Autumn is upon us!. The evenings are drawing in and there’s a nip in the air from time to time. The heatwaves seem a distant memory and Christmas is hurtling towards us; today was our Harvest Festival and lunch which was a lovely Community event, and more Community events with lots of ringing opportunities will be happening as we approach Christmas. Branch AGM season is starting and Pat and I will be coming along to as many as we can to hear how the year has been for you all and what you have planned for 2027, and i’m looking forward to those I’m able to attend.
Guild quarter peal week is also on the horizon, from 31st October to 9th November, this is an opportunity to stretch yourself and try a quarter if you have never rung one, or perhaps try a new method if you have, or maybe conducting, in each branch there are people who can help you find a band and conductor, or to support you as you need. Last year there were 57 quarters rung, the challenge to you all is to beat this total in 2026!
It’s approaching 150 years since the Guild was formed and two branches have had 125th Anniversaries this year. The East Dorset Branch celebrated in the Summer with quarter peals and in October the Devizes Branch will be celebrating with a Branch lunch and quarter peals.
Other branches will also be reaching significant anniversaries over the next few years and we need to start planning the Guild anniversary in 2032. If you have any ideas for different ways to mark this milestone we would love to hear them – please let either Pat or myself know. It would be would be good to do something different and maybe use it as a recruitment event too.
I look forward to seeing you as I attend AGM’s and to hearing the events of Quarter peal week in due course. Meanwhile, enjoy your ringing.
Vicki Rowse
Guild Master
