Bledhen Nowydh Da!
HOT OFF THE PRESS – New TDGR mugs in stock, £5 each, available from your District Secretary.
The new 2026 TDGR mug
Oh, by the way, member subscriptions are now due – please see the following link for member benefits – https://tdgr.org.uk/benefits-of-guild-membership/
South Hill bells are back! Although not now a full circle ring they have returned and been rehung dead for stationary chiming in the old frame. Structural issues with the tower meant that rehanging the bells for full circle ringing was not feasible, and so the Parish/PCC made the decision that this course of action was the best option.
South Hill bells return (Kevan Borlase)
The Truro Cathedral Sunday Service band rang a Quarter Peal on the back 10 to mark the Diamond Wedding anniversary of Peter and Val Williams – Val being a member of the Cathedral Company of Ringers.
The Helston Training Bell has been installed. This will provide the Helston tower with an immense asset for training new recruits, aiding progression routes, and correcting handling faults in experienced ringers, all without having to ascend the tower. Since we installed ours at St. Dominic we have never looked back!
Helston training bell during installation (Owen Borlase)
On Saturday, 17th January the Northern District held their first improvers practice at Marhamchurch. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend as I was playing a Scottish Gig at Exeter Castle, but I’m sure it was a valuable practice.
Tuesday, 20th saw the East venture to Pillaton for their first District practice of the year. There were lower numbers than usual, but the weather conditions were not favourable yet despite this several towers were represented. I was delighted to present Richard Warwick with an unusual gift – a machined from solid Church Bell paperweight in recognition of his service to the Eastern District. This presentation was slightly delayed as I had misplaced the item during my house move!
The President with Richard and his unique paperweight (Jenny Stott)
It was a trip down to The Lytchgate Room at Kenwyn on the following Saturday for another Standing Committee meeting. A packed agenda was on the table with 23 items covering many different subjects being discussed. I would once again like to thank the team for all their input at these valuable meetings.
All change at St. Columb Major! After 27 years of dedicated service to the tower Phil Tremain has retired and Matthew Rodliffe was elected as his replacement. Phil was a previous PRO for the Guild and also served as President.
Doug Petipher of Calstock celebrated his 100th birthday on Monday 26th January and to mark this that evening a Quarter Peal took place at St. Andrew’s rung by members who had rung with Doug over the years. He was a past Tower Captain and had rung at Calstock for a long time. In fact it was Canon Gordon Rumming who persuaded Doug to “have a go” and that was it! I have rung with Doug on many occasions and it was therefore a great pleasure to go to his house and present a certificate of our successful Quarter Peal the following day. https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=1929317
Doug was a member, and regular attender, of my Call Change Peal band events which started in 2004 and involved trips throughout the County and beyond. I know that Doug was proud that the Calstock bells were rehung on new fittings in 2019 and when he rang them for the try out he commented “don’t they go better than they used to!” He was so pleased that he rang the Treble to a Call Change Peal in September 2019 to mark his Ruby Wedding anniversary to Beryl. Many congratulations dear friend and roll on 101!
Another Quarter Peal was rung on the back 6 at Gulval on the 31st by members of the local band to mark the 90th birthday of Jan de Vries, bellringer and Churchwarden.
The Youth Team were also in action at Kenwyn with lots going on. New members, facing out of the circle for listening practice, some ringing plain hunt of 7 and others calling call changes on 8. Many thanks to Claire and the other adults who attended to help our ringers of the future. So, the Guild is very much alive, long may this continue.
Keep ringing.
Owen Borlase
Guild President
