The Bedfordshire Association of

Church Bell Ringers

St Andrew, Ampthill

Annual Report 2018

Contents

Association Officers 2018 1 List of Members and Towers 17 District Secretaries and Treasurers 2019 2 Association event reports 30 District Officers 2018 2 Obituaries 35 Association Diary 2019 3 Points from the peals 38 Subscription rates and other charges 3 2018 Peals 39 Association Officer reports 4 Association Rules 42 Accounts 7 General information 45

District reports 12 Practice nights 48

Cover picture – St Andrew, Ampthill Following our annual bells inspection in 2017 and some odd sounds coming from bell 1 on occasions, we realised it was time for the clappers to be refurbished. To the best of my knowledge no work had been carried out on the clappers in the 20 plus years I have been ringing at St Andrew's. Having spoken to a couple of bell organisations we decided to ask TLB Services to carry out the work. With our own funding and labour, and generous support of the Biggleswade District Belfry Repair Fund, we were able to remove all eight clappers and transport them to Newark where they were all fitted with new bushes and other refurbishments. The clappers for bells 1 and 2 were also put in a lathe and trued up together with reducing their weight slightly which were advised was necessary. The clappers were then re-installed by TLB Services with help from the Ampthill ringers. The difference was amazing with a more mellow sound being produced. Come along and have a ring, practice night is Thursday's from 7.45 to 9pm. John Hele, Tower Captain

Information on the Association’s Website - www.bacbr.org.uk

Association and District events calendar

Association rules

Association Bell Restoration Fund rules and information

R J Sharp Bell Fund Code of Practice and information

Details of the Association’s insurance cover

Association Officers from 1882

Membership forms, subscription and gift aid information

Tower map and up to date tower contact information

Association St Peter’s Cup 6 bell striking competition - rules and results

Association safeguarding guidance and ‘permission to ring’ form

Personal data privacy information

Jim’s Jug raise and lower in peal challenge - rules and results

BellBoard feed of Bedfordshire peals and other performances

www.facebook.com/groups/240759242723040/

Follow us on Twitter @bedsbellringers

Bedfordshire Association of Church Bell Ringers Established 13 March 1882

Registered Charity 263781

Patrons Right Reverend Dr Alan Smith, Lord Bishop of St Albans

Right Reverend Richard Atkinson, Bishop of Bedford

Association Officers and Committee Appointees 2018 President

Susan M Silver, 3 Heronslee, Shefford, SG17 5FQ 01462 817530 president@bacbr.org.uk

Vice-President

Patrick J S Albon, Chapel Cottage, Higham Road, Chelveston, NN9 6AH 01933 626238 vicepresident@bacbr.org.uk

Honorary Life Members

Robert R Churchill, Derek A Hammond, Clifford W Izzard, John R Pemble, Alan S Smith, Anthony H Smith

Honorary Secretary

Teresa J Brown, 10 Arnhem Place, Shefford SG17 5UJ 01462 631057 secretary@bacbr.org.uk

Honorary Treasurer

Timothy Blunt, 5 Water Lane, Flitwick, MK45 1LD 07595 318275 treasurer@bacbr.org.uk

Honorary Peal Secretary

From January to May 2018: Anthony Smith From May 2018: Christine A Williams, 47 Brunel Drive, Biggleswade, SG18 8BT

07802 861582 pealsecretary@bacbr.org.uk

Honorary Librarian

Patrick J S Albon, Chapel Cottage, Higham Road, Chelveston, NN9 6AH 01933 626238 librarian@bacbr.org.uk

Central Council Representatives

Patrick J S Albon, Richard A Horne, Linda M Garton

Honorary Independent Examiner

Trevor W Groom, 6 Bell Close, Hitchin, SG4 9NJ 01462 622497 examiner@bacbr.org.uk

Safeguarding Coordinator

Rosemary Drewery 07792 926004 safeguarding@bacbr.org.uk

Web Master

Tony Sharp 01767 262361 webmaster@bacbr.org.uk

District Secretaries and Treasurers 2019

Bedford District Secretary: Robert Jones Treasurer: Jenny Thompson St Monica, Norfolk Road, Turvey 16 Langdale, Bedford MK43 8DU MK41 9EG 01234 881741 01234 216571 bedford@bacbr.org.uk bedfordtreasurer@bacbr.org.uk

Biggleswade District Secretary: Nichola Hele Treasurer: Peter Overfield 45, Alameda Road, Ampthill 10 Peartree Close, Shefford MK45 2LA SG17 5JG 01525 840278 01462 815672 biggleswade@bacbr.org.uk biggleswadetreasurer@bacbr.org.uk

Luton District Secretary: Angela Blackburn Treasurer: Christopher Catlin 7 Knotts Close, Dunstable 12 Millards Close, Flitwick LU6 3NY MK45 1AS 01582 663756 01525 752347 luton@bacbr.org.uk lutontreasurer@bacbr.org.uk

District Officers 2018 Bedford District Chairman: Alex Nash Striking Contest Organisers: Sarah Ward, Secretary: Robert Jones Anna Townsend Treasurer: Jenny Thompson District Outing Organiser: Adrienne Sharp District BRF Treasurer: Martin Goodwin RJ Sharp Bell Fund Rep: Martin Goodwin Ringing Master: Ian Townsend Association BRF Rep: Martin Goodwin Committee: Ann Desics, Anna Townsend, Ind. Examiner BRF: Richard Hillson Sarah Ward, Barbara Woplin Ind. Examiner District Accounts:

Andrew Dennison

Biggleswade District Chairman: Susan Silver District BRF Treasurer: Clare Francis Secretary: Lucy Croucher RJ Sharp Bell Fund Rep: Linda Garton Treasurer: Peter Overfield Association BRF Rep: John Loveless Ringing Master: Christine Williams Ind. Examiner- BRF & Membership Committee: Teresa Brown, Nichola Hele , Accounts: Mary Mann Linda Garton, Clarrie Scott

Luton District Chairman: Barry Eglesfield Striking Contest Organiser: Mary Hartley

Secretary: Richard Horne District BRF Treasurer: Simon Stranks Treasurer: Christopher Catlin Association BRF Rep: Simon Stranks Ringing Master: Alan Shepherd RJ Sharp Bell Fund Rep: Simon Stranks Assistant Ringing Master & Training Ind. Examiner BRF: Susan Silver Officer: Matthew Johnson Ind. Examiner District Accounts: Committee: Angela Blackburn David Adams Elizabeth Churchill, Barbara Fraser Cameron White-Spunner

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Association 2019 Diary – see www.bacbr.org.uk for current details Association AGM Sat 18 May St Paul’s Bedford - see website

Ridgman Trophy Sat 15 June Norman Tower, Bury St Edmunds Ringing World National Youth Contest

Sat 6 July Liverpool – details at http://rwnyc.ringingworld.co.uk

St Peter’s Cup Six Bell Striking Competition

Sat 21 September Flitwick Draw 5.00pm

Melville Cup Striking Competition for Young Ringers

Sun 9 September Clifton 2.00 - 4.00pm

2020 Forward look Biggleswade District ADM

Sat 11 January Clifton 4.30 – 8.30

Bedford District ADM Sat 18 January Sharnbrook 3.30 - 8.30pm

Luton District ADM Sat 25 January Linslade

3.30 - 8.30pm

Association AGM Sat 16 May Biggleswade District

Timings to be confirmed

Association 6 bell Striking Competition

Sat 19 September Bedford District Draw 5.00pm

2019 Subscription rates and other charges Membership Category Rate Details

Associate Ringing £5.00 Payable on election

Associate Non-ringing £2.50 Payable on election / annual

Resident Ringing – under 19s £2.50 Payable on election / annual

Resident Ringing – 19 and over £10.00 Payable on election / annual of which £5 is passed to the Association Bell Restoration Fund

Transfer between categories

From Resident Ringing to Non-resident Ringing

£10.00 (final payment)

Only after paying up to four consecutive annual subscriptions

From Resident Ringing to Non-resident Ringing

£0 Only after paying five or more consecutive annual subscriptions

From Non-resident Ringing to Resident Ringing

£10 Payable on 1st January the following year

From Non-resident Ringing Life to Resident Ringing Life

£0

Other fees and charges

Peal Fee £0.50 Per ringer per peal

Annual report £5.00 Charge for non-members

Badge £2.00 Available from District Treasurers

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Association Officer Reports

President’s Report 2018 was another busy year for the Association. It started with the usual round of Annual District Meetings, soon followed by the General Committee Meeting. Each District has held full programmes, including monthly meetings, outings, training sessions, quarter-peal days and various social events. The Association AGM was held in May hosted by the Luton District at Leighton Buzzard. On the 16th June the Association competed in the Ridgman Trophy contest at St Peter’s St Albans. This is a 10 bell striking competition for Eastern Region Associations and the test piece was a touch of Stedman Caters. The competition was won by the home Association with Bedfordshire third. Well done to all the team and thanks go to Philippa Whittington who organised the team and the practice arrangements. Our Young Ringers again competed in the Ringing World National Youth Contest held on the 7th July in London. They came 2nd in the call change ringing competition and 3rd overall. The Bedfordshire team were Clarrie Scott, (Biggleswade), Jonathan Nash (St Andrew’s Bedford), Cameron and Kristian White-Spunner (Houghton Regis), Becky Gordon (Dunstable), Charlotte Francis (Campton), Chloe Gray (Dunstable) and Izzy Byers (Clifton) and were under the expert guidance of Linda Garton and Philippa Whittington. It was, as always, a fantastic ‘team’ effort as they had to ring their test piece of Call Changes, twice!, once in the qualifier at St Olave Hart Street and again in the final on the Jubilee Bells at Garlickhythe. Another wonderful effort! We also had two travelling reserves, Henry Francis (Campton) and Jess Harper (Dunstable) and they were able to take part in all the activities laid on for the competitors. We will be entering a team for the 2019 competition in Liverpool on the 6th July. The 2018 competition was the last for Clarrie Scott and Cameron White-Spunner as they have now exceeded the age limit but Clarrie leaves as having participated in six competitions and winning in four of those. She has also conducted the test piece in the last three competitions. Cameron has participated in all the competitions so far, and is one of only two ringers to achieve this milestone and was presented with a framed picture of all the competition venues. He rang in a total of eight competitions and won in four of them. Congratulations and thank you to both Clarrie and Cameron for their help in promoting the Association’s Young Ringers. I cannot praise our young ringers highly enough for their efforts and commitment to the Association. We continue to run a monthly ‘get together’ on the 2nd Sunday afternoon which is regularly attended by 15/20 young ringers and the sessions are structured for them. This has given them all the opportunity of meeting ringers of a similar age across the Association. I would also like thank all the ringers and parents who give up their Sunday afternoon to transport these youngsters to the relevant tower and to Linda Garton and Philippa Whittington for running these sessions. The Association Striking Contest for the St Peter’s Cup took place in September hosted by the Biggleswade District on the back six at Eaton Socon. In a very closely fought contest which was won by Biggleswade. Congratulations go to all the teams that took part and thanks go to the Eaton Socon ringers for the excellent tea. The Young Ringers Competition for the Melville Cup took place during the young ringers meeting in September. The winners were the Luton Band with an excellent exhibition of ringing. All young ringers who attended the afternoon were able to take part.

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Finally, I would like to thank everyone who has suggested, arranged, assisted and supported Association events and activities this year, and I look forward to 2019 being an equally active and successful year.

Sue Silver, President

Treasurer’s Report This year we have gone from a surplus of £204 to operating at close to breakeven with just a £5.20 surplus. This was due to some increased one off spending, such as Ringing World notices and domain cost that will in part also cover future periods, in addition to expenses relating to the Central Council meeting. Insurance costs fell this year due to a reduction resulting from the vacant technical advisor position. It was pleasing to see that there was a small increase in membership numbers compared to last year. In 2017 we had 283 adult resident members and 26 young resident members overall and this increased to 287 adult resident members and 24 young members in 2018. Although the general fund stands at a healthy £2,975.53 costs are expected to rise in the future. The General Committee continue to consider options to meet the Association’s resource requirements rather than potentially trading in deficit on an ongoing basis. Ideally the way to tackle the funding challenge would be to encourage an uptake in new members however, if unable to do so, or we experience a drop in members, the Committee may consider putting forward a recommendation to increase membership fees in the not too distant future. Although we experienced a small increase in subscription contributions, the Association Bell Restoration Fund income decreased slightly from £2,157.56 in 2017 to £2,037.37, this was due to two years worth of Gift Aid received last year. Details of the grants awarded and paid can be found in the Association Bell Restoration Fund Report.

Timothy Blunt, Honorary Treasurer

Peal Secretary’s Report There were 23 peals rung for the Association in 2018, 18 fewer than in 2017. These were rung by 61 ringers in 21 towers, only one of which was outside our geographical area. Three members rang their first peal, Kristian White-Spunner, Matthew Bareham and Stuart Cracknell, our congratulations go to them. Martin Major celebrated the 60th Anniversary of his first peal, and Philippa Whittington and Frank Rivett rang their 500th peal together. Peals were rung to commemorate the Centenary of the Signing the Armistice, to celebrate Births, Birthdays, Anniversaries, and in memory of former members of the Association. Full details are to be found further on in this report. My thanks go to Anthony Smith, outgoing Peal Secretary in May 2018, for his assistance in compiling this data and for his sterling work in the preceding years.

Christine Williams, Honorary Peal Secretary Points from the peals and details of peals rung for the Association in 2018 are on pages 38 to 41.

Librarian’s Report 2018 was again a quiet year with no loans. There were, however, two acquisitions. An order of service for the celebration and thanksgiving for the life of C Michael Orme, kindly donated by Owen Davis and a Kempston Bells Appeal leaflet kindly

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supplied by Richard Hillson. My thanks continue to go to Stephen Stanford who provides a home for the bulk of the library and acts as its custodian.

