I am sure you that it will not come as a surprise to you that the striking competition committee have taken the decision to postpone the Guild 6 and 8 bell inter tower striking competition until later in the year. I am not in a position to offer a date at this time as we feel that we need to wait to see how things develop with the covid-19 virus and the rest of the Guild calendar for a few weeks.
In view of the government’s advice that everyone should avoid all non-essential social contact, I have decided that this Wednesday’s (March 18) practice should not go ahead with a view to possibly following the decision of other District towers and cancelling all ringing until further notice.
It has unfortunately been decided to stop ringing, both for the Sunday service and Wednesday Evening practice, as part of precautions considered under the present worldwide Corona Virus outbreak.
Arrangements are in hand to extend the tenor bell to allow tolling from the ground floor. Normal ringing will be resumed as soon as it is thought sensible to do so.
After further consideration and reviewing the content of the agenda, the Principle officers and I have decided to postpone the EC meeting on Saturday until a future date. The covid-19 risk is probably low but there is still a risk and your safety is paramount.
The only time critical item on the agenda is the approval of the reports for the handbook. These have been distributed to you by email with the EC papers and we would ask that you review them and if you have any comments / questions that you email Adrian by midnight on Monday 16th March. If we don’t hear from you by that time we will assume that you are ‘in favour’ of acceptance of the reports.
The reports are proposed by Pete Jordan and seconded By Adrian Nash.
Any other business on the agenda can be deferred to the next meeting or covered outside the meeting.
I will discuss with those who have information agenda items if they would like Adrian to send information to you by email or defer to the postponed meeting date. At this time I am unable to confirm when this will be however.
I know that this is not an ideal situation but I am sure you will understand in light of the current pandemic.
With Best Regards
Pete Jordan
Master – Winchester & Portsmouth Guild of Church Bell Ringers
I am afraid that we are unable to have a ringing practice at Bramshotton Monday 2nd March.
We have just been informed that the stone work repairs in the chancel are being carried out all next week. Scaffolding is to be erected in the chancelon Monday morning, close to the ringing area, and we have been advised, for safety reasons, to curtail ringing until the work is complete and scaffolding removed.
There will be no practice at Buriton on Wednesday 26th February it being Ash Wednesday when there will be a Service in Church at 7.30pm. The following Wednesday, 4th March, there will again be no practice as we will then be holding our AGM. Thereafter we will be practising normally when all will once again be most welcome. David Hughes Tower Captain
All Saints, Odiham bells will be out of action during refurbishment from Monday 10th February 2020 until end of March/early April, unless otherwise stated. Therefore, practices on Wednesday evenings will be held elsewhere. Wednesday 12th February it will be held at St Mary Herriard, venues of future practices will be notified when known.
There will be no practice on Thursday 7th November because several people are away; on Thursday 14th November because some will be going to the Portsmouth Cathedral District practice; and not on Thursday 5th December because we shall be having our Christmas meal.
Wonston Tower begins it’s usual month of August cessation of practice and will return to it’s regular Saturday morning 10am till 11:30am slot from September where ringing from Rounds & Call Changes up to Doubles Methods will be rung. Learners, Improvers and more advanced ringers from across the area are very welcome to join us!
Service and Wedding ringing continues as normal.
News and other updates about our activities can be found on our Facebook page here.
Here are some details of ringing or cancellations that people have definitely confirmed with me. These have also been adjusted on the calendar. It is advised to check too before you travel.
There will be no practice at Buriton on Wednesday 17th April as is traditional in Holy Week. All will be welcome as usual on any other Wednesday evening.
There will be no practice at Alton, St. Lawrence this Thursday, March 28th, as there is a concert in the church.
Also, due to another concert, the monthly 8 bell practice on Saturday 30th cannot take place at St. Lawrence either so this has been moved to Holybourne. Same time as usual 5.30 to 7.30pm.
There will be no practice at Blackmoor this Friday, March 1st, because the snow levels at the beginning of February meant we couldn’t actually get to the pub, and we had to postpone our AGM.
As there is a Burns Night event taking place in the village hall next door, we have been asked not to ring at Blackmoor on January 25th. We are, however, planning to have a practice on Thursday 24th instead which you are welcome to join us for.
There will be no practice on February 1st either as it the date of our annual dinner and meeting.
You are always welcome to join us for any other practice night.
Thanks, Valerie
Winchester and Portsmouth Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers
