Whilst occurring outside our Guild, this may be of interest to people wondering “how can I restart ringing at an under-used tower?”   RM 

Eleanor Wallace Writes:

As some of you may know, I have been working with Mike Pitman recently to try and formulate a plan to get the practices and quarter peal nights up and running at Kingston again. They are such a beautiful ring of bells, and being a Kingston ringer myself for years I hate to see them not being rung as much as they should and going to waste.

As I have finally finished university and returned to the area I now have time to dedicate myself to re-establishing a regular practice night. However, I need as much support from everyone as I can and am asking for your help. Mike and I have come up with a concept of having two practice nights and two quarters a month on a friday so that the bells are rung every week, and we hope that it at least one night a month may appeal to all ringers of any standard, so that people don’t feel pressurised to dedicate themselves every single week.

The below is the monthly structure which I am trying to introduce, and I would love to hear what you guys think, advice etc as have never done anything like this before.

The Plan

From Friday 3rd March practice nights and quarter peal nights will be resuming at Kingston from 7:30 – 9:00 pm, and we would really love for you to join us. We have a lovely sounding and very easy-going ring of ten bells (tenor 26-3-16) and we want to get them ringing regularly again with the long-term aim
of becoming a supportive teaching tower. We are aiming to create a monthly structure that caters for ringers of all abilities; whether you are a called change ringer or a surprise ringer we hope to provide something for everyone.

1st Friday of the Month – Open Practice Night

Any ringer of any ability who is interested in getting practice at ten bell ringing is more than welcome. Ringing will range from Rounds and Called Changes to Plain Caters and Royal, as well as any six to eight bell ringing if its requested. Whatever you’re learning, come along! Any more advanced ringers who can help out will also be very much appreciated too.

2nd Friday – Advanced Ten Bell Practice

For ringers who want to challenge themselves learning Surprise Royal or just want to keep the cobwebs off.  We will be practicing the Standard Eight Surprise Royal methods (and others as time goes on) with a special method to focus on every week.

3rd Friday – Open Quarter Peal

Whatever the method or number of bells, if you fancy ringing a quarter peal then let us know and we will try to organise it for you. This night is aimed at giving people of all standards quarter peal practice and achieving firsts in method etc. Just pop an email to Eleanor Wallace (form below)

4th Friday – Advanced Quarter Peal

We will be working through the Standard Eight Surprise Royal (and others afterwards) quarter peals. If you’re interested in getting involved, achieving firsts in Surprise Royal etc. just send an email to Eleanor:

• Guild AGM 2022 – Detailed arrangements -Saturday 11th June

  The Alton & Petersfield District warmly welcomes you to attend the Guild AGM on Saturday 11th June!

  Here is an overview of the day, but please download thesee the document below using the ‘Download’ button for the detailed arrangements, including timings, locations, links and maps.

  Guild AGM Schedule (Saturday 11th June):

  10:00am – 12:00noon              Inter-District striking competition at West Meon.

  11:00am – 12:30pm                General ringing at Bentworth.

  11:30am – 1:00pm                  General ringing at Chawton.

  Lunch (own arrangements)

  2:00pm – 2:50pm                    General ringing at Holybourne.

  3:00pm – 3:30pm                    Service at Holybourne.

  4:15pm – 6:00pm                    Annual Guild Meeting at St Lawrence Church Hall, Alton.

  6:15pm – 7:00pm                    Ringer’s Buffet Tea & Refreshments.

  7:00pm – 8:00pm                    General ringing at St Lawrence, Alton.

  To avoid disappointment, please book your place in the Hall for the Tea & Meeting as soon as possible (and before 10pm on Wednesday 8th June) using the following link:

  Register HERE for TEA & Meeting

  You are welcome to attend any individual part(s) of the day, or the entire day, according to your preference/availability!

  REMINDER: Please could District Ringing Masters notify Pete Jordan (Guild Master) of their intention to enter a District team(s) before the closing date of Saturday 28th May.

  With best wishes, and look forward to seeing you on 11th June.

  Rachael Barber

  A&P District Communications Officer

  Download AGM Schedule

• Guild Newsletter – Spring 2022

  The Spring 2022 edition of the Guild Newsletter is now available! You can read it directly online below, or download a copy using the ‘download’ button.

