President’s Piece

Looking back over last month, it seems to have gone on for ever, with dark, grey, cold days, despite it being the shortest one of the year!

As many of you know another of my interests is gardening and it is heartening to see the signs of Spring appearing with snowdrops, daffodils and other Spring flowers coming into bloom. I’ve noticed too, over the last few days, how active the frogs are in the garden pond. All signs that Spring is on the way and it must be getting warmer.

The final Branch AGMs were held at the end of January. I’m afraid I have not been able to get round to all the Branches, what with clashes of dates and family commitments but thank you for the warm welcome I have received at those I have managed to get to. It is encouraging to see the number of learners being welcomed and new members being elected. There are some exciting activities planned by the Branches for ringers at all stages of their learning, I hope you will encourage your fellow ringers to support these events.

The Executive Committee work groups have continued their work. Following the circulation of the Draft Rules to all members, the Way Forward Group have spent many hours collating and reviewing all the feedback received. Thank you to everyone who responded and for your very helpful comments. A second draft will go to the Executive when it meets later in the month. A further work group has continued to look at Recruitment and Retention and will be reporting back.

Now to get down to ringing which is what we are about! Over the coming months there are a number of events that all members can get involved in. Coming up in April is Guild Firsts Week running from Saturday 5th to Sunday 13th April. This is a great chance for both learners and more experienced ringers to try something new! What about having a go at running a practice or part of it for the first time, ringing in rounds or plain hunting for the first time, conducting a 120 or even a quarter peal, to name just a few. It is not too early to start thinking about it so do please ask your teacher, Tower Captain or Branch Ringing Master if you have any ideas.

On the 8th May 1945 bells rang out across Britain as the nation took to the streets for Victory in Europe Day, the celebration of the end of six years of the Second World War, when there had been no ringing.

Across the country on Thursday May 8th celebrations will take place with parties, lighting beacons and as ringers we are being encouraged by the Central Council for Church Bellringers for as many towers as possible to join in these celebrations with ringing across the country at 6:30pm to recreate that moment 80 years ago. This is a great opportunity to raise the profile of ringing in your local area, and maybe gain some new recruits. If your tower is planning to ring, please do publicise it in the Parish news sheet or your local magazines, Facebook groups and other social media.

Our Guild Festival and AGM follows on Saturday May 10th hosted by the East Dorset Branch at Canford Magna. There will be a chance for all levels of ringers to have a ring so do please make the most of this opportunity. More details to follow shortly. I hope to see many of our members on the day.

More details of all the above activities can be found on the website – sdgr.org.uk – please do watch for further updates and details of other activities as well as keeping your items of news coming in – email hidden; JavaScript is required.