The EGM on 27th September was attended by 30 members at the Scout HQ in Hurstpierpoint. As the date clashed with a number of tower outings and weddings, the General Secretary recorded apologies from over 40 members, many of whom had commented that they were happy with the rules circulated and hoped that they would be passed.
After discussion and some minor amendments, the new set of rules was accepted
Large numbers of bellringers from the British Isles and its Empire served in the First World War in His Majesty’s Forces on sea, land and in the air, at home and abroad, some never to return.
The Central Council of Church Bell Ringers (CCCBR) Great War 1914-1918 Roll of Honour commemorates all those known ringers who fell. These names were collected from Association Secretaries in the early 1920’s and then inscribed into a commissioned handwritten Memorial Book. The Memorial Book was presented to the Council during the 1924 meeting.
From 1995 onwards missing names began to be added to the Memorial Book and more especially so in recent years making the listing more complete and accurate as possible. In doing this it has filled up the original Book requiring a second handwritten book to be commissioned. These Memorial Books can be viewed in a display case on the way up to the ringing chamber at St Paul’s Cathedral, London.
Images of the pages of the CC Roll of Honour are available to view online. Photographic copies of the pages of each Book together with a listing of the text are available. Each entry shows the ringer’s name, initials, home tower and society name where known.
2017 - Alan Regin M.B.E., CCCBR Steward of the Rolls of Honour, at the John Taylor Bell Foundry, Loughborough, Leicestershire with the bells for St George's Memorial Church, Ypres prior to their departure.
Alan Regin M.B.E., is the current Steward of the Rolls of Honour for the CCCBR and he and his team are owed a tremendous vote of thanks for the hard work they have done to ensure that as many names as possible of those bell-ringers who fell serving their county in the Great War are commemorated.
During 2018 more SCACR bell-ringers names who lost their lives in the Great War have come to light and are now listed in the latest (March 2019) SCACR Roll of Honour pdf update. This includes a listing of all the known Sussex ringers (260) and their Home Tower who served in the Great War and returned. Perhaps you may know of someone who has been missed, if you do then please let me know.
You’re all encouraged to participate in this memorial by contributing any names, photographs or biographical details that you may have to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Roll_of_Honour.pdf - updated March 2019.
Alan Seymour
March 2019
The Association takes safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults very seriously. We have a dedicated Safeguarding Officer, and a regularly updated Safeguarding Policy (policy and other essential documents available to download below).
The parent or guardian of each young ringer must complete the Permission to Ring form and provide this to the organiser of the practice (e.g. the tower captain, district secretary or practice coordinator). The CCCBR Good Practice Guide (Appendix C) should be displayed in all towers.
Anyone who regularly teaches, trains or supervises children must have a DBS check done by the parish safeguarding officer (usually a member of the PCC). Ringers in general supporting roles or who only undertake one-off teaching/deputising do not need DBS checks. The DBS check can be automatically updated or renewed every five years. The person responsible for safeguarding in each tower (who must be DBS-checked) must attend a Diocesan training update session every three years.
So much of safeguarding is really just good practice: always obtain written parental consent to teach children and ensure that two adults are present (preferably one male and one female) when children are present. Towers are also advised to keep an attendance register, just so you can look back to see who was present at any ringing occasion.
The Central Council of Church Bell ringers have published several helpful documents, including a general Safeguarding Guidance document. We recommend that each tower keeps a copy of this in the ringing chamber.
If anyone has any worries, concerns or questions please contact the safeguarding officer: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You can also speak to your parish safeguarding officer or the safeguarding team at the Diocese of Chichester. The Diocese provides guidance for likely situations: "What do I do if ...".
In general bellringers are lovely people but very rarely things can go wrong. To help you stay safe when ringing online:
Permission to Ring Form (PDF) (.docx)
Permission ro Ring at Association Events (PDF) (.docx)
Permission for an Additional Activity Form (PDF) (.docx)
SCACR Safeguarding Policy
Tower Safeguarding Flowchart (PDF) (.docx)
CCCBR Safeguarding Guidance (includes Appendix A "Role description for a bell ringing leader [tower captain]" and Appendix C "Good practice guide for display in towers")
Interested in learning to ring? Bellringers in Sussex would welcome you as a new recruit! Read on to find out more about learning to ring, or see our "What is Bellringing?" page for more information.
For many people ringing is a great hobby that allows them to meet friendly new people. It provides a lifelong learning experience and helps to maintain a traditional skill. As well as providing gentle physical exercise and a good excuse to get up from the telly and out of the house, it's also a great mental workout. Bellringers of all abilities are encouraged to visit other towers and are always welcome to join practice nights throughout the country. As such its an opportunity to visit some interesting places.
"One of the delights of ringing is the endless opportunity to learn new things."
Beware! once you’ve got the bug, you’ll find it hard to give up:
"I learnt to ring over forty years ago and I still get the same buzz that I did when I first started."
Ringing is well within the capabilities of most people. The initial learning usually takes several weeks, after which you can begin to ring with the rest of the band. Most ringers practise once or twice a week and ring before or after church on Sunday.
There is no fixed upper or lower age limit, although different towers will have their own lower age limit. You don't need to know anything about music to be a good bellringer, you really just need a sense of timing and sense of humour! Read our FAQs for more information.
"Being able to count is all the maths you’ll need and you can become a very good ringer without knowing anything about music."
The first step is to find a local tower that can teach you. There is usually little or no cost; enthusiasm and committment to learn are all that is asked of you! You can use our Searchable Tower Database or the Tower Map to help you find a tower near you. Alternatively you can contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. telling us where you live (town or village name and your full postcode) to find a tower in your area.
