Subsequent to the announcement of the Ringer of the Year at the AGM, at a Branch Mini Outing on Saturday 18th May, we were thrilled to present Mere Branch Ringing Master, Nick Dallison with his Award, given by Judith Williamson V.P.
A celebratory cake was cut with Chairman Len Roberts on behalf of all Mere Branch Members, congratulating Nick and proposing a toast to him, on receiving this very well deserved award.
Nick arrived in Dorset in 2018 when he joined his local tower in Sturminster Newton and the following year became Tower Captain.
Since learning to ring in 2012, Nick has rung a total of 46 Quarter Peals, 16 of which he has rung since moving to Dorset and he continues to be at the forefront of Mere Branch Quarters and beyond.
Following the lifting of Covid restrictions he immediately organised a very successful open day for the tower. This also included a radio broadcast by the Branch Publicity Officer, resulting in several new recruits, which Nick then undertook to teach.
Attending branch practices from that time onwards and taking an increasing interest in the problems faced by the branch in recruiting and training ringers and the related issues that were being addressed by the branch, Nick was persuaded to stand for election to the branch committee.
Having already completed ART Module 1, he attended a Module 2F Course in order not only to help with teaching new ringers himself, but to co-operate with fellow ART teachers in setting up training within the branch. He has also completed a Module 2C and joins other full members of ART who have completed all training modules.
As part of a small team of branch committee members, Nick has been at the forefront of the promotion of ringing in the branch which now has a membership of 206 across 28 towers, an increase of about 40%. Sharing his knowledge of ringing in a quiet but competent manner with new ringers at regular branch practices, has enthused and motivated those who wish to go on to progress their ringing and to attend regular ringing workshops. These were organised by Nick after the branch struggled to maintain its levels of training post-Covid learners, at what was a crucial stage in their development.
Nick identified suitable venues, recruited experienced ringers to form a teaching team and then developed, with these colleagues, a format for each workshop. The success of this approach was shown by these same workshop participants gaining the confidence to visit other towers to ring with other local groups and so further progress their skills. Nick was able to organise a ringing outing specifically for these students to extend their chances not only to learn more, but also to celebrate their achievements.
Being a predominantly rural branch, our towers have difficulties in maintaining complete compliments of ringers and of those towers which do, these often struggle to do more than basic ringing. The difference that one or two people can make with the experience, patience, and commitment towards the improvement of such a situation, as demonstrated by Nick, is considerable and greatly appreciated.
Nick has also given new encouragement to fellow branch members who, faced by the effects of Covid and the halt it brought to ‘live’ ringing in the branch, were struggling to bring ringing in the area back up to anything like pre-pandemic levels.
At our Branch AGM in December 2022, Nick was elected Branch Ringing Master and together with our Training Officer has transformed the format of our monthly “All Ringing Together” Branch Practices. These practices are now well attended and much enjoyed by all participants. Nick has also arranged several Mini outings to local towers to give a wider range of ringing experiences to our Branch Members, this in addition to organising the ringing at our Annual Branch Outings.
Throughout 2023 and to date Nick has given up every Tuesday morning to hold three separate training sessions giving 1:1 support to new learners. In addition he has given up countless evenings to support learners both at his own tower and also at several different towers across the Branch. This support was a major contributing factor resulting in thirty new learners being elected as Guild Members during 2023. Whilst devoting a considerable amount of time and effort to what may be considered Branch responsibilities, Nick has still continued to run very successful weekly practices at his own tower of Sturminster Newton, including individual practices for their new learners.
Nick has also undertaken the maintenance role at several towers, where routine maintenance has been neglected for many years. He has, with help, succeeded in improving the situation at each of these towers.
We have every expectation that our branch members will continue to be grateful for Nick’s contributions to his fellow ringers and as Ringing Master his commitment to the improvement of ringing across the branch. This being in addition to the excellent work he is doing in his role as Branch Treasurer and continuing belfry maintenance at several towers, which are currently without a steeple keeper.
