About the Association

The Sussex County Association of Change Ringers (SCACR) was formed in 1885 and currently has about 1300 members and 136 towers. The SCACR is a registered charity, and is affiliated to the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers.

The Association is divided into four Districts: North, South, East and West. Each District has an elected group of volunteer officers (Committee) who organise activities and events in their District.

The overall running of the Association is managed by the General Committe (elected volunteer officers). There are also four teams of volunteers who help with particular aspects:

You can find out more about the Committees and Teams, including contact details.

Association Aims

  • promoting the ringing of church bells to call people to worship
  • encouraging the recruitment and training of all ringers and advancing the art of change ringing
  • supporting the proper care and use of church bells and belfries
  • providing support to projects to restore, maintain or improve existing bells and the towers and belfries housing them, and seeking the preservation of bells from redundant churches for the purpose of ringing in churches

Become a member

SCACR Rules

If you are interested in making a donation or leaving a legacy, please contact the Treasurer (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

District Newsletters

The Association produces two different types of news publications. The SCACR magazine, Soundbow, is produced quarterly, and each District also produces regular newsletters.

The newsletters include District news and information about upcoming practices, social events and meetings. Each of the four Districts produces regular newsletters: Northern News, Sally Forth (West), Look To! (East), and Southern News.

Northern News Sally ForthSouthern NewsLook To!

All four newsletters are available by email or by post. All SCACR members should automatically receive their District's newsletter, which is included in the SCACR annual subscription. Any member can request to be added to the email list for any or all of the District newsletters (contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Please send articles and photos to the relevant Newsletter Editor or Publicity Officer:

Northern News: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Sally Forth: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Look To: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Southern News: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

If you have not received the relevant newsletter(s), please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Codgers

'Codgers' is a group of ringers across Sussex of all ages who get together to for a 'mini-outing' once a month.  Although members are predominantly from Sussex there are several from other counties. The group will happily ring rounds and call changes as well as more difficult methods. Ringers of all ages and skills are welcome as long as they can handle a bell safely by themselves with reasonable striking.

The 'Codgers' meet once a month, usually on the third Thursday (check the calendar for details). The usual arrangement is to ring at two towers with a pub lunch between towers.

Please get in touch if you wish to join the group, or could help with organising events: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Annual Report & Handbook

The Annual Report & Handbook is usually printed in time for the AGM (May);  The Handbook lists all Sussex towers, including practice and Sunday ringing details, members, and contact details for the Tower Correspondent and/or Tower Captain. Also included are lists of Association Officers and District Committee Members, including contact details. The Handbook includes the following:

  • Association & District Officers & Team members
  • Tower details
  • Annual Reports:
    • Master
    • Association (General) Secretary
    • Treasurer & Association Accounts
    • Bell Restoration Fund
    • District Secretaries
    • Communication & Events team
    • Training & Recruitment Team
    • Safeguarding
    • Library
    • Peals
    • Bell Restoration Fund
  • Quarter peal list
  • Peal list and analysis
  • List of Honorary Life Members & Long Service Members
  • List of unattached members
  • Past officers

All association members are entitled to request printed copy of the Annual Report & Handbook when renewing their membership. The report is included in the SCACR annual subscription. The Handbook is available to download here. Members can obtain the password from the Association Secretary.

Non-members can request a copy from the Association Secretary (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.); a small charge applies to non-members to cover printing and postage costs.

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Upcoming Events

20Mar
Thu Mar 20 @10:30
Codgers
22Mar
Sat Mar 22
Two Tower Practice
22Mar
Sat Mar 22 @10:15
Surprise Minor Practice
27Mar