We have a lot to be proud of in our Guild, our website in particular has been held up as a great example for recruitment and learning; we have some fantastic initiatives in Ringing Schools, Learner Engagement, and some very active people across our branches, but unless we share the messages, fun, achievement, friendship we won’t change our future.
I was recently invited by the editor of the Ringing World to join a fact finding discussion about what the Ringing World means to Guilds and Associations and what it does for them. The overriding view was that none of us really think about it and couldn’t really say. This was followed by a comment on the Bellringers Facebook page following a Scout Jamboree where a Mini ring had been present, that none of the young people manning the ringing had heard of the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers (CCCBR) initiative Ringing 2030. These interesting discussions led me to thinking about what our ringing structures mean to any of us. At ground level, our tower is where we feel we belong, and are taught, supported and able to develop our ringing, friendships and experience.
We may go along to Branch activities, which are primarily designed to offer ringing opportunities and create friendships/social interactions bit, in reality, only a tiny number have any interest in activities beyond their tower or branch and consequently have no idea what organisations like the Central Council, Ringing World and even our own Guild are doing.
A small number of people might come along to Guild activities such as the Striking Competitions and AGM, and a tiny number might join/use CCCBR activities (Web events, AGM, Bell Sunday, Ringing Remembers etc.).
All of these organisations have an identical focus, to recruit, train and retain ringers, and ensure the future of bells and bellringing, but are doing it with different parts of the community. The question ‘What does the Branch /Guild/CCCBR/Ringing World do for me?’ is not a new one and it appears that unless someone needs one of the functions they operate, that will continue to be the case.
For some reason our Guild Novice Rounds Competition, which attracted 9 teams last year, had only one entry this year. Maybe the location, maybe the date, maybe not enough novices in a branch, or no-one one to lead the recruitment and formation of a team, there could be 101 reasons why, but perhaps it shows that there is a need to think about why people could be motivated to take part to encourage them with a message of what they will gain from becoming involved. The Novice Competition is new and it’s important to try new things and equally important to get good feedback on why people come to something and, if possible, why they don’t.
Having been involved with the Executive since 2014 as Branch Representative, then General Secretary and now Master I have seen a lot of very positive and good change, but I’ve also seen challenges emerging which won’t be headed off at Tower level. It will be the broader organisational structures (Branches, Guilds, CCCBR) and people within them that will lead initiatives, and they need ringers who are passionate about their hobby to help sell the message.
I will be stepping down as Master at the next AGM, in May 2027, as it’s time for some new blood, and fresh ideas to come to the fore to secure the future of our ringing beyond 2030.
Meanwhile, enjoy your ringing, be curious and spread the word.
Vicki Rowse
Guild Master