  Huge thanks to all who have contributed. Please feel free to send any future news articles to comms@wpbells.org.

  Happy reading!

  The Communications Committee

  DOWNLOAD the spring 2022 Guild newsletter

• Winchester District QDM – Saturday 14th May – Kings Somborne from 3pm (meeting starts at 4.30pm)

  The next Winchester District QDM will be held on Saturday 14th May at St Peter & St Paul’s Church, Kings Somborne.

  There will be open ringing from 3-4pm, a simple tea and then the business session will start at 4.30pm.  After the meeting there will be more open ringing for those who would like to do so.

  Please let Micki Nadal (Winchester District Secretary) for more details and to let her know if you intend to come along as this helps us with the catering arrangements.

   AGENDA

  1. Chairman’s Welcome/prayers
  2. Apologies for absence
  3. Minutes of the previous meeting (ADM held on 12^th February 2022)
  4. Matters arising from the minutes
  5. Loss of members through death
  6. Confirmation of belfry elections
  7. Election of new ringing members
  8. District Communications – ‘Given the duplication that arises through the District using multiple channels of communication, and the need to maximise engagement with members across the District, a survey to be carried out to establish District members preferences for different types of communication. The results of the survey and any recommendations for action arising therefrom to be reported to the next Quarterly District Meeting.’
  9. A proposal by R Booth to undertake a consultation exercise and report back with recommendations to a future meeting.  Supporting documentation  – please see attachment or the District Newsletter sent on 1/5/22 and to Tower Correspondents on 3/5/22
  10. Training needs/purchases and programme – ‘That the District allocates £150 from its funds to purchase a set of four roller banners to be used for PR purposes across the District’.
  11. A Proposal by Mrs C Knights-Whittome of the design and purchase of roller banners for PR displays. Supporting document from Mrs C Knights-Whittome attached.
  12. Programme of future events
      • Younger ringers in the District
      • Improvers’ practices (WIMPS)
      • Jubilee ringing and Quarter Peal fortnight
      • Trout ‘n About Stockbridge, Alresford and Romsey Shows
  13. Twyford and Ropley restoration projects  – update
  14. Any other notified business
  15. Chairman to close meeting

• Guild AGM 2022 – Saturday 11th June – Alton

  The Winchester & Portsmouth Diocesan Guild AGM 2022 will be held in St. Lawrence’s Church Hall, Alton, on Saturday 11th June at 4.15 p.m. This will be preceded by the Inter-District 8-bell Striking Competition at West Meon in the morning and a service at Holybourne at 3 p.m. (details to follow). 

  Attached are the agenda, minutes of the last meeting, and officer and committee reports for 2021 . The document is also available at http://www.methods.org.uk/files/220611.bulk.pdf and will be kept up-to-date with any additional agenda items or supporting papers.

  Web versions of the papers are at http://www.methods.org.uk/wparch/agm2022a.htm and will also be kept up-to-date.

  If anyone has apologies for absence, items of Any other business, or comments or questions on any Agenda item, please send them to me in advance so that the meeting can run as smoothly as possible.

  Many thanks and best wishes, Tony Smith.

  Guild Minute Secretary.

  DOWNLOAD AGM PAPERS

• Guild Inter-Tower Striking Competitions – REMINDER

  REMINDER

  The Guild Intertower 6 and 8 bell Striking competition closing date for entries is the 8th May. If your tower has not thought about entering a team yet why not come along, have some fun and give it a go.  Even if you only ring Rounds and Call changes you can enter a band.

  Let’s make the return to ringing after Covid a success!

  If you have any questions please contact Pete Jordan  for more details.

  Pete Jordan

  Master  – Winchester & Portsmouth Guild of Church Bell Ringers. 

  6-bell Inter-Tower Striking Competition rules

  8-bell Inter-Tower Striking Competition Rules

• Guild PRO Message – April 2022

  Happy Easter!
  
  Hopefully we’ll all be able to enjoy some ringing over this special weekend.

  PLEASE LET ME KNOW OF YOUR RINGING ACTIVITIES and ACHIEVIEMENTS for potential inclusion in a PRESS RELEASE!

