“RING IN 2000” GROUP

1998 was a critical and successful year for the “Ring in 2000” initiative, in which things really started to happen.

The “Ring in 2000” leaflets were produced, thousands of them, and distributed to Churches, Libraries, via ringers, and at other locations and events.

The Stand made its first appearance in June and has been used at thirteen events, including Romsey Show with the added attraction of a mini-ring. It can be an effective catalyst for getting ringers talking to potential recruits and has led to the formation of several bands.

Recruitment has been good in most areas, with around 200 new ringers being taught and at least 6 new bands formed. This has been helped by good publicity for ringing, both nationally and locally, plus the tower information sheets and publicity packs created by the Guild PRO and the Find ’em, Teach ’em, Keep ’em seminars and other products of the Education Committee.

Later in the year the emphasis moved to contacting lapsed ringers rather than raw recruits and preparations for the local allocation of ringers to towers who may need assistance to ring at 12 noon on 1/1/2000, which although not the only reason for all this effort, is still its focal point.

Although there are still some towers needing more ringers, the materials and organisation are in place to support local initiatives and with continued hard work from all concerned we could well achieve the target of welcoming 2000 with all the ringable towers in the Guild’s area fully manned and ready to go.

Francis Mitchell