April newsletter

Last Updated on Thursday, 22 April 2010 20:36 Written by Lesley Wilson Wednesday, 21 April 2010 22:13

21 April 2010

Dear all,

Here are next month’s practice venues; as usual the practices are 10.30am - 12.30pm.

Saturday 8 May            North Lopham   8               10-2-0             TM036825        IP22 2LP

There are no toilets at the church or in the village, suggest you either use the public ones at the top of the large car park at the side of the Park in Diss (the entrance is on the right hand side of main road after the traffic lights) or the ones in Morrison’s in Diss (left at the main roundabout) or at Bressingham Garden Centre on the A1066.

Thursday 27 May         Woodton             6               7-2-4               TM285946         NR35 2NB

Again there are no toilets at the church or in the village, suggest using the public ones in the centre of Long Stratton.  Heading north they can be found by turning left just before the pedestrian crossing into Swan Lane then immediately left into the car park which is also the entrance to the Co-op Store.  Do not turn left at the traffic lights after the church.

Betty adds, ‘Please allow enough time to make the necessary detours, sorry the Norfolk churches are not very well equipped.  However they do have kettles so a cup of tea or coffee will be waiting for you.  The methods to be rung at North Lopham rather depend upon numbers as we did not have enough to ring anything other than plain hunt on 7 at the last eight bell practice, but this time we are hoping for at least Plain Bob Triples and maybe Major, Grandsire Triples and fingers crossed Stedman Triples.  At Woodton we hope to continue adding to the Surprise Methods with Beverley and Surfleet and for the plain methods Single and Double Oxford plus St Clements.  For Doubles (which suits Woodton better than Minor) I suggest we concentrate on the St Simon’s group, Grandsire and Stedman with a good sprinkling of Plain Bob and Reverse Canterbury.  If anyone has any special requests please let me know, I am always willing to try something different.’

-o0o-

As some of you may remember, there was to be a quarter peal attempt at St Clement Danes on 10 April.  Unfortunately, Stedman Caters eluded us this time, but the bells were lovely and the ten of us that rang enjoyed them.  We were well supported by other Ladies’ Guild members and a few husbands, who came to listen to the ringing.  The band was made up of members from the Southern, Kent, Eastern and East Midlands Districts and we all enjoyed meeting as a Guild.  The church of St Clement Danes was hit by an incendiary bomb during the World War II and was virtually destroyed - the outer walls and the tower survived but the interior was gutted by fire.  The church was completely restored and re-consecrated in 1958 to become the Central Church of the Royal Air Force.  Interestingly, of all the peal boards lost to the flames, only one was thought important enough to be replaced - the one recording a peal of Stedman Caters rung in January 1920 by the Ladies' Guild, the first peal on 10 by an all ladies band. 

There was also a fascinating picture of the band of 1926, which I will hopefully be able to post put on the website when a few technical hitches have been sorted out. 

One other plus point was that the Tower Captain was very keen on this quarter peal attempt becoming an annual event – hopefully with more success next time!

March newsletter 2010

Last Updated on Thursday, 22 April 2010 20:35 Written by Lesley Wilson Monday, 29 March 2010 19:52

March 21 2010
Dear all,

Firstly, the details of the next few meetings:

Thursday 25 March      Horringer            8      9-0-3            TL826621         IP29 5QB      
Please do not park on the road – there is a large car park behind the church.

For lunchtime, the Six Bells just down the road is recommended.

Saturday 10 April          Meldreth             8     10-1-14         TL378468          SG8 6NU

Kitchen and toilet available, parking opposite church.

Thursday 22 April         Oakington          6     5-2-20           TL414647          CB24 3AT

All the practices are at 10.30am until 12.30pm.

-o0o-

At the recent ADM, four new members were elected.  They are:

Val Counter (Loddon); Alison Evans (Buxhall); Jenny Goodwin (Duxford & Ickleton) and Yvonne Lowe (Redgrave).  We welcome them all and hope that they enjoy their membership.

