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Like many other activities in churches, bell ringing was ‘shut down’ during the pandemic. As churches began face-to-face worship again, bellringing returned, but not in all cases. Some churches have struggled to reopen, don’t hold regular services, have fewer events (like baptisms and weddings), or lack funds for maintenance, leaving some bells unused.
The Central Council of Church Bell Ringers (CCCBR) is working in partnership with the Church to assist with their initiatives and support churches to stay open by focussing on what is possible and sustainable.
Encouraging new bell ringers
There is also a drive to recruit more ringers, particularly amongst younger people. For example:
- Lesson plans that introduce bell-ringing across the school curriculum are being developed and trialled in some schools. Roll-out will follow if the trial is a success.
- The Young Ringers Hub website is being developed as a one-stop shop for young ringers. It includes information for University Ringing, under 18s, resources for leaders, parents and carers and a development pathways section. The aim is to enable young ringers to progress wherever their ringing journey takes them. Sub-sites including University Ringing, are in development and launching soon.
- A Scouts bellringing badge syllabus blueprint has been created from some excellent work by Derbyshire Scouts and Derby Diocesan Association bellringers. This will be suitable for use by other youth groups such as Guides and the Boys' Brigade.
You can find out more about the Ringing 2030 strategy on the CCBR website.
Supporting bellringing at your church
Bells tend to be out of sight and mind, so the maintenance and skills required to keep them ringing aren’t usually top of the agenda. Churches are encouraged to maintain good relationships with the ringers to avoid the loss of skills and the bells falling short in regular maintenance.
You can encourage ringing by supporting local and national events, and include bell ringing in funding and fundraising efforts. On a local scale, bellringers are looking to increase their visibility in the church by being represented on the PCC. At a national level, they are developing closer links with Dioceses, the Church, and other organisations with a vested interest, including Universities.
The CCCBR also offers several printed and free online publications covering belfry maintenance and bell-related projects.
How we support bellringing
Our support for bell ringing ranges from guidance on our website to colleagues applying their specialism and personal experiences to support your church. Becca Meyer, one of our Risk Appraisers, shared her experience of being a ringer and how it supports her in her role.
“I learnt to ring when I was four years old and so the church has always been a big part of my life. It’s therefore exceptionally pleasing that by doing my day job I am able to return some of the support that the church has offered me. Other Risk Management Surveyors have turned to me for advice when they’ve stumbled across something a bit unusual in the tower whilst undertaking a survey – the one that sticks firmly in my mind was a home-made rope warmer! I was able to explain to the non-ringing surveyor the purpose of this bit of kit and how it was likely to be used, which enabled us to offer relevant and proportional advice about managing the risks whilst using it. On the flip side, it is interesting to apply the knowledge I have learnt in my job role when I go to churches to enjoy my hobby – I can’t help but notice fire extinguishers and lightning conductors now!”
Ecclesiastical’s giving and volunteering schemes have seen some of the Risk Management Surveyor team spend their volunteering day in a church tower, applying preservative to an ancient (1706) bell frame. As part of this, a £1,000 donation was given to the project via personal grants. Benefact Trust, the parent company of Ecclesiastical, also donated £2,250 to this project.
Managing bellringing risks
Make sure demonstrations and bell-ringing events are run safely. Read our guidance note on bellringing.