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
Chairman’s Welcome/prayers
Apologies for absence
Minutes of the previous meeting (ADM held on 12th February 2022)
Matters arising from the minutes
Loss of members through death
Confirmation of belfry elections
Election of new ringing members
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.’
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
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’.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Ringers outside Binsted Church of the Holy Cross. Photograph taken by Caroline M Welsh member St Peter’s Church Bell Ringers.
2022 Inter-District 8 Bell Competition – Rules & information
Date:
Saturday 11th June 2022
Location:
St John the Evangelist, West Meon. GU32 1LF (8 bells, 12-2-27)
Start:
10.00 meet for 10.30 start
Results:
Will be given in at the end of the competition in the church.
For more info and to enter contact:
Pete Jordan 07583356936 petejordan.wp@talktalk.net
Closing date for entries:
Saturday 28th May 2022
Draw:
The draw will be held at the start of the competition. Bands with any legitimate time constraints please advise with your entry.
Rules:
The team to represent each District will be chosen by the District Ringing Master or some other person appointed by the District. If districts wish to enter another team, a maximum of 3 people from the first team are allowed to be in the second team
Each competing ringer must be a member of the District.
Each team may have four minutes ringing in which to prepare for the test piece. The treble bell shall then be rung several times to indicate that the team is about to commence the test piece.
The competition ringing will comprise either:
224 changes in any Triples or Major method(s) of the team’s own choice. All of the changes (but not the rounds before or after) will be judged.
Call changes. The team may choose the changes to be rung but all the bells except the tenor are to take a turn at leading. The opening rounds and the stand will not be judged. Teams must ring for at least seven minutes after the first change is called.
The decision of the Committee shall be final in any matter concerning the conduct of the competition and the interpretation of these rules.
***PLEASE NOTE THE 8-BELL COMPETITION HAS BEEN CANCELLED***
The 6-bell competition is going ahead at Fawley with the results being announced there.
2022 Inter-Tower 6 Bell Competition – Rules & information
Date:
Saturday 21st May 2022
Location:
All Saints, Fawley SO45 1HB (6 bells, 6-3-16 cwt)
Starting time:
14.30
Results:
***Results will now be announced at Fawley*** Will be given at the end of the competition at Eling church SO40 9HF where refreshments will be available.
For more info and to enter contact:
Pete Jordan 07583356936 petejordan.wp@talktalk.net
Closing date for entries:
Saturday 8th May 2022
Draw:
The draw will be held at the start of the competition. Bands with any legitimate time constraints please advise with your entry.
Rules:
All ringers in each team must be regular members of the band that is entering the team and must be Guild members.
Bands may enter more than one team provided that the total number of entries is not excessive.
Two bands may enter a joint team.
The following rules of participation apply:
Each participant may ring with one team only.
Each team may contain no more than 2 ringers that are taking part in the 8 bell competition.
Each team may have four minutes ringing in which to prepare for the test piece. The treble bell shall then be rung several times to indicate that the team is about to start the test piece.
The competition ringing will comprise either:
120 changes in any Doubles or Minor method(s) of the team’s own choice. All of the changes (but not the rounds before or after) will be judged.
Call changes. The team may choose the changes to be rung but all the bells except the tenor are to take a turn at leading. The opening rounds and the stand will not be judged. Teams must ring for at least four minutes after the first change is called.
The decision of the Committee shall be final in any matter concerning the conduct of the competition and the interpretation of these rules.
2022 Inter-Tower 8 Bell Competition – Rules & information – CANCELLED
Date:
Saturday 21st May 2022
Location:
St Mary, Eling SO40 9HF (8 bells, 11-3-4 cwt)
Starting time:
14.30
Results:
Will be given at the end of the competition at Eling church where refreshments will be available.
For more info and to enter contact:
Pete Jordan 07583356936 petejordan.wp@talktalk.net
Closing date for entries:
Saturday 8th May 2022
Draw:
The draw will be held at the start of the competition. Bands with any legitimate time constraints please advise with your entry.