-o0o-

Also at the ADM, the following officers, including four new county representatives, were elected.  The officers for this year are:

Vice-President            Janet Garnett          This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 01954 230327

Ringing Master            Betty Baines            This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 01379 643293

Secretary                   Lesley Wilson           This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 01449 737991

Treasurer                   Sonia Charnley          This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 01379 783773

Committee Reps

Cambridgeshire            Anne Bridge            This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 01223 290496
Janet Garnett

Essex                         Linda Bullough          This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 01799 599339
Lynda Lee               This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 01787 227116

Norfolk                       Betty Baines and Sonia Charnley
Suffolk                       Teresa Colthorpe      This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 01449 736508
Lesley Wilson

We are very grateful for the work done by the reps who have stepped down this year: Ann Williams and Margaret Harvey from Essex, Estella Axten from Norfolk and Ruth Ogden from Cambridgeshire.  We hope they enjoy their retirement from the hurly-burly of officialdom!

-o0o-

As far as the other business went, the highlights were:

• the ADMs will now be held in each of the four counties in turn, instead of just Suffolk and Norfolk, starting from 2012 – the meeting in 2011 will be in Norfolk as planned.
• Wendy Godden asked for a volunteer from each county to help her organise the Guide Centenary Year quarter peals.
• Betty Baines asked anyone who would like to practice something special to contact her to arrange special practices.

The full minutes will be distributed before the next ADM.

-o0o-

A reminder about paying subscriptions again.  Cheques should be made payable to ‘The Ladies Guild’, the subscriptions remain at £5 for adults, £2.50 under 16s and £50 for life membership and can be sent to Sonia Charnley at: Shaelia, Earlsford Road, Mellis IP23 8DY.  Thank you.

-o0o-

And finally, the Members’ Directory.  To help encourage networks of ringing within our District, it would be helpful if we distributed members’ details were listed so that we can contact each other.  As you may remember from the ADM last year, I’ve compiled a list of members with county, phone numbers and email addresses but would be grateful if you could let me know your home towers so that there is an indication of your location.  Thank you!

Best wishes,

Lesley

Dorothy L Sayers Society Award to the Ladies' Guild

Last Updated on Wednesday, 11 March 2009 18:42 Written by Administrator Wednesday, 11 March 2009 08:47

This award, which enables the winner to attend the Hereford Course, has been won by Chloe Guthrie (aged 13) a member of the Eastern District.
The presentation will be made by Dame Norma Major at St Mary's Church, Bluntisham, Cambs at 2pm on Saturday 21st March. Open ringing after the award . All members are welcome.

Read more: Dorothy L Sayers Society Award to the Ladies' Guild

March newsletter

Last Updated on Friday, 05 March 2010 18:36 Written by Lesley Wilson Friday, 05 March 2010 18:33

1 March 2010

Dear all,

The ADM is the next meeting, on 13 March, this year in Suffolk.  The details are:

9.00 – 10.00am        Rumburgh            6          7-0-19             TM347819           IP19 0NU

                                 Parking on the side of the road

10.30 – 11.30am      Metfield                 6          9-2-7               TM294804           IP20 0LA

                                 Some parking at village hall, opposite church; toilets in village hall

Meeting in the new Mendham & Withersdale Hall

Lunch – own arrangements – see below

2.30 – 3.30pm          Chediston             6          11-0-25           TM358777           IP19 0AU

                                 Parking in church car park; toilet

4.00 – 5.00pm          Wenhaston           6          12-0-6             TM425755           IP19 9EG

         Park on the main road or in the village hall which is opposite the church

For lunchtime, I suggest going to Harleston which has several places to eat, for example: the Magpie (the Market Place), the Cardinal’s Hat (23 The Thoroughfare); Monty’s fish & chips (7 Redenhall Road), Norman’s fish & chips (12 London Road); the Tudor Bakehouse (The Thoroughfare), Porky’s cafe (5 Church St), etc.  There are public car parks at the southern end of Broad Street and the western end of Bullock Fair Close.  There is also Waveney Farm Shop on the A143 between Harleston and Bungay.