As Ringing Master he is continuing in 2024 to help, encourage and to enthuse fellow branch members to progress in their ringing and is currently actively teaching learners and improvers in three different towers.
At our Branch Committee Meeting, everyone endorsed Nick’s nomination for the SDGR Ringer of the Year, the committee and our members all feel that this is a very worthy nomination for the award.
Len Roberts
Mere Branch Chairman
Other Nominations
Highly Commended
Duncan Loweth, Town Church, Guernsey, Channel Islands
Duncan is an extraordinary person to ring with. He has just finished his tenure as Branch Ringing master and has changed the way we ring on Guernsey, and in the Channel Islands.
His drive to teach and help those he rings with is unlimited (and sometimes exhausting!). Over the years he has been ringing in Guernsey : learning in Vale, ringing at Town Church he has always had an enthusiasm to ring better and help others to do so.
He writes and runs escape rooms based in the bell tower at Town Church (you may think this is not ringing related….) which raise money for youth scholarships, installations of Saxiliby simulators at Elizabeth college, 2 Higsby simulators in church and also a service bell to be used for services.
This past year in particular has been incredibly full on, given the challenge of Ring For The King, he stepped up and took it on.
Advertising online first and then via local media we soon had over 25 new ringers of all ages desperate to ‘give it a go’. Duncan gave up family time, organised a team of helpers and soon every Tuesday the simulator bells at Elizabeth College (a school where Duncan teaches and organises after school ringing) were striking away.
After 3 weeks of learning on simulators , with a weekly theory session and take home materials for participants, Duncan coordinated all Towers on the island to have extra practices to allow all participants (now up to 28!) a go on all Towers and different weights of bells before Coronation day.
With just 8 weeks training all ringers who were available managed to ring call changes, kings and queens in all every tower on the island come 6th May to much local attention and congratulation. Many of whom are still ringing at local Towers on the island.
None of that would have happened without Duncan Loweth.
On top of that Duncan is a local teacher and ringer who always strives to make everyone do that little thing you think is too much. Be it, QP for new ringers or when you want to really practice a new method. He runs after school and lunchtime practices and QP for pupils at Elizabeth college and other youth ringers, has promoted the youth scholarship programme and also runs a weekly handbell evening at his home.
He has time and patience to allow you to learn while also trying to improve his own ringing, installing a simulator at home means he’s always ahead in the learning.
He will always go above and beyond to try and get ringers to better themselves and their ringing to full effect.
Highly Commended
David Miles, St Mary’s Marlborough, Malborough Branch
David goes above and beyond what is expected of a tower captain. He gives freely of his time and expertise to teach beginners and experienced ringers alike, often rearranging work and holiday commitments to ensure the ringers are supported. He is quite unflappable and his easy manner makes everyone feel welcome and at ease thus creating such a positive atmosphere in the tower where we all feel valued.
Since taking on the role of tower captain he has re-enthused the local band and worked hard on ensuring everyone both progresses as their own pace whilst always empathising good striking. David organises the tower weekly practice, Sunday service ringing, social events, tower outings and always is promoting bell ringing within the church and local community.
David has taken on the role of steeple keeper and has been training a new ringer on the practical side of steeple keeping too. David organises regular quarter peals for both tower and branch members.
Since taking on the Branch Ringing Master role David has reinvigorated the branch, to the point we almost have too many ringers at our monthly simulator practice. These practices are run efficiently and with good humour with every ringer getting David’s attention to ensure they feel both welcome and that they have had a good ring.
David is always supportive to the other Branch Officers and regularly helps at another local tower on a Sunday to ensure they are able to ring for service too.
Also Nominated
Dusty (aka David) Millier, Bratton & Edington, Devizes Branch
From Tower Captain at Erlestoke: “During December 2022 I heard an item on Radio 4 about how another 8,000 bell ringers needed to be trained up so that every bell in the country could be rung for the Coronation. I happened to mention this in the pub one evening and we instantly had a ready-made team of nine complete beginners all keen to take it up with the ambition of getting the long neglected bells at Holy Saviour Erlestoke ringing again by 6th May 2023.
