Welcome to the Huntingdon District website!
Part of the Ely Diocesan Association, we ring church bells in the western part of Cambridgeshire.
I can't think of anything very compelling to write here just now. Perhaps an explanation of change-ringing?
Bookstall
Want to learn something? Not sure which book to get?
Click here to see our book recommendations, reviews, and current stock!
Facebook Page
We now have a Facebook page, for casual discussion of ringing in the District and elsewhere.
News & Updates
New Website!
Posted on 11th March 2019 by Francis Herne
As you can see if you're reading this, we have a new website.
It's not quite finished yet, but needed to be live now because the previous one's hosting was up for renewal.
Known issues, that I hope to resolve in the near future:
Some tower pages (those for towers without regular ringing) aren't uploaded yet.- Also books, committee page, all sorts of things...
- Tower list searching needs more fields,
and the width changes in an annoying way. - News index searching doesn't exist.
- Various things about the map.
- Main menu is a bit ugly when it wraps on phone-sized screens.
- Missing links to EDA website and other districts.
"Show other districts" doesn't...
If you find any significant rendering bugs, or the information for your tower is wrong or out-of-date, or have any other comments, please email me.
Francis H
February 2019 Update
Posted on 15th February 2019 by Ann Abraham
Dear All,
There are quite a few items this month:
Monthly District Practice
This is tomorrow (Saturday the 16th Feb) at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene, Warboys, PE28 2RJ. All are welcome for ringing from 3.00 till 4.30pm, it's a 6 bell tower.
The team at Warboys will also be providing tea and cakes, and request that any contributions for this are made as an extra donation into the BRF box, to help fund the repairs which will soon be needed to their tower.
6-bell Surprise Practice
This is now on Monday the 18th February at Houghton, from 7.30 till 9pm.
Annual Report
A copy of the Association report is printed for every member. However, you can receive this as a PDF document if you wish. Please let me know if you would prefer this (anyone who has already expressed a preference for PDF will continue to receive them in this format, so no need to contact me again)
Minutes of ADM
These are attached to this email, along with an updated Ringing Programme for 2019. Could Tower Captains please display the programme in the ringing chamber if possible.
For those that aren't aware, details of District meetings and those of the other districts are posted to the Ely Diocesan Association calendar, so if you are looking for events, this is a good place to turn.The website address is below:
ART conference
The Association of Ringing Teachers is holding its Annual Conference in a couple of weeks in Worcester. For anyone who is interested there is still time to reserve a place. Details attached.
I think that's all for now. Any queries, please let me know,
Best wishes,
Ann.
January 2019 Update
Posted on 8th January 2019 by Sally Mew
Dear All,
Happy New Year to you all and here is the January online update. It is to be my last one (I can hear the sighs of relief from here) so please do me a favour and read it. All the details of the ADM are inside as is some information about YOUNG RINGERS.
The ADM is our most popular monthly meeting and attendance is always good. This means that there are opportunities to meet other members and ring with people from different towers. ALL WELCOME. We will be able to ring rounds and call changes as well as methods for the more experienced ringers. Do come along – it’s great fun. You will need to sign up for tea AND the results of the striking competition are in …
See you then.
Sally
December 2018 Update
Posted on 5th December 2018 by Sally Mew
Dear All,
Attached is the December online update. There was a short business meeting
during the November meeting so I have attached the minutes for that too.
Please read all of the update, even though it is a bit long this month.
There is information about forthcoming events, and some important
information for tower captains on safeguarding. Also, if you read all the
way down to the bottom, you will see who scored her first peal at first
attempt.
Kind regards
Sally
November 2018 Update
Posted on 1st November 2018 by Sally Mew
Dear All,
Attached is the November online update. Please read it soon because included are details about the 10 bell practice TOMORROW at St. Neots, as well as other forthcoming events.
The weekend of November 10th and 11th is likely to be busy for ringers. Don’t forget the 8 bell surprise practice in the morning of Saturday 10th. Please come along if you can.
Also, we need help to run our district bookstall and you will find details about that in the update. It is an interesting job which takes very little time. If you need more information about this role, let me know.
Kind regards
Sally
October 2018 Update
Posted on 8th October 2018 by Sally Mew
Dear All,
Attached is the October online update as well as the minutes from the District meeting. You will see that there was an issue with the date of the previous minutes, which I have now amended. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jane Hough for chairing the meeting and to Catherina Griffiths for taking the minutes.
A new member, David Buckley, from Gamlingay was elected at the meeting and we welcome David to the Association.