Patrick Albon, Honorary Librarian

Ronald J Sharp Bell Fund Committee Report This year’s Committee were Martin Goodwin (Bedford District) Linda Garton (Biggleswade District), Simon Stranks (Luton District), Sue Silver (President) and Teresa Brown (Honorary Secretary). We awarded one new grant: Biggleswade District (on behalf of the Association) – tower donation costs for Bedfordshire Young Ringers monthly, structured training sessions: a grant of

up to £120 to provide a tower donation for 12 practices throughout the year, of which only £90 was subsequently taken up. As at 31/12/2018 the Fund stood at £4279.09.

Teresa Brown, Honorary Secretary

Association Bell Restoration Fund Report 2018 was the fifth operational year for the Association’s Bell Restoration Fund (BRF). 2018 income was £2037.37 and the first grant to be made from the BRF, of £5000, for the restoration project at St John the Baptist, Eversholt, was paid. As at 31/12/2018 the Fund stood at £9612.21. Two approved grants are outstanding and expected to be paid in 2019 - £1000 to All Saints Campton towards their sound management project, and £3500 to All Saints, Kempston for their restoration project. The BRF Committee didn’t meet in 2018 as no new Grant applications were received. Responding to previous concerns about BRF governance, a proposal to reduce the number of Trustees on the BRF Committee was made at the Association AGM in May and was passed. This rule change brought about the election of a new, independent, BRF Committee Chairman and Guy Scott was elected to this post. In addition to the Chairman, the BRF Committee now comprises the Association Honorary Secretary, currently Teresa Brown, and a representative from each of the three districts; in 2018 these were Martin Goodwin (Bedford District), John Loveless (Biggleswade District) and Simon Stranks (Luton District). With one grant paid and two more approved, more donations to the Fund would be very welcome. Thanks to those who made personal donations and to all members who supported the BRF by a paying a subscription this year.

Teresa Brown, Honorary Secretary

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Association Bell Restoration Fund

The BRF was set up in 2013. Its aim is to give grants to church authorities within our area towards work to provide, restore, maintain and improve bells and bell installations. Full details and an application form are available on our website - www bacbr.org.uk

If you, or your tower, would like to make a donation to the Fund or have any fundraising ideas please contact the Honorary Secretary: Teresa Brown, 10 Arnhem Place, Shefford, SG17 5UJ. secretary@bacbr.org.uk

Accounts

Receipts and Payments For the year ending 31/12/2018

UNRESTRICTED FUNDS 2018 2017

Receipts General RJ

Sharp Bell RF Total

Funds General RJ

Sharp Bell RF Total

Funds Income Subscriptions Annual Membership - Adults 2880.00 - - 2880.00 2830.00 - - 2830.00 Annual Membership - Under 19 60.00 - - 60.00 65.00 - - 65.00 Associate Member (Ringing) 30.00 - - 30.00 20.00 - - 20.00 Assoc. Member (Non Ringing) 7.50 - - 7.50 10.00 - - 10.00 Arrears 10.00 - - 10.00 - - - - Advance Subscriptions 30.00 - - 30.00 - - - - Trading

Sale of Association Badges 8.00 - - 8.00 2.00 - - 2.00 Sale of Reports 5.00 - - 5.00 - - - - Income from Report Adverts 126.00 - - 126.00 126.00 - - 126.00

Other Peal Fees 80.00 - - 80.00 152.00 - - 152.00 Gift Aid - HMRC 280.80 - - 280.80 384.10 - - 384.10 Donation from T-shirt sales - - - - 42.00 - - 42.00 Donation from AGM Tea 45.40 - - 45.40 61.60 - - 61.60 Donation Mike Matthews 50.00 - - 50.00 50.00 - - 50.00 Donation 110.00 - - 110.00 - - - - Donation F Day - - - - 10.00 - - 10.00 Donation G Soule - - - - 10.00 - - 10.00 Investment Income Interest 6.17 9.05 26.05 41.27 12.56 24.15 47.15 83.86

Total Receipts 3728.87 9.05 26.05 3763.97 3775.26 24.15 47.15 3846.56

Payments Charity Expenditure

Central Council Affiliation Fee 120.00 - - 120.00 90.00 - - 90.00 Printing of Annual Report 418.00 - - 418.00 478.00 - - 478.00

Other Expenditure District Administration Expenses - - - 10.50 - - 10.50 Insurance for Tech. Advisor and Public Liability 425.89 - - 425.89 468.18 - - 468.18 Ringing World Notices 200.00 - - 200.00 100.00 - - 100.00 Committee Meeting Room Hire 75.00 - - 75.00 25.00 - - 25.00 Young Ringers Subs for Competition 50.00 - - 50.00 50.00 - - 50.00 Young Ringers Events Expenses 90.75 - - 90.75 81.25 - - 81.25 Young Ringers T-Shirts 88.50 - - 88.50 90.00 - - 90.00 Gift for Striking Comp Judges 32.00 - - 32.00 - - - - Website 31.49 - - 31.49 10.49 - - 10.49 Expenses - President 7.80 - - 7.80 - - - - Expenses - Secretary 41.87 - - 41.87 10.58 - - 10.58 Expenses –CCCBR Conf. 100.00 - - 100.00 - - - - Young Ringers – use of bells for practices - 90.00 - 90.00 - 100.00 - 100.00 Donation to Eversholt - - 5000.00 5000.00 - - - - Donation to Cranfield - Simulator - - - - 861.99 - 861.99

Total Payments 1681.30 90.00 5000.00 6771.30 1414.00 961.99 - 2375.99

50% Annual Adult Subs to BRF (1440.00) - 1440.00 - (1415.00) - 1415.00 - Associate Ringing Member Subs to BRF (30.00) - 30.00 - (20.00) - 20.00 - Peal Fees to BRF (80.00) - 80.00 - (152.00) - 152.00 - Donations to BRF (205.40) - 205.40 - (173.60) - 173.60 - Gift Aid to BRF (280.80) - 280.80 - (384.10) - 384.10 - Investment Interest to BRF (6.17) - 6.17 - (12.56) - 12.56 -

Total Transfer Between Funds (2042.37) - 2042.37 - (2157.26) - 2157.26 -

Cash Funds at 31/12/2016 2970.33 4360.04 12548.79 19879.16 2766.33 5297.88 10344.38 18408.59

Net Receipts / Payments 5.20 (80.95) (2931.58 (3007.33) 204.00 (937.84) 2204.41 1470.57

Cash Funds as 31/12/2017 2975.53 4279.09 9617.21 16871.83 2970.33 4360.04 12548.79 19879.16

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Statement of Assets and Liabilities For the year ending 31/12/2018

2018 2017

Cash and Bank Deposits

£ £

1. General Fund

Lloyds Bank Current Account 2927.56 1426.63

Lloyds Bank Bond – General A/C - 1425.58

Cash held by Association Officers 47.97 25.12

Cash held by Peal Secretary - 93.00

Total

2975.53 2970.33

2. The Ronald J Sharp Bell Fund

Lloyds Bank Current Account 4279.09 -

Lloyds Bank Bond - 4360.04

Total

4279.09 4360.04

3. Bell Restoration Fund

Lloyds Bank Current Account 9617.21 -

Lloyds Bank Bond - 12548.79

Total 9617.21 12548.79

Other Monetary Assets Debtors

Ringing World Balance 107.63 52.73

Investment Assets None

Liabilities (items owed by the Charity) Current Liabilities

- -

Fixed Assets - Estimated Value

Library - Books, Periodicals and DVDs 775.00 775.00

President's Badge 145.00 145.00

St Peters Cup

120.00 120.00

St Giles Cup

30.00 30.00

The Melville Cup 500.00 500.00

C Edward Jeffries Trophy (Bedford District) 250.00 250.00

Gavel

10.00 10.00

Reading Glass

10.00 10.00

Biggleswade District League Trophy 60.00 60.00

Note

Stock of badges – 80 (2017: 84) 128.00 134.40

Independent Examiner's Statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: 1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements (a) to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 130 of the Charities Act 2011, and (b) to prepare accounts which accord to the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act, have not been met; or 2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Trevor W Groom 17/03/2019

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Summary of District Accounts

For the year ending 31/12/2018

Bedford Biggl’wade Luton

TOTAL 2018 2017

£ No. £ No. £ No. £ No. £ £

Ringing Member (Resident) @ 10.00 99 990.00 91 910.00 98 980.00 288 2880.00 2830.00 Ringing Member (Resident) Under 19s @ 2.50 4 10.00 6 15.00 14 35.00

24 60.00 65.00

Associate Member (Ringing) @ 5.00 1 5.00 5 25.00 0 0.00 6 30.00 20.00 Associate Member (Non-Ringing) @ 2.50 3 7.50 0 0.00 0 0.00 3 7.50 10.00 Arrears @ 10.00 1 10.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 1 10.00 0.00 Arrears @ 2.50 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 Advance Subscription @ 10.00 0 0.00 3 30.00 0 0.00 3 30.00 0.00 Sale of Badges @ 2.00 2 4.00 2 4.00 0 0.00 4 8.00 2.00 Sale of Reports @ 5.00 1 5.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 1 5.00 0.00

Total Receipts

1031.50

984.00

1015.00

3030.50 2927.00 Less Admin Expenses

2.15

0.00

0.00

2.15 -10.50

Net Receipts (To Receipts & Payments A/c) 1033.65

984.00

1015.00

3032.65 2916.50

Notes Cash balance retained b/f

20.12

5.00

0.00

25.12 55.62

Income for Year

1031.50

984.00

1015.00

3030.50 2927.00

Total

1051.62

989.00

1015.00

3055.62 2982.62

Less amount paid to Assoc. Lloyds A/c

-791.50

-531.50

-940.00

-2263.00 -2294.50

Less direct payments into Assoc. Lloyds A/c -210.00

-457.50

-75.00

-742.50 -647.50 Less expenses

-2.15

0.00

0.00

-2.15 -10.50

Less cash held by Peal Secretary 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 -5.00

Net cash balance c/f

47.97

0.00

0.00

47.97 25.12

District Bell Funds

Bedford Biggleswade Luton TOTAL

2018 2017

£ £ £ £ £

Balance Brought Forward 18048.85 5771.16 7477.85 31297.86 30359.99

Income

446.73 1068.37 118.52 1633.62 1340.19

Interest

82.18 2.17 12.63 96.98 105.68

Less Grants

(602.40) (250.00) (3000.00) (3852.40) (348.00)

Less Luton BRF 50 Club - -

(160.00)

Administration - - - - -

Total

17975.36 6591.70 4609.00 29176.06 31297.86

Notes to the Accounts Future Liabilities, including grants approved:

Campton - 887.00 - 887.00 887.00

Kempston 5000.00 - - 5000.00 5000.00

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District Bell Fund Grants made and approved in 2018 Biggleswade District: £250 to St Andrews, Ampthill for clapper refurbishment. Bedford District: £300 to St Denys, Colmworth to clean the belfry and install bird-

proof wire mesh. £302.40 to All Saints Kempston to repair and rebush the 3rd clapper. Luton District: £3000 to St John the Baptist, Eversholt to re-tune and re-hang the

bells in a new bell frame and fittings.

Contacts for District Bell Fund grant applications Bedford District Bell Restoration Fund, Registered Charity 284250

Robert Jones, St Monica, Norfolk Road, Turvey, MK43 8DU 01234 881741 bedforddistrictbrf@bacbr.org.uk Biggleswade District Belfry Repair Fund, Registered Charity 280785

Clare Francis, 32 Gravenhurst Road, Campton, SG17 5NY 07977 442179 biggleswadedistrictbrf@bacbr.org.uk

Luton District Belfry Repair Fund, Registered Charity 280164

Simon Stranks, 43 High Road, Shillington, SG5 3LL 01462 713036 lutondistrictbrf@bacbr.org.uk

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Paying subscriptions by standing order or on-line banking

You can pay your subscription by standing order or online banking. You can do this by:

Completing a standing order mandate to send to your bank. Download the form from our website https://www.bacbr.org.uk/association/business/subscriptions/

Online banking - set up a recurring, annual payment to be made to be made in January each year.

Our account details are:

Bedfordshire Association of Church Bell Ringers,

Account number 01418488

Sort Code 30-94-47

Use your name/district as the reference

Gift Aid - If you are a UK tax payer please complete a Gift Aid Declaration so we can recover the tax on your subscription or donation at no cost to you. For more information and to download the form visit our website at https://www.bacbr.org.uk/association/business/subscriptions/

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District Reports Bedford District The year began with the Annual District Meeting which was held at All Saints, Kempston. The existing committee and officers were re-elected unopposed. Quarterly meetings were held during the year at Bromham, Oakley and St Andrew's Bedford, with special methods been selected and advertised beforehand at these and the monthly ringing meetings by Ian Townsend, District Ringing Master. Quarter-peal week showed an improvement on last year’s efforts, with seven being rung, although the suggestion for some bell ringing on Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Historic Churches Trust Bike n' Hike day in September failed once again to attract sufficient support. Attendance at St Paul's Bedford monthly practices has been variable. A Training session took place at Kempston on Saturday May 5th.Three members, assisted by 6 helpers, had improved their ability to ring Oxford Treble Bob Minor, and we are grateful to Ian and Anna Townsend for organising and running this. A most successful District Outing to the Rugby area took place in June, again arranged by Adrienne Sharp. We visited Hillmorton, Dunchurch, Bilton, Newbold on Avon and Church Lawford. The distance to travel was reasonable, and the refreshments en route were excellent. The District Striking Contest was held at Carlton, where seven teams performed. Kempston came first, St Peter's Bedford second

and St Andrew's Bedford third. The

latter two towers represented the District in September, as Kempston were unable to attend. This event in September was on the back six at Eaton Socon, and Biggleswade won the St Peters Cup. At the District Striking Contest Goldington won the Hammond Cup for the best rounds. Bedford District was unable to enter a Young Ringers team for the Melville Cup, although one of our ringers was selected to ring for Bedfordshire in the Ringing World National Youth Contest held in London. Jonathan Nash has continued to make excellent progress, and was awarded the Eddie Jeffries Trophy. We welcomed the Cranfield ringers who expressed a desire to move from Luton District to Bedford District, as the village has more convenient links to Bedford, and some of their band already participate in Bedford District activities. In conclusion, I would like to thank, on behalf of the District members, the incumbents, Church wardens and tower contacts who have permitted our ringing meetings to take place and for the use of their bells and facilities.