Onto the business part of the day: please contact me if you would like me to send you a copy of the financial report, the Agenda and the Minutes of last year’s meeting.  It will help enormously if you can print a copy of each and bring it to the meeting for your use.  This year there are four vacancies for reps, one for Norfolk, one for Cambridgeshire and two for Essex.  Please let me know if you wish to stand or if you wish to add anything to the agenda.  The other officers are all happy to stand again.

-o0o-

The AGM is also hoving into view, and I’ve received this invitation from June Wright,

“As Vice President of the East Midlands branch, it is my pleasure to extend an invitation to you and your branch members to attend this year’s National AGM of the Ladies Guild of Change Ringers on 19^th June 2010. Lunch, the meeting and the service will be held in Syston, Leicestershire. Several towers in the area will be open during the day. Taylor’s Bell Foundry in Loughborough has offered tours at a cost of £7.50 bookable through the Foundry on 01509 212241 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . We are in the final stages of confirming towers and the lunch menu and hope to have the booking forms available very soon. An accommodation list is available on the Ladies’ Guild website to enable you to take advantage of any Early Bird deals the local hotels may be able to offer at this time – I hope that you find it useful.

The East Midlands Branch looks forward to welcoming you to the area on the 19^th June 2010.”

I will be able to supply anyone not on-line with the list of accommodation – please let me know.

I am organising a short holiday until the Tuesday after the AGM in Leicestershire.  If anyone else is interested, it’s not too late!

-o0o-

As those of you who were at the AGM last will may remember, our Guild Treasurer, Marie Carson, will be stepping down at the AGM in June.  If you are interested in taking on this office and would like more details, please let me know and I will be able to give you more details.

-o0o-

I’ve also received an email from the Guild Secretary asking if anyone is interested in representing the Ladies' Guild on the Central Council of Church Bellringers.  This entails attending the Central Council AGM on Spring Bank Holiday Monday each year and producing a short report to be given to our own AGM in June each year.  It is a three-year appointment, at which time the representatives can offer themselves for re-election.  There is the opportunity to offer oneself for election to one of the many committees of the Central Council if there is a committee which is of particular interest.

An expense allowance is made by the Ladies' Guild and, although the AGM is only one day, there is a ringing festival leading up to it for the whole weekend with outings; services of praise; a dinner and a celebration of all things ringing.  If you would like to know more, please contact Jan Wyatt This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it who will this year complete her first three years and is looking forward to another three.

Please let me know if you are interested in this opportunity and I will let Carolyn know.

-o0o-

The date of the Dorothy L. Sayers Society Award ceremony has been finally fixed as 26 June.  As mentioned last month, the President has asked us to ring the bells of Bluntisham again and I am collecting names of those who will be able to help – please let me know if you are available.

-o0o-

A reminder about paying subscriptions again.  Cheques should be made payable to ‘The Ladies Guild’, the subscriptions remain at £5 for adults, £2.50 under 16s and £50 for life membership and can be sent to Sonia Charnley at: Shaelia, Earlsford Road, Mellis IP23 8DY.  Thank you

-o0o-

And finally...

Pampisford, Cambridgeshire

Thursday, 28 January 2010

1260 Grandsire Doubles

1.    Wendy Godden                 4.         Jackie Latham

2.    Monica Lilley                     5.         Janet Garnett (C)

3.    Lyn Clackson                    6.         Anne Bridge

Rung by members of the Ladies Guild, Eastern District, as get-well compliments to Ruth Ogden and Christine Drake.  First of Grandsire Doubles: 2. 100th quarter: 1.

Lesley        

Telephone: 01449 737991 

E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it