2024 CCCBR Meeting

The Central Council of Church Bell Ringers met in Exeter over the weekend of 7th and 8th September. It was attended by two of the Ely DA reps: Lynne Hughes and Daniel Stevens. The Saturday began with a networking session over coffee, and continued with presentations by the workgroups, bringing us up to date with the work of the council.

The Ringing World AGM followed on. It was clear that this publication is valued by its readers, but it has a falling number of subscribers each year, as the younger demographic get their ringing news online. There are now just over 2,000 subscribers, including those with an online-only subscription. Presentations of the Westley award for inspirational steeple keepers rounded off the morning.

The afternoon was for the CC AGM, the main meeting of the weekend. There was an election of fellows, an application by the Open University to affiliate as a ‘small society’, and other changes to affiliation. Accounts were presented and trustees elected. The trustees’ annual report was presented, outlining the many projects progressed this year, such as professional branding of bellringing, a presence at the scout and guide jamboree, and the Touring Tower which has been added to the mobile belfries available for hire. The report of the Executive and workgroups followed, and there was some consternation over the dropping of plans for a National Ringing Centre, and the implied criticism of the Peterborough Guild; until it was explained how the Churches Conservation Trust had chipped away at what would be allowed until the centre wasn’t worth progressing. In forward planning for 2025 we heard that the council’s main work is focussed on the ‘Ringing 2030’ initiative, to help us all build a healthier base of ringers by that date. It is formed of three pillars: Marketing, Recruitment & Development, and Environment. Much more can be seen about this on the CC website.

Then the moment everyone had been waiting for: motion B, the proposal to raise more money from affiliated societies, to enable the council to do its work. This has been debated in ringing arenas for weeks, including open zoom meetings. The was more debate at the meeting. Currently 20p per member (of the Ely DA for instance) is sent to the council, and the motion was passed to increase this to 40p next year and £1 the year after. The £1 clause was nearly dropped in an amendment, but was retained by the narrowest of margins. There was widespread concern for university and other non-territorial societies, who don’t have annual subscriptions with which to meet this increase, but the council president, Tina Stoecklin, assured us that it can and will be fixed by a standing order before the end of the year. Strong feelings were expressed that the executive need to share clear, detailed business plans with the members throughout the year, to justify this increase.

The Saturday finished with a social event and buffet. Sunday morning saw several towers open for those who had pre-booked attendance at them for service ringing. Then it was the ‘Ringing 2030 Update’ meeting, with standing room only as they had underestimated interest in this. It transpired to be a presentation by past president Simon Linford, on the possible affects of more church closures and Festival Churches in the coming years. A possibly gloomy topic, but looking at what we can do to minimise the loss of good rings of bells, and presented as a positive end to the weekend.

Lynne Hughes.