Category: District News

Bromyard District AGM

The Bromyard Annual General Meeting which will be held on Saturday, 22nd February 2025.

We’ve arranged an exciting day including:

The District AGM is the first in a number of years when we are able to ring at towers in our district where there are the beginnings of a new band of ringers in each location. We have new Tower Captains in place at both, learners who are very soon going to be holding selective practices with a view to re-introducing Sunday Service ringing. Both sets of bells have benefitted from significant work in recent months – the Tenor bell at Bishops Frome and a new access platform at Pencombe.

We would love for you to come along and show your support for these two towers.

We will be electing new members, a new District Treasurer, a new tower Secretary for Bromyard and a new management committee member for the district.

Peter Hughes trophy awarded to Vicky Rees

The Peter Hughes Trophy is awarded annually bu the Hereford District Committee for outstanding services to the District in the previous year.

At the Hereford District AGM on 25th January 2025, the Trophy was awarded to Vicki Rees of Ewyas Harold for organising the “Twinklies” – a monthly mid-week daytime practice usually at Kentchurch to improve method ringing in South Herefordshire. Nick Cooper-Tomkins accepted the trophy on behalf of Vicki and presented it to her at the following weekly Ewyas Harold practice … which just happened to be at Grosmont!

Vicky Rees with the Peter Hughes trophy and ringers from south Herefordshire at Grosmont

Hereford District Outing 2024 Saturday 8th June

Join us on an outing on Saturday 8th June to ring some fabulous bells in South Wales. Everyone is welcome whether you’re brand new to ringing or have been doing it for a while.

Lunch – There are several places to eat and drink in and around Merthyr Tydfil.

Tower donations – we ask that everyone joining us contribute £5 for the day.

If you would like any more information or to let us know you are planning to join us, please contact Nicky njaubrey@hotmail.com or 07806621514

9:00 – 9:45 Mynyddislwyn
St Tudor NP12 2BG		 8 bells, 12-1-14
10:15 – 11:00 Pontypridd
St Catherine CF37 2UF		 8 bells, 12-2-21
11:30 – 12:15 Merthyr Tydfil
St Tydfil CF47 8DP		 8 bells, 20-0-15
14:15 – 15:00 Ebbw Vale
Christ Church NP23 6UJ		 8 bells, 24-3-25
15:20 – 16:05 Blaenavon
St Peter NP4 9AS		 8 bells, 9-1-0
16:30 – 17:30 Abergavenny
St Mary NP7 5NE		 10 bells, 25-0-18

St Andrews Place Doubles on St Andrews Day at St Andrews church, Allensmore

It was only a whim, a silly idea
St Andrews Day, end of November
Last year was a peal, not done before
300 years to remember.

Les said, “a method, one we don’t know
Is there something relates to Saint Andy?”
Google came up with St Andrews Place Doubles
Well, that looks just fine and dandy

How hard can it be not even a dodge
But what’s this, 3 places in lead?
And look at the back, all those places to make
Success is not guaranteed

Saturday practice is called for, with coffee and cake
Including the odd sausage roll
Bells clashed straight away, “you’re all wrong” was the call
No, this won’t be a stroll

But gradually it came, the start was well practiced!
Then Nick said let’s call a touch
Back to square one, all over the place
Not sure I like this too much

But with thanks to the band, it all came together
Nick, Nick, Lesley and Vicky
Carol and Steve joined in with it too
… and our support team, Paul, Alan and Libby

St Andrews Place mugAt the end of it all, enormous relief!
We all need a great big team hug
And to remember the day, just one thing to say:
“Well and truly a St Andrews Place MUG!”

Nick Chapman, Nov 2023

The band: 1. Carol Williams, 2. Vicky Rees (c), 3. Lesley Meredith, 4.Nick Cooper-Tomkins, 5. Nick Chapman, 6. Steve Williams

Link to Bellboard is here

You can download the blue line and ringing notes for St Andrews Place doubles here

Second Learner’s morning held at St Peters Bromyard

We were delighted to host a second session for some more eager learners at St Peters Bromyard on Saturday 20th January 2024.  Like last time attendees could practice their handling skills, continue getting to grips with rounds and call changes, start their plain hunt journey and for some practice their doubles methods. This time we welcomed 17 enthusiastic learners from Cleobury Mortimer, Knighton, Eardisley, Bredwardine, Almeley, Kington & Bromyard. In between tower bell practice sessions there was an opportunity to have a go at handbell ringing.

Many thanks must go out to the helpers, Chris Kippin, Ed & Sarah Lupton, Tim Hollinghurst, Stella Smith, Elaine Wilkinson, Karen Parker, Sue Robinson, Ady Taylor & Nicky Hudson who allowed us to give people the experience they came for. And to Bill & Clare Evans for running the handbell workshops.

Bromyard learners

Sue Robinson 21.01.2024