Master’s Message
The last Branch AGM’s of the season took place on Saturday 24th January, and it has been a pleasure to be able to join some of them and…
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Guild Competitions Announced
This year the Guild is planning striking competitions in four different categories in order to encourage wider participation. Novice Competition - well struck rounds, 6 Bell Call Changes, 6 Bell Methods and our traditional 8 Bell competition. Wy should you enter? Read on...
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Bell Restoration Fund Review of the year
The Guild’s bell restoration fund had a busy year in 2025 with grants paid out to towers totalling £37,378 and new grants approved adding up to £44,500. Due to the receipt of the substantial Abrahams Legacy and the previously reported Lucas Legacy the finances of the Fund have been put on a much changed footing.…
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Ringing World National Youth Contest (RWNYC) 2026
The SDGR is intending to take part in the RWNYC again this year and we would love as many young ringers as possible to be involved in the day. The event will take place in Nottingham on Saturday 4th July 2026 To see what it’s all about, you can read about last year’s event here …
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Lowering in Peal
Here is a complementary download from Geoff Pullin to go with the one we recently published on the website – this time about the art of lowering in peal. As I said in the earlier article, raising and lowering in peal is one of those magical arts which brings admiration from all quarters. It requires…
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Recruitment & Development for Ringing 2030 – Briefing
The second in a series of online workgroup briefings for any ringers interested in recruiting new ringers and attracting back lapsed/resting ringers
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Ringing as a National Cultural Asset
The sound of bells is intrinsically part of the cultural heritage of the UK and the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers is keen to have this officially recognised. To support this application they are asking us, the ringing community, to sign their online petition. Cultural heritage is more than monuments and museum collections. It…
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A Visit to Imber
Ten hardy ringers from the Upper Wylye Valley band drove to Imber on Salisbury Plain on 29th December to ‘bag’ the tower of St Giles Church. Hearing of our plans the MoD wisely decided to stay out of the way for four days and let the public roam. The visit was organised by Anthony Bainbridge…
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Young Ringers Report
Our first practice of 2026 was held on 17th January. Six young ringers (and a good number of helpers, including the Guild Master) met up at St Martin’s church in Salisbury and rang the eight bells to rounds, call changes, plain hunt on seven and Plain Bob Triples. After enjoying some refreshments (Alastair had made…
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Dorothy L Sayers Society Launches £500 Award for Young Bellringers
The Dorothy L Sayers Society has announced an exciting new annual initiative to celebrate and support the next generation of bellringers. The Dorothy L Sayers Award for Young Ringers will grant £500 to a young person under the age of 18 who has shown leadership and dedication within the bellringing community. The Award is designed…
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Guild Peal Week: 26th – 31st December 2025
Four peals were successfully rung during Guild Peal Week, three on tower bells and one in hand. Three ringers rang their first peal – Tim Filtness from Sherborne Abbey and Esther Davey and Ben Avery, both from Wimborne Minster. The handbell peal at Hamworthy was also notable for being the first in hand for three…
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Peals 2025
51 peals were successfully rung for the Guild during 2025 – a small increase on the previous year. 32 were tower bell peals, in 29 different towers, and 19 were rung on handbells. 90 ringers took part in these peals, including first peals for Graeme Sproats, Timothy Clarke, Stephanie Smith-Cooper, Joss Knight, Aidan Wright, Tim…
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Central Council News
The very popular inaugural Southwest Bell Ringing Course took place at Millfield school Somerset in October. It was attended by several SDGR students and supported by helpers from SDGR. It was a great success and the financial loan from the CCCBR has been paid back in full. Another course will…
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Guild 8 Bell Striking Competition 2026
The SDGR 8 Bell Striking Competition will be held on the morning of the Guild Festival on Saturday 9th May 2026 at Bishops Cannings.
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ART Module 1 Day Course – Saturday 14th March 2026
Suitable for those who already teach bell handling and want to update their skills AND for those who have never taught anyone to handle a bell, Module 1 provides you with the skills and techniques necessary to take a ringer from their first lesson to having competent bell control. This course is now full however there is a waiting list where those registered will be offered places on a first come first served basis if a student drops out.
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John Philip Walter RIP
2 June 1936 – 28 December 2025 John was born in Devizes and lived with his parents above their shop in New Park Street opposite St Mary’s Church. Following his marriage to Margaret, the couple moved to Great Cheverell where their son, Michael, and daughter, Carolyn, were born. Very sadly, Margaret died at the age…
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New Minor, Triples and Major practices planned
In response to members’ feedback some of our branch practices in 2026 will be focussed on triples and major methods and others on plain minor. We always welcome feedback and ideas from members and following the AGM at Beaminster and David Barrance’s recent survey it is clear there is significant demand for practices which cater…
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Restoration of the bells at St Michael & All Angels, West Overton
St Michael and all Angels West Overton, is a village approximately 3 miles west of the historic market town of Marlborough in Wiltshire within the North Wessex Downs AONB and adjacent to the Avebury World Heritage site The present church of St Michael & All Angels which is Grade II* listed was built between 1877…
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Keeping Tower Information up to date
A note for Tower Correspondents and Tower Captains. If information about your tower changes, please would you use the form on this page where you can update information which is published on the website and in the Annual Report …
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Dates for Your Diary 2026
Some important Guild and other ringing dates for the coming year for you to make a note of are now available on the website - find them under the Events tab. |
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Bell Handling Training - cartoon by John Fry, Sherborne
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Please send us your contributions
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Contributions for the website and newsletter are welcomed and encouraged.
Please send your news items and other contributions to
news@sdgr.org.uk
Please always try to send a photo (or other image). Text can be sent in an email or as an attachment.
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