Bob Jones, District Secretary

Biggleswade District It has been another busy year of meetings, training events and striking competitions for the District, some of which are detailed below. Training sessions have been held most months at the R J Sharp Ringing Centre at St Andrews Biggleswade. These have been well attended and great progress has been achieved with the attendees improving their bell handling skills and increasing their confidence on the end of the rope. The District Striking Competition league was held for the second year. The objectives remained the same - to improve the overall standard of ringing by, not only taking part in the competition but also assisting in practices at other towers. Each team

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played a home and away fixture against each of the other participants. The fixtures took place on the home team’s practice night. Five towers took part and it was deemed a success by all who participated in it. It was a very close competition the eventual winners being Henlow. On the 10-11th February we rang three quarter peals, at Maulden, Henlow and Biggleswade, for the District Quarter Peal Day. The District Striking Competition was held at Southill in March with 5 teams taking part. Biggleswade were the winners in the change ringing competition and Clifton the rounds competition. Biggleswade together with Campton represented the District at the Association Competition in September at Eaton Socon. My thanks go to the judges Matt Johnson and Cameron White-Spunner. The Annual Outing on the 12th May took us further afield with 5 towers in Canterbury area visited. It was, as always, a very enjoyable day. Thanks go to Alice and Carrie Scott for making all the arrangements. On the 7th July the National Young Ringers Competition took place in London. Bedfordshire Young Ringers were worthy runners up in the call change ringing competition and third overall. This District was represented by Clarrie Scott, who very ably called the test piece, Charlotte Francis and Izzy Byers. Henry Francis and Cara Nocera were travelling reserves. Clarrie has rung in six National Young Ringers Competitions and this year was the last that she could take part in. She has called the changes in the last three competitions. Congratulations and thank you Clarrie. The Association Striking Competition for the St Peters Cup in September was hosted by our District at Eaton Socon. It was again a very close competition and was won by Biggleswade with Campton coming 3rd. The Melville Cup Competition was held during the Young Ringers Monthly practice in September at Clifton. The District was able to raise a team again this year and they acquitted themselves very well. The December meeting was, as it has been for some 30 years, devoted to the Christmas Social organised by the Biggleswade ringers. The catering team, who have provided the excellent food over all that time, have decided to hang up their aprons so this was last one. As they say “all good things must come to an end”. Very many thanks to everyone for their hard work over the years that has made these occasions so memorable. Finally thank you to the Committee for their hard work and support throughout the year.

Sue Silver, District Chairman

Luton District The past year, in the Luton District, continued the same pattern of events and meetings as for the previous few years. Eleven meetings were held, with an average attendance between 15 and 16. The average attendance is again slightly lower than the previous year and continues a downward trend (the average being 21 in 2015, 18 in 2016 and 17 in 2017). In respect of District members, the average remained static with between 13 and 14 members attending each meeting. However, the average numbers mask some significant variations in attendance. The lowest attendances were for the September meeting at Kensworth, when there were only eight members present and for the December meeting at Caddington when there were only seven members present. Last year’s report made mention of the work about to start at Eversholt. I am pleased to be able to report that the work to retune and rehang the bells at Eversholt has now been completed and the rededication took place on 6th October 2018. The District

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and the Association supported this project mainly through grants from the Bell Restoration Funds. The October meeting, held at Eversholt, was well attended with 23 ringers coming to try out the new installation for themselves. All agreed that it was a very successful project making, what had been a difficult ring of bells, easy to ring. At the District AGM in January, the existing officers were re-elected for a further year. Matthew Johnson joined the Committee as Assistant Ringing Master but resigned later in the year when he moved to Amersham. New committee members were Angela Blackburn and Cameron White-Spunner. My thanks go to the ringers of Dunstable for the arrangements on the day. The District Striking Contest was held in March, at Studham. There was a disappointing turnout with only two towers represented. In the method competition Dunstable won against a scratch team and in the rounds and call change competition Eaton Bray won against a young ringers team from Dunstable. The judges this year were Liz Middleton and Mary Hughes from Redbourn, Herts. I would like to thank Studham for hosting this event and for providing refreshments. At the Association Striking Contest, held on the back 6 at Eaton Socon, Dunstable were placed second. Over the past year we have elected 8 new members, one of which is a returning member. The membership within our District is currently 116, of which there are 14 young ringers. This represents a decrease on the previous year when the membership total stood at 138. However, the main reason for the decrease was mostly due to Cranfield transferring to the Bedford District. On Saturday 7th July five young ringers (Rebecca Gordon, Cameron White-Spunner, Kristian White-Spunner and Chloe Gray, with Jess Harper as one of the reserves) from this District took part in The National Young Ringers Striking Competition held, this year, in London. Our team were successful in their qualifier at Hart Street and progressed to the final at Garlickhythe. The team was place joint 3rd, ringing call changes, – a very creditable performance and congratulations to all involved. This competition was the last in which Cameron was eligible to take part. He was one of two young ringers that had rung in all the competitions since 2011 and received a certificate to mark this achievement. It is also good to see that a number of our young ringers are keen to attend the monthly Sunday afternoon practices and this District won the young ringers striking competition in September. We should not forget the support and organisation provided by the adult ‘helpers’ without whom these events would not happen. I would like to conclude by extending my sincere thanks to Incumbents and Tower contacts for the use of the bells and to all of you for your support during the past year.

Barry Eglesfield, District Chairman

Bell Restoration at St John the Baptist Church Eversholt After much debate the PCC decided to go ahead with a complete re-hang in a new steel frame with new headstocks and all fittings. Fund raising was started in earnest with several local donations. A local retired Doctor undertook to do a sponsored cycle ride across USA. For Bob Churchill’s 90th birthday we had a ‘bring and share’ lunch/party in the local hall, strictly no presents but donations for the Bell Project. We received Grants from Luton District BRF and the Bedfordshire Association BRF. We got the go-ahead from the Diocese who recommended that we have a new frame. We got quotations from Taylors, Whites and Nicholsons which all were about the same and, as they would be doing a complete job, Taylors were chosen.

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When work started to dismantle the old frame it was clear to see the state of it. We had several local helpers with physical help clearing the debris etc. and thanks are due to Pat Albon who gave his assistance at the sharp end aloft every day. In February 2018 we arranged a coach trip to the foundry at Loughborough to see what goes on with our bells, and all were duly impressed with all that was involved, a real eye opener. At the beginning of July 2018 the lorry arrived outside the Church to return the bells and frame etc. to re-install everything in the tower. So began another week’s work for our band of muscle men and Pat Albon as right hand man up aloft helping with fitting it all together, and we had a trial ring on the Friday. All agreed that they were a great improvement to what they were. On 6 October a Re-dedication service was held and The Bishop of St Albans came to a very full Church. After the service he took part in the ringing. We had been giving four trainees lessons and each one had a short ring with supervision and help as needed. We now have practice every Monday, 6.30 to 8.00pm and we rang for 10.00am Sunday service on February 3rd. 2019; we intend to ring on the first Sunday every month.

Bob Churchill

Bob Churchill and Right Reverend Dr Alan Smith, Lord Bishop of St Albans, in the Eversholt ringing chamber on the day of the dedication service for the newly refurbished bells. Photo: Terry Brown

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List of Members and Towers

Honorary Life Members Robert R Churchill, Derek A Hammond, Clifford W Izzard, John Pemble, Alan S Smith, Anthony H Smith

Non-Resident Life Members James Buckenham, Mike Cassell, Geoffrey Dann, Keith H Fleming, Avril Ivin, David Lazzerini, Lynda Lazzerini, Brian Makeham, Martyn J Marriott, Clive G Smith

Associate Ringing Members elected in 2018 Christopher Bulleid (1172),Tom Childs (1706), Bradley Hill (1707), Debbie Hill (1708), Mick Sim (1698)

Resident Members transferred to Non-Resident Membership Robert Gornell

Resident Ringing Members elected in 2018 Name No. Tower Date Barbara Dunn 1696 Northill 12 January Rosalie George 1697 Roxton 12 January Ash Kathuria 1164 Goldington 20 January Neil Roy 1165 Milton Ernest 20 January Luke Parry 1166 Milton Ernest 20 January Richard Newman 1167 Milton Ernest 20 January John Mustoe 1168 Thurleigh 20 January Melanie Daniels 1169 Bromham 20 January Baljinder Singh 1170 St Andrew Bedford 20 January Les Miller 2266 Silsoe 27 January Paul Hassan 2267 Studham 27 January Charles Thorogood 2268 Studham 27 January Barry Huggins 2206 Kensworth 27 January Emily Gordon 2270 Dunstable 28 April Alyson Smith 1699 Ampthill 19 May Ciáran Mapp 1700 Ampthill 19 May Leah Stewart 1794 Biggleswade 9 June Johannes Strauss 1795 Biggleswade 9 June John Lambert 2271 Luton 28 July Angela Andrews 2272 Luton 28 July Lorna Jackson 2273 Luton 28 July Val Cooper 1709 Potton 1 August

Member and Tower Listing Notes Ringing times are 24-hour clock Sunday service times are when ringing starts, not the time of the service. PN – Practice night, GF – Ground floor ring AC – Anti-clockwise ring Tenor weights are given as hundredweights-quarters-pounds. An Ordnance Survey grid reference is given for each tower.

✶ denotes Life Members denotes Honorary Life Members 17

Keep in touch - help keep our membership records and website up to date. Email secretary@bacbr.org.uk to:

Receive membership updates and information directly by email. Please send your email address and don’t forget to tell us if you change it during the year.

Tell us of any changes to tower contact details, Sunday ringing times and practice night/times as soon as possible.

Bedford District

Unattached Members Rosemary Buckle, Lesley Hattersley

BEDFORD St Andrew (8) 5-2-22 in B TL057509 Sunday: 09.30 PN: Thursday 19.45-21.00 Barbara Woplin, 3 Windsor Gardens, Bedford, MK40 3BU 01234 346852 barbara.jean1@btinternet.com

Lisa Boyden, Gareth Burrows, Viki Evans, Richard Gallivan, David Heaslip, Philip Kino, Alex Nash, Caroline Nash, Jonathan Nash, Melissa Nash, Baljinder Singh, Barbara Woplin

BEDFORD St Paul (12) 28-3-6 in D TL049496

Sunday: 09.30 PN: Monday 19.30-21.00 Sunday evening by arrangement Matthew Bareham stpaulsbedford@bacbr.org.uk

Matthew Bareham, John Long*, Karen Rogers, James Saunders,

BEDFORD St Peter de Merton (8) 12-1-0 in F# TL051501

Sunday: 09.40 PN: Thursday 19.30-21.00 Mrs Margaret Cowley, 12 Ennerdale Close, Kempston, MK42 8HE 01234 854294 stpetersbedford@bacbr.org.uk

Lorraine Andrews*, David Cowley, Margaret Cowley, Ann Desics, Emily Entwistle, Richard Entwistle, Susan Entwistle, Lynn Goodwin, Martin Goodwin, Sylvia MacDowell, Pat Staite

BIDDENHAM St James (8) 12-3-18 in G TL014499 Sunday: None PN: None Brian Toyn, 30 Days Lane, Biddenham, MK40 4AE 01234 211716 bdtoyn30@talktalk.net

BLETSOE St Mary (6) 11-2-11 in F# TL023583 Sunday: 09.00 1st PN: Thursday 19.30-21.00 Paul and Trish Vine, 50 The Avenue, Bletsoe, MK44 1QF 01234 782875 bletsoe@bacbr.org.uk

Andrew Fyvie, Paul Vine, Trish Vine 18

BOLNHURST St Dunstan (4) 8-0-0 in Bb (GF) TL081588 Sunday: None PN: None James Hills, Corner View, School Lane, Bolnhurst, MK44 2EN 01234 376024 jameshills2@sky.com

BROMHAM St Owen (8) 22-3-18 in Eb TL013512 Sunday: 09.45, check 4th PN: Tuesday 19.45-21.15 Robert Jones, St Monica, Norfolk Road, Turvey, MK43 8DU 01234 881741 bromham@bacbr.org.uk

Melanie Daniels, Derek Hammond , Steve Hare, Andrew Heyman, George Ilett, Robert Jones, Adrienne Sharp, Elizabeth Walshe

CARDINGTON St Mary (8) 19-1-1 in F TL086479 Sunday: 10.30 PN: 3rd Thursday phone to check Mrs Julie Eddy, 141 Bamford Road, Bedford, MK42 0NH 01234 353489 julieannarose@btinternet.com

Rev’d Stephen Smith

CARLTON St Mary (6) 9-2-7 in Ab SP952549 Sunday: 10.30 1st & 4th PN: Friday 19.30-21.00

alternate with Harrold Mrs Lin Barratt, 86 The Moor, Carlton, MK43 7JS 01234 720756 lin.barratt@btinternet.com

Ann Boyle

CLAPHAM St Thomas of Canterbury (6) 5-3-20 in Bb TL034525 Sunday: None PN: Tuesday 19.45 prompt-21.00 Jeff Henson, 77 Bents Close, Clapham, MK41 6DY 01234 343198 clapham@bacbr.org.uk

COLMWORTH St Denys (6) 9-3-18 in G (GF) TL109586 Sunday: 10.00 4th PN: None Felicity Evans, Sunrise Cottage, Channel’s End Road, Colmworth, MK44 2NS 01234 376887 colmworth@bacbr.org.uk

Humphrey Chetwynd-Talbot, Felicity Evans

CRANFIELD St Peter and St Paul (6) 17-1-14 in E SP956420 Sunday: 09.45 PN: Thursday 19.30 -21.00 Mary Hartley, 102a Bedford Road, Cranfield, MK43 0HA 01234 750153 cranfield@bacbr.org.uk

