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pdgcbr.bsky.social
PDGCBR
@pdgcbr.bsky.social
220 followers 430 following 710 posts
Local charity providing information & support to members and friends of the Peterborough Diocesan Guild of Church Bellringers. Covering towers and ringing in Northamptonshire, Rutland and Peterborough.
www.pdg.org.uk
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pdgcbr.bsky.social
Recent Ringing
A peal was rung at Mears Ashby. There are 6 bells in the tower and Paul, who rang the lightest, has now rung a peal on each of them.
#Bells #BellRinging #Ringing #Northamptonshire
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Mears Ashby church shows evidence of several stages of construction in the different materials employed. There clerestory is a finer cut stone than the side aisle, porch and tower, which are of a rougher hewn ironstone. The side aisle had 2 pointed arched windows with a third in the end wall. The porch is roofed with lead and has an A frame notice board in the entrance. The tower is mostly hidden by the porch. We can see a blue circular clock on the face of the tower and then 3 arches, with the centre being blocked and the outer two being louvres. The parapet is crenelated, as is the parapet of the nave. The chancel is out of picture to the right. Picture by the benefice website.
December 19, 2025 at 9:45 PM
pdgcbr.bsky.social
Recent Ringing
A band rang 3 quarters at Easton Maudit, Grendon & Cranford during the day. They sent get well wishes to Robert Tregillus.
#Bells #BellRinging #Ringing
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December 18, 2025 at 9:55 PM
pdgcbr.bsky.social
Recent Ringing
A couple of quarter peals at Peterborough St Mary's. One for the Candlelit Carol service in aid of the Children's Society, the second for the funeral of June Pitcher, a former ringer here.
#Bells #BellRinging
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A modern church in light brown brick against a blue sky, just a few puffy white clouds. The church has a tower and about 2/3rds of the way up a set of lighter bands in brick, where the louvres are. To the left of the tower is the church entrance, with a high canopy over it. In front is a road and some cones and to the right what appears to be 2 people working, maybe dealing with the bushes that are between the church and the road, they have a green piece of machinery that I can't identify!
December 18, 2025 at 6:44 PM
pdgcbr.bsky.social
Events
The last branch practice of 2025 is at Helmdon on Saturday afternoon, in the Culworth branch. If you needed to get out and avoid wrapping presents or cheesy Christmas films, I'm sure they'd be delighted to see you.
#Bells #BellRinging #Ringing #Northamptonshire #Helmdon #Culworth
December 17, 2025 at 9:28 PM
pdgcbr.bsky.social
Tower of the Day
Grafton Regis has a ring of 5 bells which are rung from a gallery. This was put in to accommodate kitchen facilities in the base of the tower. The heaviest bell weighs 458 kg. The oldest bells date from 1625. There isn't practice night
#Bells #BellRinging #Ringing #Northamptonshire
Grafton Regis church is a neatly constructed church. The tower is to the left, and has tapered corner buttresses. There also appears to be an external stair on the corner between the tower and the church. The nave has a porch on this side and 2 lancet windows before there is a change in the roof line and another window in the chancel, which disappears out of the image to the right. The sky is a clear blue and the grass of the graveyard a neat and lush green.
December 15, 2025 at 8:58 PM
pdgcbr.bsky.social
Recent Ringing
A peal was rung at Wicken, and while it might be a little early, it was rung for Christmas. The band rang a method called Cornwall Surprise Major.
#Bells #BellRinging #Ringing #Christmas #Northamptonshire
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Wicken church is viewed from the chancel end. A large East window faces us, with a cruciform church layout evident. The tower is at the West end, and emerges above the chancel roof. The whole is form a neatly cut beige stone. The tower has several stages that taper and a parapet. The church is viewed across a raised churchyard, the grass is almost at eyelevel nearest to the photographer. It is neatly trimmed and there are a number of columnar evergreens. The sky is mostly blue, with light, high cloud and puffy white clouds. It feels like a summer evening.
