Happy New Year!
Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky
The flying cloud, the frosty light
The year is dying in the night
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.
– Alfred Lord Tennyson – Ring Out Wild Bells (1850)
Many of you will have seen out the old and welcomed in the …
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A Visit to Ypres
At the beginning of December, a group of sixteen — made up of ringers from Pewsey Vale, friends both old and new, non-ringing partners, and Pip the dog—spent a long weekend in Ypres, Belgium. The trip featured some excellent ringing at St George’s Church, delicious Belgian food, and great beers (including gluten-free options!). The visit also included …
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Young Ringers Practice
Our final practice of 2025 was on Saturday 6th December in the Mere branch. Seven young ringers from across the guild attended and we were pleased to welcome William for the first time. Firstly, we rang at Donhead St Mary – after tackling the wooden spiral staircase and the trapdoor. Following plenty of ringing and …
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Easy Steps to Bob Doubles
Learning the plain course of Plain Bob Doubles can be difficult, especially when certain dodges or long 5ths need extra practice. Bayles is a useful exercise because it lets learners repeat a specific piece of work several times, helping them focus on when to meet the treble, adjust speed, and improve rhythm and striking. How …
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Central Council Recruitment Survey
Would you be interested in joining a ‘Recruitment Network’? Are you involved in recruiting new ringers (and attracting back lapsed/”resting” ringers)? Or perhaps you’d like to do some recruiting but you don’t know where to start, or would like some advice…? The 3Rs (Recruit, Regain, Retain) CCCBR Team is planning to set up a network …
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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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Brenda Dunn RIP
Resident poet and ringer at St Mary’s, Bridport, Brenda Dunn, passed away in her sleep on Saturday 6th November, having suffered a heart attack a week previously. Brenda had been a ringer at Bridport for over 50 years and was the first woman to be a ringer in the tower. Well known for her poetry, …
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Derrick Phillip Bailey RIP
17/6/1939 – 18/5/2025
My Dad was born in the village of Great Cheverell near Devizes in Wiltshire on 17th June 1939, just before the outbreak of World War Two. He often reminded us that not long after he was born, he was christened by a vicar who was named Rev Wilbert Awdry who …
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West Dorset’s ‘Mince Pie’ Practice
West Dorset topped off another busy year of practices with what is affectionately known as the ‘Mince Pie’ practice. Held at the Bradpole ringing center, the local band and volunteers did a grand job keeping everyone well supplied with tea, coffee, lots of mince pies and various other delicious cakes. With a wide range of …
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Mere Branch Members Presentations
On 29th November the Mere branch held their last Members Meeting of the year, at St Mary’s Stalbridge. Around 35 members crammed into the meeting room and enjoyed a traditional bellringers tea excellently provided by the Stalbridge band. After the routine meeting business we came to the election of new members and the presentation of …
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Listening Course
Following on from the first Listening course last year, Sue Carter and David Barrance took things up a level by pitting ringers against the Bradpole Training Centre’s simulator to help hone their listening skills and improve striking accuracy. Two courses were run on Saturday mornings in November with small groups of just 3 and 4 …
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‘Pies for Peals’ Fundraiser
The Shipton Gorge Band pulled it off when they were delighted to welcome both village and ringing friends to their fundraising ‘Pies for Peals’ dinner held in the village hall. A choice of delicious pies with accompanying vegetables, followed by home made desserts were served to a beautifully decorated packed hall which buzzed with a …
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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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Please send us your contributions
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Contributions for the website and newsletter are welcomed and encouraged.
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