St. George’s Day 2016 – “Ringing For England” campaign

Dear Secretaries,

Each year I write to thank you for your wonderful and continuing support for ringing out on St. George’s Day and hope that you will manage to persuade even more of your ringers to join in . With 2016 being a Leap Year making 23^rd April fall on a Saturday we are hoping that next year will bring even more towers into the event.

Getting ringing earlier this year as the main feature on the BBC One Show for St. George’s Day was a huge bonus. Whilst it may not have been executed in quite the most orthodox way it showed how the campaign is beginning to have an impact with the national media and a wider audience.

To encourage the spread of interest meetings have been held with the Hand Bell Ringers of Great Britain, with The Churches Conservation Trust, and with English Heritage. Other organisations have been approached to sound out their possible involvement with the campaign such as: The Scouts (who are very interested but have already organised their activity for 23^rd April so will try them for 2017), the Guides, The Landmark Trust, The Duke of Edinburgh Award, Prince’s Trust, Women’s Institute and Town Criers and these too have expressed an interest in taking part in some way. My aim is not only to try and make ringing on St. George’s Day THE event of the day but also to create an event that will encourage new ringers to come forward and try their hand at the ropes, most especially the young.

Next year will see the start of a competition: ‘The Rolling Ring’ to get as many towers as possible within a designated area ie a Branch of a Guild, to ring out consecutively on the day. Two Branches have already committed and four possibles have voiced their interest. This will be great fun and a tremendous addition to the day. It will surely make the national media sit up and take note of such a brilliant way of not only celebrating the day but of acknowledging your skills.

Please do encourage as many towers as possible to take part for 2016 and get England ringing. May I wish you all a Most Happy Christmas and I look forward to being in touch in the New Year.

With My Very Best Wishes, Libby