South Midlands

Officers: Vice President: Bridget Taylor, Secretary: Mary Leneis, Ringing Master: Alison Merryweather-Clarke, Treasurer: Judith Vickars

Contact: ladiesguildsouthmidsecretary@gmail.com

South Midlands report for 2023

Our membership continues to flourish, with increasing numbers of new members welcomed throughout 2023.

In addition to our February ADM in Wellesbourne, we hosted the AGM in June and held four further ringing days during the year. One of these ringing days included a tour of Whites Bellhangers of Appleton. Covering a large geographical area, we have tried to locate these days in some of the further reaches: this year visiting towers near Northampton, Kenilworth, Chipping Norton and in South Oxfordshire. We have had an average of 20 members at these days, as well as some visitors.

Having canvassed the members for aspects they would like to develop, we ran a focussed doubles session in August. Four members gained confidence with touches of plain bob doubles, while four supporters practiced calling touches of Bob doubles or Grandsire doubles. Four of these eight members subsequently rang their first quarter peal inside or conducted a quarter peal. With support and encouragement, the number of members able to conduct has increased significantly this year, resulting in nine different conductors calling quarter peals.

Our members have rung quarter peals to celebrate and mark international, national, district and personal events during the year. These included the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla as well as International Women’s Day (raising £65 for Refuge, supporting women and child victims of domestic abuse). On 5th July, we rang a quarter peal to mark 75 years of the NHS, with five of the band having worked in the NHS for a combined total of 130 years.

On 30th April we rang two quarter peals to mark the 45th anniversary of the first quarter peal rung by the Northamptonshire branch of the Ladies’ Guild (now South Midlands District). Hilary Aslett was in the original quarter peal at Staverton and we were thrilled that she also rang in one of the anniversary quarter peals.

Some of our members appreciate support ringing rounds and call changes or kaleidoscope, while others are learning to plain hunt. Our repertoire of methods has included Grandsire doubles, Plain Bob (doubles, minor and triples), St Simon’s, St Martin’s, Reverse Canterbury, Stedman doubles and Cambridge minor.

We are keen to support anyone interested in ringing handbells and are delighted that some of our members rang hand bell quarter peals this year (one on line and two in person).

Bridget Taylor

South Midlands report for 2022

The District met for the ADM last February by zoom due to Covid restrictions still in place. 20 members attended. The District business was seen to and one new member was elected. Sadly during the year the District lost two paid up members, Bo Hollinghurst and Sue Burchell,, and one life member, Janet Collins, through death. Currently our membership comprises two life members, one honorary life member, 45 paid up mem-bers against 29 from last year and two automatic life members elected at the AGM last June.

Once covid restrictions were relaxed in July the District met up with ringing on 24th July to Pattishall, Cold Higham and More-ton Pinkney, 11th September to Napton, Southam, Radford Semele and Cubbington and

13th November to Rousham, Middleton Stoney, Weston on the Green and Bletchingdon. Three quarter peals were rung during the year at Horley, Hanwell and Wellesbourne.

The Committee meeting was held to discuss the progamme for the year on 13th January and the District will meet for the ADM on Saturday 5th March at Wellesbourne.

Rosemary Hemmings, district secretary

South Midlands report for 2021

The District met for the ADM last February by zoom due to Covid restrictions still in place.  20 members attended.  The District business was seen to and one new member was elected.  Sadly during the year the District lost two paid up members, Bo Hollinghurst and Sue Burchell,, and one life member, Janet Collins, through death.  Currently our membership comprises three life members, one honorary life member, 33 paid up members against 29 from last year and two automatic life members elected at the AGM last June.

Once Covid restrictions were relaxed in July the District met up with ringing on 24th July at Pattishall, Cold Higham and Moreton Pinkney, 11th September at Napton, Southam, Radford Semele and Cubbington and 13th November at Rousham, Middleton Stoney, Weston on the Green and Bletchingdon.  Three quarter peals were rung during the year at Horley, Hanwell and Wellesbourne.

