2020 Westley Award for Church Bell Maintenance

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Published: Friday, 06 March 2020 22:34

Ringers are all dependent on the bells that they ring. Towers and bells in good condition will usually make it easier for ringers to develop their skills and, in particular, help retain new recruits.

So have you or one of your band become involved in belfry maintenance relatively recently? If so, then the Westley Award for church bell maintenance is for you!

The Stewardship & Management Workgroup of the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers is launching the 2020 award for people who are newly involved in belfry maintenance, developing their own skills and those of others. We hope that every society, branch or district will submit at least nomination!

The award will be made at the September 2020 CCCBR annual conference to be held in Nottingham. The winner will receive £100 and a certificate.

Full details and an application form will be on the CCCBR website herehttps://cccbr.org.uk/about/workgroups/stewardship-and-management/westley-award-2020/

The closing date for nominations is noon on 31st May 2020.

Alison Hodge
CCCBR Stewardship & Management Workgroup Lead

Last few places for the Handbell maintenance workshop Saturday 29th February 2020

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Published: Monday, 24 February 2020 22:31

Contact Alan Collings for further details or to book a place 01424 893313

Location: Dewbys Barn Denbigh Road, Hooe, TN33 9EU

Northern Annual District Meeting – with Tea at the Tiger (but no tigers came to tea)

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Published: Monday, 10 February 2020 21:30

The 2020 Northern District ADM was a fantastic opportunity for ringers from across the Association to try out Lindfield’s brand new bells – the first complete peal to be cast by Westley Group. With 27 ringers “having a go”, ringing ranged from rounds to a course of Yorkshire Surprise Major. All who rang agreed that the bells are a delight; very easy-going, with fantastic tone. Whites of Appleton have certainly done an excellent job.

Ringing was followed by a short service and then an excellent tea at The Tiger building. A veritable mountain of delicious sandwiches and cakes was on offer. Despite some protests, we managed to prove that it is possible to hold the meeting while tea is ongoing. Thanks to efficient chairing by the Association Master, Rob Lane, the meeting was concluded in thirty minutes. The District committee was elected, as follows:

District Secretary and CCCBR rep: Steph Pendlebury (Horsham)
District Ringing Master: Elaine Farrow (Rusper)
District Bell Restoration Fund rep (to be contacted for bell maintenance queries): Simon Alford (Warnham) (contact via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
Committee members: Susie Bowen (Bolney), Rosie Gregory (Slaugham), Julie Quinn (Cuckfield), Richard Pendlebury (Horsham), Chris Westwood (Hartfield).

The plan for the District weekly practices and monthly Saturday gatherings was presented. Although the 12-Bell Practices are very well attended, it will not be possible to continue these unless someone (or two or three people) step up to offer to run the practice – this can be someone from any District! Anyone who could help with this should contact Steph and Elaine via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Many thanks to everyone who works so hard to make the District’s events successful! And particular thanks to the Lindfield ringers and friends for hosting the ADM.

[Meeting Minutes & Reports] 

Read more: Northern Annual District Meeting – with Tea at the Tiger (but no tigers came to tea)

What’s the point of the Central Council?

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Published: Sunday, 26 January 2020 17:07

At the upcoming Annual District Meetings, your CCCBR (Central Council of Church Bellringers) reps will probably be updating you about the Council's recent activities, and asking for your feedback. But what does the Central Council actually do, and why is it needed? The President, Simon Linford, has recently written the following article on this topic.

Read more: What’s the point of the Central Council?