Bellringers

Contact Martin Higgins

The tower has had another quiet year with falling attendance of our own ringers. Because of this the band has become increasingly dependent upon visitors from nearby towers for Tuesday practices. One visitor kindly attends almost every week. On Sundays the band it commonly down to five or six ringers which is barely sufficient, and not sustainable in the longer term.

Four individual were taught to ring this year in the hope of bringing the band back up to viable numbers. Unfortunately these learners, like all of us, suffer from too many commitments and at least three of them do not have time to continue ringing.

Social events have continued with the annual dinner, outings, inter tower quiz nights etc, so the band has had an enjoyable year. These events have often been combined with the Buckland band to ensure sufficient numbers, but this is not an answer to Sunday service or practice ringing.

There will be a push in the spring to recruit more ringers to keep this English tradition going in the village (once the tower is not so cold!). If anyone would like to learn or knows of anyone who would like to learn please put them in contact with me.

Links

Surrey Association of Church Bellringers