Rules:
All ringers in each team must be regular members of the band that is entering the team and must be Guild members.
Bands may enter more than one team provided that the total number of entries is not excessive.
Two bands may enter a joint team.
The following rules of participation apply:
Each participant may ring with one team only.
Each team may contain no more than 2 ringers that are taking part in the 6 bell competition.
Each team may have four minutes ringing in which to prepare for the test piece. The treble bell shall then be rung several times to indicate that the team is about to start the test piece.
The competition ringing will comprise either:
Not less than 224 changes in any Triples or Major method(s) of the team’s own choice. All of the changes (but not the rounds before or after) will be judged.
Call changes. The team may choose the changes to be rung but all the bells except the tenor are to take a turn at leading. The opening rounds and the stand will not be judged. Teams must ring for at least seven minutes after the first change is called.
The decision of the Committee shall be final in any matter concerning the conduct of the competition and the interpretation of these rules.
We are just emerging from an interruption to ringing that has had a large impact on the exercise, and may prove to have been the cause of a permanent change to the quantity and quality of ringing that we will be able to enjoy in the future.
Lockdown and the ensuing caution about infection produced a cessation of ringing comparable in length to the break in ringing in World War 2. However, unlike that break, concerns about infection and the duty to shield the vulnerable means that a number of ringers will not have returned to their normal pattern of ringing, and the long interval has undoubtedly meant that a fair proportion of us are both physically and mentally “rusty”.
At Hursley we indulged in quite a lot of Zooming in lockdown. Tuesday was quiz night, Friday was a bit of chat then off to Ringing Room – where we were conspicuously less able than other bands in the area. However the fact that you could ring two bells on ringing room sparked an interest in handbell ringing – which is the point of this short article.
Hursley is very lucky to have some experienced and established handbell ringers in the band, so when meeting up in gardens became possible, a number of us were eager to get back to ringing in the flesh with other people – even if it was a bit nippy to be honest.
As we met up, more of the Hursley ringers who had never thought of ringing handbells expressed an interest, and regular Tuesday afternoon sessions were established in late April 2021. As you may guess by the timing the group is, how can I say it…mature, that is retired, or working part-time. Some of the learners had not touched a handbell at all, although they had got some of the skills through Ringing Room, others had done what a lot of us have, ringing 1-2 or 5-6 for some Plain Hunt Minor.
Progress was variable. Some got the hang of it quickly, backed up by practising at home on Ringing Room or Abel/Mabel/Mobel. Some were a lot slower, but progress there was, even if it tended to be two steps forward and one back for some of the time.
It soon became obvious that just one afternoon a week would not be enough, so some quarter peals were planned as the ringing became more accurate and reliable. We were really lucky to have some very good conductors in the band, and Drew Craddock, Richard Thompson and Christine Hill came to the fore in getting touches and quarters round. We also had a dedicated support crew in Jinny Kufluk and Maureen Hanney, with Nigel Herriott managing a few of the practices, all good ringers who keep right even when there were gaps to be filled.
The Tuesday afternoon handbell band
Back row l to r – Richard Thompson, Peter Hill, Christine Hill, Kate Shaw, Maureen Hanney, Jinny Kufluk, Derek Stewart (host for the day)
Front row l to r – Caroline Fairley, Janice Higgins, Pam Thompson, Christine Saunders.
Quarter peals were then attempted, and usually scored at the first attempt! Caroline Fairley was first off the mark with a good quarter of Bob Minor on the 28th of May last year (2021). She quickly went on to ring two more, both of Plain Bob Major
Next was Kate Shaw with her first quarter on the 24th September, trebles to Plain Bob Minor followed by her first on eight on the 10th December.
The third of our learners to achieve a quarter in hand was one of our most experienced ringers, Christine Saunders, with a quarter of Plain Bob Major on the 10th November. This was quickly followed by two more quarters, both of Bob Minor.
