I recently had the pleasure of visiting the Bradpole Ringing Centre for the Fortnightly Branch Call Changes and Doubles Practice. How encouraging it was to see so many beginners there including some from the new Shipton Gorge band. A huge thanks to all those who give up their time to help with the teaching and training of so many of the new members in the West Dorset Branch and in other branches throughout the Guild. Whilst in the area I took the opportunity to visit Tim Andrews, son of Ivan and Wendy and leave the new Ivan Andrews Striking Competition Trophy with him, to show the family. Tim tells me how touched they were to see this Tribute to Ivan. Sadly, since this visit, we have learnt of the death of Wendy on Sunday November 26th in Dorchester Hospital. A Thanksgiving Service on Saturday December 9th took place in a packed Bradpole Church with open ringing before the service. A number of Guild Officers and other ringers attended.
Congratulations to all those who took part in the recent Guild Quarter Peal Fortnight which resulted in 71 quarters being scored during the period. It was encouraging to see 8 first quarter-pealers and a number of other firsts noted in the footnotes. A special mention must go to the Devizes Branch and their Ringing Master, Chris Jenkins, who set a challenge to have a quarter peal attempt in each ring-able tower in the Devizes Branch. A commendable total of 27 were rung. Thank you to all the ringers, organisers and conductors for this excellent result.
Now a reminder that GUILD PEAL WEEK runs from Saturday December 23rd to Sunday 31st December. If you are someone who enjoys ringing peals or who has never rung a peal and think you might like to but need some help, do contact your Branch Ringing Master who I am sure will be able to give you some and point you in the right direction. When submitting your peal to Bellboard, as soon as possible after completion, please link to the event SDGR – Peal Week. This will help our Peal Secretary, David Warwick, when sending his report to The Ringing World. If you are not a quarter peal or peal ringer your opportunity will come during Guild Firsts Week which runs from April 8th to April 14th – put the date in your diary now and start planning!
Exciting news…
Ian Mozley and Andy Waring have been busy working towards the relaunch of the Guild website in the New Year – so watch this space. News of the relaunch will be notified to members so please do have a look at the site. Its success depends on you as members – with the potential for improved communications throughout the Guild. Items which previously would have been sent for publication in Face To Face including news items, obituaries, etc should be sent to email hidden; JavaScript is required
As we approach Christmas let us be reminded when we ring our bells of the words of a hymn written by Canon Carew Cox, a past Master (1960-65).
“Come ringers tell the tidings that filled the silent night, when in the Bethlehem stable was born the Lord of Light.”
With Best Wishes for a happy and peaceful Christmas and hope and joy in the New Year.
Pat Davidson, Guild President.
