Four Shires Guild of Bell Ringers

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Notices and Adverts

Notice of Proposal to the Annual General Meeting

The following proposal will be made by me on behalf of the Guild's Committee at the AGM on October 16th 2010:-

'That a Four Shires Guild Bell Fund be established with the money accrued by the FSG Mid-Week Tours (presently in the Guild's bank account and standing at some £1400). This Fund is to be administered by the Committee, for the purpose of making grants to churches within the Guild's area of operation for bell renovation, refurbishment, maintenance and associated works. The detailed terms and operation of the Fund are to be proposed subsequently by the Committee, which will report these to, and seek approval from, the membership before operation commences.'

Peter Quinn, Guild Master

Four Shires Guild Annual Walking Tour
Saturday, 25th September 2010

This year's walking tour will centre around the villages of Kingham, Bledington and Lower Oddington. Although this is primarily a 'walking tour' and thus towers are chosen which can provide a realistic route, it is always a benefit to have at least some of the ringers travelling by car between towers, so, walkers, non-walkers, ringers, non-ringers, this is a day for all to enjoy.

We will commence our ringing at St Andrews, Kingham (8,12cwt GF), 10.15 until 11 am followed by a walk of around 1.5 miles to St Leonard's, Bledington (6,8cwt). We plan to arrive so as to ring from 12 to 12.45pm. There is an excellent pub, The Kings Head, adjacent to the village green so those who want a pub lunch or just a swift half following their sandwiches can all be catered for here.

The walk then continues to St Nicholas, Lower Oddington (6,10cwt GF), around 2.5 miles and ringing is arranged for 2.45 to 3.30pm. We then return to Kingham another 2.5 miles and so should be back at the cars at around 4.30.

If you plan to walk you will need stout walking shoes or preferably boots - when I tested the route in February it was extremely muddy in places though I hope it will be fairly dry underfoot in September. I recommend walkers come prepared with waterproof clothing and of course flask and packed lunch. Even if you plan to visit the pub it is always a good idea to carry at least water and some food items with you.

Please contact me nearer the time if you would like to join the walk - even if you can only make it to one of the towers you will be most welcome; and of course if any of the regular ringers at any of the 3 towers want to join the tour they will be warmly received.

Organiser, (to whom all thanks, Ed):-

WANTED!
reporter for the Mid-Week Tours

The Newsletter used to include reports of the Mid-Week Tours (fondly - but quite unkindly, of course - called 'The Geriatrics' Tours'), given by one or another of the regulars on these. Sadly, nothing has been reported for some time now. These tours are Guild-run events, therefore reports in the Newsletter are very appropriate. A lot of ringers attend them, so interest in a report of the three tours between Newsletters will be wide. Would anyone (or any people) like to produce a regular report? If so, contact the Newsletter Team

GUILD MINIMUS STRIKING COMPETITION
for the 'MINI-MOUSE Trophy', which will be held on
Saturday, 14th August 2010, at Cold Aston, 5.00pm Start

Do you remember the 'Mini-Mouse' Striking Competition? If so, you've been a member of the Four Shires Guild for a long time, as it was last held in 1995! Pam Copson introduced this delightfully informal contest and a trophy was donated. The Mini-Mouse Trophy has now been found and returned to the Committee for safekeeping. It has been decided to run this essentially fun striking competition again, but this time on a 5, ie with tenor covering.

It's a late afternoon event and it ought to take no longer than 2 hours (depends on the number of teams entering). As the bells are booked for 3 hours, there will be time to have some ringing afterwards and then it is probably down to a local hostelry to sit in the sunshine, slag off the Organiser and the judge, and drink your tipple.

Teams can be associated with a tower, or any 5 FSG paid up members can form a team with a name. No ringer can ring for more than 2 teams. All teams get a warm-up practice of 3 minutes, and then no further practice. A maximum of about 10 whole pulls of rounds before the test piece. Rounds before and after not marked. No rising and falling in this event.

Names of teams, such as "Moreton Minnows" and ringers names in them to me by Monday 9th August if possible, otherwise turn up on the day and 'fit in'.

Organiser,