So in January 2023 I first contacted Dusty and explained our ambitions to him. We all realise now what a tall order this was but, to Dusty’s enormous credit, he didn’t laugh! Instead, undaunted and in typical Dusty fashion, he set about organising a team of helpers for our first sessions at Edington and Bratton churches where he began patiently teaching us the first steps of ringing a bell. Progress was slow to begin with but Dusty never gave up on us, he was never impatient when we made mistakes and was always positive and encouraging. As we got to grips with one thing we would be gently (or sometimes not so gently!) introduced to the next challenge as he continued to push us forward. I have come to realise that teaching older adults a completely new skill of such complexity as bell ringing requires a lot of skills on the part of the teacher – the obvious things like technical ability and patience, but also a great understanding of how human beings tick and how to bring out the best in them. Dusty has this in spades. Learning a new skill as an adult can be frustrating and intimidating because we are all used to only doing things we are reasonably good at and Dusty instinctively understands when someone needs that little bit extra encouragement or support and also when they need to be trusted enough to be left alone. He is obviously also very good at motivating his helpers who all turned up every week to stand with us whilst we repeated the moves over and over to build up the muscle memory which is so necessary for bell ringing.
With Dusty’s unfailing support and enthusiasm, we achieved our ambition of ringing the bells in Erlestoke on 6th May. We didn’t ring them very well but that didn’t seem to matter. The bells of Erlestoke are not easy to ring (plain bearings with very little space) but thanks to Dusty’s excellent teaching skills and his ability to inspire confidence, we soon organised our own weekly practice sessions and started ringing for the monthly Sunday service. Dusty is always there when we need him and we are always very happy to have him come and ring with us. He also encouraged us to take part in our first competition – the Guild’s Novice Striking Competition on 14 September 2023. We didn’t come last either!”
From Devizes Branch Secretary: “Pre-covid the branch held Learner practices each Wednesday evening at Edington which unfortunately did not continue due to lack of support. Dusty used these free sessions in the tower to teach the Erlestoke learners and, as they progressed, he offered to continue these practices and open them up to all Devizes Branch learners. To date, Dusty runs Learner Practices each Wednesday at Edington (with assistance from other experienced teachers and helpers) which are very well attended by learners from all over the Branch and has very recently introduced a Triples Practice on the fourth Wednesday of each month.
We are very grateful to Dusty for all his hard work and dedication to run these practices and put his excellent teaching skills to good use.
I am very pleased to advise that on 7 October 2023 we elected six of the Erlestoke ringers as full members of the Guild. Their progress has been astonishing!”
Janet Robinson, Bradpole, West Dorset Branch
A friend persuaded Janet to learn to ring as a teenager at Oxhey in Hertfordshire, an 8 cwt, 8. Sadly these bells are now unringable. During that time she rang one quarter peal.
Janet stopped ringing during her time at University and throughout her career teaching maths. But, after 40 years, took it up again when she retired and moved to Bradpole in 2019.
Since then she has become tower captain at Bradpole and an accredited ART teacher.
Janet has made a huge contribution to ringing in West Dorset.
She has helped teach many of the 63 new ringers during the Ring for the King campaign, including helping with the new band at Shipton Gorge, and recruits at South Perrott, Loders, Bridport, Toller Porcorum and Bradpole.
She attends practices, and regularly helps bands at Loders, Burton Bradstock and Netherbury.
She is always enthusiastic, encouraging and innovative, looking for new ways to approach learning and explain ideas.
Janet has rung in several quarters for first timers in the last year.
As the coordinator for the facilities at Bradpole Ringing Centre Janet has been efficient and keen to have them used, and along with her husband Paul, they arrange the diary bookings, tying of the bells and the IT and equipment for courses and practices. She also assists at most of the weekly branch practices held there.
As if this wasn’t enough Janet is an excellent cake maker and provides cake and refreshments for these practices as well.
Her dream is to teach more recruits for Bradpole tower to strengthen her home band.
We are grateful for the enthusiasm and energy that Janet brings to ringing in West Dorset.
