Here we are in November, nearly at the end of the year, the leaves have put on their Autumn colours and the clocks have changed.
The month begins with Guild Quarter Peal Week running from Saturday 1 November to Sunday 9 November, it is still not too late to organise a QP if you have not already done so. Two notable dates falling within the 1st and 9th are All Saints Day and Remembrance Sunday. Both provide opportunities for something new. Whether your church is dedicated to All Saints or not why not learn the method and try a QP to consolidate the learning. Remembrance Sunday gives us the rare opportunity to ring and experience the beautiful sound of half muffled bells. All the details can be found on the Guild website at sdgr.org.uk – including details for conductors when submitting to the link ‘SDGR Quarter Peal Week’ on Bellboard. I look forward to reading all about your achievements. Can we try and beat last year’s total of 55, which included 10 first QPs?
Congratulations to David Warwick and the Wimborne ringers who entered the South West 12 Bell Competition last month, coming third out of ten bands with only 2 points separating the top three teams. Also entering from our Guild was a team from Trowbridge who came a very creditable eighth. If you haven’t already done so do look at the full report on the website. Well done to both teams for putting our Guild on the map.
On the subject of Striking Competitions thank you to all those who entered the Novice and 6/8 bell competitions this year. The Guild Exec have looked at the feedback received from members and a small working Group has been set up to look at the rules etc, with a view to encouraging more Branches to enter a team. A provisional rota has been drawn up for the Competitions to rotate around the Branches as with the AGM and LEBRF Open Day. Next year we will be holding the 8 Bell Competition on the morning of the AGM on 9 May. Dates for next year’s Novice and Call Change/6 Bell Competitions are now on the website calendar. Please do look at these dates – Dates for your Diary 2026 – and plan your Branch events around them.
A comprehensive report on the CCCBR AGM in September can be read on the website. At the recent Exec Meeting Trish Hitchins (one of the Guild Central Council Reps.) drew attention to the closure of churches and the importance for members who hear about planned closure of a church with bells within their Branch to take action swiftly. Bells can be lost to the Guild for ever as has happened in Salisbury with the closure of St Edmunds Church, now an Arts Centre and owned by the Council. It is important to liaise with the Diocese – advice can be sought from the Diocesan Bells Adviser and the Keltek Trust.
With the colder weather approaching do have a look at the clothing available on the website at sdgr.org.uk/guild-clothing. There are sweat shirts, fleeces, jackets and gilets in a variety of colours to help keep you warm.
We are now at the start of the season for Branch AGMs; Vicki, Kathryn or myself will hope to visit as many Branches as we can over the coming months. I recently received a warm welcome from the Marlborough Branch at their AGM held at Ramsbury. With a number of posts becoming vacant it was really encouraging to see members coming forth to fill these posts. Talking of vacant positions, the Guild is looking for a Training Officer, Guild Secretary and Assistant Secretary from May. Do think if this is something you might be able to do or if you think someone in your tower might be able do have a word with them. Our present Secretary, Kathryn Tyson, can help with any queries you may have about the posts.
I look forward to meeting many of you over the coming months and reading about your ringing achievements especially in QP Week.
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Happy Ringing
Pat Davidson
