Dear Secretaries and Ringing Masters,

May I first of all wish you all a very special and successful New Year. I thought I would bring you up to date with the progress for this year. There have been and are going to be several meetings with interested parties outside of the ringing circle. This is all bodes well for you for on hearing more of what you do they have been delighted and are keen to contribute in some way.
Many television and film celebrities have voiced their joy that this Campaign exists and the latest is Bill Bryson. Sadly he will be out of the country as he would have loved to have rung a bell or two somewhere and wishes every success to all who take part.

Then there is the challenge of the ‘Rolling Ring’. We already have North Bucks of ODG who were the first to sign up and they were followed by Taunton and now we have Preston with Middsx & London, Witney & Woodstock and Chelmsford as possibles. We would of course love more to come on board and just give it a go as it will be great fun and should earn you much rewarded support from your local area.

If you were able to use the RforE Facebook you would see all the up to date news and keep in touch that way. If not then I shall send out another update around the end of February if I think it would be of help. Good Luck with everything – Libby
Libby Alexander
Ringing for England Campaign – April 23rd 2016
www.ringingforengland.co.uk
Telephone: 07799 23 04 23

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

Libby Alexander Ringing for England Campaign – April 23rd 2016 http://www.ringingforengland.co.uk Telephone: 07799 23 04 23