Category: News

You may be familiar with the Hereford District Quarter Peal Festival we have held over the last few years. This year it has been extended to become a Guild-wide Quarter Peal Festival from 10th – 25th August.

As usual, ringers are encouraged to organise and ring quarter peals to celebrate and advance their ringing. As the event is Guild-wide we simply cannot arrange all the quarter peals and need individual ringers to seize the initiative, so please talk to the ringers in your group and see what you can come up with. We are happy to help to coordinate quarters and to try to find extra ringers to make up a band where needed, Ledbury District is keen and has expressed an interest in ringing some ‘combined district’ quarters, so there should be lots of opportunity to make the most of the event.

So, what we would like you to do is:

• Think about what you would like to ring, perhaps this could be a ‘first’ – first quarter, first in method, first as conductor, or something you have not had the opportunity to ring for while
• Talk to your band and see if you can arrange a quarter
• You can add your planned ‘attempt’ to the event on the Bellboard diary https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/event.php?id=18675
• If you cannot find a complete band, you can try using the Whatsapp General Chat to see if anyone else is interested, or contact Nicky (peo@maroon-salmon-416575.hostingersite.com) or Fran (guild_secretary@maroon-salmon-416575.hostingersite.com) to see if they can help find a ringer who might be available
• Let us know how you get on!

We will be issuing certificates to ringers who achieve a notable first, hopefully you will feel inspired to try something new, and your band will benefit from the opportunity to ring for an extended time. Quarter peals offer an opportunity to really get to know a method much more than a five minute attempt on a practice night, as well as a really good chance to work on improving your striking together as a band.

We are very sorry to announce the death of one of our most distinguished ringers, Chris Kippin, on 18th July 2024 after a short illness. Our thoughts and deep sympathies are with Heather and family.

Many tributes will be paid to Chris, who was an extremely talented, yet patient and modest man.

Chris’s daughter Eleanor writes:

“As many of you will already know Dad died on Thursday after a short illness. All the letters, emails and messages that have poured in show how much he meant to so many people.

You don’t need me to tell you what an amazing man Chris was. Talented, enterprising, imaginative, capable and a man who gave so much to our community in so many ways.

In the spirit of true Kippin efficiency we already have funeral details. Monday 12th August, Cleobury Mortimer parish church, 11:30am. Please let me know if you are planning to come using ekippin@gmail.com

Everyone has been so very kind. Our nurse at the hospital, Ashley (the rector, not Fortey!) and our Funeral Director have given exceptional pastoral care at the same time as getting on with the business parts of their jobs. I was also incredibly grateful that a test match started on Thursday which meant our car journey home from the hospital was accompanied by the TMS team.”

If you are intending to attend the funeral please could you let Eleanor know, ekippin@gmail.com.

Parking – please use a car park if possible, there are two town car-parks in Childe Road and a car-park for the leisure centre in Love Lane.

Ringing – before the service will be done by the local band – ringers from the Hereford DG are welcome to join this ringing. After the service there will be four touches by pre-planned bands followed by general ringing.

Family flowers only/No specific dress code.

Thank you to Kris and the team for hosting the 4th learners practice which was held at Burghill on Sunday 14th July. The event was extremely well attended by ringers from Hereford, Bromyard, Bridgnorth and Clifford & Kington Districts, and well supported by helpers from the same districts. It is really great to see those who have attended past sessions growing in confidence and making such good progress.

We are lucky enough to always get positive feedback from those attending, however this time we’ve included a couple of testimonials from a learner and a helper.

From Julia (from Bredenbury, learning to ring at Bromyard):

“This was my first time to Burghill church and to the learner’s session. It was a great way to meet other learners from different groups and to practice ringing rounds together in groups of 6 and 8, with our respective teachers there for support and guidance. Also, I enjoyed the opportunity to ring a different set of bells which felt a little smoother that what I was used to ringing. Thanks, Sue, for being there to provide the teacher help and guidance.”

From Cathy (Bromyard & Cradley ringer, recently completed the ART course in teaching bell handling)

“Excellent, well attended training afternoon. Trainers were responsive to each individual. All learnt something, including the more experienced ringers and trainers. Tea and cake most welcomed. Thank you.”

Details of the next session will be announced shortly, and we look forward to seeing you all very soon.

Throughout July and August 2024, the ringing simulator and training bells at Stoke St Milborough, near Ludlow, are available to book any Wednesday or Thursday evening from 7pm to 9pm. (Other times are theoretically possible by prior arrangement.)

You can book in for individual practice, where you ring the tied Treble to any method alongside virtual ringers or you can come as a group and ring together with up to all eight of the bells tied. Early stage learners can use our Matthew Higby training bells to perfect handling.

​In this way, you can ring on real bells without being heard outside the church – ideal for ringers trying to challenge themselves with methods that push them beyond their comfort zone. (If it keeps firing out, at least you know you’re disturbing nobody!) We have recorded the sound of our own bells, so the amplified sound within the ringing room is pretty authentic. Tied-bell quarter peals are also possible, of course – it’s up to you how you use the set-up…

Martin and/or Ashley can be available to offer any help and guidance, and if you want any extra ringers to help make up a band, we can try to get that organised too.

There is no charge to use the simulator, but donations to the bell fund are, of course, greatly appreciated. Last but not least, we can open up the Village Hall bar if you want a quick drink before you head back home. What could possibly be a better incentive?!

Further details are on our website https://www.stmilburga.co.uk/using-our-simulator-and-teaching-set-up.html and here is our exact location https://w3w.co/octopus.published.offer

To make an initial inquiry or book in, please email milburgaringers@gmail.com or just make contact through the website.

​We look forward to hearing from you!

