Founders' Prize


Founders’ Prize for the Encouragement of Young Ringers

West Lindsey Branch Wins!

At the Central Council Meeting held in Newcastle on Bank Holiday Monday, it was announced that the LDGCBR West Lindsey Branch had been awarded the annual Founders’ prize for the Encouragement of Young Ringers. There were 2 other entries, but our submission was judged to be the best. This is very exciting news and a pleasing reward for the hard work that many members of the branch have put into raising the profile of ringing within their communities over the last few years.

Joy and Ian Till put the submission together which described the activities that had taken place over the last year or so – this was a long list but included: activities with schools, activities at village shows and involvement with scout/cub groups. Use was made of the Guild’s Wombel and Sixbel simulators, belleplates and handbells at these events, as well as the usual talks and slide presentations. Also listed were details of social events that had been organised during the course of the year – the camping and activity day last summer, the Christmas Social and the ringing and skating mini outing in April.

The submission then detailed the measures of success. There are now more than 30 young ringers in Branch towers. Previous young ringers who are now in their late teens and early twenties continue to be a great support and are now beginning to teach the next generation. They are also organising their own activities independently. Quite a number of young ringers who were recruited through our various activities have brought along parents or siblings who are also now learning to ring.

Finally, the submission had to talk about aspirations for the future. There is the obvious need to maintain the current momentum and level of enthusiasm, and to try to extend this across all towers in the branch. This will mean ensuring that all towers have access to appropriate training opportunities. Continuing to develop the expertise of the older young ringers so that they can support and train new youngsters will be very important. It is hoped that the contribution made by our young ringers will be recognised and valued by the churches in which they ring.

At the time of writing, we haven’t heard how or when the prize (£500) will be presented. More anon!

SAF