Ringing Forums

I think the insurance issue needs careful attention. If you look at a territorial association insurance policy, you will find it includes as a minimum public liability insurance, trustee indemnity insurance, and employee liability insurance. It might also include insurance of various assets.

If there was a central insurance policy that covered ringing accidents, I think it's likely local associations would still need their own insurance policies.

I can't see people standing as trustees of local associations without an insurance policy in the name of the association in place.

I really can't see there would be a significant overall saving by having a national insurance scheme.

You are right, there is very little opportunities to ring triples and plain major at regular practices. 40 years ago when I learnt to ring that was the standard for many 8 bell towers but that's no longer the case. In NE Branch GDR we run a monthly triples/plain major practice. This month the Guild Education Officer visited us and agreed this would be good to replicate this practice across branches and she's keen to focus some of the Guild training at this level in next year's plans.

It might be worth suggesting this in your local area.

I'm not sure another national newsletter is needed..Ringing World and ART already cover the national space.

May I suggest you have a look at Ringing Round Devon which is the quarterly newsletter for Guild of Devonshire Ringers. It's focus is on reporting news of our ringing community. I think promoting a sense of community in ringing is the key to what a territorial society is about. People progess in ringing due to who they know so the key thing Branch Officers should do is know their members and provide opportunities for everyone to take part and get to know other ringers.

https://devonringers.org.uk/guild/newsletters

Perhaps a consideration to achieving a well run Branch is the size of a Branch membership and the geographical area it covers.
I'd suggest the something manageable is approx 120 members and geographically 40 minutes to drive the length or width.

"83% say they are looking to improve their ringing"
Survey slide

I expect a similar proportion of the population want to lose weight. But very few people actually put that wish into action. Losing weight requires commitment, self discipline, perserverance etc.

Similarly, I'm sure most ringers want to improve, but it is very difficult to advance, not only do you need opportunities and know the right people, but you have to be very dedicated, and it takes a big investment of time both inside the tower and with learning methods in your own time.

A useful follow-up question to this would be - how.

For example, only at weekly practices in my own tower, through a branch mentoring programme, attending a weekend ringing course, attending a short course, regular attendance at focused practices, online ringing, quarterpeals etc...