It is so nice to be able to write a message after so much ringing has taken place, both locally and nationally, to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. General ringing, quarter peals and peals have been rung by a large number of guild members in Leicestershire towers and we have received lots of positive feedback from the churches, congregations and general public.

The band from Thurcaston featured on the front page of the Jubilee edition of the ringing world. They rang with a band of under 18’s who had all been taught as part of the “Ringing Remembers” campaign. The band of youngsters continues to flourish at Thurcaston under Peter Hunt’s leadership and his collaboration with the village primary school.

I am aware of several people who have heard the Jubilee ringing and are now interested in learning more about bellringing. Let’s hope 2022 brings forward lots returning ringers and new recruits; please get in touch if you need any help with recruitment campaigns or teaching new ringers.

Most districts have now started monthly practices again, and it has been nice to see good attendances at many of them. It was particularly pleasing to have 10 new members, all from Packington, proposed at the May Loughborough District meeting.

The Leicestershire “Rising Ringers” have now been renamed the Leicestershire Foundry Foxes. The group has been practicing hard for several month for the forthcoming Ringing World National Youth Competition in Exeter on July 2nd. Our Foundry Foxes, sporting backpacks and polo shirts bearing their new logo, will be travelling sharing a coach to Exeter with the Derbyshire and Warwickshire bands. I, for one, am not looking forward to a 6.30am start in Warwick! Many thanks to the generous individuals in the Guild who have sponsored their travel, polo shirts and backpacks – your donations have been very much appreciated.

Good luck, Foundry Foxes.

Sally Brown
Guild President