Posted on by Katie Lane

Covid-19

To all our ringing friends in the ODG and across the country.
Following the announcement from the Government, all ODG ringing activities are suspended until further notice. 
Bells throughout the country will become silent for the first time in 75 years.
We know that our ringing community will support one another during this perilous time, keep in touch with one another and ask when help is needed.
It may be many months until we can ring again, but we will.
May you all keep safe and well.
Katie

 

Posted on by Tim Hayward

Covid-19 – Message from the Master

CCCBR update

The Central Council of Church Bell Ringers has issued the following advice regarding suspension of ringing activities:

“If you haven’t already decided to cancel ringing activities, it seems that now is the time to do so.”

(quote from CCCBR article issued on 16/03/2019)

Some meetings have already been cancelled.

Posted on by Ken Darvill

Message from the Hon General Secretary

At the Guild General Committee meeting yesterday, the effect of the Covid-19
virus was discussed at length. As you will be aware many people are
self-isolating and we are also conscious of needing to avoid putting our
more vulnerable members at risk. We therefore decided to cancel the Radley
course scheduled for 4th April. We will also reschedule the Guild AGM and
eight-bell striking competition from 16th May to a date later in the year –
we will advise you on the new date as soon as possible.
Also Colin Newman has postponed the Training Meeting that was scheduled for
next Saturday for the same reason. It will be held in the autumn. PLEASE
NOTE THIS POSTPONEMENT URGENTLY – DO NOT GO TO COWLEY NEXT SATURDAY.

Posted on by Bobbi Cookson

February half-term 2020

Our latest Young Ringers outing took place in and around Newbury on a chilly February day in half term. It was a really great day and I got to make lots of new friends who were all excellent ringers. The most fun part of the day was getting to try the bells at three different church towers. We started at Speen, walked on to Shaw (in the wind and rain!) and finished at St Nicholas’ in Newbury town centre. St Nicholas had really loud bells which apparently my brother could hear from the other side of the town!

Trying out at different towers gave me a bit more confidence when facing new bells. It was a really great day and I am looking forward to future outings.

Youth ringers during the 2020 February half-term outing. Youth ringers during the 2020 February half-term outing. Youth ringers during the 2020 February half-term outing. Youth ringers during the 2020 February half-term outing. Youth ringers during the 2020 February half-term outing. Youth ringers during the 2020 February half-term outing.

 

Posted on by Ken Darvill

General Committee Meeting – March 2020

Bell Fund & General Committee meeting
Tilehurst, Berkshire.
Saturday 14th March 2020

The arrangements for the meetings are as follows:
The Bell Fund AGM is at 2:30pm and the General Committee meeting will follow immediately afterwards. As a member of the General Committee, you are eligible to attend both meetings. The meetings will be in St Michael’s Church Hall, Routh Lane, Tilehurst, Reading RG30 4JY. There is parking both by the Church at the other end of Routh Lane, and some in the Church Hall car park.
Note that Routh Lane is closed to through-traffic, just south of the Hall entrance. When approaching from the south (e.g. from M4/A4/Calcot), follow New Lane Hill past the church and up to the Tjunction.
Then turn right into The Meadway, and then right again into Routh Lane where the entrance to the hall car-park is situated. If you are using a SatNav to drive to the Hall from the south, you are recommended to use postcode RG30 4PE, to avoid being directed into the closed part of Routh Lane.
If you know that you will not be attending the meetings, please contact me (secretary@odg.org.uk) beforehand so that your apology can be recorded.
There will be ringing at St Michael, Tilehurst (8, 17-1-15) SU674729 postcode RG30 4JX after the meeting/tea. It is easy walking from the Hall.
Tea and coffee will be available at the Church Hall before the meeting from 2.00pm. There will be a traditional ringers’ tea after the meetings for those who want it, or just drinks for those who don’t.
Please can names for tea be sent by Wednesday, 11th March at the latest to Martin Foakes at email: martinfoakes@yahoo.co.uk or (for those without email) by phone: 07572 546883.

Ken Darvill – Hon General Secretary (secretary@odg.org.uk)

Committee Meeting arrangements March 2020

Gen Comm Papers March 2020 Part 1

Gen Comm Papers March 2020 Part 2

Oxford Diocesan Bell Fund AGM 2020

FGP March 20 report for Gen Mtg

Posted on by Tim Hayward

ODG on Twitter

As part of the website update project, I set up an ODG twitter account. At the time, there was no way to integrate this with the first attempt at the website update. Now we have ownership of the development, I have integrated our twitter account with the website. This means that as soon as a new news article is published, a tweet will also be sent. If you’re not already, why not follow us @ODGCBR? You’ll see all the latest news as it comes in!

A few questions have been asked of the Facebook page recently, and I acknowledge that this is under-used. At the time of its creation the development of the website was being done by a contractor, leaving time for me as Webmaster to look after the social media. Since then, and in the absence of a Public Relations Officer, I must admit it has been sat there not really doing much. I intend to look into its role and whether it can be made less restrictive in its use. Once I have an update, I’ll be sure to post it.

In the meantime, please do follow @ODGCBR on twitter!

Posted on by Susan Read

Young Ringers February half-term outing 2020

Young Ringers visit Newbury Branch

Wednesday 19th February.

Any young ringers from the ODG who can handle a bell safely by themselves will be welcome. Parents, ringing teachers and more experienced ringers are welcome too.
Donations of £5.00 per young ringer will be collected.
Please let us know if you are coming and any special dietary considerations.
Please complete and bring a 2020 permission form if not already provided.

13:00 St Mary, Speen (tbc) (6, 12-2-12, RG14 1SA) ring and walk to Shaw
14:15 St Mary, Shaw (6, 7-01-12) ring and walk to Central Newbury
15:15 Church Hall, St Nicolas Newbury (10, 1-2-21, RG14 7WH)
Refreshments, ringing
16:30 Event ends

Contact: training-officer@onb.odg.org.uk

Young Ringers February HT poster

Child Registration Form 2020

Posted on by Alan Marchbank

2020 Leap Year Sponsored Ringing

The Oxford Diocesan Bell Fund AGM celebrated its 45th anniversary in September 2019.

Since its inception it has been able to assist bell restoration in the Diocese by granting over £400,000 to more than 200 projects. Better still because it is a capital fund, all the money that has been raised is still invested and the grants have been paid from interest and dividends generated by the capital,

Every year there are activities, which generate new money for which the Trustees are very grateful as only by increasing the capital can the Fund keep pace with rising costs, We are keen to ensure the 2020 Leap Year Sponsored Ringing Event, is a resounding success.

First organised in 1979 when Branches were encouraged to organise a sponsored Peal or Quarter Peal and donate the money raised to the Bell Fund. A special Shield was provided by Bill Butler and inscribed by Ted Gosling for presentation to the Branch raising the largest amount of money. Bicester Branch won, raising over £231. We don’t expect peals and quarters (but by all means ring them if you like), any ringing can be sponsored, so presents a great opportunity to involve all levels and abilities and to introduce new members to the work of the Bell Fund.

In 2020 the Sponsored Ringing “Week” will be the 22nd to 29th February, The Shield will be presented to the Branch raising the greatest amount per head of membership. Sponsorship money can be Gift Aided to benefit from recovery of Income Tax.

Sponsor forms are both attached below, and available from the Secretary – Katie Lane (email kt.catchmole@googlemail.com)

Ringing Sponsorship Form 2020

Bell Fund Sponsored Ringing