Kind regards
Sally
September 2018 Update
Posted on 3rd September 2018 by Sally Mew
Dear All,
Attached is the September online update. There are quite a few forthcoming events which you can read about so please get your diaries and open the attachment. Don’t forget that TONIGHT, 3rd September, there is the 6 bell surprise practice at HAMERTON 7.30 – 9.00. All welcome if you can ring at least the treble to surprise methods. For the rest of the forthcoming events, you have to read the update!
Kind regards,
Sally
August 2018 Update
Posted on 8th August 2018 by Sally Mew
Dear All,
Welcome to the August online update - short and sweet this month. Inside you will find a reminder about the forthcoming quiz evening and an update from the Central Council about Armistice ringing – there is a bit of confusion about the two initiatives: Ringing Remembers and Battle’s Over.
On that subject, don’t forget that we hope that ALL towers in our district will join in with the Association’s efforts to ring at least 100 rows at every tower in the Ely DA on the weekend of 10/11th November. Please look at the Ely DA website for information on how to get involved in the project. Our district ringing masters, Cass and Andrew, have already asked if anyone needs help in getting bands together. If you do not have enough ringers to ring during that weekend, please contact them and they will try to find ringers to help you out. That means, of course, they will also need volunteers! Do think about that also and get in touch.
Kind regards,
Sally
July 2018 Update
Posted on 5th July 2018 by Sally Mew
Dear All,
Attached is the online update. As usual, forthcoming events are mentioned as well as some information from the Central Council. Please read it to the end, especially the person I was talking to over the weekend who seems to miss out the Central Council bit …
Kind regards
Sally
June 2018 Update
Posted on 3rd June 2018 by Sally Mew
The online update for June can be found here.
May 2018 Update
Posted on 7th May 2018 by Sally Mew
April 2018 Update
Posted on 3rd April 2018 by Sally Mew
Here is the April online update. The minutes of the Buckden meeting can be found here and the minutes of the Winwick meeting are here.
March 2018 Update
Posted on 5th March 2018 by Sally Mew
Welcome to the March online update which is attached.
The CCCBR poster is attached here and the CCCBR event summary is located here.
Upcoming Events
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Ely DA: Handbell Day, Christ's College, Cambridge
Saturday 14th December, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
From Alan Winter:
It's time to start planning the EDA Handbell Day on Saturday December 14th, so DO PLEASE GET IN TOUCH and DO TELL YOUR FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES (beginners especially welcome).In emails, please use the subject title HANDBELL DAY 2019 and please send replies to my new address: alanwinter@cantab.net
I've booked the usual rooms at Christ's College and I'm aiming for the same format ... morning session, lunch with a talk, afternoon session, offer of a quarter peal in the months following. Parking will be available at the college.
I'm delighted that Graham John has accepted to lead the lunchtime talk. Graham is a very skilled ringer and an acknowledged expert on recruiting computers to help ringing.
Timings:
10-00 to 10-30 arrive at Christ's College
10-30 to 12-00 morning session
12-15 to 1-45 lunch and talk
2-00 to 3-30 afternoon session
3-30 to 4-00 farewell.Please bring a mug for your coffee. We will provide lunch.
Please send me a brief e-mail the subject title HANDBELL DAY 2019 and tell me what you would like to ring. Last year we were able to respond to these suggestions:
Beginner
Plain Bob Minor
Plain Bob Major
Treble bob/Court bob
Surprise
Higher numbers
Stedman'sLet me know if you'd like to go for a quarter (can't promise to organise that on the day).
Best wishes,
Alan September 30th
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Stretham REC - Saturday Drop In Session
Saturday 14th December, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Stretham REC, St James Church, High Street, Stretham CB6 3LD
This is a session for those who would like to:
1. Learn from scratch
2. Get more practice with handling a bell
2. Improve aspects of handling
3. Ring basic rounds, Kaleidoscope, call changes and plain huntLearners, teachers, mentors and teachers looking to M1 ART accreditation are all welcome to attend.
Come and try out/practice ringing in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. You can come for an hour or stay for three.
Tea/coffee and biscuits available.Sessions for learners are £2.
Please contact Louise at strethamrec@elyda.org.uk if you have any questions or would like to come along and join us. -
Ely DA: 10-bell practice and quarter peal attempt at Soham
Monday 16th December, 7 – 9 p.m.
10 bell practice and quarter peal attempt at Soham, on the 3rd Monday this month as usual. All welcome. Quarter peal attempt at 19:00, practice from 20:00.
