Category: Guild News

12 bell practice, Shrewsbury

The Shropshire Association of Church Bellringers are organising 10 and 12 bell practices monthly at St Chad’s, Shrewsbury starting on Mon 28th April and have kindly invited any interested ringers from the Hereford Guild to join them.

They suggest some confidence in basic ten bell methods as a minimum ringing standard: they will ring mostly on 12 if we have enough people.

Please contact them if you are interested; Their wesite is here, and Facebook page is here

Guild Festival and AGM – Sat 10th May, Ross-on-Wye

All Guild members are very warmly invited to come along to our Guild Festival and AGM on 10th May 2025.

This year we have changed the format so that there are more activities and options of things to do as well as the traditional open towers. We have targeted ‘Taster Sessions’ in the morning alongside a general ringing route, and we have a range of stalls, information and activities available in Ross church during the afternoon.

at St Mary’s Church Ross on Wye:

13:30 – 14:00 Café church service & refreshments
14:00 – 15:00  Annual General Meeting (to include Special General Meeting)

After the meeting  (17:00),  Activities to include General Ringing at Ross

Activities and stalls within the church of St Mary, to include

      • Bell Restoration Fund stall
      • Guild merchandise
      • Wombel
      • Handbell sessions (both tune and method ringing)
      • Recruitment information/advice
      • Bookstall
      • ART information stand
      • History & Archive

Open Towers (General Ringing)

9.30 – 10.30 Garway (5)
11.00 – 12.00 St Weonards (6)
12.00 – 1.00 Linton (6)
13.00-13.30 Ross on Wye (8) with service touch by a band representing each district
15.15 – 17.00 Ross on Wye (8)

Taster Sessions

(limited numbers – places must be pre-booked*)

10:00 – 11:00 Plain Hunt/Doubles Weston Under Penyard (6)
11:00 – 12:00  Plain Bob/Grandsire Triples Bridstow (8)
11:00 – 12.30  Introduction to Foundation Skills & Kaleidoscope Ringing (ART Module 2) Much Marcle (6)
12 – 1pm  Surprise Minor Goodrich (6)

*To book a place at the Taster sessions go to membermojo.co.uk/hdgb,  sign in then go to Your membership then click on Visit Store to reserve your FREE place, or email bookings@hdgb.org

For full details of the AGM with all the documents you need (agenda and appendices), see https://hdgb.org/agm/

Gerald Hodnett

Gerald Hodnett of Bridgnorth District died 8th February 2025.

Gerald joined the ringers at Much Wenlock in 1973 and was a member of the Guild for 52 years, receiving his certificate as an Hon. Life Member in 2003 of which he was very proud. He lived at Ditton Priors but he could always be relied upon every Sunday for service ringing and Tuesday practice night. Unfortunately he had to give up ringing due to ill health and for the last few years has been in a Nursing Home. R.I.P.

Ena Plant

On 7th January 2025 we sadly lost Ena Plant, a ringer and great friend. Ena died in hospital after losing a battle with cancer.

Ena learned to ring in 2014 and was a very keen member of Broseley band.

Ena hadn’t been able to ring for some time due to a heart problem, but she was a very sociable person and always joined in and helped where she could. She organised prize draws for the BRF at District meetings and came along to tower fundraising and social events whenever she could.

During her working life She worked as a post lady and had also worked at RAF Cosford. During her retirement she enjoyed spending time with family and friends, sitting outside her bungalow with husband Paul enjoying the sunshine and walking their dog Bertie.

Ena was great fun and always smiling and laughing. She brightened the lives of many people and will be very much missed by all who knew her.

Our thoughts go out to Ena’s husband Paul and their family.

See also Coalbrookdale & Broseley Bellringers Facebook

Mike Jefferis

We are very saddened to inform you that Mike Jefferis of Holmer died on 7th January 2025.  Mike was an extremely loyal, kind and dedicated man, his personal faith meant he was very much part of the warm and friendly atmosphere at Holmer church.  A member of our Guild since 1991, Mike was an enthusiastic and reliable member of the Holmer band and he will be hugely missed.

Our thoughts and deep sympathies are with his wife Sally and daughters Kirsty and Jody.

See Holmer Bellringer’s Facebook post

Mordiford Bell Restoration

The rare set of bells at Mordiford Holy Rood church were carefully taken down  on 4th January 2025 and sent off to Taylors in Loughborough for the next part of their conservation and cleaning. All new ringing fittings will be manufactured, together with a new rope guide.

The bells are a complete ring of five by William Huntbatch of Worcester dating from 1687. They will not be retuned nor augmented and so when the work is complete, they will sound as near as possible to how they did nearly 340 years ago!

More information on the Taylors website here and a Hereford Times Report is here.

Anyone wishing to donate to the Mordiford Bell project, should do so through Mordiford Parish Giving or cash or cheque to PCC of Mordiford c/o Mr R G Moss, Little Hope, Mordiford, Hereford HR1 3LT.

Mordiford

2025 Peal Recorder

After many years as Peal Recorder, Neil Bennett has regretfully had to step down due to his health. Neil has been working closely with Andrew Watkins recently to add all the Guild peals onto Bellboard; Andrew will step in as Acting Peal Recorder for the time being.

With effect from 04/01/2025, there is a new address to be used for all Peal Recorder enquiries, including arrangements for paying peal fees and the election of new Non Resident Life Members.

All emails should be sent to pealrecorder@hdgb.org