bob Doubles and welcome more experienced ringers to help, stand behind and conduct. Other Plain 5/6 bell methods might be rung if there are sufficient ringers to enable this.
Please sign up so we know this is a viable session.
Via the MemberMojo Store
https://membermojo.co.uk/bacbr/store 
or Email Angela - trainingofficer@bacbr.org.uk email Angela trainingofficer@bacbr.org.uk
Subject: Focus Plain Hunt - Bob Doubles Caddington
 

Saturday 31 January, 14:30 - 16:30
Focus practice on Grandsire  - Biddenham (8)
This is for everyone, particularly those want to practice Grandsire Doubles or Grandsire Triples, we'll ring plain courses and touches of both. There are opportunities to hunt the treble, ring the tenor behind and conduct touches, and we welcome more experienced ringers to ring, stand behind and conduct. 
Please sign up so we know this is a viable session. 
Sign up via the MemberMojo Store
https://membermojo.co.uk/bacbr/store 
or Email Angela - trainingofficer@bacbr.org.uk
Subject: Focus Grandsire Biddenham

Proposed February events
Please check website calendar for latest situation.

Saturday 7 February, 10.30 - 12.30 - General Ringing and short Business meeting at Ampthill (8) 
Sunday 8 February, 14.30 - 16:30  Young Ringers practice at Campton (8)
Saturday 14 February, 10:30 - 12:30  Second Saturday Training, RJ Sharp Ringing Centre, St Andrew's, Biggleswade, two sessions.
Saturday 21 February, 10:30 - 12:00 -  Focus Practice on Plain Doubles and Plain Minor methods at Tempsford (6)

The Proposed 2026 Ringing Programme
Taking your feedback into consideration, we've produced a draft programme for January - June 2026. We've tried to make things simpler and more regular.  We'll need regular feedback as the programme rolls out and we'll make necessary changes as we go through the year.
For the time being:

• No regular midweek meetings.
• All meetings on Saturdays, except Young Ringers which remains on Sundays.
• At least one General Ringing meeting each month, generally on the first Saturday, which  will include a short time to cover Business. The third Saturday will be used in months when the first isn't suitable, for example around a Bank Holiday weekend. These meetings will alternate between 6 and 8 bell towers around the county.
• 'Focus Practices'  not 'Workshops' - these will be suitable for a wider range of ringing abilities, like General Ringing meetings,  as the focus could cover several levels. The focus and suitability will be clarified for each session. 
• Focus Practices will generally be on the third and fourth Saturdays and will be at towers around the county.
• We're still asking for sign up for now - this helps us be confident that a particular session is viable. If viable meeting attendance becomes more reliable then this can be reviewed.  We're hoping to move to a website based calendar sometime in the new year with sign up functionality which will have a 'maybe able to make it' option. 
• Other events, such as specific training or practices on higher numbers, can be arranged as and when there is sufficient demand and available calendar space. 
• There will be a 'Ring a First in February'  initiative.
• The AGM will still be on the third  Saturday of May, for 2026 this is 16 May - venue and arrangements to be confirmed.
• Please support the ringing meetings as much as you can and continue to give us suggestions and feedback!

The Draft Programme is here BACBRRingingCalendar2026-V1-2-Dec-25.pdf
The Calendar Guide is here BACBR-Calendar-Guide-2026-V1-2-Dec-25.pdf
 

Ring a First In February!
Its back for 2026!
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 an Association event 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 (for example - 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 Surprise Minor/Major inside
• Something even more challenging!

How?  Can you arrange to ring this with your local band? If not then go along to an Association Meeting  - contact Anglela  trainingofficer@bacbr.org.uk 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 emailing trainingofficer@bacbr.org.uk
We will do our best to facilitate.
As in previous years, we'll collate submissions to Bell Board, but more of that in the next Update. For now - get planning!
 

Other notices and news

Firsts and Commemorative ringing in December
There was a bumper crop of Bedfordshire firsts and special commentative ringing on Bell Board in December!

Congratulations to:
Oscar Matthews (aged 9) - first quarter peal away from cover, on the treble to Plain Bob Minor at Biggleswade on 3 December. BellBoard
Penny Joshi - rang her first quarter peal of Plain Bob Minor inside at Tempsford on 11 December. BellBoard
Oliver Coe  - rang the treble for his first quarter peal at the first attempt to Plain Bob Doubles at Elstow on 20 December. BellBoard

Special ringing:
Wednesday 10 December at St Andrew's Biggleswade - seven people with 2025  '0' birthdays were at the practice and they rang two touches - Plain Bob Doubles and Grandsire Doubles - to celebrate this unique occasion. BellBoard and BellBoard


The '0' birthday cake decorated by Sheila Richardson - each ringer got a piece with their 0 age!

Saturday 14 December at St Mary, Oakley - Sunday service ringing included Peter Ward ringing rounds to celebrate his 90th birthday. BellBoard

Wednesday 24 December at St John the Evangelist, Lemsford, Herts - a peal was rung to celebrate 65 years of peal ringing for Anthony Smith and 60 years for Charlotte Smith. BellBoard

Sunday 28 December at St Paul, Bedford - a quarter peal of Stedman Caters was dedicated to the memory of Bryan Pattison, Cliff Izzard, Vernon Green, and Peter Shipton, all former ringers at this tower.

Tuesday 30 December at St Mary, Maulden - touches of Grandsire Triples and Call Changes  were rung as additional celebrations to 75th anniversary of the the augmentation to 8 bells and on the exact date for the 75th anniversary of the first Peal of Maulden Surprise Major. BellBoard and BellBoard

Preparation for the 2025 Annual Report

It's that time of year again when we start to compile the Association's report for the previous year.  A major part of the report is the section  with details of Bedfordshire towers that have a named contact for ringing matters and where members are listed. We'll be emailing Tower Contacts shortly for any updates to their contact details, practice night and Sunday service ringing arrangements.  All changes to contact or tower details should be sent to annualreport@bacbr.org.uk

Update from the CCCBR 
Central Council of Church Bell Ringers

You  might be interested in this...  

Marketing ringing in your area Open Meeting on 18th January 2026
Local marketing and social media campaigns are effective ways to raise general awareness of bell ringing and provide a sustainable stream of recruits. Join us for to advice and tools to help you
When: Sunday 18 January 2025 at 7.30pm, by Zoom
Register to attend by following this link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/5OlcE-OHRLCyiJaL5qrzMQ
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Details:
The CCCBR has run several successful international awareness and recruiting campaigns, such as Ringing Remembers and Ring for the King. We have guidelines and a good list of ‘what works’ to help you with more localised campaigns. We will also discuss the difference between an awareness campaign and a recruiting campaign and when you should do each.
In addition, the CCCBR has built up branding assets, guidelines and tools to support your local marketing efforts. We will give you a tour of these and answer your questions.
 

.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 
 

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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