David Jones, Whatton

David Lazzerini has asked me to post the following message:

It is my sad duty to report the death of David Jones on the afternoon of Tuesday 28th April.  David was a dependable Whatton ringer for over 30 years until, together with his wife Sandra who survives him, moving to Taunton in 2010.  Sandra tells me that David was diagnosed with a Neurodegenerative condition with Parkinsonism 2 years ago and, following the inevitable decline, he slipped into unconsciousness and died peacefully.  May he rest in peace.

Brian Bull

Brian Bull

I have just heard the sad news that Brin Bull passed away peacefully yesterday (30 April) afternoon at the care home in Gloucester where he’d been for the last few years. He had become increasingly frail, and his health declined rapidly over the past few days. His daughter tells me that there will, in due course, be a memorial service held at St Mary’s Radcliffe on Trent (where he was Captain for 50 years). I will let everyone know when this is arranged. There will be ringing before the service.

Sibthorpe Gardens Open 2026

Please find attached a flier for Sibthorpe Gardens Open 2026.

This event is being held to raise funds for the Sibthorpe church bell restoration fund. All proceeds from the event will go directly towards the restoration of the bells.

The event involves five of the villagers’ gardens in Sibthorpe, opening on the first Sunday afternoon of March, April, May, June and July. Tickets are £5 per person (under 12s free), with refreshments available in the village church.

Fiona M Walters

With sadness we record the death of Fiona M Walters on 11th January 2026, her 75th birthday.
Fiona was elected as a Guild member in 1973 and remained a resident member until December 1998 when she and Bob Preston  moved to Fountainhall, Scotland to start a new business venture.
Fiona served as Nottingham District secretary in 1974, Bingham District Ringing Master in 1978 and  Bingham District secretary 1982 -1987. 

Robert Naylor & Brian Walton

With sadness we have to report the passing of two of the Guild’s Honorary Life Members 
Robert Naylor, former tower captain and ringer at Bulwell since 1964  died on 31st December 2025 aged 87.
Brian R J Walton former tower captain and ringer at Beeston for over 50 years died on 3rd January 2026 aged 90.

Robert’s funeral  will be on January 21st at 11am in St Mary’s church Bulwell, followed by 12 noon at Bramcote crematorium.

Margaret Woodhead

sadly passed away on Wednesday 12th March, having lived in a care home for several years.

Her husband, Bob, was Tower Captain at Edwinstowe until he died in the 1970s. Margaret continued to ring at Edwinstowe until some 10 years ago when old age curtailed her ringing. The funeral will take place at 12 noon on Wednesday 2nd April at St Mary’s Church, Edwinstowe. Open ringing from 11.15am. A local band will ring a Quarter Peal after the service.

Derek Parker

Derek Parker aged 67 and Blyth bellringer, sadly passed away last Thursday, he had been diagnosed with a brain tumour in mid 2024.
Derek was a selfless soul always willing to help others – he will be missed by us all.
Derek’s funeral will be on Tuesday 21st January at 1100hrs at Barnby Moor Crematorium then afterwards at the Red Hart, Blyth

Have a go on 12 bells at Rotherham Minster

Have a go on 12 bells at Rotherham Minster!

Given the success of the last two “have a go on 10 bells” sessions, I’ve booked Rotherham minster for people to “have a go on 12 bells”. Like the previous events, we will mainly be ringing rounds, call changes and plain hunt.

Date: Saturday 12 October 2024
Time: 2:30pm to 4:30pm
Location: Rotherham minster

Car parking: Drummond Street car park has free parking all weekend. It is then a 5-10 minute walk to the Minster.

So if anyone would like to try ringing on 12 then please do come along. The event is not run by any particular guild or district. It is just organised to suit travelling/location.

This will be the last “have a go” event for 2024. No decision has been made on whether to rerun them in 2025 yet. Depends if people enjoy them and want them run again.

Any queries, let me know.

Melanie