We had 7 teams compete for the 6 bell trophy on Sat 6^th Sept 2025 TC(a), TC(b), EC(a), EC(b), Ay Puffins,  Ay Ringed Plovers & Scratch (3 from Jsy, Tim from the Guild , plus 2 x TC). The judges were Estella Haynes and Alex Riley

Puffins rang first, Cambridge minor – scored 79%, placed 3rd. A measured and controlled pace. Striking good when adjacent bells were together less so when not. Consistent leading would have helped

EC(b) rang call changes, strong tenor , very clear calls. 6th place with 60%

Ringed Plovers rang plain hunt on 5, very disciplined leading, a few hesitations but rounds and back rounds were very good. The slowest piece of ringing. 5^th place 69%

Scratch team rang spliced – very good piece of ringing. The fastest. Unplaced as scratch

TC(a) rang bob doubles. A few minor inconsistencies but no major faults – 1^st place with 85%

TC(b) rang grandsire doubles, disagreed on the speed and better leading would have helped 70% in 4^th place

EC(a) Plain bob doubles, excellent piece of ringing but making 2nds was weak. Placed 2^nd with 82%

General ringing @ St Annes included Stedman triples, caters & cinques. 8 spliced, DNCBM, Single Oxford bob triples, Kent major, rounds on 12

General ringing at Wells, focused on rounds and plain hunt, also grandsire doubles & cloisters doubles

15 Guernsey ringers took part in the event, 3 from Jersey, Tim Philips represented the Guild, 10 Alderney ringers turned out & together with 2 judges we scored a number of excellent qtr peals over the weekend:

https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/event.php?id=21674

No Service, no meeting just 100% ringing (& cake). The date for the zoom AGM has been set as Saturday Sept 20^th @ 4pm. A link will be circulated to all towers beforehand

HMMcG

The Alderney band is following the ART Minor Stepping Stones programme.  We have just had a huge boost by making good use Matthew Higby & friends who were with us for 4 days. We have scored 4 qtr peals in as many days – completing level 3. This does of course put us in a strong position to commence Level 4 – which we are undertaking in February in Tulloch – BUT it also helps us support our Alderney ‘middle rank’ of ringers as they proceed through Levels 1 & 2

https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/search.php?ringer=helen+mcgregor&from=05%2F12%2F2024&address=Ringing+Centre

HMMcG

4 intrepid ringers from St Peter’s came to Alderney for a weekend of intensive training Nov 29th – Dec 2nd. Concentrating on handling, ropesight and plain huntng the 4 were supported by the Alderney band at special sessions at Wells Bells, St Anne’s, on handbells and on the simulator. Videos were watched and methods ‘rung’ on playing cards and walked in the hall:-)

During a normal practice session there simply isn’t time for indepth discussions on ropelength, the importance of straight arms, ‘find them follow them, forget them’, ‘somebody – treble – somebody – 4’ etc etc. Living & breathing ringing for a whole weekend gave us that time

Good fun was had by all & we like to think that the novices left our island armed with a better understanding of what was expected of them than they had before:-) We look forward to their next visit when we hope to see clear signs of them having made good use of all the information we imparted.

HMMcG

We have just finished an amazing fortnight of ringing in Tulloch – the 10th such annual event. The clue is in the name – Reading, Channel Islands and friends. The photos at the bottom of the bellboard link show lots of smiling faces – we have had a great time:-)

Week 1 had 4 from Jersey, 2 from Alderney and an ex-Alderney. Week 2 had 6 from Alderney, 1 from Jersey & 2 ex-Alderney

https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/event.php?id=19747

Too many firsts to list individually but each week focused on developing the skills of those present be it conducting grandsire triples, ringing surprise maximus, first on 10, first on 12, treble bobbing on 6, Stedman workshop. Exhausting but hugely satisfying

The Alderney band’s next venture north will be in February when 4 from Alderney & 1 from Guernsey will be embarking on Levels 4 & 5 of the ART Minor Stepping Stones programme. With friends we will be proceeding from Cambridge minor to spliced s minor via small easily navigated stages

Each of these events sees the individual ringer become much more proficient and therefore a greater help to their home tower/island, well done everyone.

HMMcG

We can offer any number of 3 day events as a long weekend or as a midweek break

We have free B&B accommodation: Sharing a shower room = a double room & a twin room. The twin room is up a flight of space-saver stairs. An ensuite triple room being a large single and a set of adult bunks.

Plenty of other accommodation on the island: visitalderney.com/stay we will collect you in the morning & return you at night

We will focus on any one of the following 5 options – though I don’t promise there will be no overlap!

1. Handling/ropesight/tenor cover & plain hunt
2. Plain bob doubles
3. Grandsire doubles
4. Plain Bob minor with starting to treble bob
5. Handbells

Ideally there will be a group of you from the same tower wanting to work on the same aspect of your ringing & then I might see if 1 or 2 others from a different tower want to join us. Course fee, Ploughman’s lunch & all day tea & coffee plus tower donation = £60. We will probably have fish & chips one night & a Thai/Indian takeaway the other night – priced individually

All you need to arrange is travel to Alderney airport (aurigny.com) or harbour  alderneyferryservices.co.uk) & we will collect you

Most of the ringing will take place on Wells Bells but we will also visit St Anne’s belfry either to join an Ay practice or for a special session there being joined by St Anne’s ringers

For more info/agree the dates please email: [email protected]