Dear all,
Yesterday afternoon (Friday 16 October), new guidance was issued by the Central Council of Church Bell-Ringers (CCCBR) on ringing in towers that fall within the Government’s Tiers 2 and 3 Regions. You can find this here:
https://cccbr.org.uk/2020/10/16/england-tier-2-and-tier-3-restrictions/
The firm advice given is that, despite the fact that churches are allowed to remain open, bell-ringing should temporarily cease at all towers within Tiers 2 and 3, which includes the Greater London area. While the CCCBR clearly cannot force bands to stop, and ringing is not specifically mentioned in Government guidance, the message is that we should “show leadership by keeping people safe”.
There is of course an issue with the Lewisham District in that some of the towers on the edge are not in a London Borough, and thus fall outside the regulations. If your tower is still in Tier 1, and you consider it is safe to continue ringing, then please do so. If you are in any doubt as to which area you and your tower come, I suggest you consult the official GOV.UK Postcode Checker:
https://www.gov.uk/find-coronavirus-local-restrictions
I’m sorry that my first “Group Message” as Chairman should be to advise some of you to stop ringing! Hopefully the London boroughs will soon return to Tier 1, allowing ringing to recommence.
I hope in any case to see some of you next Saturday at the Virtual District Practice.
Best wishes,
David Holdridge
District Chairman
Upcoming district events:
Sat 24th Oct – Virtual District Practice on Ringing Room – Your home, 10am-12.
Sat 21st Nov – Virtual Striking Competition on Ringing Room – Your home, 10am draw (tbc or Virtual District Practice)
Sat 12th Dec – Virtual District Practice on Ringing Room – Your home, 10am-12.
Sat 9th Jan – Virtual Annual District Meeting via zoom – Your home, 10am (it still might be possible to meet for real but who knows)