Members and guests are cordially invited to join the club for a talk, followed by lunch, on Racing around the world in a maxi-yacht by Ian Worley at The Half Moon in Sheet on May 27 at 11am for 11.30am.

Ian grew up in the coastal town of West Wittering and is a chartered accountant by profession who worked in the city of London in the 1970s. He gave up his career for a life at sea as sailing had been in his blood since he was ten years old.

In 1977 he volunteered with 15 others to crew the maxi-yacht Great Britain II in the second Whitbread Round the World Race via Cape Horn.

His illustrated talk has proven to be a very entertaining story of that race, both amusing and terrifying - including the outrageous activities that can accompany such endeavours.

He also undertook a nationwide speaking tour with Foyles lecture agency until finally retiring from an information technology company in 2023 and re-starting speaking engagements.

Non-members are very welcome to join members for the talk and lunch (£22) or for the talk only (£5). To book call the secretary on 07967 015596. For more details about the club visit www.psdpc.wordpress.com

At the April meeting Pat Keane, a volunteer for Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards, gave a talk entitled Friends Against Scams, advising about various scams that are going around and how to avoid them.

He told members to never disclose their security details, to not assume everyone is genuine and to not be rushed. He also advised them to listen to their instincts and stay in control.

These talks are free for interested groups. For more information visit [email protected]

At the May 20 meeting Simon Porter from Penn Croft Farm will give a talk on Why regenerative farming is so important.

Members will be asked to make cakes, provide hamper raffle items and volunteer to help on the Alice Holt WI stall for the Rowledge Village Fayre on May 25.

Alice Holt WI meets at the Rowledge Club in Fullers Road, Rowledge. New members are welcome. For details email Ros Cranham at [email protected]

Seven films were entered by members of the Surrey Border Movie Makers for the club’s Edit Exercise.

Short clips of varied footage had been supplied, and members had an opportunity of creating their own version of a film which was to be no longer than three minutes.

The first film shown was by Cameron Gilroy, entitled Dry January. It depicted a person trying to overcome the difficulty of abstaining from drinking alcohol.

The second film, 2025 Contrasts by Paul Ashworth, took a look at current affairs and the contrasting effects between them.

Philip Morley’s film was shown next, entitled Mick’s New Year Disaster. It shared a neighbour’s New Year’s Eve party which involved too much drinking.

Cameron Gilroy entered a second film called The Miracle of Flight; a flying dog was the star of this comedy film.

Marcus Henning’s film entry of the Surrey Border Movie Makers’ Edit Exercise was a spooky film about The Bleak House, with dark goings on as the old year was dying followed by a lightening up as the new year approached.

The sixth film, called The Sands of Time, by Philip Morley was a film based on New Year’s Eve overindulgence and was cleverly narrated via a poem written by Philip.

This event proved to be a good challenge for members to create their own version of films from the same given footage.

After a coffee break the evening continued with films from Peter Frost. SBMM at the BBC was a ‘making of’ film based on filming which took place in a BBC radio station for the club film Insomnia. This was followed by a look at The Buzz in the Boardroom, and how it was made after a re-edit. The final film of Peter’s was The Wizard-Momento Films, an amusing look into the world of an adult having a frustrating game of pinball.

Gordon Sutton took part in the live video filming of a band which took place at the March club meeting, Gordon was one of numerous camera operators for the music video and showed his behind the scenes film called Filming of Bullseye Promo Video. This was of great interest to those members who could not be present on the night the filming took place. The final film of the evening was Moving Day, an amusing animation film by Dave Skertchly.

Anyone interested in any aspect of filmmaking is welcome to join. For more information visit www.surreyborder.org.uk or email [email protected].

Surrey Border Movie Makers meet on the first Friday of each month at St Joan's Centre, 19 Tilford Road, Farnham. There is plenty of parking and the first visit is free. For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/SurreyBorderMovieMakers/timeline

Petersfield tower captain and ringing master Brian Underwood gave his 2024 report at the group’s annual general meeting.

He thanked Will Hughes and his clergy for their ongoing support and advice, Hattie Hughes and Sam Hammond in the church office for their efficiency and help, tower secretary Alice Kidd, steeple keepers Duncan Wilkins, David Malone and Andrew Speller for regular maintenance of the bells, treasurer Sue Walker, archivist Caroline M Welsh, safeguarding officers Nick Halder and Rebecca Restall, all the ringers for their enthusiasm, support, patience and understanding, and Steve Marriott from Alton, Graham Cane from Buriton and Francesco Greenslade for much support during the year.

Brian said the group was fortunate to have a very large and thriving band composed of all ages, with very well attended practices and all eight bells being rung every Sunday morning.

Ringers Francesco, Katherine, James and Lauren comprised half of the Winchester and Portsmouth Young Ringers’ team which won the South East Regional Youth Contest and came second in the annual The Ringing World National Youth Contest in London.

Many of the band attended the Isle of Wight Open Day, ringing at around 15 towers, and the tower barbecue hosted by Alice and Lauren was very well attended by family and friends.

The band took part in the district’s Cotter Cup Striking Competition and barbecue at St Mary’s Liss, and two of the band attended a four-day residential ringing course at Bradfield.

The group raised £60 for church funds from tower tours at the St Peter’s Church Fete, which was followed the same day with a half-day ringing outing to Chiddingfold, Dunsford and Cranleigh, and hosting young ringers for an evening practice at Petersfield. Two Petersfield bands entered the District Striking Competition at St Mary’s Liss.

The bells were rung half-muffled on Remembrance Sunday morning, and there was a half-muffled Quarter Peal for Evensong - including five Petersfield ringers - the same day. The group placed a wreath at the war memorial in the High Steet.

In December the group rang for various Christmas services, including two carol services, and at midnight on New Year’s Eve.

Many members attended the district’s Christmas social event, which was ringing at Guildford Cathedral followed by dinner at the Hen and Chicken in Froyle. The Christmas dinner, organised by tower secretary Alice Kidd and others from the band, was attended by more than 35 family and friends and raised £40, after costs and a £20 donation to the church hall.

There is now an emphasis on improved striking throughout the band’s ringing, and consequently an increasing number of times when the striking is noticeably very good - which is particularly challenging as Petersfield’s bells are not the easiest to strike well. A simulator now allows an extra practice every other week, refining ringing, teaching new methods and improving striking without disturbing residents.

New members are needed to replace younger ones going to university, but new recruits who joined last year continue to make good progress.

By following the Association of Ringing Teachers programme, one young ringer is working towards official teaching accreditation, and the group arranged several tied-bell practices to assist with this and bell-handling for beginners.

The Association of Ringing Teachers scheme is being expanded for those who wish to take part, and the presentation of progress certificates will help to recognise achievements and formalise the role of accredited teacher.

Members will continue to be encouraged to visit other practices, towers and ringing courses. Many attended the annual 12-bell practice at Winchester Cathedral and regularly assist East Meon for its Sunday morning service and weekly practice nights, plus Buriton, Froxfield, Hawkley, Liss, Rogate and Selborne, as well as ringing at Petersfield.

Brian hoped that achieving improved striking and a good mix of methods on practice nights will inspire the Petersfield band and attract other good ringers. The simulator provides opportunities to further enjoy practice and progress more quickly, raising the quality of ringing for Sunday services and making Petersfield a regional training centre and a Centre of Ringing Excellence.