Ringing Forums

Hello Angela,
Welcome to your new role and thank you for stepping up to the PRO role, which is massively important as part of Ringing 2030. I don’t suppose that you were expecting lots of replies to your post of over three weeks ago, or I hope not, otherwise you would be sorely disappointed? It was of course more of an announcement, and I hope you have plenty of direct contact made through your email, and warning, you will be from me, but don’t worry, it is merely a request for some assistance.

But in the meantime, I am going to mention something that I hope a wider audience may be able to help with. I have brought it to the Executives notice, via an email to Ernie on the 5th June, to which I still haven’t had a response to, that there was a CCCBR Publication from 1994, titled ‘Striking the right note’, that was produced by the then Public Relations Advisory Group, led by Alison Hodge. It doesn’t seem to be available any longer, and if it was, it would no doubt need some updating. Is it going to be updated and re published, as although so often it is often thought that we do not need printed copies, it can be available on line, I am probably considered old fashioned, but I still prefer to have something that I can instantly refer to when working on screen with something that I need that information for?
What do others think, do we need an up to date guide on Public Relations?
Do we need a printed version, or an online reference point on the CCCBR website?

I suspect we will increasingly offer training at a cost and use a large proportion of the money to pay for the organisation of ringing centres and training courses (rather than primarily for paying the actual teachers or helpers) and I can see how this increases the opportunities for early learning and progression which should bring benefit to all in the long run.

Perhaps we need to emphasise this point when ‘signing up’ recruits, and that they have an option to either verbally commit to accepting that there will be an expectation to ‘pay back’ for all the time provided by others to their development, or that there is an agreed upfront payment system, but a proportional refund, when they begin to demonstrate commitment with Service ringing, etc..
Could be messy, and am expecting to be told so, particularly if the Training is at a Ringing Centre, but the commitment is at a local Tower.

They have “bought” their training and there is no obligation to contribute their time and effort. I wrote something on the subject a few years ago that people might find interesting https://dingdong887180022.wordpress.com/2020/10/31/should-we-charge-for-bell-ringing-lessons/
Things are rarely clear cut.
- Mary Jones

That attitude could be of concern, but frankly, those that view it in that way, are probably not going to be inclined to commit. Read your Accidental Ringer Podcast, and now realise that I have a lot of catchup to do!

Well Philip George commented how little comment on this subject so far and I will say the same, as I am surprised, as in the main, we give our time to teaching the next ‘tranche’ of Bellringers for free. We know that the retention rate is sadly not as high as we would like or need, and yet we continue to give of our time, and no doubt will continue to, even if the tower was to charge, then we would still be happy to contribute by providing that service. Without doubt, it is time for a rethink, a little like the variation in what is charged and what is paid for wedding ringing. If there is a charge, do those that do so, find that there is a better approach by those that are being taught? I imagine there would be, which is encouraging me to think that we should, even if there is a ‘fear’ that it might put some people off starting. (My first sentence could now be removed, with David Smith’s sensible comment arriving).