Monty provided the occasional distraction!
Pam Thompson was a bit slow to organise her first quarter, but at one of the Tuesday afternoon practices we found a room for her plus Richard and Christine Hill to ring Plain Bob Minor on the 25th of January this year. Again this was followed just five days later by her first on eight.
Pam, Christine and Richard after Pam’s first quarter in hand
Not all our learners found the technique of ringing handbells easy, and sometimes a lifetime of ringing tower bells can be a bit of a handicap, but Janice Higgins became our fifth learner to score a quarter by ringing the tenors to Plain Bob Major on the 6th of February.
Finally, the sixth member of the Hursley handbell learners, Derek Stewart, scored a quarter of Plain Bob Minor on the 15th of February.
Intense concentration shown by all!
So what happens next?
I suppose the nice thing about ringing is that there is always another challenge to be attempted. Some of the learners are heading towards Kent and Oxford Treble Bob (Minor and Major), while others are looking at the inside pairs of Plain Bob. Conducting is being encouraged – and hopefully we will soon see a quarter in hand with a first as conductor from this group of learners.
So something good definitely came out of the lockdown for our band. We are probably better friends, possibly more tolerant of mistakes and have shown that learning a new skill is fun and rewarding.
Lastly, I will just mention the value of Ringing Room. Leland Paul Kusmer and Bryn Reinstadler really made this possible. Firstly it gave all the Hursley band a chance to ring together when we were not allowed in the tower. Once the handbell group started up it was so easy for all of the learners to practice away from the Tuesday afternoon sessions, and without this homework the progress we have all made would not have been possible.
A well attend St Peter’s Church Bell Ringers AGM chaired by the vicar Rev William Hughes, opened the meeting with a prayer, he spoke about the importance of bell ringing to the Town and thanked the band for their dedication to ringing, great versatility in the tower going forward safely during a time of pandemic.
The following officers agreed to continue in their posts. Tower Captain Mary Broadbridge, who was also awarded the Doris J Barber Cup by Roger Barber for achievements in bell ringing this year at the Alton & Petersfield District AGM held in January, Secretary Madeline King, newly appointed Minutes Secretary Sue Walker who is also the Treasurer. Social Secretaries the young ringers, James Wedley, Katherine Wilkins, Erin Halder, and Lauren Kidd with help from their parents and Archivist Caroline M Welsh with great help from Melanie Moore, historical adviser and Malcolm Wigmore. Steeple Keepers, Malcolm Wigmore, David Malone and Duncan Wilkins(trainee).
This years Alton & Petersfield District AGM 2022 was also held at St Peter’s Church Hall Petersfield
Roger Barber presenting the Doris J Barber Cup to Mary Broadbridge Tower Captain of the St Peter’s Church Bell Ringers.
A Collection at the Alton & Petersfield District AGM for the Petersfield PACT Food Bank was made and the gifts given to Ms Elaine Knox, Chair of the Trustees who also gave a talk on the work of the Food Bank in Petersfield.
The St Peter’s Church Bell Ringers from Petersfield rang rounds on the eight bell in the evening of Sunday 6th February for an hour to commemoration 70 years since the Accession of The Queen to the Throne. Those not included in the picture rang in the morning instead were Erin & Nick.
Petersfield Ringers Commemorate 70th Anniversary of HM The Queen’s Accession to the Throne
Left to right front row: Caroline, Katherine, James, Christine, Madeline, Sally, Alice.
Left to right back row: Lauren, Mary, Tower Captain, Jackie, Geoff, Duncan, Paula and John.
Photograph taken by Sue Walker who was also one of the ringers.
Please see details of the first District Practice of 2022 which is at Wickham.
It would be appreciated if members take a lateral flow test beforehand and understand that if crowded those not ringing may be asked to wait downstairs between methods. Face coverings are required in line with the CCCBR recommendation.
