Ringing Forums

We had a branch outing this summer, most ringing was PH5 PBD or call changes. At the 8 bell tower we gave opportunities to several ringers to try out ph7. There was 1 piece of ringing more advanced which was some mediocre grandsire triples with our PBD ringers on the treble and two. But what less experienced ringers could see was an achievable path to progression. One ringer who has not been ringing long, said afterwards that grandsire was amazing, "until now I though a goal was to ring for a wedding but now I can see there's so much more I can aspire to". Our approach to branch general ringing is to focus on giving opportunities to people who attend. Those of us who ring "fancy-pants" stuff have so many opportunities already and in my view general branch practices shouldn't contain very much advanced ringing as its a suitable time we can give more opportunities for the less experienced to try something new or ring with a steady band.

I wonder if we really have many ringers in the category "ready to move on from bob minor". I can only think of a 4 such ringers in my rural Devon Branch (1 youngster & 3 adults). The reality is that only 3 towers out of 20 affiliated Branch towers undertake any method ringing on a practice night. Of those 4 ringers ready to move on, only 1 can currently afford the time to attend other practices in order to progress.

The opportunities to ring at focused practices (such as triples, plain major, S6 & S8) are available and the encouragement and mentorship of those who want to move on is in place but sadly those who reach the level of bob minor are few and far between.

To be honest it is rare we have a youngster in rural Devon who reaches the "ready to move on from bob minor" stage. When we do encounter someone who wants to advance, ringers from the Devon method community are keen to be involved in helping their progress - with invites to QP days, to city practices where more advanced ringing takes place, to additional S8 & S6 practices and invites in peals.

I wonder if there is any need to set up a structured scheme when branch practices mentorship and opportunities are already in place. But perhaps in areas where there is more change ringing taking place, there may be issues in identifying and matching those who want to advance to the practices which are suitable for their progression and to meeting ringers who will aid their progression.

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...