I don’t know how many of you have heard about the ART awards? These are made annually to ringers or ringing groups that have been nominated for their efforts in leading best practice and innovation in the teaching and development of ringing. Although administered by ART (the Association of Ringing Teachers), the awards are open to all ringers.
In 2023, Richard and Rebecca Steele from Frittenden won the Len Roberts Award for the promotion of ringing. This year, the Kent Young Ringers were runners-up for the Sarah Beacham Youth Award. This award is for youth or school groups, and university societies who are successfully recruiting, retaining and developing young ringers. We are delighted that the work that is done in the KCACR through the Kent Young Ringers has been recognised in this way and hope that we can continue to enthuse young ringers and help to foster their development as ringers of the future.
We have also recently held another successful ART M1 training module at Staplehurst and a further module in August at St Laurence in Thanet is already fully subscribed. It is encouraging to see the increased interest in these courses within the Association and it is reassuring that there is a real interest in teaching ringing and ensuring that there are ringers who want to help in providing that teaching to new ringers.
For those who are interested in ways of taking the teaching of ringers beyond that of just basic handling, we do have an ART M2F module arranged for June at Staplehurst. There are still (at the time of looking) a couple of places available on this module which develops the foundation stages from being just able to ring rounds to being able to learn how to develop bell control in order to be able to tackle call-changes and become ready for starting to learn method ringing. More details are available on the ART website at https://events.bellringing.org/en/
I would like to put out a plea to you all, especially those who have been on the ART M1 course. As mentioned last month, on Saturday 2nd August, I am arranging a Ringing Discovery Day at St Margaret’s, Rochester. This is, effectively, an open day at the tower to which we are inviting the public to come along and see what ringing is about.
As well as some artefacts and other ringing related material, I would like to give the public a go at ringing a bell under strict supervision with the hope that we can sign up some new recruits. On the 9th August, there will be two follow-up sessions on the simulator at the Cathedral, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, where I hope to give those who have shown an interest in learning to ring the opportunity to have some intensive 1:1 basic training. For those who then wish to continue, I have arranged some further simulator sessions on Saturday mornings in September and October.
I do need help from members of the Association to make this work. On the 2nd August, I would like to ask for help with stewarding, talking to the public, serving refreshments and ringing, including one-to-one tuition. If enough volunteer to help, it will mean that we can run the day with a series of shifts, which will allow you to help for a couple of hours or so rather than a full day. If you could spare even a couple of hours, it would really help to make this event a success.
I also need help on the 9th August and for some Saturday mornings in September and October with the teaching. For those who have taken an M1 module, this would give an ideal opportunity to ‘tick off’ some of the elements in the logbook and help to lead towards your accreditation. Please do contact me on if you are able to help or have any questions.
Some ringers aspire to ringing more than just short touches and like to ring for more extended sessions, such as quarter peals or peals. At our AGM in April, Phil Barnes, who is our Peal Secretary, said that he would an increase in the number of members who are ringing peals. For some, this may seem like a daunting prospect; others may have considered this challenge but do not have the opportunity to realise it. Should that be you, or a ringer that you know, please do get in touch with Phil (his contact details are in the Handbook) and let him know. Phil is more than happy to help with organising a peal for you, including finding ringers to help. It would be good to see some new names in the lists of peals rung for the Association.
Finally, our Inter-District 8-Bell Competition will be taking place in a few weeks. This year, it is hosted by the Lewisham District and will be taking place at Ss Peter and Paul, Bromley.
Neil Jones
KCACR Chairman