Please come along if you would like to try ringing on 10 bells - there will be called changes and plain hunt and lots of help and support available, we are also happy to ring on 8 or 6 if there is something you would like to try. Quarter peal method chosen to suit the ringers who can be there.
Contact Alan Winter (aw21@cam.ac.uk) or Steve Setter (steve.setter@gmail.com) for more information, and particularly if you are interested in the quarter peal attempt. -
Stretham REC - Saturday Drop In Session
Saturday 21st December, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Stretham REC, St James Church, High Street, Stretham CB6 3LD
This is a session for those who would like to:
1. Learn from scratch
2. Get more practice with handling a bell
2. Improve aspects of handling
3. Ring basic rounds, Kaleidoscope, call changes and plain huntLearners, teachers, mentors and teachers looking to M1 ART accreditation are all welcome to attend.
Come and try out/practice ringing in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. You can come for an hour or stay for three.
Tea/coffee and biscuits available.Sessions for learners are £2.
Please contact Louise at strethamrec@elyda.org.uk if you have any questions or would like to come along and join us. -
Stretham REC - Rounds, Changes etc - no session this month
Saturday 21st December, 3 – 5 p.m.
Stretham REC, St James Church, High Street, Stretham CB6 3LD
Regular ringing session on the 3rd Saturday of each month - will NOT be held in December.
Led by Dee Smith this session is designed for those who can handle a bell and want to progress to ringing in a band. Covering ART Levels 2 to 3 you will have the opportunity to move on from rounds to call changes, practice Kaleidoscope ringing, and move on to Plain Hunt and may be more.
Learners, teachers, mentors and teachers looking to M2 accreditation, and helpers are all welcome.
For further information or if you would like to come along please email Louise at strethamrec@elyda.org.uk -
Ely DA: No 10-bell practice at St Peter & St Paul, Wisbech
Monday 23rd December, 7 – 9 p.m.
No 10-bell practice at Wisbech on Monday 23rd December. Thenext 10 bell practice will be on Monday 27th January. Any queries, contact Martin Slough on martinslough_at_hotmail.com.
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Ely DA: Young Ringers practice at Histon
Sunday 12th January, 4 – 5 p.m.
Ely DA Young Ringers practice at Histon, 4 - 5 pm. See calendar for other dates. All welcome. Please do pass on this information to any young ringers that youknow who may also be interested in attending.
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Hunts District: ADM
Saturday 18th January, 2:30 – 7 p.m.
St. James' Church, Church Ln, Hemingford Grey PE28 9DF, UK
Times of ringing at Abbots and Grey to be confirmed.
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Ely DA: 10-bell practice at St Peter & St Paul, Wisbech
Monday 27th January, 7 – 9 p.m.
Martin Slough writes:
'The regular 10 bell practice at Wisbech is on the 4th Monday of each month, from 7 to 9. All welcome. Put it in your diary now!'. Contact Martin on martinslough_at_hotmail.com. -
Ely DA: Young Ringers practice at Histon
Sunday 9th February, 4 – 5 p.m.
Ely DA Young Ringers practice at Histon, 4 - 5 pm. See calendar for other dates. All welcome. Please do pass on this information to any young ringers that youknow who may also be interested in attending.
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Ely DA: Young Ringers practice at Histon
Sunday 15th March, 4 – 5 p.m.
Ely DA Young Ringers practice at Histon, 4 - 5 pm. See calendar for other dates. All welcome. Please do pass on this information to any young ringers that youknow who may also be interested in attending.
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Ely DA: Young Ringers practice at Histon
Sunday 3rd May, 4 – 5 p.m.
Ely DA Young Ringers practice at Histon, 4 - 5 pm. See calendar for other dates. All welcome. Please do pass on this information to any young ringers that youknow who may also be interested in attending.
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Ely DA: AGM and 8-bell striking competition, Wisbech District
Saturday 30th May, 2 – 7 p.m.
Ely DA AGM and 8-bell inter-district striking competition. Wisbech District hosting. AGM at Dowhnam Market.
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Ely DA: Young Ringers practice at Histon
Sunday 7th June, 4 – 5 p.m.
Ely DA Young Ringers practice at Histon, 4 - 5 pm. See calendar for other dates. All welcome. Please do pass on this information to any young ringers that youknow who may also be interested in attending.
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Ely DA Autumn Event, hosted by the Ely District
Saturday 3rd October, 2 – 6:30 p.m.
Ely DA Autumn Event, hosted by the Ely District.
Quarter peal attempts to be arranged for the whole Association in Ely District towers (availabilities and interests will be requested nearer the time). Tea and meeting (if required) at Haddenham.