  We hear how much ringing is missed by our communities when towers cannot ring for whatever reason. It would be good to reach out again and remind folk that we are still here for them. It would be great to build on the wonderful recruitment ‘green shoots’ we are seeing across the Guild this year so, it is my hope to issue another Guild Press Release in the next few weeks.

  We have some special opportunities coming up to showcase our ringing:

  17 April	Easter Sunday
  21 April	Queen Elizabeth’s (actual) birthday
  23 April	St. George’s Day Patron Saint of England
  18 May	St. Dunstan’s Day. Patron Saint of Bell Ringers, Archbishop of Canterbury 960 – 988
  26 May	Ascension Day
  2-3 June	Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday
  25 June	National 12-bell competition (Guildford Cathedral)
  2 July	Ringing World National Youth Contest https://rwnyc.ringingworld.co.uk/
  28 July – 8 August	Commonwealth Games (Birmingham UK)
  9 – 18 September	Heritage Open Days Theme for 2022 ‘Astounding Inventions’ Registering available now: https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/

  If you wish to see more there is a list here –https://cccbr.org.uk/bellringing/things-to-ring-for/

  I’m very much looking forward to hearing your exciting ringing news.

  Thank you.

  Viv Nobbs
  Public Relations Officer
  wp.public.relations.officer@gmail.com

  14 April 2022

• Your Guild needs YOU!

  To all Guild Members

  At the Guild AGM this year the elections will be taking place for the officers of the Guild. A number of people are standing down this year and at this time I know that there will be vacancies for:

  Master

  Vice-Master

  General Secretary

  General Treasurer

  Peal Recorder

  Safeguarding Officer

  It would be great to see some new faces in these roles so please don’t be shy in coming forward if you think you might be able to fill one of these important posts and make a difference to your Guild. It is important that we have people in these posts to ensure smooth running of your Guild. 

  The job descriptions for the principal officers posts are below. If you are interested please contact me or one of your District officers for more information or just to chat about the role. 

  With kind regards 

  Pete Jordan 

  Master  – Winchester & Portsmouth Guild of Church Bell Ringers.

  Guild Officers – TASK DESCRIPTIONS

• A&P Bell Ringers District Practice held at Binsted 12th Century Church – Saturday 19th March 2022

  On a marvellous bright and sunny Saturday, a well-attended District Practice was organized by Roger Barber, Ringing Master, at the lovely Binsted Church of the Holy Cross.   Under Roger’s guidance the ringing consisted of Rounds, Call Changes, Plain Hunt, Plain Bob Doubles and Minor.  Thanks were given to Roger for all his helpful teaching and to Binsted Tower Captain, Andrew Croom-Johnson who made everyone so welcome.  After a photograph taken outside the Church everyone called at the Binsted Arms for a drink. 

  

  Caroline Welsh

• 200 Club – March 2022 Draw Results

  The March draw for the 200 Club was held at Botley practice on Thursday 17th March, as the Executive Committee meeting on the 19th was being held via Zoom.

  The results were as follows:

  Draw date: 17th march 2022

  Draw for December to March money.

  Prize	Prize Accumulation	£50.00	Winning Numbers	Winners
  First	50%	£25.00	6	Pete Jordan
  Second	20%	£10.00	27	Christine Hill
  Third	10%	£5.00	31	Wendy Ling
  Fourth	10%	£5.00	15	Viv Nobbs
  Fifth	5%	£2.50	19	Roy & Anne LeMarechal
  Sixth	5%	£2.50	35	Piers Armstrong 2
  £46	Money to Training & Development Fund from this draw

  Prizes will be distributed shortly.

  New members are always welcome – please see the details on the website 200 Club page and get in touch with me, Robin Milford.

  Robin

• Portsmouth District Events for 2022
  The Portsmouth District committee has now issued the calendar for 2022, which can be downloaded in pdf form for printing or, if you wish to embed the Google Calendar in your electronic calendar system, please click the “plus” symbol at the bottom of the calendar window on this page and follow the instructions.

  Throughout the year, the calendar is subject to slight changes so it is useful to have the up to date version to hand.

  Or click here to download the printable pdf of the 2022 programme: Portsmouth District Calendar 2022