December 14, 2025 at 5:16 PM
pdgcbr.bsky.social
Tower of the Day
Glinton is one of the churches in Cambridgeshire in the diocese of Peterborough. It has a ring of 6 bells, all cast in 1799 by Thomas Osborn. The heaviest weighs 752 kg. Practice night is Thursday and the bells are rung from the ground floor.
#Bells #BellRinging #Ringing
Glinton church appears to be hiding behind a tree! It is winter as the tree is mostly bare, while a smaller tree is still in leaf. Against a light blue sky, the spire stands tall on top of a square tower with a plain parapet. The body of the church is mostly obscured, with the chancel window visible to the right of the image.
December 13, 2025 at 5:24 PM
pdgcbr.bsky.social
Recent Ringing
There was a peal at Haselbech on Wednesday. The band rang Lancashire Surprise Major. This is much rung much less than Yorkshire; in this particular battle of the roses, the white rose has it.
#Bells #BellRinging #Ringing #Northamptonshire
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We're looking at the church from the West end, with the tower facing us. It has 4 stages, with a door in the lower section and a window dissecting both stage 1 and 2. The third stage is small and contains the clock, while the 4th is the tallest, and has the louvres. The tower is topped by crenelations. The lower stages and the church are a mixed ironstone, while the upper stages of the tower are a paler, cleaner cut stone. There's a large evergreen tree to the right and the sky is mostly white clouds, with the blue peeping through in places.
December 12, 2025 at 4:38 PM
pdgcbr.bsky.social
Recent Ringing
Wadenhoe bells had a good workout on Thursday. They rang 178 different methods, which took a little longer taking 4hrs 2 min.
It was Robert's 900th peal. If you're going to ring 900 peals make 900 it a good one!
#Bells #BellRinging #Ringing
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This is an unusual church. The tower is to the right, the body of the church is to the left and away from us. We can see 2 faces of the tower. In 3 stages, it dates from the 12thC. The tower has an unusual pitched roof and there are only a few small windows in tower's west face. In the lower stage of the North face of the tower we can see 3 blind arches of an arcade. Of the church we can see the North side aisle and porch above wich is a short clerestory of 3 bays. The church is of a brown/grey rubble stone. The church is set on top of a slope and we can see the fields of Northamptonshire spread out beyond the church. There are trees framing the church on either side of our view and the sky is an almost cloudless blue. The grass in front of us is closely mown and slightly parched. The image makes me think of a hot August.
December 12, 2025 at 4:33 PM
pdgcbr.bsky.social
Tower of the day
Glaston has a ring of 6 bells that are ring from the nave beneath the central tower. The heaviest bell weighs 378 kg. The bells are from 1598 to 1622 and 1931 to 1937, two rafts of bell additions! There is no regular practice night.
#Bells #BellRinging #Ringing #Rutland
Photo by Kati, Boredgothwithacamera on instagram, with thanks. This view of Glaston shows it's most unusual attribute, the triskele (a 3 armed spiral) inset into the west window. The church is viewed from the west end, and comprises a nave with a porch, a central tower and a chancel beyond. It shows signs of having been built at different times, with the chancel seeming to be wider than the central tower from this view. It is built of rubble with some finer stone for the mouldings and window surrounds. This gives it a rough hewn, rustic, appearance. The central tower is square and not very much taller than the nave and chancel roof. There is then a short (and rather stumpy) broached spire on the top. The sky is a misty blue while the churchyard shows signs of having been mown recently in between the grave markers.
December 9, 2025 at 8:37 PM
pdgcbr.bsky.social
Recent Ringing
The ringers at Peterborough Cathedral rang a quarter peal of Plain Bob Royal prior to the North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust Carol Service.
#Bells #BellRinging #Ringing #Peterborough #Christmas
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Image is of Peterborough Cathedral. A broad frontage with 3 arches and 2 towers either side. Ornately carved and with a projecting porch in the lower portion of the middle arch. The green in front is not very evident. The sky is a deep blue and there are just a few wisps of cloud. The sun is shining and there are deep shadows in the arches.
December 9, 2025 at 1:13 AM
pdgcbr.bsky.social
Recent Ringing
A quarter peal was rung at Peterborough St Mary's with a double celebration, the engagement of Michael Christie to Lou Middleton and the safe arrival of Madison Mia Hasley.
