Recent activity and events

DateLocationEvent
28 October 2007Newport PagnellA contractor, K G Wright of Thrapston, has been appointed to carry out the internal re-ordering works, to provide disabled access at the north door and a ringing platform in the tower with a kitchen and disabled toilet. During this time the church will be open for regular services on Sundays, Tuesday evenings and Wednesday mornings, with access via the south door, but at other times the building will have to remain closed to the public, except for funeral services. The contractor will need to occupy all the car parking space within the white line on the north side of the church for storage of materials and equipment. We hope the congregation will understand the need for this temporary inconvenience. It'll all be worthwhile when the work is complete!
27 October 2007OlneyThe Bishop of Buckingham launched the appeal on the 27th October that will see fundraising plans swing into action in order to raise around £115,000. The funds will enable the existing bells to be "retuned" as well as installing two new bells placed in the tower. The bells at Olney's St Peter & St Paul's Church are an historic feeature, the oldest dating from 1599 and six of the current eight dating from the times of John Newton. After the works, Olney will be in the unique position in north Bucks, being able to offer a ten bell training environment. I am sure over the coming months we will hear much more of the plans but I wish the committee good luck.
If you would like to make a donation to the appeal, or would like details on sponsorship options please contact Mrs Hellen Dilley, at 26, Lime Street, Olney, Bucks MK46 5BA of helen@grahamandhelen.org.uk.
Cheques should be made payable to 'Olney PCC Bells Appeal'.
09 September 2006Weston Underwood

At the Half Yearly Meeting at Weston Underwood, Alan Marchbank agreed to continue as Chairman until the AGM in March. He expressed his hope that a new Chairman would come forward who was not already a Branch officer as there were already five ex-chairmen among the officers.

It was agreed that a grant for the work on Maids Moreton bells should be discussed at a special meeting to be held on the occasion of the next branch practice. A letter will be circulated to all towers.

20 August 2006Haversham

At the Branch Officers' Meeting on 20th August, final arrangements for the September Half Yearly Meeting at Weston Underwood were discussed. As Helen is making arrangements and taking names for tea, it was agreed that she should also coordinate the officers' efforts to provide sandwiches etc.

The project to improve Maids Moreton bells was discussed in light of costs now being higher than originally anticipated. The officers felt that, as a grant of £100 had been provisionally offered, the membership at the meeting might want to increase that figure but that the officers would feel uncomfortable recommending anything higher than £200.

It was decided to put back the proposed maintenance course until the end of March 2007 to give more time to publicise and organise it.

06 July 2006Other location

Guild 8-bell Striking Competition

Result of the competition held at Longcot on Monday

1st=

East Berks & South Bucks Branch

96%

1st=

St Mary & St Laurence, Reading

96%

3rd

All Saints, High Wycombe

94.4%

4th

St Michael & All Angels, Aston Clinton

91.8%

5th

North Bucks Branch

91.6%

6th

South Oxon Branch

86%

7th

Vale of White Horse Branch

81%