| Came via a search engine? Click here for home page |
|
What follows is the text of a leaflet which the KCACR produced and distributed to all churches in the Association's area. Copies have been given to all ringers, and in addition supplies were sent to all parishes via Diocesan offices. A reprint was distributed to all District secretaries at the 2004 AGM, and plenty more copies are available from the Webmaster — you only have to ask.
The Kent County Association of Change Ringers was formed in 1880. Today the KCACR has some 1300 ringing members and is one of the largest territorial ringing associations in the country. Its aims are: the establishment, maintenance and encouragement of service ringing at churches in its area; the recognition of ringers as church workers; the proper care and use of bells and belfries; and the cultivation of the art of change ringing. The KCACR is one of some 70 ringing associations affiliated to the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers.
As in 1880 our primary objective is to ensure that Sunday service ringing is maintained in churches in Kent, and to this end we concentrate our energies on the recruitment and training of new ringers, the encouragement of ringing as a duty and as a hobby, and the repair and maintenance of church bells.
Ringing is
Ringers are of all ages from 9 to 90 or more and come from all walks of life. Everyone belongs to a band, that is the group of ringers associated with a particular church. As well as Sunday service ringing each band has a practice night for an hour or two on a regular weekday evening. Practice nights are friendly occasions and visiting ringers are always welcome.
The KCACR also holds ringing meetings, usually on Saturdays. In most areas, too, there are non-ringing events such as barn dances, trivia nights, car treasure hunts and so on, usually arranged to help raise money for bell restoration projects in Kent. Ringers also have opportunities for residential courses, ringing outings, ringing holidays and special occasion ringing.
There are two main areas in which you can help:
Somewhere near you there is a church which is short of ringers and would
welcome you as a recruit. You don't have to be a mathematician or a
weightlifter to become a ringer. If you are between 11 and 60 (ish) you are
probably the right sort of age — though it has to be said that the
younger you are the easier you will find it. To find out more about learning to
ring either get in touch with Margaret Funnell
(KCACR Hon Gen Sec), or go along to your local church and make enquiries there
(often you will find details of ringing on a notice in the porch).
The BRF is a registered charity and a large proportion of KCACR membership subscriptions goes to this fund. In addition ringers in Kent raise some £4000 to £5000 each year towards restoration work. Even if you do not feel that ringing is for you, but you enjoy the sound of bells on a Sunday morning, you can help us by making a donation or even remembering us in your will. For further details contact Brian Butcher or Margaret Funnell.
Experienced ringers train new recruits entirely free. All that is required in return is commitment to regular attendance at the band's weekly practice night and, when proficient enough, at Sunday service ringing. There are two facets to learning to ring. The first is learning to handle a bell competently and safely. This may take from a week or so up to maybe six months depending on your aptitude and time spent on the end of a bellrope. The second facet consists of learning to ring with others. This will probably take a few more months of concentrated effort to get started, but you can continue to learn for the rest of your life. Imagine learning to play the violin. It would take a while to play scales, and then you might join the local orchestra and learn to play with them. Some violinists may end up playing with the London Symphony Orchestra, while others will be quite happy with the local town orchestra. Ringing is very much like this: it all depends on the amount of time and effort you can give it. One thing is for sure: your efforts will be appreciated.
Your first steps in learning to ring will probably be at your local church but, on a wider scale, the KCACR has great experience in training ringers, both individually and as whole bands. This training covers all aspects of ringing from learning to handle a bell to basic maintenance and running a band of ringers. Quite a number of people involved in training in Kent also have experience of teaching ringing on a national scale, so you may be sure that tuition in Kent is second to none!
Church bells are big things, ranging in weight from around a hundredweight to a ton and a half in Kent. Bells need bearings to swing on, ropes, pulleys, frames and so on. A new installation will probably last up to 100 years with care, but interim maintenance work is essential.
The KCACR is able to help with and advise on the maintenance, restoration and installation of church bells in Kent. There is an active Bell Restoration Subcommittee prepared to assist on a voluntary basis in the practical aspects of maintenance and restoration work. This can save a parish thousands of pounds. Quite often the Association has carried out the complete dismantling of a worn-out installation prior to restoration and has sometimes rehung the bells as well.
Members of the subcommittee, some of whom hold honorary appointments as diocesan bell advisers, will also, if required, draw up a full written report including recommendations on the appropriate course of action to be taken. If necessary, they can also liaise with the parish architect and/or bellfounder.
Grant aid is available from the Association's Bell Restoration Fund. The size of the grant depends on many things, including the funds available in a particular year. Recently individual grants of up to £6000 have been made, although we are unlikely to be able to match this level of assistance in the foreseeable future.
| Came via a search engine? Click here for home page |
|