Congratulations to all concerned.
#Bells #BellRinging #Ringing
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A modern church in light brown brick against a blue sky, just a few puffy white clouds. The church has a tower and about 2/3rds of the way up a set of lighter bands in brick, where the louvres are. To the left of the tower is the church entrance, with a high canopy over it. In front is a road and some cones and to the right what appears to be 2 people working, maybe dealing with the bushes that are between the church and the road, they have a green piece of machinery that I can't identify!
December 8, 2025 at 10:00 PM
pdgcbr.bsky.social
Recent Ringing
Ringstead church has held a Christmas tree festival. At the weekend, the bells were rung for a quarter peal to provide a musical accompaniment to the trees.
#Bells #BellRinging #Ringing #Northamptonshire #Christmas
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Ringstead tower is visible here, between 2 yew trees. The church is hidden behind the one to the left. In front of the tower is a porch with white gates in the entrance. The tower is square and has several stages, which taper slightly. There is then a robust broached spire with sets of louvres to allow the bell sound out. The sky is blue and the sun is behind the cloud to the left, we can see the light band of cloud around the edges.
December 8, 2025 at 9:52 PM
pdgcbr.bsky.social
Recent Ringing
A band in the area are ringing peals at the rings of 5 bells. They rang at Stoke Doyle on Sunday, ringing an extent (120 changes) of 48 different methods.
#Bells #BellRinging #Ringing #northamptonshire
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Stoke Doyle is a compact Georgian church that would not be out of place in a town, but it is, instead, perched on the edge of a small village. It replaced a much larger medieval church. The church is rectangular, built of a clean cut cream stone. We can see the East end with a pilastered window. In the side wall of the nave there are 4 large arched windows and a door with arched canopy. Beyond is the tower which is square and plain, with a ballulstrate and tapered pinnacles on the corners. The sky is a uniform dull grey, the church yard a lush green.
December 8, 2025 at 9:40 PM
pdgcbr.bsky.social
Recent Ringing
A peal was rung at Woodford Halse, in 7 different minor methods. According to records, this is only the 10th time a peal has been rung on these bells.
#Bells #BellRinging #Ringing #Northamptonshire
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Woodford Halse church sits down the slope from us. It's an ironstone church, with, from the left, a square tower, nave with side aisle and chancel. There is an array of grave markers in front of us and the sky is a generally threatening grey.
December 7, 2025 at 4:35 PM
pdgcbr.bsky.social
Recent Ringing
At Rothwell, the monthly first Friday peal was rung successfully. They rang a new method and named it Cheaney Surprise Royal. Cheaney is a Northamptonshire shoe manufacturer, a nice local link.
#Bells #BellRinging #Ringing #Northamptonshire
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Against a deep blue sky, with white puffy clouds, we see Rothwell's tower. This is mostly ironstone, with some banding in different shades of cream to russet. The tower has 4 levels. The lowest has the door and 4/5 sets of columns & arches carved into it. The second is banded, but plain. The third has the clock and a window (the ringing room) and the 4th has the double louvres. There are pinnacles on the corners of the tower and a flag pole/weather vane thing sticking up from the middle of the tower. The tower is viewed up a slope and appears to be leaning away from us. The remainder of the church is hidden from view by a wall and bushes to the right and by trees to the left.
December 6, 2025 at 5:38 PM
pdgcbr.bsky.social
Tower of the Day
Geddington church has a ring of 6 bells, which are rung from a gallery. The heaviest bell weighs 605 kg. The 6 bells were made by 6 different founders, from 5 different centuries. The bells are rung, but there is no regular practice night.
#Bells #BellRinging #Ringing #Tower
Pretty sure the picture of Geddington church is on the wonk! The tower is a clean cut cream stone, with a large gold numbered black framed clock. There are large louvres before a slender spire pierces the blue sky. The church is to the right of the tower from this view and has a series of 6 square headed windows in a clerestory above a side aisle. There is also a porch on this side. To the left of the tower is the war memorial.