Jonathan Billington, Nicky Billington, Rosie Billington, Steve Capper, Jim Ewen, Alistair Green, Christopher Hartley, Mary Hartley, Garth Holman, Heather Holman, Jane Leslie, Angie Lewis, Alan Morfee, Andrew Pearson, John Peat, Martin Teh, Susan Webster

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ELSTOW St Mary and St Helena (6) 8-2-0 in G TL049474 Sunday: 11.00 and 18.00 PN: Friday 20.00-21.00 Stephen Stanford, 34 Wood End Road, Kempston, MK43 9BB 01234 856778 steve.h.stanford@gmail.com

Don MacFarlane, Richard Marshall, Stephen Stanford*, Sarah Ward*

FELMERSHAM St Mary (8) 20-2-18 in Eb SP991578 Sunday: 10.30 PN: Joint at Sharnbrook, Tuesday Rosemary Drewery , 07792 926004 or Wendy Freegard, 07801 435579 felmersham@bacbr.org.uk

Mike Benson, Jane Brunetti, Wendy Freegard, Caroline Jones, Elizabeth Nicholls

GOLDINGTON St Mary (6) 10-2-7 in F# TL076510 Sunday: 09.00 and 16.30 2nd PN: Wednesday 19.30-21.00 Mrs Jenny Thompson, 16 Langdale, Bedford, MK41 9EG 01234 216571 goldington@bacbr.org.uk

Gale Bevan, Peter Blunt, Timothy Blunt, Andrew Dennison, Nicholas Fowler, Roger Framp, Jean Heaslip, Ash Kathuria, Dorothy Kirby, Hazel Spencer, Doug Taylor, Jenny Thompson

HARROLD St Peter and All Saints (6) 13-0-6 in F# SP954567 Sunday: 09.00 2nd, 3rd & 4th PN: Friday 19.30-21.00

alternate with Carlton Martin Barratt, 86 The Moor, Carlton, MK43 7JS 01234 720756 martin.d.barratt@btinternet.com

KEMPSTON All Saints (10) 17-2-4 in E TL015480 Sunday: 10.00 PN: Wednesday 19.45-21.00 Anna Townsend, 7 Clover Way, Kempston, MK42 7FZ 07816 969066 kempston@bacbr.org.uk

Nicola Darwood, Stephen Darwood, Glynda Easterbrook, Richard Hillson,

Cliff Izzard , Andrew Keech, Thomas Keech*, Melvyn Potts, Anna Townsend,

Ian Townsend

KEYSOE St Mary (5) 14-1-19 in E (GF) TL073624 Sunday: 09.45 3rd PN: Wednesday 19.45-21.00 Mrs Penny Heming, Pump Cottage, Keysoe Row East, Keysoe, MK44 2JB 01234 378878 penny.heming@btinternet.com

Carol Burge, Ro Heming, James Hills, Richard Thurmott, Marion Turner

LITTLE STAUGHTON All Saints (5) 10-2-20 in G# (AC) TL107630 Sunday: 09.30 PN: Friday 19.30-21.00 Bernard Hopperton, Cherry Blossom, Staughton Moor Road, Great Staughton, St Neots, PE19 5BW 01234 376292 hazelhopperton@btinternet.com

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MELCHBOURNE St Mary Magdalene (4) 12-1-12 in F# TL028654 Sunday: Phone to check PN: None Rev’d Stephen Holroyd, The Rectory, High Street, Upper Dean, PE28 0ND 01234 709740 stephenholroyd@btinternet.com

MILTON ERNEST All Saints (6) 9-1-1 in G TL020561 Sunday: None PN: Wednesday 19.00-20.00 Except 1st - joint at Thurleigh Neil Roy, The Pyghtle, Thurleigh Road, Milton Ernest, MK44 1RF 01234 823402 miltonernest@bacbr.org.uk

Richard Newman, Luke Parry, Neil Roy

OAKLEY St Mary (6) 10-0-2 in G TL011530 Sunday: 9.00 1st & 5th; 10.00 2nd, 3rd & 4th PN: Friday 20.00-21.15 Bill Sellars, 2 Parsonage Close, Oakley, MK43 7TG 01234 823473 / 07980 745292 oakley@bacbr.org.uk

Martin Heaslip, Graham Ridgway, Bill Sellars

ODELL All Saints (6) 13-1-8 in F# SP966580 Sunday: None PN: None Dr Martin Eshelby, 16a Avenue Road, Rushden, Northants, NN10 0SJ 01933 410959 allsaintsodell@bacbr.org.uk

PAVENHAM St Peter (5) 8-0-0 in A SP992560 Sunday: 10.45 2nd PN: None Martin Barratt, 86 The Moor, Carlton, MK43 7JS 01234 720756 martin.d.barratt@btinternet.com

RENHOLD All Saints (6) 13-0-15 in F# TL089528 Sunday: 10.30 PN: Tuesday 19.30-21.00 alternate with Colmworth, Thursday Mrs Yvonne Potter, 8 Brook Lane, Salph End, Renhold, MK41 0LD 01234 771495 yvonnepotter@onetel.com

RISELEY All Saints (6) 13-1-26 in F TL039631 Sunday: 10.15 1st and 3rd PN: Tuesday 19.30-21.00

phone to check David Shaw, 5 Dodds Close, Riseley, MK44 1DH 01234 708204 d.r.shaw@btinternet.com

David Shaw

SHARNBROOK St Peter (8) 9-3-5 in F# SP993596 Sunday: 09.00 and 17.15 PN: Tuesday 19.30-21.00 Pat Albon, Chapel Cottage, Higham Road, Chelveston, Wellingborough, NN9 6AH 01933 626238 sharnbrook@bacbr.org.uk

Jacquie Albon, Pat Albon, Tom Anderson*, Rosemary Drewery, Rebecca Sharp, Kathryn Stenton

21

STAGSDEN St Leonard (6) 10-2-18 in G (GF) SP982491 Sunday: Check PN: Thursday, 20.00-21.00 Richard Brown, Manor Farm, High Street, Stagsden, MK42 8SQ 01234 822330 jrichardbrown@btopenworld.com

STEVINGTON St Mary (5) 10-2-14 in F# (GF) SP990536 Sunday: Check PN: Tuesday 19.30-20.30 phone to check Peter Bishop, 4 Church Road, Stevington, MK43 7QB 01234 630247 peterbishop656@supanet.com

Peter Bishop

SWINESHEAD St Nicholas (5) 2-2-7 in F TL058659 Sunday: None PN: None

Barry Morse, The Gables, Swineshead, MK44 2AA

07554 291946 bmbarrymorse@gmail.com

THURLEIGH St Peter (6) 14-0-0 in F# (GF) TL051584

Sunday: None PN: Wednesday 19.00-20.00 1st only, others joint with Milton Ernest John Mustoe, Blackthorn Cottage, 20 Cross End, Thurleigh, MK44 2EE 01234 771667 thurleigh@bacbr.org.uk

John Mustoe

TURVEY All Saints (8) 19-0-20 in E SP940525 Sunday: 09.00 1st, 10.30 2nd, 3rd & 4th PN: Friday 19.30-20.30 David Nightingale, 10 Barncroft, Turvey, MK43 8DN 01234 881453 turvey@bacbr.org.uk

Richard Bray

UPPER DEAN All Hallows (5) 9-3-20 in G (GF) TL046676 Sunday: 09.45 check PN: Thursday 20.00-21.00

phone to check Mrs Lindsay Langley, Te Aroha, 6 Aylott Close, Upper Dean, PE28 0NA 01234 708165 upperdean@bacbr.org.uk

WILDEN St Nicholas (5) 11-2-0 in F# TL093552 Sunday: None PN: None Mrs Carolyn Walker, 49, High Street, Wilden, MK44 2QD 01234 771102

WOOTTON St Mary (6) 14-3-26 in F TL003451 Sunday: None PN: None Richard Reeves, 102 Bedford Road, Wootton, MK43 9JB 01234 767726 mail@richardreeves.net

Richard Reeves

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Biggleswade District

Unattached Members

Barbara Beard

AMPTHILL St Andrew (8) 13-3-6 in Ab TL037383 Sunday: 09.00 except 1st PN: Thursday 19.45-21.00 John Hele, 45 Alameda Road, Ampthill, MK45 2LA 01525 840278 ampthill@bacbr.org.uk

Robert Butcher, Margaret Coleman, Dean De-Matteis, Helen De-Matties, John Hele, Nichola Hele, Ciáran Mapp , Rae Marshall, Hilary Nellist, Angela Newberry, Christopher Shrimpton, Alyson Smith

ARLESEY St Peter (6) 10-3-15 in G TL192375 Sunday: 09.00 except 9.30 2nd PN: Friday 19.30-21.00

alternate with Meppershall Peter Overfield, 10 Peartree Close, Shefford, SG17 5JG 01462 815672 arlesey@bacbr.org.uk

Don Brace, Brian Juffs, Katie Juffs, Elizabeth Overfield*, Peter Overfield*

BIGGLESWADE St Andrew (10) 13-1-3 in F TL188446 Sunday: 9.30 and 17.30 PN: Wednesday 19.30-21.00 Charlotte Smith, 58 Cambridge Road, Langford,SG18 9PS 01462 700676 biggleswadebellringers@gmail.com

David Carr*, Paul Chandler, Fiona Day, James Eggleston, Roy Haynes, Yvonne Humberstone*, Prudence Moore, Rev’d Guy Scott, Rev’d Kate Scott, Alice

Scott, Clarrie Scott, Alan Smith , Anthony Smith , Charlotte Smith*,Sheila Smith*,

Leah Stewart, Johannes Strauss, Elaine Taylor*, Christine Williams, Beryl Worsley*, John E Worsley*, Martyn Worsley*

BLUNHAM St Edmund or St James (6) 18-2-0 in Eb TL153512 Sunday: Check PN: Wednesday 19.00-20.30

alternate with Tempsford and Sandy, phone to check

David Collins, 2 The Barns, Blunham, MK44 3LY 01767 641569 enginehouse13@btinternet.com

CAMPTON All Saints (8) 6-2-10 in B (GF) TL130381 Sunday: 10.30 except 5th PN: Tuesday 19.30-21.00 John Loveless, 5 Riverside, Shefford, SG17 5DW 07803 206161 campton@bacbr.org.uk

Darrelle Buckel, Linda Bryant, Charlotte Francis, Clare Francis, Henry Francis, Linda Garton, Barrie Glenn, John Loveless, Susan Silver, Kaitlin Woodland

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CLIFTON All Saints (8) 10-0-6 in Ab TL166393 Sunday: 10.00 and 18.00 1st, 2nd & 3rd PN: Friday 19.30- 21.00 Mrs Teresa Brown, 10 Arnhem Place, Shefford, SG17 5UJ 01462 631957 clifton@bacbr.org.uk

Sheila Ashton*, Stanley Ashton*, Peter Blackmore, Nicholas Brown, Russell Brown, Teresa Brown, Ros Keech*, Jim Peacock, Keith Pledger, Mary Pledger, Frank Rivett, Shaun Somerville, Philippa Whittington

COPLE All Saints (6) 8-1-0 in G# (AC) TL103485

Sunday: None PN: Tuesday 19.30-21.00 Mike Vacher, 91 Willington Road, Cople, MK44 3TN 01234 831207 vacher309@btinternet.com

Patricia Briscoe, Lucy Croucher, Philippa Ebbs, Susan Hillyard, David Prior, Judy Prior, Alex Sturgeon, Mike Vacher

EATON SOCON St Mary (8) 13-2-24 in F TL170588 Sunday: 10.00 except 8.30 1st PN: Wednesday 19.30-21.00 Sue Matthews suejmatthews@outlook.com

Owen Davis, Maureen Hall, Michael Matthews*, Sue Matthews, Mary Parnham, Wendy Piercy*, Christopher Spencer

GREAT BARFORD All Saints (5) 15-3-16 in F (GF) TL134517 Sunday: 09.00 1st, 2nd and 4th PN: Tuesday19.30-21.00 except 4

th - joint at Roxton

Jonathan Bradford, 4 High Street, Great Barford, MK44 3LE 01234 871861 greatbarford@bacbr.org.uk

HAYNES St Mary (6) 6-3-5 in B (GF) TL081412 Sunday: 09.00 1st PN: Monday except 1st 19.30-21.00

always phone to check Brian Oertel, 13 Howard Close, Haynes, MK45 3QH 01234 381428 brianvalerieoertel@btinternet.com

Brian Oertel

HENLOW St Mary (8) 14-2-0 in F# TL178387 Sunday: 10.30, check 5th PN: Tuesday 20.00-21.00 Martin Major, 67 Groveside, Henlow, SG16 6AR 01462 850207 henlow@bacbr.org.uk

James Burgess, Stuart Cracknell, Carol Donnelly, Heather Jewell, Philip Jewell, Martin Major*, Randall Perrey

MAULDEN St Mary (8) 10-2-0 in F# TL058381 Sunday: 08.45, phone to check PN: Wednesday phone to check Mrs Mary Mann, 60 The Grove, Houghton Conquest, MK45 3JU 01234 740348 maulden@bacbr.org.uk

Mark Garner*, Mary Mann*, Yvonne Tomkins* 24

MEPPERSHALL St Mary (6) 12-2-0 in G# (GF) TL134359

Sunday: None PN: Friday 20.00-21.00 alternate with Arlesey

John Parsons, 17 Shillington Road, Meppershall, SG17 5ND 01462 813333 Jparsons55555@gmail.com

David Bartlett, Anne Parsons*, John Parsons*, Elizabeth Wade*

NORTHILL St Mary Virgin (6) 18-2-12 in Eb TL149466 Sunday: 10.30, check 5th PN: Monday 19.30-21.00 Chris Morris, The Barracks, Northill, SG18 9AH 01767 627476 northill@bacbr.org.uk

