Happy Spring! March 1st marks the first day of Meteorological Spring. This time last year I was bemoaning the fact that February, despite being the shortest month, seemed to have gone on for ever with dark, grey, cold days. Again this year, the month has been one of dark grey days but mild and, with relentless rain, many areas of ‘our patch’ being affected by flooding. As I write this, what a different day we’ve had. The rain being replaced with a bright blue sky and warm sunshine. All around there are snowdrops, daffodils and other Spring flowers bursting into bloom.
A reminder that Guild Firsts Week runs from Sunday 5th to Sunday 12th April. It is not too early to start thinking about what your Tower or Branch might do. It is an ideal opportunity 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 ideas. Do speak to your ringing teacher, Tower Captain or Branch Ringing Master if you have any thoughts. It is an 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 follow on Saturday May 9th hosted by the Calne Branch. There will be a chance for all levels of ringers to experience the recently augmented 10 bells at Calne. It is also not too early to start planning your Branch/Tower teams in readiness for the Guild Striking Competitions. All the details, dates and rules are on the website, the first of these being the 8 Bell Competition at Bishop’s Cannings on May 9th. More details of Guild activities can be found on the website www.sdgr.org.uk – please do watch for further updates and details of other activities as well as keeping your items of news coming in to email hidden; JavaScript is required.
The Executive Committee work groups have continued their efforts behind the scenes to promote and develop ringing and all that goes with it. Following the adoption by the membership of the revised Guild Rules at last year’s AGM, the Way Forward Group has been busy writing Guidance and Procedure Documents to accompany these rules which it is felt will make them easier to follow. Following the approval by the Executive Committee these documents will be posted on the website in the near future. Can I emphasise that these are guidelines only and are there to help Branches. They may be particularly useful for newer Branch Officers when planning a Guild/ Branch event and other activities.
From the Recruitment and Development Workgroup all affiliated towers will be receiving posters for display, produced by the CCCBR illustrating Bell Handling. The Central Council of Church Bellringers (CCCBR) is the international umbrella for ringing. They have launched the Ringing 2030 initiative, which focuses on supporting Guilds like ours to recruit more ringers — both new learners and returners — and to train more ringing teachers. It’s a positive and practical effort to help secure the future of ringing. their website is well worth a look – www.cccbr.org.uk. If you are interested in recruiting or your Branch/Tower is thinking about a recruitment campaign but you don’t know where to start, or would like some advice? Why not join a meeting on March 15th at 8pm hosted by the CCCBR via zoom. Anyone with an interest in recruitment is welcome to attend. See this item on the website to register and to receive the joining instructions (Zoom). There are also details of some job vacancies which may be of interest. (Two part time fixed one year contracts) see CCCBR website.
The Executive Committee urgently needs new people to come and join them, in particular a Secretary / Assistant Secretary, a Training Officer and Report/Handbook Editor from May. Additionally there are two vacancies for CCCBR Representatives. You don’t need to be an experienced ringer, but good organisation and communication skills are key, and of course an enthusiasm for ringing! If that could be you, or anyone you know please do get in touch. Any of the present Officers can be contacted for further information and would be willing to work alongside you as you familiarise yourself with the post.
Don’t forget to move your clocks forward one hour on Saturday night before you go to bed on March 28th to ensure you are not late for Sunday morning service ringing.
Happy Spring Ringing
Pat Davidson
Guild President
