As the month of June draws to a close, and with it the second heatwave of the summer with record temperatures being recorded, the wet chilly days earlier in the month seem but a distant memory.
Just prior to this heatwave, on a sunny Saturday, the Guild received a warm welcome from the Dorchester Branch for the Guild Call Changes Striking Competition held in the morning at Bradford Peverell, followed in the afternoon by the 6 Bell Method Competition at Martinstown. Janet Collins and her team from Bradford Peverell kept everyone supplied with coffee and cake throughout the morning. Following the afternoon ringing all present enjoyed chatting over tea and a variety of delicious cakes supplied by Janet Ranger and her team of helpers. Winners of the Call Change Competition was the team from Trowbridge (Devizes Branch) with the 6 Bell Method winners being the team from Evershot (West Dorset Branch). Congratulations to the winners and to all the others who took part, there was some very good and enjoyable ringing to be heard throughout the day. Thank you to the members of the Dorchester Branch for all your help with the event and also to our Judges, Rhoda and Martin Willson in the morning and Rhoda Willson and Hayley Newman in the afternoon.
Looking ahead we have the Guild Novice Competition on Saturday July 11 at Chiseldon (Marlborough Branch). I hope to see a good number of teams taking part, as last year. I realise for some it is quite a distance to travel, but with the decision to rotate the Competitions around the Branches this is inevitable. It is one of the few occasions in the year when the Guild comes together and gives member the opportunity to both improve their striking and socialise with other ringers from the Guild over a shared tea. There will be an opportunity for open ringing on the bells following the conclusion of the Competition. A reminder – the final details for entries is this coming Friday July 3rd by 6pm to email hidden; JavaScript is required
On July 4 Bertie the ‘Go Bellistic’ mascot and some of our Young Ringers will be heading to Nottingham for the Ringing World National Youth Contest. Ringing in the contest is but just a small part of the day, they have the opportunity to ring on other bells in the city, including some mini rings, and participate in various other ringing activities. We wish them well in the contest and hope they have a wonderful day under the watchful eye of Bertie. We look forward to hearing all about the day on their return. Thank you to Hilary Child and Michael Dillistone for all their help in preparing the youngsters for this event and also to parents and supporters for their valuable help and support throughout the year. The day gives the young ringers opportunities they would not otherwise experience.
Looking further ahead, to August, I hope to see many of you at the Open Day in aid of The Llewellyn Edwards Bell Restoration Fund (LEBRF) on Saturday 15th. This year it is the turn of Devizes Branch to organise the open towers. This is a good way for new ringers to experience a wide range of towers and bells and enjoy the lovely Wiltshire countryside while visiting some beautiful churches and ringing their bells. Full details of the day as well as discounted “Earlybird” tickets are available on the Guild website.
The success of our Guild AGM and other events depends very much on the hard work of the local ringers for the organisation and preparation both before and on the day. Likewise, the Guild itself depends on members to come forward to take on Officer Roles. We recently welcomed Julian Newman as our new General Secretary, a role crucial to the working of the Guild. We are still looking for someone to take on the role of Report and Handbook Editor. Could this be you? Do have a think and if you are interested, please get in touch. There is plenty of help available in getting to grips with this role.
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Enjoy the summer whatever you are planning, and I hope to see many of you as I travel around the Guild.
Pat Davidson
Guild President