Andrew Bryans, Mike Cowell, Barbara Dunn, Simon Melvin, Susan Melvin, Chris Morris, Angela Norris, Cathy Olphin, Roy Thrower

OLD WARDEN St Leonard (6) 9-1-0 in G (GF) TL136443 Sunday: None PN: None Rev’d Dr Frank Coleman, The Vicarage, 2A Biggleswade Road, Upper Caldecote, Biggleswade SG18 9BL 01767 315578 dr.frankcoleman@gmail.com

POTTON St Mary (6) 8-0-0 in A TL229495 Sunday: 09.45 PN: Tuesday 19.30-21.00 Mrs Rosemary Kimber, Spencer Farm, 28 King Street, Potton, SG19 2QT 01767 261206 potton@bacbr.org.uk

Val Cooper, Timothy Eltringham, Rosanna Jackson, Rosemary Kimber, Mary Oliver-Barratt, Jessica Richards, Tony Sharp

ROXTON St Mary Magdalene (5) 10-1-3 in G TL153545 Sunday: 10.30, phone to check PN: 4th Tuesday 19.30-21.00 Norman Keightley, Brooklands, Chawston Lane, Chawston, MK44 3BH 01480 472268 roxton@bacbr.org.uk

David Bradley, Rosalie George, Norman Keightley

SANDY St Swithun (6) 12-0-8 in F TL174491 Sunday: 09.30 PN: Wednesday 19.00-20.30 Steven Akhurst, 13 Abbey Grove, Sandy, SG19 1QP 01767 835039 / 07984 860108 sandy@bacbr.org.uk

Carly Akhurst, Phillip Akhurst, Steven Akhurst, Terri Creed, Ann Eaton

SOUTHILL All Saints (6) 11-3-3 in F# TL146422

Sunday: 08.30 3rd PN: Thursday before 3rd Sunday 19.30-20.30 phone to check

Colin McCartney, 29 Birch Close, Broom, Biggleswade, SG18 9NR 01767 314669 colin.mccartney03@talktalk.net

Colin McCartney, Elizabeth McCartney, Alan Dover*

25

STOTFOLD St Mary (8) 11-0-2 in G TL220367 Sunday: 09.30 PN: Thursday 19.30-21.20 Richard and Eileen Castledine, 7 Hazel Grove, Stotfold, SG5 4JJ 01462 629075 stotfold@bacbr.org.uk

Eileen Castledine, J Richard Castledine, John Coles, Roy Webb

TEMPSFORD St Peter (6) 9-1-0 in Ab (GF) TL162531 Sunday: Check PN: Wednesday 19.30-21.00 alternate with Blunham and Sandy phone to check David Collins, 2 The Barns, Blunham, MK44 3LY 01767 641569 enginehouse13@btinternet.com

WILLINGTON St Lawrence (6) 9-0-1 in A TL106498 Sunday: None PN: Tuesday phone to check Mike Vacher, 91 Willington Road, Cople, MK44 3TN 01234 831207 vacher309@btinternet.com

Luton District

Unattached Members

Keith Lewin, John Pemble

ASPLEY GUISE St Botolph (6) 10-0-11 in G# SP943363 Sunday: 09.00 PN: Wednesday 19.30-21.00 alternate with Husborne Crawley Ann Clarke, Braystone House, Aspley Guise, MK17 8HY 01908 585040 aspleyguise@bacbr.org.uk

Ron Battams, Anne Clarke, Richard Lanyon-Hogg

BARTON-LE-CLAY St Nicholas (8) 16-1-14 in E TL085304 Sunday: 10.00 PN: Monday 19.30-21.00

phone to check Mrs Jennifer Archer, 1 Old School Gardens, Barton-Le-Clay, MK45 4LS 01582 881497 jenny.archer@hotmail.co.uk

CADDINGTON All Saints (6) 8-0-0 in G TL064198 Sunday: 9.00 PN: Thursday 20.00-21.00 Rob Jones, 72 Mancroft Road, Caddington, LU1 4EL 01582 452663 caddington@bacbr.org.uk

DUNSTABLE St Peter (8) 23-2-15 in Eb TL021219 Sunday: 08.40 and 18.00 PN: Wednesday 20.00-21.15 Alan Shepherd, 19 Totternhoe Road, Dunstable, LU6 2AF 01582 603238 secretary@dunstablebells.org.uk

Emily Gordon, Rebecca Gordon, Richard Gordon, Jessica Harper, Richard Horne*, Andrew Jeffs, David Jeffs, Paul Jeffs, Matthew Johnson, Graham Proctor, Lauren Reay, Alan Shepherd*, Charlotte Simpson

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EATON BRAY St Mary the Virgin (6) 9-2-0 in A SP969207 Sunday: 09.30 PN: 2nd Wednesday 19.30-21.00 John Plater, 41 Church Lane, Eaton Bray, LU6 2DJ 01525 221095

Richard Booth, Gordon Gray, Isobel Monks, Ruth Monks, Thomas Monks, Rose Nightingale, Adrian Roberts, Gaye Soule, Bob Stilliard, Richard Stroud

EVERSHOLT St John the Baptist (6) 17-1-16 in F SP983325 Sunday: None PN: Monday 18.30-20.00 Robert Churchill, 11 Tingrith Road, Eversholt, MK17 9EF 01525 280632 r.churchill883@btinternet.com

FLITTON St John the Baptist (6) 6-0-6 in Bb (GF) TL059358 Sunday: 10.30 1st, 09.00 2nd PN: Wednesday 19.30-21.00 Jen Fisher, 51 Flitton Road, Greenfield, MK45 5DJ 01525 713917 flitton@bacbr.co.uk

Sally Creveul, Jennifer Fisher, Vernon Green, Maureen Morey, Peter Phillips

FLITWICK St Peter and St Paul (6) 9-1-9 in G TL029342 Sunday: 10.00 PN: Friday 19.45-21.15 Ian Holman, 33 Station Road, Flitwick, MK45 1JT 01525 716258 flitwick@bacbr.org.uk

Michael Catlin, Simon Daw, Richard Fullbrook, Ian Holman, Matthew Holman, Rebekah Holman, Paul Swannell, David Watson

HOUGHTON REGIS All Saints (6) 13-1-3 in F TL018239 Sunday: 09.30 PN: Thursday 19.30-21.00 Delroy Grey, 36 Kent Road, Houghton Regis, LU5 5NZ 01582 868644 delroy_grey@live.com

Carl Anthony, Delroy Grey, Luke Meanwell, John Pratt, Peter Pratt, Celia Pymont, Victoria Ward, Cameron White-Spunner, Kristian White-Spunner

HUSBORNE CRAWLEY St James (8) 18-2-12 in D SP955362 Sunday: None PN: None Robert Churchill, 11 Tingrith Road, Eversholt, MK17 9EF 01525 280632 r.churchill883@btinternet.com

Elizabeth Churchill, Robert Churchill ,

KENSWORTH St Mary (6) 3-3-15 in D# TL031190 Sunday: 10.00 PN: phone to check Mrs Polly Frazer, 10 Poplar Road, Kensworth, LU6 3RS 01582 873143 pollyfrazer7@gmail.com

Barry Huggins

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LEIGHTON BUZZARD All Saints (12) 35-1-14 in C# SP918248 Sunday: 08.45 PN: Monday 19.45-21.30 Evensong QPs by arrangement Kevin Pughe, 10 Church Square, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 1AE 0740 2233022 kevin.pughe@talktalk.net

Margaret Birtles, Gwenda Burley, Barry Eglesfield, Ann Pawley, Caroline Pawley, Jonathan Pawley, Lizzie Pawley, Kevin Pughe, Robert Tregillus

LINSLADE St Barnabas (8) 9-3-3 in A SP912249 Sunday: 09.30 PN: Tuesday 19.30-21.15 Louisa Smith 07852 554704 linsladeringing@gmail.com

Mark Cluett, Janesse Cornfoot, Simon Head, Chris Hewett, Janet Miller, Janice Robinson, Louisa Smith, Rebecca Smith

LUTON St Mary (12) 25-0-24 in D TL095212 Sunday: 09.45 PN: Tuesday 18.30-20.00

by arrangement Mrs Dee Vanner, 13 Elmwood Crescent, Luton, LU2 7HX 01582 619738 deanna.vanner@hotmail.co.uk

Angela Andrews, Ian Brown, Beryl Gardner, Lorna Jackson, John Lambert, Pat Limanni, Santo Limanni

MILTON BRYAN St Peter (3) 8-2-16 in A (GF) SP972308

Sunday: None PN: None Kelvin White, 4 Church End, Milton Bryan, MK17 9HR 01525 210337 kb.ss.white@gmail.com

SHILLINGTON All Saints (5) 18-2-0 in E TL123339 Sunday: 09.00 PN: Monday 20.00-21.00 Ian Harvey, 77 Church Road, Shillington, SG5 3LJ 07976 705871 ian-harvey@tiscali.co.uk

SILSOE St James (6) 6-1-9 in B TL082356 Sunday: 09.00, 2nd phone to check PN: Monday 19.45-21.00 Mrs Barbara Fraser, 18 Bedford Avenue, Silsoe, MK45 4ER 01525 861709 silsoe@bacbr.org.uk

David Adams, Paul Biscoe, Christopher Catlin, Julia Catlin, Barbara Fraser, Margaret Jeeves, Jane Lawton, Les Miller, Simon Stranks

STANBRIDGE St John the Baptist (6) 9-0-15 in F# SP966242

Sunday: 9.30 1st, 3rd & 4th PN: Wednesday, phone to check Laurence Cooper, 10 Carlton Grove, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 3BR 01525 377291 stanbridge@bacbr.org.uk

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STUDHAM St Mary the Virgin (6) 10-0-22 in Ab (GF) TL016159 Sunday: 10.00 PN: Monday 20-00-21.00 Miss Angela Blackburn, 7 Knotts Close, Dunstable, LU6 3NY 01582 663756 studham@bacbr.org.uk

Angela Blackburn, Sally Cload, Paul Hassan, Margaret Maddox, Peter Sanders, Charles Thorogood, Andrew Wheeler

TILSWORTH All Saints (6) 8-3-17 in A (GF) SP975243 Sunday: 09.30 PN: Monday 20.00-21.00 phone to check John Wilkins, 9 Lords Close, Stanbridge, LU7 9JB 01525 210961 jf.wilkins@btinternet.com

John Wilkins

TODDINGTON St George of England (8) 22-2-0 in E TL010289 Sunday: 10.30 PN: Friday 19.30-21.00 Peter Boon, 33 Vicarage Street, Woburn Sands, MK17 8RE 01908 584181 toddington@bacbr.org.uk

Ruth Betts, Peter Boon, Viki Holton, John Pask, Fran Smith, Debbie Thrower, Wendy Whaley

TOTTERNHOE St Giles (8) 9-2-0 in F SP988208 Sunday: 10.30 PN: Tuesday 20.00-21.00 phone to check Annette Brooks, 12 St Mary’s Gate, Edlesborough, Dunstable, LU6 2RB 01525 662644 totternhoe@bacbr.org.uk

WESTONING St Mary Magdalene (6) 11-1-18 in F# TL027327 Sunday: 10.30 PN: Monday 19.30-20.45 Sarah Sharp, 48 Townfield Road, Flitwick, MK45 1JF 01525 630961

Peter Little, John Luckman, Julie Luckman, Peter Luff, Tom Luff, Geraldine Moore, David Moorhouse, Joy Moorhouse, Janice Sharp, Sarah Sharp, Marina Torselli

WHIPSNADE St Mary Magdalene (6) 3-1-24 in E (GF) TL012179 Sunday: 08.30, except 5th PN: None Mrs Pam Ward, Chapel Farm, Whipsnade, LU6 2LL 01582 872406 pamelaj.ward@outlook.com

Sarah Ayres, John Kendrick, Roger Kendrick, Sylvia Kendrick

WOBURN St Mary the Virgin (8) 24-1-16 in D SP950333 Sunday: 09.30, 1st only and please check PN: Thursday, 1st only, 19.30-21.00 Bob Tregillus, 01525 379973 woburn@bacbr.org.uk

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Association Events and Activities

Melville Cup Striking Competition for Young Ringers The Melville Cup Competion was held during the monthly Young Ringers Training afternoon in September held at All Saints, Clifton. Everyone who came was able to take part in a District or ‘scratch’ team. Frank Rivett judged the Luton District team as winners.

St Peters Cup - Association Six Bell Striking Competition Biggleswade District hosted this year’s competition at St Mary, Eaton Socon on 15th September. Five teams entered. The local ringers provided excellent refreshments throughout the afternoon which everyone appreciated. The judge, Mike Purday from Godmanchester, said that it had been a great effort by all teams and judged Biggleswade as the winners.

Place Team Judge’s Comments Faults Rang

1 Biggleswade Very nice ringing, only minor hesitations

10 3

2 Dunstable Slightly rushed leading, good ringing which improved as it went along

17 4

3 Campton Good use of practice time; ringing improved as it went along

23 2

4 St Andrews Bedford

Good solid piece of ringing, faults were from clips rather than gaps

31 5

5 St Peters Bedford

Hesitant ringing, a method mistake was quickly recovered but generated faults

44 1

Paul Chandler receives the St Peters Cup from Mike Purday. Photo: Terry Brown 30

Ringing World National Youth Striking Competition Our Young Ringers took part in the Ringing World National Youth Striking Contest on 7th July in London. Ringing call changes they did well in their qualifying heat at St Olave, Hart Street and went on to the final on the Jubilee bells at Garlickhythe. They came 2nd in the call change competition and joint 3rd overall. Many congratulations to ringers – Clarrie Scott, who very ably called the changes, Rebecca Gordon, Charlotte Francis, Jonathan Nash, Cameron White-Spunner, Kristian White-Spunner, Izzy Byers and reserves Henry Francis and Jess Harper who joined in the day’s activities but didn’t need to ring in the competition.

