Message from the Master - Returning to Ringing (gradually)

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Published: Saturday, 22 August 2020 21:54

Since I last wrote Sunday service ringing has now resumed at a number of towers across Sussex. It's not all the bells, it's not all the ringers, nor is it all the towers (yet!).

At the moment we are constrained to ringing bells where the ropes fall two metres apart, and a risk assessment has been undertaken to ensure that appropriate measures are being taken to safeguard the health and wellbeing of those that are ringing.

Following on from a meeting between the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers and the Church of England Recovery Group, which was held yesterday (Friday 21st August), it is hoped to be able to ease some of the restrictions around service ringing. Primarily this will focus on reducing the distance between ringers to one metre, by ensuring that face coverings are worn, and that a tracing procedure is in place should a ringer fall ill with COVID-19 (this is an easy win as we know who we have rung with).

It is also hoped that a road map can be set out to allow localised decision making based on individual towers' circumstances i.e. ventilated ground floor rings, large ringing chambers etc. This will need to take into account local lockdown restrictions that may apply in the future.

Discussions are also ongoing about ringing for longer periods, and the use of simulators in church settings for practise, along with the issue of single household ringing.

Whilst all of these are welcome news, it should be bourne in mind that they have yet to be ratified by the CofE and we should be careful not to jump the gun. Please continue to abide by the current guidance for now.

As you can see from the most recent email update, there is still ongoing activity within the Association, and we hope to bring you more soon.

For now, please stay safe and continue to look after each other. I hope it won't be too much longer before we can enjoy each other's company again!

Rob Lane, SCACR Master
Saturday 22nd August 2020

Association Quiz - Saturday 8th August (via Zoom)

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Published: Sunday, 02 August 2020 21:15

The not-quite-annual Association Quiz will be held at 7 pm on Saturday 8th August. Team entry is encouraged - friends and family are welcome to join; up to 8 in a team (you can also enter as an individual). Quiz Mistress Emma Gadd will present the questions using Zoom (an online video-meeting platform - can be downloaded for free, to use on computers, tablets and smartphones). See below for a how-to guide for distributed team participation! We aim to finish about 9 pm, and there will be a break at halfway.

You MUST register in advance to join - contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 5 pm on 8th August (earlier is better!), then the link to join the Quiz will be sent to you.

Read more in the calendar including Guide to Zoom Quiz and Managing a Remote Team

Returning to Service Ringing

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Published: Wednesday, 01 July 2020 08:39

Last week the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers announced that discussions to allow a return to ringing were well underway with the Church of England. These discussions have resulted in guidance being issued by the Central Council that will help towers in Sussex to prepare for the resumption of ringing.

The guidance documents from the Central Council can be found here (https://cccbr.org.uk/coronavirus/). [UPDATE 4 July] The CC have published a list of Frequently Asked Questions (and answers!)

When ringing returns it will be a cautious and limited return to service ringing. It won’t be all of the bells and it won’t be all of the ringers. It’ll be ringing, but not as we know it! The Church of England has now issued official guidance for the resumption of services from 4th July. This includes a statement (page 9) that bellringing is permitted, subject to the CCCBR guidance. Please bear in mind that some churches may not restart services for some time yet. There are a number of important things that ringers must do before a return to ringing:

Read more: Returning to Service Ringing

Alan Collings Elected as Honorary Life Member

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Published: Tuesday, 30 June 2020 21:37

As the SCACR Annual General Meeting couldn’t be held in its usual form in May, the Steering Group worked hard to find an alternative format that would allow as many people as possible to participate. A secure, online voting form was set up, and paper voting slips posted to those people who aren’t on email.

A record 269 votes were cast; 230 were online and 39 were postal votes. We’re delighted that Alan Collings was elected Honorary Life Member of the Association.

Read more: Alan Collings Elected as Honorary Life Member