Church bellringing in the Salisbury Diocese

Mobile Belfry Volunteers needed

Can you tow?

The Mobile Belfries Trust is busy preparing for its 2026 season, and we already have 21 provisional or confirmed bookings between the beginning of May and mid-October. Unfortunately, one of our regular drivers is unable to help us this year. In any case we needed more drivers to help spread the workload, especially if there are more bookings, so we are appealing for new drivers to come forward.

Our 2026 bookings so far are concentrated in the Southern half of England with three each in Somerset and Sussex, two each in Berkshire, Essex, Gloucestershire and Hampshire, and one each in Cambridgeshire, Kent and London, plus Carnforth (NWRC), Nottingham (RWNYC) and Rugby (CCCBR), Therefore we are keen to establish a network of drivers with someone based in each of the counties, or close by. This will help us keep hire costs down for our hirers.

Normally one of our drivers tows one of our belfries to an event, and we arrange to move the belfries round between events. Alternatively, one driver will take it to an event, and another will collect it, ready to go to the next event. If you have somewhere the ring can be stored for a few days in between that would be ideal. A front driveway is adequate as we have a hitch lock and wheel clamp for security reasons. Even if you cannot tow the ring, offers of somewhere to store the ring for a few days at a time are also welcome.

We will train you how to set up and dismantle the ring, and we pay our drivers 65p/mile expenses when towing and 45p/mile when not towing. However, we may need to review these rates depending on what happens with fuel prices going forward.

You will need a suitable tow vehicle fitted with a two bar. The Charmborough Ring and trailer are quite heavy at 2100 Kgs, and needs a SUV or similar to tow it, but we were careful when commissioning the Touring Tower to minimise its weight and it weighs just under 1500kgs, so many more cars can tow it.

The legal requirements for towing are quite complex. However, in addition to the towing capacity of the vehicle, you do need to be aware that the combined weight of the car and trailer are a factor. We do have a gazebo with both of our rings and some other items which can normally be transported in a boot, to ensure that we do not exceed the legal limits. For more information, have a look at the website here: mobilebelfries.org/towing