The Bedfordshire team from left to right: Clarrie Scott (conductor), Chloe Gray, Rebecca Gordon, Jonathan Nash, Charlotte Francis, Cameron White-Spunner, Kristian White-Spunner, Izzy Byers. Photo: Russell Brown

Special congratulations and thanks to Clarrie and Cameron. This was their last competition as they are now too old to take part in future competitions! Clarrie has taken part in six competitions, winning four of them and has also conducted the test piece in the last three years. Cameron has taken part in all eight competitions held so far, winning four of them. He is one of only two ringers to achieve this. In recognition of this he was presented with a framed picture of all the competition venues.

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Cameron White-Spunner and Rosie Hall from Derbyshire with their special award for taking part in all eight Ringing World National Youth Striking Competitions. Photo: Russell Brown

Young Ringers Practices We continue to hold monthly practices, which are specially arranged for young ringers, whether members or not. The sessions are well supported and are specifically structured to cater for all abilities. If you are under 19, or your tower has under 19 year old ringers, and are interested please contact Sue Silver for more information - president@bacbr.org.uk

Young ringers outing to St Neots and Peterborough. On 24th November, 9 Bedfordshire Young Ringers went on an outing up the A1 to visit 5 very different towers. First stop was St Neots and the 29cwt 10 at St Mary. Then back south a bit to the excellent 8 at St Mary, Eaton Socon. Some went by car and others by train to Peterborough where we rang on the easy going 12 at Peterborough Cathedral. This was followed by a complete contrast in the difficult bells at St John the Baptist just over the square. The last tower was the relatively new church of St Mary, Peterborough with the light, easy going 8 and a different coloured sally for every bell! Everyone acquitted themselves very well on such a varied range of bells in terms of numbers, weights and ‘go’. Thanks to John Loveless for organising the towers and the adults who came to support and fill in for the ringing.

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The Young Ringers at Peterborough Cathedral. Photo: Terry Brown

Ridgman Trophy, East Anglia Ten Bell Striking Competition Seven teams took part in the 2018 competition which was held on 16th June and hosted on by the Hertford County Association at St Peter, St Albans. It was judged by Dickon Love and Emma Cundiff. The test piece was Stedman Caters. Congratulations to the Bedfordshire team who came 3rd - Martin Major, Ros Keech, Charlotte Smith, Anthony Smith, Philippa Whittington, John Loveless, Richard Horne, Alan Shepherd, Frank Rivett and Stephen Stanford; many thanks to Philippa for managing the team

Place Team Rang Faults

1 Hertford County Association 41

2 Ely Diocesan Guild 61

3 Bedfordshire Association 65

4 Suffolk Guild 114

5 Essex Association 114

6 Cambridge University Guild 119

7 Lincoln Diocesan Guild DNF

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The Bedfordshire Ridgman Trophy Competition team. Photo: Ely Diocesan Guild Ringing for the Centenary of the First World War Armistice There were two initiatives for ringing to commemorate the centenary of the First World War Armistice on Sunday 11th November 2018. ‘Ringing Remembers’ was the campaign officially endorsed and sponsored by HM Government for recruiting new ringers and ringing open at 12:30pm and was aligned with the published agenda for processions and marches in celebration of peace. ‘Battle’s Over’ was the private initiative of Bruno Peek who put together a programme of events in the evening, including beacon lighting and ringing at 7:05pm. Bedfordshire ringers responded enthusiastically to ringing at some point during the day. We designed an Assocation certificate, signed by President Sue Silver, for towers to record their ringers names. We decided to offer it to all churches with bells where we have a tower contact. It proved to be a very succesful initiative. 46 churches asked for a certificate and analysis showed that over 230 different ringers had taken part; some ringers had rung at more than one tower during the day. This was very popular with members and non-members alike and several churches without any members at all were very keen to have their certificate! Teresa Brown, Honorary Secretary

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Obituaries James R Taylor (1938-2018) James Russell Taylor, originally from Bedford, one of the finest ringers ever produced by the county and certainly one of the leading ringers of his generation, died on 3rd March 2018 after suffering from dementia during the last few years. Jim learnt to ring at St Paul’s Bedford under Sid Foskett and encouraged by Eddie Jeffries and others. He went to Bedford School and his first peal was at Old Warden in 1954 – the band comprised Jim, David Houghton, Peter Shipton, John Long, Stephen Ivin and Bryan Pattison, all of whom were at either Bedford School or Bedford Modern School at the time, the band’s average age was seventeen and a half. National service followed and he went up to St Catharine’s College, Cambridge in 1958 to read Mechanical Engineering and achieved first-class honours. He joined the Cambridge University Guild, progressed on tower and handbells and rang his first peal as conductor. His peal total by the time he left Cambridge was around 75. Jim and Jennie (Jennifer M Davies, from Bedford, herself a ringer of the highest quality) married in 1963 and moved to Whitchurch, and later to Backwell, near Bristol, where they lived and brought up their family, Jim spending his working life with Strachan and Henshaw a major Bristol-based engineering company. Early on he worked abroad in Africa as a commissioning engineer, later back in Bristol he became head of R&D and the company became an early user of CAD. Jim was an early pioneer of computers in ringing. I first met Jim on the 1972 East Meets West peal tour in Essex and remember it as a rather daunting experience. He was an imposing figure, tall, thin, black hair, and his ringing was like him, upright, neat and tidy, very serious and usually faultless – he would go most of the week without a method mistake. He was excellent striker who was comfortable anywhere in the circle, people wanted him in their band. He rang 1334 peals, including over 300 on 12. During the 1970’s he was part of an Ancient Society of College Youths band that rang peals of Spliced Surprise Maximus all over the country on a regular basis. He was expert in the field of multi-method Spliced and rang 100-Spliced on all numbers from 6 to 12 (which includes Triples, Caters and Cinques peals that are fiendishly difficult to learn!), and all-the-work Spliced peals on 8, 10 and 12, including 10,080 45-all-the-work Spliced Surprise Major and the first ever peal of Chandler’s 23. Quite a record! Their decades-long connection with the Bristol City Sunday morning ringing circuit started in the 1960’s. It was Jim who provided the impetus to get the bells at All Saints’ Bristol ringing again. In the 1980’s they reduced their ringing somewhat, but retained their focus on Backwell tower. Jim and Jennie had a shared love of music, Jim played the clarinet (and learnt the bassoon, there was a shortage of bassoonists!),

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Jennie the piano (which she still teaches) and they wanted to pass this on to their five children. A wise decision, as one of their daughters became a professional musician! As a member of the Central Council for over 40 years, representing, at different times, the Gloucester & Bristol and Bath & Wells Associations, Jim contributed immensely to ringing, serving, often as chair, on the Council’s Computer Co-ordination Committee, Publications Committee, Towers and Belfries Committee, and Administrative Committee. His engineering skills meant he was in demand as a bells advisor, for both the Gloucester & Bristol and Bath & Wells Associations over many years. We remember a talented man, a committed contributor in all he did, and a ringer of the highest quality. RIP. John Loveless C Michael Orme (1937-2018) Michael was educated in Hitchin where he observed his friend Alan Jackson pouring over graph paper covered in numbers and lines. After some badgering Alan invited him to a ringing lesson with Derek P Jones. He became hooked into a hobby that was to play a significant part in the rest of his life. In 1957 he was invited by Philip Mehew and Steven Ivin to participate in an attempt at Loughborough Bell Foundry to be the first to ring the extent of Major. This was an extraordinarily bold undertaking; Michael was only 20, with just over 3 years ringing experience and only 51 peals under his belt. Sadly, this and a subsequent attempt both failed and Michael was known to tell people that he had rung over 40,000 changes at the foundry but had yet to score a peal there. It is worth remembering other bands were attempting this challenge which was only conquered at the 9th attempt in 1963. In the mid 60’s the family moved to Bedford, where he joined the St. Pauls Band under the leadership of Steven Ivin, who was a major influence on Michael, a great personal friend and with whom he rang 187 peals. Over the period from 1953 to 2013 Michael rang 208 peals for this Association and 98 at St Paul’s Bedford. During this period, he honed his ability to produce quality ringing, and developed into a seriously good tenor ringer, some have said the best bantamweight tenor ringer of his era; effortless style, combining economy and precision. His ringing wasn’t all about elite top class ringing and peals, he was very encouraging and helpful to ringers of all abilities. His innate desire to help ringers included getting approved as a Landlord so he could provide lodgings for Charlotte, a young student, who subsequently married his friend Anthony Smith. In the early 70’s the family moved to Riseley (before eventually moving to Worcester). With no ringers but with a new ring of 5 about to be installed, he taught an entire new band to ring, including his son Phillip. He was a very

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good teacher, patient and encouraging, though he could be a bit direct with those he didn’t think were making an effort. After retiring he became involved with the BBC, reviewing their collection of ringing recordings and helping organise the recordings used for Bells on Sunday, always providing a snippet of information about the bells and or what was being rung. In recent years Michael was a regular and welcome visitor to Campton whilst ‘cat sitting’ for his daughter who lives in Shefford. Sadly, Michael was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid dysplasia in early 2017 and died just over a year later. Anthony Smith Based on a tribute, kindly provided by Phillip Orme, that was published in the 18th November 2018 edition of the Ringing World. The full version is on the Association website. Diana Crick Diana was a member of the band at Haynes and was also a regular attender at District Meetings. She served for several years as part of the catering team helping to provide the tea which in those days was a major part of every months meeting. She was also involved in the inauguration of the District Social, an event that ran for many years until 2018. She was a loyal ringer serving her local Church, and good friend to many people. Anthony Smith

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The Ronald J Sharp Ringing Centre, St Andrews Church, Biggleswade

St Andrews, Biggleswade is home to the Ronald J Sharp Ringing Centre, set up in 2017 following the 2016 augmentation (to 10) and refurbishment project. The Centre has fully adjustable sound management, a computer based, multi and single bell, simulator equipped with Abel, Virtual Belfry and Beltower applications. A dumb bell, a set of hand bells, multi view CCTV, white boards and other training aids are also available. The ringing chamber is a large, pleasant and comfortable space and an excellent environment for training and teaching activities. The Ringing Centre’s Operating Guidelines are available on the website at http://www.bacbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Operating-Guidelines-May-2018.pdf The Ringing Centre is available for anyone to book for one-off sessions, regular practices or courses, subject to availability. Suggested Ringing Centre event times are Saturday mornings 10.00 – 12.00 with the option of using Monday evenings, when the bells must be down by 9.00pm. Enquiries can be made by email to Biggleswadebellringers@gmail.com

Points from the Peals

Congratulations to the following members who rang their first peal in 2018:

Date Ringer Bell rung and method Tower

27 Jan Kristian White-Spunner 2nd, Cambridge Major Campton

24 June Matthew Bareham Tenor, Grandsire Triples Bedford, St Paul

8 Nov Stuart Cracknell Tenor, Grandsire Triples Henlow

Members who rang ten or more peals

Anthony H Smith 17 Charlotte M Smith 15 Stephen H Stanford 13 Frank W Rivett 10

Members who conducted more than one peal Anthony H Smith 9 John P Loveless 5 Stephen H Stanford 5

Towers where more than one peal was rung Henlow 5 Campton 4 Bedford St Paul 2 Clifton 2 Southill 2

Methods rung

Minor 8 Triples 1 Major 8 Caters 2 Royal 1 7 Surprise 4 Grandsire 3 Cambridge 3 Grandsire 2 Cambridge 1 4 Methods 3 Stedman 1 Superlative 2 7 Methods 1 Fordcombe 1 Lincolnshire 1 Plain Bob 1

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2018 PealsPeal no. 4253 including 68on handbells CAMPTON, All Saints Monday January 8 2h47 5088 Fordcombe Surprise Major

Comp: William Barton 1 Craig P Homewood 2 Christine A Williams 3 Martin Major 4 Charlotte M Smith 5 John P Loveless (C) 6 Anthony H Smith 7 Philip R Jewell 8 Phillip S George Birthday compliment to Philippa Whittington.

4254 CAMPTON, All Saints Saturday January 27 2h50 5056 Cambridge Surprise Major Comp: C Middleton 1 Henry Francis 2 Kristian White-Spunner 3 Linda M Garton 4 Charlotte M Smith 5 Stephen H Stanford 6 Anthony H Smith 7 Cameron White-Spunner 8 John P Loveless (C) 1st peal: 2. 1st on 8 & of Treble Bob: 1. 100th peal on the bells: 8. The band would like to associate Alan Shepherd with this peal. Alan has encouraged & mentored 2 & 7.

4255 HENLOW, St Mary Thursday February 8, 2h54 5056 Lincolnshire Surprise Major Comp: H L James 1 Martin Major 2 Rosalind J Keech 3 Alban D Forster 4 Anthony H Smith (C) 5 Philip R Jewell 6 Russell A Brown 7 Stephen H Stanford 8 Frank W Rivett

4256 SOUTHILL, All Saints Monday February 26 3h3 5040 Minor (7m)

(Single Court B, College Exercise B, Oxford TB, Norwich S, Cambridge S, Single Oxford B, Plain B) 1 Charlotte M Smith 2 Martin Major 3 J Richard Castledine 4 Anthony H Smith (C) 5 John P Loveless 6 Stephen H Stanford To celebrate the 60th anniversary of 2's 1st peal, which was rung in this tower on 15th February 1958.