The New Year was welcomed in by the band at St Peter’s Church with the ringing of rounds for five minutes before midnight, tolling twelve times of the tenor bell by John Leary at midnight with the team then joining in for more rounds, followed by a toast of Proseccoto welcome in 2022.
Ringing in the band were:
Treble: Mary Broadbridge (Tower Captain) 2. Caroline M Welsh 3.Sue Walker. 4 Madeline King. 5. David Malone. 6. Geoffrey Stone. 7. Malcolm Wigmore and John Leary on the Tenor.
A reminder for next Thursday’s Surprise Major practice at Ringwood, 7.15 – 9.00 pm, 6 Jan. We’ll be keeping Cornwall as the special method. We endeavour to cater for as wide a repertoire as is possible on the night.
NOTE: From 4 Jan until November 2022 the slip road from Ringwood on to the west bound carriageway of the A31 will be closed. There appears to be no information on line about planned diversions but looking at Google Maps one option would be to travel east towards Poulner along “Southampton Road” from the roundabout/junction of the B3344/“The Furlongs”. This will enable you to join the westbound A31 further up Poulner Hill, adding about 5 minutes to your journey time.
Due to night time road closures in and around Ringwood we will be starting these practices, a little earlier than usual – 7.15 pm., allowing some to leave before detours come into force. Commencing 2nd December and for the foreseeable future. Finishing time will be 9.00 pm.
We had good support for the 4th November practice with single methods and 8-spliced. It’s been suggested we re-introduce an occasional special method and Cornwall has been suggested.
It will be good to have more support so that we can guarantee a wider ranging practice for all those coming along. Feel free to forward this information to all who you think will be interested in joining in.
Ventilation-wise, I recollect the 4th November practice achieved 800 ppm CO2 within the ringing chamber, so pretty-well ventilated. We also have a new heater that proved to be beneficial.
Alton & Petersfield District are holding an afternoon of general ringing at Warnford followed by afternoon tea/coffee, mince pies and cakes at the George & Falcon, Warnford, finishing off with evening ringing at East Meon. All welcome.
Please confirm name and numbers coming toA&P District Chairman asap. (to ensure we carry on ringing, can those attending please take a lateral flow test beforehand please)
Details as follows: 3pm to 4.15pm – Warnford (6, 12cwt) Ringing at ‘The church of our Lady’ for the first time in a while for the district. Open to all. Ground Floor ring.
4.15pm to 5.30pm Afternoon tea/coffee cakes/mince pies now booked at George and Falcon Warnford. £4.50p per person.
5.45pm to 7.30pm – East Meon (10, 18cwt)
General ringing on 10 bells especially for those who haven’t had experience on higher numbers. Afterwards = A Pub in East Meon.
Additional Precautionary Note: We have all been very careful so far in terms of our ringing and precautions even with a continued threat of covid in its various forms. For ringing, those who remain at risk and on high alert we understand if you don’t join us presently. We have all taken necessary measures, vaccinated, boosted, masks worn, used sanitisers rigorously. For this weekend and the following weeks leading to Christmas, we simply ask this: If you feel rough, stay home, if you are coming take a ‘lateral flow test’ beforehand, if you come along and you want to mask up, please do.
C&S District Practice and Carol Service – Saturday 4th December from 3pm at Milford-on-Sea. We ask that you take a lateral flow test before attending and do not come if the test is positive or you have symptoms. Face covering preferred
The St Peter’s Church Bell Ringers with help from other ringers in the area rang call changes for three quarters of an hour before the Armistice Day service at the Petersfield War Memorial at 11am. This was the first time that the ringers have rung before the service at the Petersfield War Memorial when the 11th occurs during the week.
Ringers included in the photograph are:
Left to Right Front Row: Madeline King, Sue Walker, Jackie Downham, Malcolm Wigmore.
