Peterborough Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers
Rutland Branch
Discover Bellringing Day – 30/11/2008
On Sunday November 30th, there will be an opportunity for members of the general public to see what ringing is about. Two towers will be holding open sessions on this day, which is not only Advent Sunday, but also St Andrew’s Day. The details are:
St Andrew’s Lyddington: 11am to 1pm
St Andrew’s Glaston: 2pm to 4pm.
I’d be very grateful for any ringers to come along and help demonstrate on the day. Who knows – we might be inundated with recruits!!
“The bells of waiting Advent ring…”
So wrote Sir John Betjeman, that great lover of church bells and ringing. With Advent and Christmas just around the corner, ringers will be in hot demand for Carols Services throughout Rutland. If your church is holding a Carols Service, and you think you might be struggling to muster a team, please get in touch with the Branch Ringing Master – I’ll do my best to mobilise a few more ringers.
Following on from our recent successful Quarter Peal Week, Thursday 1st January 2009 is designated as Branch Quarter Peal Day. I do hope that as many Rutland towers as possible will be able to organise a quarter peal to “Ring out the old year, and ring in the new”. If you’d like any help in getting teams/towers/times/conductors, do please get in touch.
Saturday March 28th has been booked for the 2009 Rutland Branch Annual Dinner. The Committee felt it was time for a change of venue this time, and so we’re very fortunate in securing a very elegant and central function room at Uppingham School. The Undercroft at Uppingham School has recently been refurbished and has ample parking nearby. It can comfortably seat up to 100 for dinner – wouldn’t it be fantastic if the whole Branch was able to get together for this once-a-year event!!
As this is a school venue, there won’t be a licensed bar available. But by making the event BYO for alcohol, this helps us to keep the price down. Based on room hire and catering costs, we expect the dinner price to be a maximum of £25 per head. As well as the usual raffle and games, we’ve also got a Special Mystery Guest Speaker lined up!
Do please put this date in your diaries NOW – 28th March 2009 – Branch Dinner – Uppingham School.
New Year’s Day Quarter Peals – 1/1/2009
Looking ahead to the Branch Dinner 2009
Ring for your Supper on Saturday, 15 November
Around 25 people turned up at Brooke and enjoyed some delicious soup kindly provided and served by John and Connie Beadman. Then on to Oakham for some ringing, randing from rounds and calls to (nearly!) Lincolnshire Major. Thanks to Louis and helpers at Oakham and of course Christopher for organising the ringing.
The Stamford 2008 Great Santa Fun Run on 14 December
This will be held in Burghley Park. Any group can enter a team and and keep the sponsorship money they raise. Is anyone game to join in for bell ringing? If so, please contact Monica Spence and we’ll try to organise a team. (monica.spence@virgin.net or 01572 8200199)
There is a small entry fee which covers the cost of the Santa outfit
Discover Bell Ringing
Sunday 30th November - is Advent Sunday and also St Andrew's Day. There will be two "Discover Bellringing" sessions running on this day:
11am - 1pm at St Andrew's Lyddington
2pm - 4pm at St Andrew's Glaston
If any ringers would like to come along and help, (and perhaps even bring someone along that you think might be interested in ringing) do please get in touch with the Branch Ringing Master.
Ian McKelvey
As many of you are aware, Ian is not too well at the moment and is undergoing series’ of chemotherapy.
Ian and Cath have been stalwarts of the church and bell ringing, especially at Brooke since the installation of bells in 1992. They have often been seen ringing around Rutland and taking part in many events, especially when Ian was Branch Chairman.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to both of them and their family at this time
.
