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Since the completion in November 2003 of the scheme kindly set up by the Worshipful Company of Founders, which provided grants to assist with the costs of setting up ringing centres, the CC Ringing Centres Committee has found it difficult to persuade ringers to set up further ringing centres.
There could be several reasons for this. Firstly, several ringers acted fast to get their ringing centre set up before the Founders' grants ceased, so that there was bound to be a lull after that. Secondly, some ringers perceive that there could be a problem raising funds for the equipment needed. Thirdly, there is anxiety about the amount of work needed to set up and run a centre. Then there are other local reasons. It isn't surprising then that I have a file full of enquiries about setting up centres, but none of them has come to fruition.
The Committee has therefore decided to revise the criteria for becoming a CC Recognised Ringing Centre, both to ease the restrictions on what constitutes a ringing centre and to widen the scope of ringing centre activities. This will be done without compromising standards.
To this end, the Committee is to hold three regional half-day seminars entitled 'Setting up a Ringing Centre'. The Seminars will explore what is involved in setting up a conventional centre, including management, finance, needs assessment, teaching, equipment and ongoing support. It will also discuss the new ideas of the Committee and those brought to the Seminar by participants.
The first Seminar will be held at the Barrow-upon-Humber Ringing Centre, North Lincolnshire (just across the Humber Bridge from Hull) during the afternoon of Saturday 6th October 2007. It is intended this venue will cover the North of the country. The cost will be £5. If you are at all interested in the concept of Ringing Centres, then do please come along. For further information contact Right Revd Professor Barry F Peachey, Low Wood Lodge, Barnetby-le-Wold, Lincs DN39 6HG.
Barry's email address is - <>
The other two Seminars will be situated in the south-east and the south-west at a later date.
Gail Cater, Chairman, CCCBR Ringing Centres Commmittee