The Kent Young Ringers’ group welcomes all young ringers under 25 years of age from around the county. It provides a chance to ring with other youngsters and further their own ringing abilities. The Young Ringers have opportunities to run all or part of these sessions Monthly practices are arranged, usually on the fourth Saturday afternoon of the month (3rd in February & July). These are now usually held at towers in central Kent within easy reach of a train station.
Kent MINI-Ringers meets several times a year as appropriate to enable new ringers and younger ringers from year 7 and below to meet up and ring together. “Craft”, handbell & other activities are provided to occupy them when not ringing. Older/more experienced members of the Kent Young Ringers come along as helpers (MINI-Ringers need to be able to ring independently in their own tower). We meet at a suitable tower such as Frinsted, East Farleigh or Kemsing.
We have outings for all young ringers during school holidays and combine these with visits to tearooms, BBQ or a picnic! We have our own Kent Inter-District Young Ringers’ Striking Contest which is held in February each year; there is considerable friendly rivalry amongst those vying to take the fantastic trophy home to their own District.
We also enter 2 striking contests further afield: The South East England Contest in April (which rotates around the Guildford Diocesan Guild, Hertfordshire, Sussex, Essex, Kent and Surrey) and the RWNYC (Ringing World National Youth Contest) with normally 20 – 24 participating teams which is takes place in July September. The upper age limit for these 2 contests is 18. We are very proud of our Kent Young Ringers for having won the Ringing World Editor’s Trophy for Excellence in Liverpool in 2019 and in Worcester in 2021.
Kent Young Ringers enthusiastically ring quarter peal and peal attempts on tower bells and handbells with much success. We are very thrilled to have been given two sets of handbells in memory of Tom Barlow and enjoy handbell sessions with small groups around the Association.
Young Ringers have access to their own Facebook page where information and photos are posted. More information can be obtained from the Youth Officer, Jen Thomas () and the District Co-ordinators:
Ashford: Richard Steele | |
Canterbury: Benjamin Legg | |
Lewisham: Becca Hardy | |
Maidstone: Shona Clark | |
Rochester: Neil Jones | |
Tonbridge: Jen Thomas |
Useful KYR Forms
Young Ringers Practice – 5th November
SE England Youth Competition Results
Kent Young Ringers Spring Outing
Report from the Youth Practice at Chelsfield