December 5, 2025 at 6:50 PM
pdgcbr.bsky.social
Recent Ringing
The Regular Thursday quarter peal group kicked off December with a quarter peal at Cold Ashby. They rang Cambridge Surprise Minor and claimed it to be "Just for fun!" 😃
#Bells #BellRinging #Ringing #Northamptonshire
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December 5, 2025 at 5:10 PM
pdgcbr.bsky.social
Recent Ringing
The monthly Burton Latimer band rang a peal this week. They rang Yarningdale Surprise. It turns out that there's an aqueduct on canal near Stratford upon Avon with this name. #WhoKnew
#Bells #BellRinging #Ringing #Northamptonshire
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December 4, 2025 at 8:50 PM
pdgcbr.bsky.social
Events
The first Saturday in December sees Guilsborough holding their last branch event of the year, a practice at Welford from 3 pm. All welcome.
#Bells #BellRinging #ringing #welford #guilsborough
December 3, 2025 at 5:28 PM
pdgcbr.bsky.social
Recent Ringing
There was an advent procession on Sunday ad the cathedral bell ringers rang a quarter peal for the occasion. They rang Cambridge Surprise Minor, on the heaviest 6 bells in the tower.
#Bells #BellRinging #Ringing #Peterborough
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Image is of Peterborough Cathedral. A broad frontage with 3 arches and 2 towers either side. Ornately carved and with a projecting porch in the lower portion of the middle arch. The green in front is not very evident. The sky is a deep blue and there are just a few wisps of cloud. The sun is shining and there are deep shadows in the arches.
December 2, 2025 at 8:48 PM
pdgcbr.bsky.social
Recent Ringing
A peal was rung at St Mary's Peterborough. This was in London Surprise Major and it was Thomas' first peal in the method.
The peal was rung for St Andrew's day and Advent Sunday.
#Bells #BellRinging #Ringing #Peterborough
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A modern church in light brown brick against a blue sky, just a few puffy white clouds. The church has a tower and about 2/3rds of the way up a set of lighter bands in brick, where the louvres are. To the left of the tower is the church entrance, with a high canopy over it. In front is a road and some cones and to the right what appears to be 2 people working, maybe dealing with the bushes that are between the church and the road, they have a green piece of machinery that I can't identify!
December 2, 2025 at 8:44 PM
pdgcbr.bsky.social
Recent Ringing
A quarter peal was rung at Castor, it was Deborah's 100th quarter and they chose to ring Centenary Little Bob Triples. It also remembered Daisy and Charlie 'the Gingers', Deborah and Steve's Cocker Spaniels.
#Bells #BellRinging #Ringing
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2 russet Cocker Spaniels are sitting, looking eager, in a field of long grass, with yellow flowers
December 2, 2025 at 8:38 PM
pdgcbr.bsky.social
Recent Ringing
A band of 3 people rang a quarter peal at Water Newton. The tower only has 3 bells and this is most likely the first quarter on the bells. Takes all sorts...
#Bells #BellRinging #Ringing
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Water Newton is a dinky little church. To the left of the image is the square tower, topped with a broached spire, To the right of this is the nave with 3 windows above the side aisle roof. Then the chancel is lower with 2 square headed windows and the glimpse of an East window. The sun is shining on the south side of the church, which is of a golden stone, slightly roughly hewn in places. The church roof is tiled. The sky is mostly grey, with fissures of blue. The church yard is green and there are a variety of trees visible on either side of the church.
December 2, 2025 at 8:18 PM
pdgcbr.bsky.social
Recent Ringing
A band with members of both the Peterborough and Leicester Guilds rang a quarter peal of Plain Bob Minor rang a quarter peal at Stoke Albany.
#Bells #BellRinging #Ringing #Northamptonshire
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A snowy scene of Stoke Albany. We are viewing the church from alongside the East end. There's a lot going on here. There seems to be a nave with a small 3 light window. There are 3 windows in the side wall. There is then a side aisle with a much larger 5 light window. Beyond is the square tower, we can see the crenelated parapet poking over the top of the roof line. There is a thin layer of snow across the churchyard and the sky is grey with odd breaks, looking a lot like cracks in an icy pond.
December 2, 2025 at 7:54 PM