Coronavirus and Ringing – Updates from CofE and CCCBR

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Published: Thursday, 14 May 2020 22:13

The SCACR and the Central Council are acutely aware of the importance of ringing as a hobby. For many, it is a way of life and the enforced abstinence from ringing has caused a great deal of frustration and unhappiness. Any return to ringing, when allowed by the Government and the church, will nevertheless need to take full account of the severity of COVID-19 and accept that, for the time being at least, a complete return to “normal ringing life” is unlikely to be possible for some significant time.

The UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy is available online.

Summary of Updated Church Guidance

Read more: Coronavirus and Ringing – Updates from CofE and CCCBR

Death of Peter Dewar (Coleman's Hatch ringer)

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Published: Tuesday, 12 May 2020 09:00

Peter Dewar, who started learning to ring at Coleman's Hatch and was part of the 'Ringing Remembers' numbers, sadly passed away on the morning of Wednesday 6th May 2020. He had been admitted to the Princess Royal Hospital at Haywards Heath due to suffering from Motor Neurone Disease but as I understand, also contracted Covid 19, whilst hospitalized.

Peter, unfortunately, due to his declining health, eventually diagnosed as MND, never fully mastered the 'art' of campanology, so hadn't been proposed as a member of SCACR.

However, Peter was most proud to have received his 'Ringing Remembers' badge, which he wore with honour when he joined in with the service ringing at Coleman's Hatch for Armistice Sunday 2018, something he aspired to do, in memory of his Uncle.

Our thoughts are with his family at this time.

COVID-19 and ringing (5th May 2020)

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Published: Thursday, 07 May 2020 08:43

It is expected that the UK Government will announce plans for a gentle easing of the current lockdown on Sunday 10th May and ringers have already been asking if that means they may return to ringing as normal. The key consideration at all times must be the safety of individual ringers, others with whom they ring and those with whom they live or may come into contact.

We do not know what the Government will propose but it is clear that, as lockdown is gradually eased, the re-opening of sections of the economy will be a priority and major restrictions on the activities of all of us will remain in place for a significant period. Government and public health teams working with others will be maintaining a very close watch on new cases and hospitalization of people with COVID-19. Ways of tracking of where such patients have been and tracing of all of their contacts will be key. All of this will take time to put in place.

The Central Council’s guidance to ringers is that currently it is too early for any return to ringing and that the current suspension of all ringing of any kind should remain in place. This includes chiming of single bells and the use of Ellacombe chimes.

Read the full statement from the Central Council here: https://cccbr.org.uk/2020/05/04/covid-19-and-ringing-central-council-position-statement-may-5th-2020/

2020 Annual General Meeting and Annual Report

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Published: Friday, 01 May 2020 10:16

Dear members,

I hope this email finds you well.

The last few weeks have been tough. Living under difficult lockdown restrictions has put immense strain on our lives both physically and mentally. For many of us ringing is an integral part of our lives, more than just a hobby, and it has been hard not to see our ringing friends.

In my last update to the Association I promised that the Steering Group would be meeting to discuss the implications of cancelling the 2020 Annual General Meeting of the Sussex County Association of Change Ringers. This meeting was held virtually using Zoom video conferencing. The Steering Group was set up at the 2018 AGM and comprises Master, Secretary, Treasurer and Trustees.

Read more: 2020 Annual General Meeting and Annual Report