Next Guild Event
Saturday 16th June
GORSEINON (8)
5.30 - 7.30 : Practice
New Guild Master
The new Guild Master, Mike Reynolds from Llanfihangel Rhydithon, being presented
with his badge of office from retiring master Hilary Rose at the AGM on 16th July.
2011 Striking Competition
The competition, held at St Mary's Swansea on July 16th, was judged by Barry Morgan and Marice Sherlock of the Llandaff and Monmouth Association. Five bands entered and Sketty 'A' band was judged the winners, taking the honour from Brecon by only two half faults. Cefn Coed was third, St Mary's Swansea fourth and Sketty 'B' fifth.
1st - Sketty 'A'
Nigel Doyle, Hilary Rose, Eifion Francis, Judith Doyle, Peggy Hill, Mark Anderson
2nd - Brecon
Dennis Parry, Paul Johnson, Kath Johnson, Wendy Medd, Gwyn Tomblin, Jean Hudman
Guild website
This is the revamped version of the guild website. All the usual stuff can be found using the menu tabs above. The biggest change is in the TOWERS page, with a map showing the widespread and geographically uneven distribution of the ringable guild towers (for those who didn't already know this!). It is intended to put tower contact details on the TOWERS page. Where these aren't at present shown, please email for the information. I should be glad if tower correspondents would let me know if any corrections or additions are required.
This home page will be devoted to announcements and news items. Contributions from tower correspondents and other guild members, including pictures, would be welcomed.
Leslie Evans Trophy
The Leslie Evans Trophy for progress in ringing during the year was presented
to Marina Thomas of Cefn Coed by the Training Officer, Kath Johnson.
Builth Bells Return
In October last year the bells of St Mary's Church, Builth Wells were taken out of the tower and transported to Whites of Appleton's workshop near Oxford. During the intervening period the bells were been taken to the Whitechapel Bell Foundry in London and tuned.
On their return to Appleton the canons were removed and new fittings made. Whilst this was happening the ringers have cleaned out the belfry and treated the frame. Additional strengthening has been added to the frame.
On Friday 18th February 2011 2 ringers from Builth headed off to Appleton, in a truck generously loaned by David Jones Building Contractors, and returned to Builth with the Bells. These were kindly taken off the truck by Adrian Coyle and taken into Church, where they were blessed during the Sunday Morning Service.
On Monday 21st March a crane is due to return and the bells lifted back into the tower, lowered into position and during the ensuing week all the new fixtures and fittings installed. The bells are due be tested on Friday 25th February, with formal ringing start again on Sunday 27th and practices resuming on Thursday 3rd March.
All ringers are welcome to join us on any Thursday or Sunday.
Details of the restored bells are as follows:
| Tenor | 6-2-17 | B flat |
| 5 | 6-0-01 | C |
| 4 | 4-3-19 | D |
| 3 | 4-1-03 | E flat |
| 2 | 3-0-22 | F |
| Treble | 3-0-24 | G |
On Sunday 8th May at 6pm the bells will officially be rededicated by
Right Rev'd John Oliver, former Bishop of Hereford, during Choral Evensong.
Everyone one is welcome to join the celebration.
It has been a tremendous achievement to have raised nearly £32,000 to allow the bells to be restored. The support of the town has been fantastic. An additional £1000 is needed to be raised to cover the additional expense incurred by the change in VAT regulations that took place on 1st January 2011. This has meant that work on Bells is no longer eligible for the VAT to be reclaimed from the Listed Places of Worship Scheme. Plans are afoot to raise this money.
David Childs