The Committee meeting was held to discuss the programme for the year on 13th January and the District will meet for the ADM on Saturday 5th March at Wellesbourne.

Rosemary Hemmings, district secretary

South Midlands report for 2020

The District met for the ADM last February at Weedon Bec and 21 members attended.  The business of the District was attended to and seven new members were elected.  The District Officers and Committee Members remained unchanged.  Membership stands at 29 paid up, four Life Members and one Honorary Life Member.  Sadly the District lost through death Hilda Collins a life member who had been a member of the District since its inception in 1977. 

Unfortunately, from mid March, activities in the District went on hold due to the Covid virus restrictions so there have been no meetings or quarter peals.  Members have kept in touch with email.  The next ADM will be on February 27th and will be held by Zoom.

It is hoped that the situation will change for the better later this year and the District will be able to meet in person and ring bells.

Rosemary Hemmings, district secretary

South Midlands report for 2019

The District ADM was held on 23rd February 2019 at the Green man, Syresham, the ringing beforehand and service was held at Whitfield, ringing after the meeting was at Syresham and Sulgrave. Margaret Ingman retired as Vice president and Liz Smith was elected in her place. 17 members attended.

Three meetings were held during the year the first was on 11th May to Piddington, Brafield on the Green and Cogenhoe and was attended by 14 members. The second meeting was the outing and held on 13th July. Ringing was at Studley, Coughton Court, Aston Cantlow and Claverdon and was attended by 12 members. The last meeting of the year was at Harpole and Duston and was attended by eight members.

There have been eight successful quarter peal attempts out of 12, made up of six doubles, one minor and one of bob triples. 15 members took part and two members conducted their first quarters for many years. The bob triples was the first eight bell quarter for many years. Some members attended the National AGM in Clarborough last June, the holiday on the south coast and the quarter peal weekend in Peterborough.

Membership stands at 26 paid up, five life members and one Honorary life member totalling 36. On 30th November the committee met to discuss this year’s proposed programme.

Rosemary Hemmings, Secretary

South Midlands report for 2018

The District held its ADM on 24th February at the Wharf Inn, Fenny Compton and was attended by 16 members.  

Three meetings were held during the year.  The first was on 5th May to which East Midlands had been invited.  This was to four towers on the Leicestershire/Warwickshire border and was attended by ten members and one visitor.  The second was on 2nd July to North Buckinghamshire and four towers.  This was attended by six members and one visitor.  The last was on 8th September and consisted of a quarter peal attempt in the morning followed by ringing at Kineton  and Lighthorne in the afternoon.  This was attended by eleven members and one visitor.

In the year to our ADM, there have been six successful quarter peal attempts, including one as a compliment to Margaret’s retirement as Vice President. There were some failures but a good number of members have taken part.  

Some members have attended National Guild events including the AGM in Shaftsbury last June, the holiday based in Redditch last May and the quarter peal weekend based in Halifax.

Membership stands at 27 paid up with five life members and one honorary life member.  On 12th January the Committee met to arrange this year’s proposed programme.

Rosemary Hemmings

THANK YOU from Margaret Ingman

I would like to express my thanks and appreciation for the kind messages and comments sent to me, following my decision not to stand for re-election as Vice-president of the South Midlands District in 2019. Also a huge thank you to the South Midlands ladies for the beautiful flowers and card 

I wish my successor, Elizabeth. A. Smith, every good wish in her new task and assure her of my support within the precepts of the Ladies’ Guild. 

South Midlands report for 2017

The District held its ADM on Saturday 25th February at Flore and was attended by nine members.

Three meetings were held during the year. On 6th May an outing jointly with East Midlands District consisting of four towers in the Leicestershire/Warwickshire border area.  On 1st July we had afternoon ringing at three towers in South Northamptonshire and on 9th September an outing consisting of four towers in the Wellesbourne area. 

Three quarter peals have been rung by the District since last year’s ADM; at Moreton Pinkney prior to the July 1st meeting at Napton, on November 20th to celebrate The Queen’s 70th wedding anniversary and at Lighthorne on 6th February to mark the centenary of the Representation of the People Act which gave some women the vote.  

