The Summer Festival this year was hosted by the Peterborough branch, with the content being held at Castor. This the only church dedicated to St Kyneburgha. It has a central tower containing 8 bells with a tenor of 10-0-9 cwt. It also has the well situated Cedar Centre in the grounds, making it easy for people to listen to the competition and enjoy a cup of tea at the same time. The tea was soon being attacked by the ringers attending. There was a fine spread and some lovely looking sweet treats were laid out to be enjoyed. 

The weather forecast was not promising, with persistent rain forecast for the afternoon, which would have put a damper on things. As it turned out, while people drove through wet roads and heavy rain to get to Castor, once there, the rain held off all afternoon Well done to whoever on the branch committee organised that!

What the branch had been unable to magic better was the closure of the A1 south just at the turn for the A47 and Castor. That did cause some people issues in getting to the tower As it was, there was only one team that was close to not making its draw slot, but the last person there arrived just in time. The ringing contest kept well to time although the meeting started a little later than planned. 

The contest was judged by Keith & Marilyn Brown, who had listened to the 6 teams carefully. Marilyn may have listened more carefully, having correctly identified that one team rang Stedman. Keith gave comments on each band, then the score for each team in reverse order. The results are in the table. The judges presented the Harry Wooding Trophy and a certificate to Chris Bulleid, of Towcester. Certificates were presented to all teams and then the judges were presented with a token of appreciation for their efforts. 

Pictures and Band lists can be found here  

The meeting started at 6:13 with the President reading a statement about the AGM before moving on to hear a summary of recent Bell Restoration grants. The meatiest item for the meeting was the election of the new post of Recruitment & Training Officer. Nich Wilson & Liz Reading had both been nominated and they were invited to address the meeting, outlining the skills and experience they could bring to the role and their vision for it. Their proposers & seconders were asked to support the nominations. The members voted and Nich Wilson was elected in a very tight vote, indicative of two very strong candidates. 

Nick Elks gave a summary of the CCCBR AGM, which had been held the previous weekend in Sheffield, covering Ringing 2023 and the Publications (the book shop being headed by Jim & Sarah Bence) and Library. 

The 100 club draw was held, with 183 members, with Richard Johnson, John Beresford, Dave Blezzard & Andrew Christie being drawn. In AOB, the Guild paper quiz was made available, the newsletter is delayed at the printers and will be distributed shortly. The Guild's Wombell is looking for a new home and we'll put together an article on that shortly. The meeting closed, after the raffle had been drawn, at 7:18. 

The next Guild event will be a social event, introduced after the success of the social events held in the Centenary year. This will be a quiz and supper, and it is hoped to confirm Nether Heyford Village Hall for the 14th February 2026.