Greetings!
I’m sure you’ll all be glad that the days are starting to draw out quite rapidly and British Summer Time is here, hopefully it won’t be too long before we are enjoying some hot weather (no guarantees though, we all know what the infamous ‘British Summer’ is like!).
February saw the ADMs take place across the association. With a bit of luck and by pulling in a few favours at work I was pleased to be able to make it to three out of four. My apologies go to the Eastern District for being unable to make your ADM, I will be there next year. It was great to meet lots of new faces at the ADMs, the West ADM proving to be a great chance for networking while trying to run the ringing (not an easy task when there’s only 6 bells and nearly 60 ringers!).
I was very privileged in March to be able to attend both Ringing Remembers ‘Sussex Says Thank You’ events. These were hugely popular and are a fitting tribute to all the effort that has been put in to recruitment of new ringers in Sussex. As well as paying our thanks to those who have taught our new recruits the first steps in the art of change ringing, it was a chance for new members to meet each other and try their hand on different bells. There was also the opportunity to have a go at ringing on handbells, and experience ringing on a portable simulator. We were also very fortunate to be able to enjoy the company of Vicki and Colin Chapman at the Heathfield event, Vicki being the leading light behind the instigation of the whole Ringing Remembers campaign.
Rapidly approaching us now is the AGM, for those that haven’t yet put it in their diaries Saturday 11th May is the one to mark down. An afternoon of ringing (and tea!) at towers around Eastbourne precedes the main meeting which will be held at All Saints, Eastbourne. Please try and make it if you can, there are still a couple of roles in the association which will need to be filled. No experience is required as you’ll be given all the help and training needed to make a success of them.
Don’t forget to check the website for up to date information of events happening in your district and across the wider association, why not pop along to something outside of your normal area? Don’t worry if it’s not being organised by your district, you will be made more than welcome.
I look forward to ringing with you all over the summer months.
Rob Lane (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)