Some members have attended National Guild events; the AGM, quarter ringing and practices at St Clement Danes, the Guild ringing holiday to Chesterfield and the quarter peal weekend in Liverpool.  

Membership stands at Hon. Life Member 1.  Life members 5.  Members paid up 22.   On January 13th the Committee met to arrange this year’s ADM and proposed programme.

Rosemary Hemmings, Secretary

South Midlands report for 2016

The district held its ADM on Saturday 27th February 2016 at Thornby and was attended by nine members and the Guild President Liz Davey.

Three meetings were held during the year. 30th April morning ringing at Potterspury and Cosgrove followed by lunch. This was attended by nine members. 9th July afternoon ringing at Abington, tea in the park and ringing at Brafield on the Green. This was attended by nine members. The third meeting was our outing to Mollington and Hanwell followed by lunch, then to Wroxton and Tadmarton, then tea and lastly ringing at Bodicote. This was attended by nine members throughout the day. 

Sadly we lost Iris Webb a former Vice President of the District. A quarter peal in her memory was rung at Staverton her old home tower on 4th July. This was the only quarter peal rung by the District although there have been several attempts. Membership stands at five life members, one non life member and 19 paid up. On the 21st January the Committee met to arrange this year’s ADM and programme. 

Rosemary Hemmings, Secretary    

South Midlands report for 2015

The District held its ADM on February 28th at Dunchurch.  There was no change of officers and one change to the Committee.  We had one new member elected and one member who transferred from the Eastern District.  15 members attended.

Three meetings were held during the year.  Our annual outing on 2nd May to South Warwickshire, five towers, lunch and tea.  An evening meeting, ringing at Culworth (these bells really were a challenge) then a meal at the pub in Chacombe attended by six members.  Our last meeting of the year was on 19th September to Beaudesert and Henley in Arden.   The churches are only a couple of hundred yards from one another and both had interesting features.  We held our half yearly meeting there, this was attended by nine members.

Mary Williams was awarded Honorary Life Membership.  Sadly we lost two longstanding members to death , Betty Earl and Freda Willgress.  A quarter peal was rung in their memory on 19th February this year.  We also rang a quarter peal during the year at Horley for Alison Varney’s new grandson.

Our membership stands at 26 paid up, five life and one honorary life member.  On  23rd January the committee met to arrange this year’s ADM and arrange the programme for this year for members to approve.

                                                                                          Rosemary Hemmings, Secretary

Bodicote, Oxfordshire, St John the Baptist,15 November 2015, 720 Plain Bob Minor. 1 Margaret Ingman,  2 Chris Cox, 3 Alison Varney, 4 Chris Cooke,  5 Elizabeth A Smith (C), 6 Rosemary Hemmings. Rung by members of the South Midlands District of the Ladies Guild as part of a Quarter Peal attempt to mark the 70th birthday, earlier this year, of Angela Elliott. Mary Williams, Jean Smart and Karen Colvin would like to be associated with this ringing.

South Midlands report for 2014

The 2014 Annual District Meeting was held at Napton-on-the-Hill. There was no change to the Officers: Vice president, Margaret Ingman; Secretary, Rosemary Hemmings; Treasurer Karen Colvin. Diane Garrett was elected to the committee with current members Chris Cooke and Alison Varney. Six new members were elected. The day was attended by nine members and five new members. It was decided to change the District name to South Midlands effective from January1st 2015. 

During the year the District held three meetings.

• May 5th — Bank holiday Monday outing to Radway, Tysoe, Shennington, Honey and Shotteswell. Lunch was at The Bell, Shenington, and tea at the Herb Centre, Warmington. This was attended by eight members and one non member.

• July 19th -- evening ringing at Priors Marston and a meal at Helidon. Six members attended the ringing and three the meal.

• September 20th morning ringing at Woodford Halse and Byfield with a short business meeting held at Byfield. Nine members attended.

A quarter peal was rung at Mollington, prior to the June 2014 Annual General Meeting, which included two Officers from this District. 

Rosemary Hemmings