Congratulations to all those members who participated in what was another successful Guild Firsts Week; first Quarter Peal, first as conductor, first in method, and first time at running a practice were just some of over 100 achievements recorded on the website. Thank you to everyone who participated and enabled these achievements to take place.
Here we are in May, a third of the year gone already! This is my favourite time of the year, with the days getting longer, the warmer weather with us and the signs of new life all around us. During the month there will be several opportunities for extra ringing, with our Guild meeting and some notable events taking place, all in May.
Across the country on Thursday May 8th celebrations will take place with parties and beacons to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. On that day 80 years ago bells rang out for the first time in six years having been silent for the duration of the war and as ringers we are being encouraged by the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers 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. Thank you in anticipation, hopefully local bands will get together to enable as many of the towers in our Guild to ring out at some time during the day if not at 6.30pm. Please do record your ringing on the special link set up on Bellboard at bb.ringingworld.co.uk.
Two days later on Saturday May 10th we will gather at Canford Magna for our Guild Festival and AGM and I hope that as many Guild members as possible will be there to enjoy it. In the morning a number of Towers will be open for ringing accessible to all, whether a new or an experienced ringer.
Members will have the opportunity to vote on the proposal for the revised Guild Rules put forward by the Executive Committee and I ask for your support for the proposal. The Way Forward Group has spent a considerable amount of time on the revision, considering carefully all the feedback received from members. Can I reassure members new recruits are very much at the heart of the Guild’s work, it is the responsibility of every member to support their learners at Branch level and encourage them to participate in ringing events as appropriate.
Can I ask you to support the Young Ringers who will be having a fundraising Stall at the AGM, raising money to help with the costs associated with their participation in the Ringing World National Youth Competition. Donations of plants, preserves and other craft work will be welcome on the day – do bring your cash so you can make some purchases! The competition this year takes place in Birmingham on 5th July and we wish them well as they represent the Guild.
Staying on the subject of youth, May is the month when exams begin and I would like to wish all our ringers sitting exams the very best of luck.
May 18th is designated Bell Sunday and all Towers are encouraged to ring and engage with their local church to help raise the profile of ringing within their communities. Whether you ring rounds and call changes, spliced Surprise or just a single bell this is a chance for ringers to be seen, heard and celebrated. See bellsunday.org for ideas. Bell Sunday is held on the nearest Sunday to St Dunstan’s Day which this year falls the following day on Monday May 19th. St Dunstan, once Archbishop of Canterbury and a skilled metalworker has long been associated with bellringing and is known as the Patron Saint of Bellringers.
I was pleased to read on the website of the initiative taken by two ringers from the Pewsey Vale to promote the heritage art of bellringing across the Vale, followed up with a taster session to which 8 people signed up to. Do have a look at the article on the website and see if this is something your Tower could do in your area.
Happy Ringing and I look forward to seeing you at Canford on May 10th.
Patricia Davidson
Guild President.