Martin Scott & Ashley Smith

Stoke St Milborough

This year’s Guild festival and AGM will bo held on Saturday 11th May 2024.

Please note the new arrangements below

There will be open ringing at the following towers en route to the AGM at Eardisland. Everyone who turns up will get an opportunity to ring at their level.

10:00 – 11:00	Presteigne, St Andrew Number of Bells: 8 Tenor Weight: 13-2-21
11:00 – 1200	New Radnor, St Mary Number of Bells: 6 Tenor Weight: 7-2-18
12:00 – 13:00	change of venue Unfortunately Old Radnor is no longer available so instead we’ll go to … Kington, St Mary Number of Bells: 6 Tenor Weight: 11-0-23
13:00 – 14:00	Lyonshall, St Michael & All Angels Number of Bells: 6 Tenor Weight: 11-0-0
14:00 – 15:00	Pembridge, St Mary The Virgin Number of Bells: 5 Tenor Weight: 16-0-0
15:00 – 16:00	Eardisland, St Mary Number of Bells: 8 Tenor Weight: 12-2-26

Ringing will be followed by a Service at 4pm, with Tea and the AGM from 4:45pm

 

Have you ever rung a Quarter Peal before?

Would you like to try?

We would like to encourage ringers new and old to take up the challenge to ring a quarter (or maybe more!) for the Guild Quarter Peal Festival.

Maybe you would like to have a shot at your first quarter or try out that method you’ve been learning.

A whole fortnight of Quarter Peal ringing will be taking place …

August 10th – 25th

For more information or to get involved email Nicky Aubrey at peo@maroon-salmon-416575.hostingersite.com

 

We are very pleased to announce that we have a new trophy for the Guild Call Change Competition.  At the request of the Striking Competition Committee the new trophy has been designed and made by Lynn Scales and we are very happy with the result.

Lynn made the very fitting suggestion that the trophy be named the Osbaldiston Shield in recognition of the many years of the service that Alec Osbaldiston gave as a member of the Thomas Cooper Striking Competition Committee.  Alec joined the committee in the mid-seventies, becoming Secretary in 1985, and served in this role until 2018.  The Striking Competitions held during Alec’s tenure were always meticulously organised and ran without (any noticeable) hitch.

Alec’s family have been approached and they are delighted and touched that the shield will be dedicated to his memory.

We would love there to be a good number of challengers for this new trophy, so please consider entering a band.

The Call Change competition will be held at Kington on Saturday 9^th March.  All district secretaries have details and details can also be found  here.

Entries should be submitted by 2^nd March.

Everyone is most welcome to come along to Kington on Saturday 9^th March to enjoy listening to the ringing, to meet friends old and new, and to take part in the other activities in the church during the afternoon.

The 2024 Thomas Cooper Striking Competition is taking place as part of the Guild Competition Day on Saturday 9^th March at Kington. We are hoping, after the cancellation of last year’s event, that the new date in the spring will prove more popular and we are trying to do something new with the event.

You can  download the rules for the event which I hope will be self-explanatory. There are some changes to the requirements for the competition, following your feedback. Firstly, the test piece for the method ringing section will now be 120 changes of any doubles method. For the call change section, the ‘two year rule’ has been relaxed to three years.

As in 2019, the last time the competition was held, there will be a method ringing and a call change section to the competition. This year, we are going to add a third element to the event, which will be a Novice Rounds Challenge. This will be open to individual towers or cluster bands to enter, and constructive feedback will be given positively and in an encouraging manner! Please see the rules for further information.

The aim of the Novice Rounds Challenge is to encourage new ringers to develop their engagement with the Guild and to aspire to good striking. It is hoped that the Challenge will encourage networking and sharing good practice amongst developing bands, learners and teachers of ringing.

Throughout the afternoon, tea, coffee and cake/biscuits will be available in the church and we are arranging various stalls and activities to be available while ringing takes place. There are toilet facilities in the church. Access to the tower is via an external stone staircase and the bells are an easy-going, clear ring of six with little odd-struckness.

I look forward to receiving entries by Saturday 2^nd March 2024 please.

If you have any questions, please do get in touch.

Best wishes,

Tim Hollinghurst (email timhollinghurst@hotmail.com)
On behalf of the Committee (Fran Watkins, Nicky Aubrey and Tim Hollinghurst)

 

Update from Adrian Moreton on 3rd February …

Hi!

We’ve just finished processing the student applications for this year’s course, and with their acceptances we’ve included a clothing order form. We have a special 60^th logo  – similar to the 50^th for those who remember it!

If you want to order anything,  the price list and  form can be downloaded here: Ringing Course clothing order form 24

Looking forward to seeing you in April.

Best wishes,

Adrian

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A three day course: Thursday 4th – Sunday 7th April, 2024

Royal National College, Venns Lane, Hereford

• Groups ranging from Rounds and Calls to Surprise Major
• 6 Practical sessions
• Additional opportunities to practice
  • Conducting
  • Listening and timing
  • Change ringing on handbells
• Saturday evening celebration of 60 Hereford Courses

For more information, a full programme and application form visit
www.herefordringingcourse.org.uk
Or contact the course secretary enclosing a self addressed stamped envelope:

Alison Moreton
1 Silcoates Drive
Wrenthorpe
Wakefield
WF2 0UR

Closing date for applications is 31st January, 2024

Prices: Resident: with all meals: £505
Basic (non-resident, no meals) : £150 (£100 for under 18’s) Individual
meals may be ordered as required.

Guild towers rang out across the Hereford area during the Coronation celebrations.

Belboard created an event for the Coronation where all performances can be linked – See here for all Hereford Diocesan Guild performances.

Congratulations to all ringers!

God save the King!