We are starting to hear of churches that are to be left unused (or at least unheated) during the winter in order to save fuel costs. Services may be moved to another church in the benefice or other smaller venue. This may well have some significant impacts on ringing, ringers and the bell installations.
How widely is this occurring?
If the church is unused, will ringing be permitted to continue?
What discussions are the church authorities having with ringers as such decisions are made?
What are ringers planning to do to maintain the band and keep the bell installation in good order?
In our neighbouring parish, the old 1860s church has been furloughed for the last few winters, as the congregation size doesn't justify the heating. Services and activities are instead taken in the church hall, although the main church remain available for (unheated) use. It's not a church with bells though. Some parishioners weren't happy but there was notice given, and that was that. If it were to happen to our church, it wouldn't really affect us as we don't ring for services and we don't use the central heating. Given the amount of communication at some churches, I wonder if anyone would even inform the ringers that they had de-camped to another venue!
when our church was closed for just over a year for refurbishment, with services decamped to the adjacent hall we were encouraged to continue ringing for services, and practices. The contractors were required to ensure safe access for us except when unavoidable so we only lost a handful of ringing sessions. A good relationship with the church ensured we were consulted at all stages.