4257 HENLOW, St Mary Thursday March 8 3h0 5056 Superlative Surprise Major Comp: G Lindoff 1 Charlotte M Smith 2 Christine A Williams 3 Martin Major 4 Anthony H Smith (C) 5 Alban D Forster 6 Philip R Jewell 7 Stephen H Stanford 8 Russell A Brown Remembering Jim (James R) Taylor. 4258 HAYNES, St Mary Wednesday March 14 2h45 5040 Surprise Minor (7m) (London, York, Beverley, Bourne, Ipswich, Norwich, Cambridge) 1 Martin Major 2 Charlotte M Smith 3 Anthony H Smith 4 Frank W Rivett 5 Stephen H Stanford 6 John P Loveless (C) In memory of James R Taylor, who learnt to ring at St Paul's Bedford & became one of Bedfordshire's finest ringers. He lived in the Bristol area for many years & took part in many record peals of multi-method spliced and all-the-work spliced, including the 1st peal of Steven Chandler's composition of 23 all-the-work, every lead different, in 1974. RIP. 4259 POTTON, St Mary Thursday May 10 2h40 5040 Minor (4m) (1 ext Kent TB; 2 exts each Cambridge S, Single Oxford B, Plain B) 1 Alan S Smith 2 Yvonne E Humberstone 3 Philippa M Whittington 4 Peter G Smith 5 Anthony H Smith (C) 6 Clive G Smith To celebrate the diamond wedding of Alan & Sheila Smith, married in this church on 10th May 1958. The band included the bridegroom, best man, brother, daughter & nephew, who are very grateful to 3 who rang, at very short notice, in place of Charlotte Smith who was indisposed.

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4260 BIGGLESWADE, St Andrew Saturday June 2 2h54 5056 Plain Bob Major Comp: P S George 1 Debbie Hill 2 Charlotte M Smith 3 Bradley D Hill 4 Phillip S George 5 Peter G Smith 6 Anthony H Smith (C) 7 Tom R Childs 8 Russell A Brown To mark the 65th anniversary of the coronation of H M Queen Elizabeth II. With best wishes to 5 for his forthcoming 80th birthday.

4261 HENLOW, St Mary

Thursday June 14 2h53 5040 Minor (4m) (2 exts each Ipswich S, Oxford TB, Cambridge S; 1 ext Norwich S) 1 Rosalind J Keech 2 Martin Major 3 Anthony H Smith (C) 4 Frank W Rivett 5 Jonathan R Pawley 6 Stephen H Stanford In thanksgiving for the life of Malcolm Tucker, step-father of 1. 550th peal: 1. 4262 BEDFORD, St Paul Sunday June 24 3h7 5040 Grandsire Triples Comp: J J Parker (6-part) 1 Frank W Rivett 2 Lesley J Belcher 3 Matthew R Johnson 4 James R B Saunders 5 Christopher E Bulleid 6 Richard A Horne 7 Stephen H Stanford (C) 8 Matthew Bareham Specially arranged & rung on the 25th anniversary of the ordination to the priesthood of Fr Kevin Goss, Vicar of this parish. 1st peal at 1st attempt: 8. 1st Grandsire Triples: 5.

4263 TEMPSFORD, St Peter Saturday June 30 2h40 5040 Surprise Minor (7m) (London, York, Primrose, Ipswich, Beverley, Bourne, Cambridge) 1 Susan J Matthews 2 Susan E Marsden 3 Colin Aked 4 Russell A Brown 5 Alban D Forster 6 David Kemp (C) 100th of 7-Surprise Minor: 2. Following a service for Armed Forces day. With congratulations to Alice Scott who has just finished university & attained a First (Hons) in English & American Literature & Religious Studies. Also to celebrate the ordination of Kate Scott (Alice's mum) to the Priesthood in St Albans Abbey today. 4264 HUSBORNE CRAWLEY, St James

Monday August 27 2h56 5040 Grandsire Triples Comp: J J Parker (6-part) 1 Ruth Stokes 2 Jane C Spencer 3 David I Stanford 4 Michael R Spencer 5 Richard A Horne 6 Christopher C Stokes 7 Stephen H Stanford (C) 8 James R B Saunders To commemorate the life of Christopher Bolton, L/Cpl. 512922, 14th Battalion London Regiment (London Scottish). Killed in action Wednesday 21 August 1918, age 21. Lived Aspley Guise. Enlisted London. Son of John and Elizabeth Bolton of 87 High Street, Ridgmont. Commemorated: Locre No.10 Cemetery, Heuvelland, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Ref. B.9, also on Ridgmont war memorial. Also in fond & affectionate memory of C Michael Orme (17 August 2018) & his many significant contributions to Bedfordshire ringing. The method chosen to mark the 300th anniversary of the 1st peal of Grandsire Triples at St Peter Mancroft, Norwich on 26th August 1718.

4265 HENLOW, St Mary Thursday September 13 2h54 5040 Stedman Triples Comp: Andrew Johnson (bobs only, 10 part, Cholsey versio 1 Charlotte M Smith 2 Rosalind J Keech 3 Anthony H Smith 4 Christopher Forster 5 Philippa M Whittington 6 Alban D Forster (C) 7 Stephen H Stanford 8 Philip R Jewell In memoriam C Michael Orme. Martin Major would like to be associated with this peal. 4266 CAMPTON, All Saints Friday September 14 2h49 5120 Cambridge Surprise Major Comp: S J Ivin 1 Linda M Garton 2 Charlotte M Smith 3 Stephen H Stanford 4 Trevor W Groom 5 Anthony H Smith (C) 6 Gareth Davies 7 Philippa M Whittington 8 John P Loveless In affectionate memory of C Michael Orme, a regular visitor to this tower. Chris Williams would like to be associated with this peal. Comeback peal for 1 after dislocating her shoulder over 5 months ago. 4267 BEDFORD, St Paul Saturday September 22 3h18 5057 Grandsire Caters Comp: Clement Glenn 1 Charlotte M Smith 2 Philippa M Whittington 3 Alexander J Nash 4 Melissa F Nash 5 James R B Saunders 6 David I Stanford 7 Stephen H Stanford (C) 8 Patrick J S Albon 9 Frank W Rivett 10 Matthew Bareham On the 60th anniversary of a peal of Grandsire Caters rung by the St Paul's Sunday service band, using the same composition. In fond & affectionate memory of James R (Jim) Taylor (1952-1963), who rang in the 1958 peal, & C Michael Orme (1968-1976), both one-time members of the local band who have passed away this year. Anthony H Smith, who was unable to ring due to illness, would like to be associated with this peal.

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4268 LITTLE PAXTON, Cambs, St James Sunday September 30 2h46 (7cwt) 5040 Minor (4m) (2 exts each Kent TB, Cambridge S, St Clements B; 1 ext Plain B) 1 Christopher M J Spencer 2 Edwin C Matthews 3 Susan J Matthews 4 Jane C Spencer 5 Michael J Matthews 6 Michael R Spencer (C) By family members to welcome Imogen Taylor Spencer born 3rd June 2018. 4269 CLIFTON, All Saints

Sunday October 14 3h1 5184 Superlative Surprise Major Comp: Stanley Jenner 1 Charlotte M Smith 2 John P Loveless (C) 3 Rosalind J Keech 4 Anthony H Smith 5 Jonathan R Pawley 6 Frank W Rivett 7 Russell A Brown 8 Richard A Horne Birthday compliments to 3 & 8, both born on October 16 in the same year. 4270 CLIFTON, All Saints

Saturday October 20 2h50 5024 Cambridge Surprise Major Comp: J S Warboys 1 Rosalind J Keech 2 Charlotte M Smith 3 Susan J Melvin 4 Peter G Smith 5 Anthony H Smith (C) 6 Philippa M Whittington 7 Philip R Jewell 8 Frank W Rivett A birthday compliment to Sheila Ashton of the local band. 4271 KEMPSTON, All Saints Thursday November 1 3h17 (17cwt) 5076 Grandsire Caters Comp: I Butters (No.739) 1 Charlotte M Smith 2 Lesley J Belcher 3 Anthony H Smith 4 Stephen H Stanford (C) 5 Margaret Feneley 6 Ian Townsend 7 James R B Saunders 8 Jonathan R Pawley 9 Andrew M Keech 10 David I Stanford For All Saints. The last peal on the current ring of bells. (3 & 9 also rang in the 1st peal on the current 10 & 3 rang in the last peal on the 8).

4272 HENLOW, St Mary Thursday November 8 3h9 (14cwt) 5040 Grandsire Triples Comp: James Higgins 1 Carol J Donnelly 2 Charlotte M Smith 3 Frank W Rivett 4 Philippa M Whittington 5 Anthony H Smith 6 Philip R Jewell 7 Stephen H Stanford (C) 8 Stuart A Cracknell Half-muffled in memory of the 27 Henlow men who lost their lives fighting in WWI. Special thanks to 8 who stood in 25 mins before it was due to start. 1st peal: 8. 4273 SOUTHILL, All Saints Sunday November 11 2h51 (11cwt) 5040 Surprise Minor (7m) (Carlisle, London, Surfleet, Westminster, Ipswich, Bourne, Cambridge) 1 Teresa J Brown 2 Rosalind J Keech 3 Philippa M Whittington 4 Russell A Brown 5 Frank W Rivett 6 Nicholas D Brown (C) On the centenary of the signing of the Armistice, remembering the 29 men from this parish who fell. Their names liveth for evermore. 600th peal: 3. Back in action: 6!

4274 BIGGLESWADE, St Andrew Saturday December 1 3h16 5040 Cambridge Surprise Royal Comp: Peter Border 1 Linda M Garton 2 Rosalind J Keech 3 Charlotte M Smith 4 Anthony H Smith 5 Penelope J V Sharpe 6 Philippa M Whittington 7 Elizabeth A Pawley 8 John P Loveless (C) 9 Frank W Rivett 10 Russell A Brown For the Patronal Festival. 500th together: 6 & 9. With the best wishes of the band to Stan Ashton for a speedy recovery. 4275/68 CAMPTON, All Saints Saturday December 15 2h49 5040 Surprise Minor (10m) ( (1) Norfolk; (2) Chester, Munden; (3) Lightfoot; (4) Surfleet, Beverley; (5) Bourne; (6) Ipswich, Cambridge; (7) Norwich) 1 Charlotte M Smith 2 Russell A Brown 3 John P Loveless 4 Phillip S George 5 Anthony H Smith (C) 6 Nicholas D Brown With best wishes to Chris Williams hoping she is fit for her forthcoming holiday.

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Bedfordshire Association Peals Conductors should send Peal Secretary, Chris Williams, full details (names, method, composition) and peal fee within 4 weeks of the peal being rung (or by 14th January if rung in the preceding December). Email Chris at pealsecretary@bacbr.org.uk The peal fee is currently 50p per ringer. If one of the peal band isn’t a member they can be elected as an ‘Associate Member’ before the peal attempt provided that the proposer and seconder are Voting Members and taking part in the peal. The new member’s details and membership fee, currently £5, should be given / sent to the relevant District Secretary. Their election must be ratified at any BACBR meeting within 3 months of the peal. If you weren’t aware, peal fees and Associate Member subscriptions are transferred each year to the Association Bell Restoration Fund - a very good cause! As well as being published in the Annual Report, Association peals can also be viewed on our website home page via a ‘live feed’ from the Ringing World’s Bell Board.

Association Rules 1. Name and Objects The Association shall be called ‘The Bedfordshire Association of Church Bell Ringers’. It shall have for its objects:

The promotion of ringing for divine service.

The cultivation of scientific change ringing.

The preservation of proper belfry conduct.

The encouragement of ringers to take part in the worshipping life of the church.

To promote and support the care, maintenance, improvement and restoration of bells within the area of the Association.

There shall be three districts within the Association, namely the Bedford, Biggleswade and Luton Districts.

2. Membership Register of Members A register of members shall be kept. The contents and control of the register shall be responsibility of the General Committee. Personal information will be held in accordance with the Data Protection legislation. Definition of Criteria for membership Ringing: Be able to ring rounds competently. Residency: Either ring for Sunday Service at a tower within the Association boundary or reside within the Association boundary. The Association boundary is defined as those parishes which lie within the geographical county of Bedfordshire including the parish of Eaton Socon in Cambridgeshire. Definition of membership categories (a) Ringing Member (Resident) A Ringing Member (Resident) must satisfy the criteria for ringing and residency. A Ringing Member (Resident) may be elected at any public meeting of the Association or one of its Districts provided the proposer and seconder hold the status of Voting Member. A Ringing Member (Resident) may be elected prior to a peal attempt, provided the proposer and seconder hold the status of Voting Member and the election is ratified at a public meeting of the Association or one of its Districts within three months of the peal attempt. (b) Ringing Member (Resident, Life) - This membership category is closed as from 18 May 2013. (c) Ringing Member (Non-Resident) A Ringing Member (Resident) who no longer fulfils the criteria for residency may transfer to Ringing Member (Non-Resident) upon application to the Honorary Secretary. A Ringing Member (Non-Resident) who fulfils the criteria for Ringing Member (Resident) must automatically return to Ringing Member (Resident). (d) Ringing Member (Non-Resident, Life) A Ringing Member (Resident, Life) who no longer fulfils the criteria for residency will automatically transfer to Ringing Member (Non-Resident, Life). A Ringing Member (Non-Resident, Life) who fulfils the criteria for Ringing Member (Resident, Life) shall automatically return to Ringing Member (Resident, Life). (e) Honorary Life Member The Honorary Life Member category is reserved for any person who has given outstanding service to the Association. An Honorary Life Member may only be elected at an Association Annual General Meeting, provided that notice of such nomination shall be given in writing to the Honorary Secretary at least 14 days prior to the Annual General Meeting. The nomination must be proposed and seconded by members holding the status of Voting Member. (f) Associate Member (Ringing) An Associate Member (Ringing) must fulfil the criteria for ringing and must not fulfil the criteria for residency. An Associate Member (Ringing) may be elected at any public meeting of the Association or one of its Districts provided the proposer and seconder hold the status of Voting Member. An Associate Member (Ringing) may also be elected prior to a peal attempt, provided that the proposer and seconder hold the status of Voting Member and they are taking part in the attempt. The election must be ratified at a public meeting of the Association or one of its Districts within three months of the peal attempt. (g) Associate Member (Non-Ringing) An Associate Member (Non-Ringing) must not fulfil the criteria for ringing. The criterion for residency does not apply. An Associate Member (Non-Ringing) may be elected at any public meeting of the Association or one of its Districts, provided the proposer and seconder hold the status of Voting Member. General In order for a member to change between Ringing Member, Associate Member or Honorary Life Member an election must take place. It is the responsibility of members to notify the appropriate Association officer of any alteration to their entry in the Register of Members.

