Change Ringing for the Future - Conference at Wellesbourne, Warwickshire
November 12th 2011

'Change Ringing for the Future: a conference to consider how the Exercise may be shaped in the 21st century' was a unique event, and represents a significant moment in the story of ringing. Held in Wellesbourne in the midlands on Saturday 12th November, it was well advertised and open to all ringers. Nearly 100 delegates attended from all over Britain, and a couple from overseas. Many were Central Council representatives for their Guild or Association, but many others weren't. Les Boyce and Lynne Hughes were there representing the Guild of Devonshire Ringers.

The day started with keynote speeches, then people divided into groups to attend four of the seminars. Les and Lynne covered six of the seminars between then, the seventh being a youth forum for under 24 year olds only!
So much was said that only a flavour can be given here, with some key points from each seminar, but the overall mood of the day was very upbeat. Ringing may be in danger of declining, but with new approaches for the 21st century it will do very well indeed. We just need to be open to new ideas at grass roots level.

Keynote address:
• Most ringers are over 50.
• Older ringers are important to us, but focus for the future is the young.
• Local delivery of new ideas is essential.
• YHA, Scouts etc have had to change for the 21st century, so can we.
• Poor branding: who outside ringing has heard of 1000 pealers?
• Need to project positive image not monks on ropes.

Seminar A: Who do we want to attract to ringing, and how?
Andy Reeve, the seminar leader, brought a marketing focus to the discussion.
Who:
• Recruits of any age welcome, but the focus has to be more on the young, the leaders of the future
• Families are a particularly good source of recruits – children often bring in the parents
• 30 – and 40-year olds are noticeably missing from most bands
• Catching up at points in their life when they move on eg children moving to "big school", teenagers going to university, adults whose children are gaining independence

How:
• All the usual methods – church magazine, leaflet drops, tower open days, newspaper articles
• Work in schools can be successful – "sponsor" in the school needed plus use of simulators
• On-line presence and CCTV link from upstairs ringing rooms down to the church
• Being visible in the community – events with mini-rings/simulators in shopping centres and at local shows
• Starting young ringer groups so that youngsters get peer support
• Foster a positive national image for ringing and one that is frankly more secular
• Be clear about the deal offered to recruits at the outset
• Get the teaching right so that recruits stay and grow in commitment

Seminar B: How do we retain Young Ringers?
• Don’t insist on attendance at all practices and Sundays.
• 10 -13 yr olds still children, they like games, badges, having their photo taken. May need earlier practices, or Saturday mornings and school holidays.
• 14 - 17 Peer pressure at its greatest. Still want fun but also mental challenges of ringing and more responsibility.
• Set goals with the leaner.
• Use Sherbourne badges, certificates, gifts of book for 1st quarter etc.
• Keep variety in practices, social and fun.
• Beware of too much pressure...or not enough new challenges.
• Form young ringers’ groups and go to different places.
• Keep them occupied, valued, respected, given responsibilities.
• Get them ringing for weddings.

Seminar C: How does local leadership make a difference?
"If the status quo were working, we wouldn’t be here today. Managers maintain a status quo; leaders change it" - Mark Regan.
• Re-branding ourselves as skilled performers. Imagine performing at a concert hall like an orchestra - we do to similar crowds whenever we ring!
• Let your community know and see what you are doing. Invite key people into the tower to watch. Get out and take part in local events. Publicise special ringing.
• The issue is not recruitment, but good teaching. The ITT scheme should help.
• There’s not enough ringing teachers in Worcester for all the schools queuing up to have pupils taught to ring!
• Do away with some hierarchies - empower other band members to teach, especially those who’ve recently learnt.
• The old Guild structures can be inhibiting. If you have a good idea, just do it.
• Sound management, not control sounds more positive.
• Its attitude, not age, that matters - don’t be boring!

Seminar D: What can we learn from the church and other youth organisations?
A County Commissioner of Girl guiding and a choral conductor of Church choirs told us how their organisations have changed in recent years to remain up to date and relevant. Ideas we might apply to ringing.
• Guides join for fun, adventure, friendship, and later on leadership and travel.
• Units are self funding with subs at £2 a week.
• Printed materials are attractive to young people and easy for leaders to use.
• Leaders get good quality, flexible training, and long service awards.
• Guides increased membership through professional & consistent branding, press releases, young spokespeople, a strapline "girls in the lead", and by being seen out in the community, showing its fun.
• Guides have a recognisable logo and high public profile. We can too!
• Choral conductors have a professional body which has changed from 'representative' to 'service providing', now seen as value for money. Change the Central Council in this way?!
• High profile media activity has made choirs 'cool'. How about a TV programme following a whole youth band training from scratch?
• Churches have become more involved in local communities. Ringing could be seen in this way, helping the local church connect with community.
• Marketing for music - it has been proved to lead to better success at school. Ringing has similar attributes and if marketed this way parents will be keen for their children to ring!

Seminar E: What opportunities does new technology offer us?
• Simulators - extended solo listening practice to learn quickly.
• Dumbbells - better to teach on if tower has heavy bells.
• Good sound control - for 24/7 society, no limit on practice time.
• Listening CD’s and softwear - improve striking.
• Video cameras - improved handling.
• Abel - feedback on your striking.
• Hawkear - may be available to review live ringing other than the 12-bell.
• Pullometer - not yet developed but could be.
• Tower websites - link to town/village websites so the public see it.
• Email, Facebook, Twitter - old Guild boundaries become irrelevant.
• Only £100 for simulator on one of your bells.
• Mobile belfrys - County shows, markets, school for yr 6 after SATs.
• Live feed of bells turning and ringers ringing - to a screen outside church.
• People queue up to pay for music lessons for their children…ringing could be like this!

Seminar F: How can we organise ourselves for a sustainable future?
Current situation not sustainable. Many areas suffering from a lack of expertise, poor teaching, lack of commitment to high standards of performance.
Other activities and organisations have:
• National web portal
• National structure for progression
• Network of accredited teachers
• National youth strategy
• A culture which is not “something for nothing” – people pay for quality activities

Ringing therefore needs:
• National branding and greater visibility (inevitably more secular)
• National strategies for Publicity, Recruitment, Training and Youth Work
• Revised national and area organisational structures
• Support for local towers in terms of resources for the above activities
• A culture of expecting to pay more to get better quality ringing experiences (compare Scouts and Guides where members pay on average £10 per month for a range of activities)

Youth Panel Feedback
• Respect and responsibility.
• A ringing logo for national recognition.
• A permanent youth panel who youths can contact.
• A youth forum on line.
• Ringing is: Sport/music/maths/fun…lets get this message out.

 

Les Boyce & Lynne Hughes with photos by Claire Bell

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