Making Progress

The Ringing Foundation was set up in 2007, and since then we’ve been developing our strategy which is now ready to be implemented.

Historically, fund-raising by ringers has always been for bell restoration or augmentation – the hardware. The Ringing Foundation was set up to raise money to support ringers and ringing – the software. Its target areas are training, recruitment and publicity, with a special emphasis on youth work. Since its formation it has raised over £20,000, and has made grants towards -

  • Setting up and improving Ringing Centres
  • School ringing clubs
  • Recruitment drives for ringers
  • The Ringing World National Youth Contest
  • Training schemes for ringers
  • Publicity work for ringing in schools

The Foundation has consulted very widely on what needs to be done to make a significant difference on a national scale. This has included -

  • A stand at the Ringing Road Show in Sept 2008
  • An open meeting at the Central Council meeting in May 2009
  • Arranging seminars in London and Birmingham in Sept/Oct 2009
  • Inviting chairmen of CCCBR Education, Public Relations, Ringing Trends and Ringing Centres to our meetings during 2009/10
  • A one-day conference with respected teachers of ringing in April 2010

We concluded that the first core issue that needs addressing is improving the quality of teaching. We therefore -

  1. Initiated/commissioned the development of the ITTS (Integrated Teacher Training Scheme) – a comprehensive system for training teachers of ringing founded on modern teaching methods
  2. Have and are funding the administrative and development costs of the ITTS as it expands
  3. Have supported the development of a modern progressive curriculum for change ringing – one that ITTS trained teachers can use with their students

The second core issue to be addressed is improving the recruitment of young people into ringing. We therefore -

  1. Have developed an outline structure for associating young ringers groups with Ringing Centres employing ITTS trained teachers
  2. Are consulting widely on the best format for putting this into effect
  3. Are in discussion with the National Heritage Lottery Fund about a closely related project based in schools