3. Election and Voting Only Ringing Members (Resident), Ringing Members (Resident, Life) and Honorary Life Members shall have power of voting on matters connected with the Association or one of its Districts. Such members shall be referred to as Voting Members. A Voting Member is entitled to speak and vote at any public meeting of the Association or one of its Districts. Only Voting Members shall be eligible for election to any official position (as defined in Rule 4 and Rule 6). Voting will

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take place by show of hands or secret ballot as directed by the chairman of the meeting. Voting on the following Association matters shall be approved by an absolute majority: rule changes, finance, charitable status, election to Association office, membership and other items at the discretion of the chairman of the meeting (Association or District). All other proposals shall be approved by a working majority.

An ‘Absolute Majority’ is defined as a majority of all Voting Members who are present and eligible to vote at a public meeting of the Association or one of its Districts. A ‘Working Majority’ is defined as a majority of those Voting Members who are present, eligible and cast a vote at a public meeting of the Association or one of its Districts.

4. Management The management of the Association shall be vested in a General Committee consisting of a President, a Vice-President, an Honorary Secretary, an Honorary Treasurer, an Honorary Librarian, an Honorary Peal Secretary, the Central Council Representatives, the three District Secretaries, two members of each District Committee and those Honorary Life Members elected. The President, Vice-President, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer, Honorary Librarian, Honorary Peal Secretary and Honorary Life Members shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting and serve for one year. The number of Central Council Representatives permitted by the Central Council shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting and serve for three years. The General Committee may appoint specialists, as required, to carry out certain roles, for example Technical Advisor, Safeguarding Co-ordinator and Web Master. In their roles, specialists will not be members of the General Committee. Any officer or Honorary Life Member shall be eligible for re-election. Each year the General Committee must appoint two of its members to be Bank Trustees. The General Committee shall have the power to co-opt if a position becomes vacant during the year. To form a quorum, there shall be a minimum of six General Committee members. A quorum must have at least one of the following officers: President, Vice President, Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer.

5. Roles and Responsibilities The Honorary Secretary shall be responsible for recording the activities of the Association as a whole, the preparation of the Annual Report and membership records. The Honorary Treasurer shall be responsible for the recording of finances of the Association. The Honorary Peal Secretary shall record details of all peals rung by the Association and shall ensure that the rules of the Association and of the Central Council have been observed. The Technical Adviser shall assist and advise in all matters concerning bells and their fittings at churches within the Association boundary. The Safeguarding Co-ordinator shall be the focal point for all complaints, shall take the complaint seriously and pass it on in accordance with Diocesan guidelines. The Central Council Representatives shall attend meetings of the Council on instructions of the General Committee and represent the declared views of the Association.

6. Districts

Each District shall elect a District Committee, consisting of a Chairman, a Secretary, a Treasurer and other officers as they may find necessary. Each Treasurer shall collect the subscriptions of members and other monies payable to the Association’s funds. Each District shall report annually on its activities and membership.

7. Subscription The subscription of each member (who is liable to pay an annual subscription) shall be due on January 1st and shall be paid before the Association Annual General Meeting in each year. Membership shall cease as from 1st January, if the subscription is not paid within the specified time period. The appropriate subscription for a new member shall be payable upon election. The subscription level for each membership category and its effective date (as defined below) shall be recommended by the General Committee and approved at an Association Annual General Meeting. If the Association Annual General Meeting rejects the recommended subscription levels, the existing subscription levels will then remain in force until such time as the General Committee make further recommendations which are accepted by the Annual General Meeting. Definition of Subscription Levels for Each Membership Category

(a) Ringing Member (Resident) There shall be three classes of Ringing Member (Resident):- Under 19, 19 to 64 and 65 and over. The age requirement shall be determined by the age of the member at the 1st January in each year. Each member shall pay an annual subscription. (b) Ringing Member (Resident, Life) This membership category is closed as from 18 May 2013. (c) Ringing Member (Non-Resident) A Ringing Member (Resident) who has paid five or more consecutive annual subscriptions may transfer to Ringing Member (Non-Resident) without further payment; otherwise the transfer may be made by payment of a single fee. Such transfers shall be deemed to begin on 1st January after the date of transfer. (d) Ringing Member (Non-Resident, Life) Such transfers shall be deemed to begin on 1st January after the date of transfer. No payment is required. (e) Honorary Life Member Exempt from subscription payments.

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(f)Associate Member (Ringing) Each member shall pay a single payment upon election. (g) Associate Member (Non-Ringing) Each member shall pay an annual payment.

A table giving subscription rates for each membership category shall be published in the Annual Report.

8. Peals All peals rung by the Association shall be recorded in the Annual Report, provided that all those taking part are Ringing Members, Honorary Life Members or Associate Members (Ringing). Full details of the peal including the composition, together with the peal fee shall be given to the Honorary Peal Secretary by the conductor within four weeks or not later than the 14th January in the following year, whichever date is earlier. It is the responsibility of the conductor to ensure compliance with these rules. The peal fee and its effective date shall be set by the General Committee and published in the Annual Report.

9. Annual Report A report shall be published annually before the Association Annual General Meeting, containing a list of officers, the Association rules, the Committee's reports, statements of accounts, peals rung during the year, other announcements as the General Committee shall find necessary and a list of members. The list of members shall be compiled as follows: a) Honorary Life Members, Ringing Members (Resident), Ringing Members (Resident, Life) and Associate Members (Non-Ringing) annually; b) Ringing Members (Non-Resident) and Ringing Members (Non-Resident, Life) in the year of transfer; c) Associate Members (Ringing) in the year of election. Each member listed in the Annual Report shall be entitled to a copy of the Annual Report; others may purchase copies if available. The fee shall be set by the General Committee and published in the Annual Report.

10. Meetings The time and date of the Association Annual General Meeting together with the District in which it is to be held shall be fixed by the previous Association Annual General Meeting. The General Committee shall have power to arrange other meetings of the Association when required. Each District shall hold an Annual District Meeting in January and monthly meetings when possible.

11. Accounts The General Committee must:

Authorise opening and closing all Association bank accounts, and

Review all bank accounts regularly to make sure that charges and/or interest rates are competitive. The Honorary Treasurer and Bank Trustees must be signatories and any two of these three must authorise payments and/or withdrawals An Independent Examiner shall be appointed at the Association Annual General Meeting to examine the accounts of the Association at the end of each financial year.

12. Rule Alteration

All alterations or additions to the Rules shall be made at the Association Annual General Meeting and notice of any alterations or additions shall be given in writing to the Honorary Secretary in full, at least 14 days previous to such a meeting.

13. Affiliation The Association shall be affiliated to the Central Council and shall abide by the Rules and Decisions thereof.

14. Interpretation of Rules The interpretation of these Rules, and matters not covered by them, shall be finally decided by the General Committee.

15. Dissolution of the Association If the Trustees decide that it is necessary, or advisable, to dissolve the Association, they must present a resolution to a General Meeting called for this purpose. The resolution must be agreed by at least a two-thirds majority of those present and voting. The resolution may give instructions for the disposal of any assets remaining after satisfying any outstanding debts and liabilities. The assets must not be distributed to Association members; they shall be given, or transferred to, a charitable institution(s) that have objects similar to all, or some, of the Association’s objects, as the Association may agree. If this is not possible, the assets may be given or transferred to some other charitable purpose.

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Other General Information for Members

Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults guidelines Revised April 2019 Child Protection rules define a ‘child’ as a person under the age of 18 (or anyone who has been assessed as having a mental age of under 18). At present there isn’t a definition of ‘vulnerable adult’. We recommend that everyone directly involved with children and vulnerable adults in ringing follows the requirements of the St Albans Diocese and their local church. Everyone should take safeguarding matters seriously. This will ensure that:

Children and vulnerable adults are protected.

Adults working with children and vulnerable adults don’t put themselves in compromising situations.

The good name of the Association, and ringing in general, is protected. The St Albans Diocese requires that Tower Captains, and all those who teach children and vulnerable adults in ringing, must have a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) ‘enhanced check’ and attend the class based, Module C2 Deanery training course. DBS checks and training needs can be arranged through your church’s Safeguarding Coordinator. The Safeguarding Coordinator is appointed by the PCC and is also the first point of contact in the event of any safeguarding concerns; their contact details should be displayed in the ringing room. It would be good practice for all ringers to complete the online Diocesan training module C0, for basic awareness and increased knowledge of safeguarding. At the present time Deanery training must be refreshed every 3 years, online training is a one off. For more information see the St Albans Diocesan safeguarding web pages at https://www.stalbans.anglican.org/diocese/safeguarding/ We strongly recommend that Tower Captains / ringing teachers should also:

Invite parents/guardians to a training session before teaching begins so that they’re fully aware of what’s involved.

Ask parents/guardians to complete and sign a registration form giving their permission to learn to ring and provide important contact and medical information - downloadable from our website here - http://www.bacbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/BACBR-young-ringers-registration-form-March-2012.pdf

Keep an attendance register or record.

Make parents/guardians responsible for taking children/vulnerable adults to and from the church.

Get written permission from parents/guardians and agree transport arrangements, before children/vulnerable adults are taken without them to Tower, District and Association meetings, training, outings and social functions or other tower’s practices.

Be aware of the insurance position for children/vulnerable adults.

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Always have at least two adults present (preferable a male and female) when children/vulnerable adults are present at tower, District or Association practices.

Never allow children/vulnerable adults up amongst the bells apart from an initial demonstration visit if it is safe to have one.

Guidance for everyone:

Never hold child/vulnerable adult personal contact information without permission of parents/guardians.

Never travel alone in a car with a child/vulnerable adult. The Association’s Safeguarding Coordinator may contact parents/guardians to make sure they understand the Association’s guidelines and their own responsibilities. For more information see the child protection notes on the CCCBR website: www.cccbr.org.uk/towerstewardship and guidance on the St Albans Diocese website: www.stalbans.anglican.org/safeguarding If you have any queries contact our Safeguarding Coordinator, Rosemary Drewery, email: safeguarding@bacbr.org.uk, telephone: 07792 926004

Data protection and privacy information - April 2018 New data protection legislation came into force in May 2018. The General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) covers how the Association, including its three Districts, holds and uses personal information. We respect the privacy of everyone who gives us personal information as a member, website user, Tower Contact, participant in our events and activities and anyone else who may be involved in the Association’s day to day operations. People give us their personal information, for example, when they ask about our activities, join/rejoin as a member, take part in one of our activities/events, are a named Tower Contact, or ring a peal for the Association. Personal information is any information that can be used to identify individuals, including full name, date of birth, email and postal address, telephone numbers and photographs. We only use personal information for legitimate purposes to:

Manage and administer the Association

Communicate with members and others about activities and events

Produce and send the Annual Report, other newsletters and updates

Improve our website

Fulfil our legal obligations

We don’t sell any personal information and won’t transfer your personal information to any third party without your permission. We make all reasonable efforts to protect everyone’s privacy and maintain the security of all personal information we hold. Under the GDPR you have certain rights about data the Association holds about you; the most relevant of these being the right to be informed, to have access, to rectify mistakes, to erase and to object. Please note that the protection of personal information kept by Church authorities on their ringers and visitors falls outside the scope of the Association’s data protection responsibility.

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Specifically as an Association member, a parent/guardian of any young ringers (under19) who participate in our organised events, a non-member who is a Tower Contact or an adult who is learning to ring, you should be aware that personal information (including name, address, telephone number, email address, subscription payment record and peals rung for the Association) is held and maintained electronically and on paper records for use by nominated Association Officers (including District Officers). The Association has a membership database and Officers also hold email addresses which are used, where members give specific permission, to communicate about Association and District events and activities. By joining the Bedfordshire Association of Church Bell Ringers you agree to your name appearing in the Annual Report and, where relevant, on the Association’s website, Association and District newsletters and other communications. We do ask members and Tower Contacts (whether members or not), to give specific permission before other personal information, such as phone number, address and email address, is used in the Annual Report or on the Association’s website. Please help us to keep our records up to date by informing the Honorary Secretary and relevant District Secretary of any changes to your personal information.

Association and member insurance cover – February 2019 We have an Association insurance policy with Ecclesiastical Insurance Group. We don’t provide personal insurance for every member because it’s expensive and these policies may give a false sense of security as they have small pay-outs. For example, a typical pay-out is unlikely to cover your loss of earnings if you were unable to work due to a ringing accident. We believe our cover is a good membership benefit and accounts for about £1.00 of your annual subscription. You can view our current policy documents on the website. Cover includes:

£5,000,000 public and products liability for third party claims on the Association and individual members;

‘Member to Member’ liability, if one member should sue another member;

Property damage and unspecified risks, for our valuable assets including the striking competition trophies, President’s badge and library contents.

Trustee indemnity cover Liability cover only applies if a member isn’t entitled to indemnity under any other policy and it won’t apply if the member isn’t complying with the terms and conditions of our policy. You should be aware of the following points:

You should always check the insurance position of your own church which must have its own insurance cover.

If you’re teaching learners in your own tower then you’re likely to be covered by your church policy, but upper and lower age limits may apply. If you are teaching outside your own tower then you’ll need to check your insurance position at that tower.

If you are doing more than ‘routine maintenance’ then you may not be covered by your church policy. You should seek specific advice for any work

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that could be considered as more than ‘routine maintenance’.

If you’re a volunteer worker for any bell or tower work project being carried out by recognised, professional bell engineers, you may be able to get some cover under their policy but check beforehand whether it is for liability and accidents.

Members of the Association of Ringing Teachers (ART) should check how they are covered through ART’s insurance policy for teaching at towers within and outside the Association’s area.

See also the Central Council’s guidance note on insurance and ringing: https://cccbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/GN1-2-June-2015.pdf

Practice Nights - Always check before visiting a tower on practice night; check the

website for the most up to date information. Some towers only practice on certain weeks of the month, alternate their practice with one or more other towers or are only by special arrangement. Only towers that indicate that they may hold or arrange a practice are listed here.

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