The year gave us all plenty of opportunities for special ringing and to let our communities know we were getting back in to action well and truly, despite Covid. Many public relations initiatives were created by ringers locally to highlight the impressive ringing performances for the various Royal events, both joyful and sad. Press coverage, radio and T.V. interviews and the ‘tried and tested’ use of church and dioceses’ magazines and websites were all garnered - excellent! All of these outreach actions not only reminded our churches and communities just how many volunteers there are in ringing, and how much time they invest personally, but they also provided an easy route towards some successful recruitment outcomes.
Towards the end of the year, I was delighted to hear that a local radio had sought out ringers planning to visit the Isle of Wight from the mainland. The journalist had found the ‘lead’ by browsing the Isle of Wight Change Ringers’ informal FaceBook. The concept of ringers on tour was quite a novelty apparently and was considered news worthy! The successful piece was broadcast in various sections on Radio Solent throughout a morning, using some live and other recorded items; it included ringing and interviews with visiting ringers on their outing, some Island ringers and a few District and Guild Officers. It would have reached the whole of the Radio Solent area.
A fairly typical media approach - ‘We need this urgently’ - was received from the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers from national TV late in October in connection with potential, suitable venues for filming for the Ring for the King project. Requirements were a light, spacious ringing room, a relatively experienced band and people who could teach ringing and be interviewed about their ringing plans for the Coronation of King Charles lll. Our Guild responded magnificently, when this was cascaded down to all the nation’s ringing associations. Several towers offered their church and ringers having sought the relevant local permissions. As at the end of the year, no news had been received about our Guild being used; this seeming to be ‘left in the dark’ situation is not unusual so we are not disheartened. These experiences can always help us to understand, therefore use the media opportunities to our best advantage, and to prepare for the future. As a direct result, we have a list of towers ready that would be suitable for filming use.
Our regular contact with the Senior Clergy of both dioceses was maintained. I wrote to all Bishops and Archdeacons updating them of our news and activities and enclosing the latest newsletter.
As an example of being able to offer support to local towers, I attended a local church’s open meeting when it was consulting on some significant changes in its style of worship and operation generally. It proved helpful to understand more about how the church was evolving and gave an excellent opportunity to engage with the incumbent and a P.C.C. member. It was a chance to ensure ringing and ringers were promoted and valued and the mutual benefits to church, congregation and community highlighted. It was a launch pad for ongoing and meaningful engagement between that church community, its ringers and Guild.
Thank you all for doing your best to raise the profile of ringing; we can all ‘do our bit’ - even a simple and basic check will work wonders. Maybe just ensure your Ringing posters and recruitment leaflets are in good order, displayed in really effective places around church and community spaces and that all website details are up-to-date. We get very little time in advertising to make effective impact; potential ringers will give us a just a little chance when browsing our information so let’s help them make easy contact with us and get them up the tower on the end of a rope!
Viv Nobbs