Peterborough Diocesan Guild of Church Bellringers traditionally hold their Summer Festival in September. In the past it has possible that the weather has been less than summery – that was not the case on Saturday! It was a very warm sunny summer’s day, one could almost say it was too warm for ringing, but perfect for sitting in a garden listening to some ringing.

The temperature was already over 25^oC when we started the ringing at Daventry for the 10-bell practice in the morning.  A good turn-out, despite the heat, with many people having a go at something new or not-yet-mastered.  The repertoire ranged from Call Changes up to Londan Royal so everyone had the chance to develop their skills of ringing on ten bells.

The Festival activities started in the afternoom at Weedon Bec and Cold Higham, with open ringing for all attending. This ranged from rounds & call changes to surprise at both towers. Both were ground floor towers, making it possible to escape the ringing chambers for some air. Weedon Bec church was also open for the Heritage Open Days and the volunteers had a display of local history, including information about those related to Weedon Barracks who are buried in the churchyard. The main part of the day was at Towcester, with the 8-bell striking contest taking place from 4 pm. Attendees could sit in the church or make use of the Chantry House and garden just across the road. With a variety of benches and gazebos there was plenty of space for those attending to sit and either soak up the sunshine or embrace the shade while enjoying the good ringing on the excellent back 8. During the afternoon there was a lot of interest in the merchandise featuring the centenary logo – sales of calendar and mugs, with orders being taken for clothing and jigsaws.  Please get in touch if you haven’t managed to secure your items yet – the first clothing order will be sent off this month - see Merchandise Page for details.

Five branches (of the Guild’s 10) had entered a team for the 8-bell striking contest and the draw had been held in advance. The contest ringing was judged by Dave & Nicky Carling, ably supported by Bonnie the dog. Although now based in Leicestershire, both have links to the diocese, Dave having learnt at Nassington, while Nicky’s links are to the Guilsborough branch.   

The results were given in the lovely cool church at the start of the short business meeting. Dave provided the judges’ comments. He described their scoring system, with a maximum 2 faults available for a row, meaning a maximum score of 320 for the 160 rows required was possible – he was pleased to report that no team approached that level. All teams rang triples and all of the teams achieved multiple consecutive leads of clean rows, which meant that the ringing was, overall, very good. The teams’ performance was described in order they rang and the peal speed calculated.

The Towcester branch band was declared the winners and Dave presented Richard Allton with the Harry Wooding Memorial Trophy.

Following the competition results the meeting continued, during which members present approved a grant for sound control at St Peter’s Church, Northampton. A report was received from the CC Representatives present, including that the Central Council created a survey to find out about the state of the ringing exercise across the country as part of the Ringing 2030 initiative. This may be coming your way.

The 100 Club Draw was held, this month’s winners were Hilary Hardie of Peterborough Branch, Paul Reed of Peterborough Branch and Sandra Lewis of Kettering Branch.

A raffle raised funds for the Bell Fund, and profit from the sale of preserves will go to the Training Fund.

At the conclusion of the short business meeting, there was open ringing on the bells at Towcester for about an hour.

Over 70 people attended some part of the day and it is to be hoped that all enjoyed the event. The Towcester branch hosted it most efficiently and had provided a generous tea which went down very nicely with the ringing.

The Towcester branch band: anticlockwise from front right: Margaret Bulleid, Ruth Stokes, Chris Bulleid, Robert Wood, Chris Stokes, Toby Bence, Richard Allton, John Stanworth (Hamish Stanworth didn't ring - yet)	Dave Carling presenting the Harry Wooding Memorial Trophy to Richard Allton