Ringing Forums

i read the article yesterday and the two themes that stood out were:
1 Ringing is dying out. 2 Ringers no longer want to ring for three hours.
1 might attract some who would like to ‘rescue’ ringing from oblivion, but are thee likely to be the sort of recruits we need?
2 could put people off. Those of us who ring peals put up with the downsides because we are hooked on the positive aspects of ringing. But to anyone who hasn’t got to that point the thought of ringing for three hours would be a put off.

The Garlickhythe band have very clearly used it as a chance to tell a different story. They have publicised a YouTube video about bells and bellringing on the Royal Jubilee Bells and pushed the message that ringing is not dying out in their tower.
I think Dickon was disappointed to offer the journalist the chance to come to practice and take photos only to find the negative storyline was already written.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6M1FVp99fI

Equally Thomas from Twickenham was on BBC radio to share why ringing is not dying out for him (as a 19 year old who now calls quarters, organises peals and organises district training).
I only have this as a link on Facebook but it was Radio 4, 16th March at 9:24.
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19dNYMjrp4/?mibextid=wwXIfr

So it has galvanised some response, which is good, but somehow we need to sell a more positive headline as the Telegraph article still used a lot of the early Ring for the King messages around saving a heritage hobby which a lot of people are trying to turn into positive messages to join because you’ll enjoy it.

I only have this as a link on Facebook but it was Radio 4, 16th March at 9:24. — Lucy Chandhial

The original is at https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m00291nx, you need to skip 23:00 in.

The article prompted a few raised eyebrows in Ipswich, so we got in contact with the local radio station. We'd recently installed some Training Bells at Ipswich Minster, so it was a good opportunity to show that we're actively training new recruits.

It even includes the (non-ringing) vicar giving a great explanation of peal ringing!

(BBC Suffolk, 2:40:30)

this is what I mean. If we are able to distribute the message more quickly that a national press event is happening, then this can be picked up at a local level to enable individual towers/branches to capitalise on it. In my opinion, all publicity can be good publicity.

@Angela Elliott do you think there could be a route to share national press to support local pr activity? Perhaps it already goes to Association PR Officers (where the role exists)?
Maybe it’s possible to create a mailing list for people who are interested in active promotion in their local area?

Picking up on Jason's point that we need to 'distribute the message more quickly that a national press event is happening' it's a great idea, but no one is alerted to a national press event - certainly not me and I'm the PR officer for the CCCBR. If it's gone via me, then yes, I can do that, but often the media reach out to specific 'targets' and circumvent any official PR approach.
I'd like to have a zoom meeting with Association PR officers to see what they are doing and how I can support their needs, but getting to them is an onerous task. Perhaps this is something I can take to the Exec meeting next week.

excellent idea. Don’t worry if you can’t get to all Associations to start with. Go with the ones you can get hold of and hopefully others will get on board later