Ringing Forums

Is "a bit disjointed" a euphemism for structural shambles? Very perceptive of them. Perhaps they can sort it out?

I agree with the old lags. I don't think that there was every anything much by way of formal structures but there were enough good towers and peal and qp bands about that you could make some progress if you (in my case literally) got on your bike. But you relied on the good will of towers and a helpful informal mentor or three to help you on your way. A lot of luck was needed and it was all very hit and miss. I don't recall the local association being any use at all.

A couple of decades back there were still enough capable ringers who were young enough that it might have been possible to set up some formal T&D structures. Now the core of capable ringers is probably too small in number and rather elderly and in any case it looks like folk are generally trying to flog on with the old tower based model. There has been a bit of tinkering with a few clusters and some co-operation but the wholesale structural reform that was needed has not happened.

Of course there are some success stories but generally I think method ringing is going down the pan. Probably not much that can be done now.

There are plenty of ringers about and plenty trying to learn but from a method ringing point of view is is mostly basic stuff with little hope of many crossing the gap from ART level 5 to S Major. That is if they can get past ART level 2.

I like your posts Roger. They give statistical explanations as to why I spend most of my ringing time trying to assist with R&D but with nobody much going anywhere. If the statistics were better my time would be much more usefully spent.

And we might find out to our cost,
The pain of peal or quarter lost,
When left alone to mull and rue,
The failure of the autocue.

Sounds reasonable.

If it is a visiting peal band does someone SG trained sit in the tower for the duration?

We float in an uncertain sea and hope not to sink.

I just got caught out by the pagination again — John Harrison

Modern World; total nightmare.

I am generally not available for weddings and I don't have a cat.

So tailored courses leading to transferable qualifications — John Harrison

Agreed.

whereas left to individuals it would never get done. — Phillip George

Please sir I did my refresher training of my own volition, unprompted.

Perhaps we are reaching a point in some areas then where local bands have collapsed to a point where not even viable clusters can be formed in which case the branch or district becomes the first level building block of formal organisation.

I would take out branches. Have clusters of towers for the day to day running and social stuff and the association sorting ot T&D for method ringing with some social stuff thrown in.

Any chance of the Carlisle DG writing up an article for the RW? Some more positive examples of where restructuring has taken place, with perhaps a bit of a nudge from the CCCBR, might encourage some of the others.

I think that a course for ringers designed by ringers and delivered by ringers would remove most of the barriers, where any exist.

From my very limited view of the world the push is to get back to the old [pre pandemic] normal, which to a large degree is happening. Not much sign of steps to address the crisis in method ringing. [crisis, what crisis?]

How do you find time to do the watering?

I imagine that most contact these days will be with a church warden/PCC.

I can see that there is almost certainly a contract between the church and who ever is paying for the wedding as there is an agreement and a consideration. I don't think that there is one between me and anyone; as noted above I am not looking to be paid.

If on a rare occasion I ring for a wedding I don't think I am working. I am not looking for financial gain. It is my hobby. I am not under a contract. I probably would not want any money for turning up and ringing but if someone did shove a few pounds in my hand on what basis would it be taxed?