Back Row: David Cooper, Martin How, and Brian Underwood who called the Call Changes, and David Malone.
Photographs taken by Mary Broadbridge
( Joy Martin & Mary Broadbridge (Tower Captain) not included in the photograph also rang),
St Peter’s Church Petersfield Bell Ringers Remembrance Sunday 14th November 2021
Some of the St Peter’s church Bell Ringers who rang for Remembrance Sunday 2021.
Left to Right: Joy Martin, Sue Walker, Madeline King, Mary Broadbridge (Tower Captain), John Downham, Jackie Downham, Malcolm Wigmore and David Malone.
Photograph taken by Caroline M Welsh.
Other ringers not included in this photograph were Paula Tribe, Sally Wedley and James Wedley.
The poppy wreath in memory of Bell Ringers who had died and served their country in conflict was placed at the War Memorial after the ringing.
Methods: Cambridge, Yorkshire, Bristol (Gathering afterwards at the Selborne Arms for those that would like to)
Selborne would again like to invite Surprise Major ringers in the area to a Practice!
The Practice held in October was very successful and it was so lovely to see so many of you again after the long interval. We will continue to focus on Cambridge, Yorkshire and Bristol (3 leads or a full Course if we have enough for that).
To help the Practice run smoothly, it would be much appreciated if you could please come prepared by looking up the methods you’d like to ring in advance.
Selborne is fortunate to have a well-ventilated ringing chamber, and space to spread out in the church. The Practice will be run by A&P District Ringing Master, Roger Barber.
Your support to get the A&P ringing these again is much appreciated….look forward to seeing you there!
St Peter’s Church Bell ringers, some of the band fairly new to ringing, rang rounds and call changes to mark the starting of the COP 26 UN Global Climate Conference in Glasgow.
St Peter’s Church Bell Ringers Petersfield rang to mark the COP 26 United Nations Global Climate Conference in Glasgow. Left to Right: Madeline Kind, James Wedley, Sally Wedley, Erin Halder, Nick Halder, Christine Rushton, David Malone, Mary Broadbridge (Tower Captain), Alice Waterhouse.
Ringwood Advanced Practice – First Thursday of the month, 7.30 – 9.15 pm, commencing October 7th.
The Ringwood ringers are happy for the advanced practices to re-commence in October albeit on a different evening. The change of evening has been set down so that all the local ringers will be able to attend all their regular practices, hopefully this will not impact significantly upon the advance practice and we can continue to ring the range of Surprise Major methods as in the past.
The local band are ringing with both stair doors open and the hatch to the chamber above the ringing chamber partly open, this appears to create a reasonable level of ventilation, I’ll be bringing along a CO2 meter so that we can monitor actual ppm levels during the practice. Wearing of face masks within the ringing chamber will be optional for everyone double Covid vaccinated, otherwise we would prefer ringers to wear one unless they have had a negative lateral flow test 2 days beforehand.
Names to enter competition and names for catering please email no later than Saturday 31st August: Names for Ringing to Roger Barber: rogerbarber4@gmail.com Names for BBQ to Judy Sparling: judoir@btinternet.com
St Peter’s Church Bell Ringers Petersfield rang call changes on the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the NHS in thanksgiving and to celebrate NHS, Social Care and Frontline Workers Day, thanking them together with Key Workers for everything they have done during the pandemic.
Also marking, Her Majesty, the Queen, awarding the George Cross to the NHS in recognition of this past year. As well as remembering all those who have lost their lives to the Covid disease.
Left to Right: Simon Poyser, Sue Walker, Madeline King, Christine Rushton, Mary Broadbridge (Tower Captain) and John Leary who called the changes.
Tower Captain, David Lay, with gladness, has informed us that their Tuesday evening ringing practices, are resuming from Tuesday 15th June 2021 from 8:00pm until 9:00pm; followed afterwards, by the usual visit to The Woolpack.
Please support your district’s local tower practices.
WPBELLS 