Contents:

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Newsletter, 25 April 2023

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Newsletter, 5 April 2023

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Newsletter, 6 March 2023

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Newsletter, 19 January 2023

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Newsletter, 7 December 2022

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Newsletter, 1 November 2022

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Newsletter, 3 October 2022

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Newsletter, 1 September 2022

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Newsletter, 5 August 2022

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Newsletter, 5 July 2022

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Newsletter, 25 May 2022

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Newsletter, 3 May 2022

Dear Members

Upcoming events

Sat 7 May
:: Scottish Handbell Day :: If interested and you haven't yet got in touch, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to check that there's still space on the day.
    There's been some pretty active and impressive hand-bell ringing by SACR of late (https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/search.php?association_id=35), including the 250th quarter at Albany Quadrant: https://www.handbellringing.co.uk/blog/250-quarters-at-1-albany-quadrant

Sat 21 May
:: May meeting in Aberdeen: AGM & Striking Competition :: As previously announced, there will be a proper ringers tea at the AGM, i.e. food as well as tea/coffee, which will be held in the church hall in Dunbar Street along with the business meeting. Please send names for tea to Ruth Ogilvie at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Timetable 

12.00 - open ringing for those who wish to try the bells

13.00 - striking competition draw

13.15 - striking competition in the tower, and handbells and tea/coffee available in the church gatehouse

16.30 - AGM, results of the striking competition and ringers tea

18.00 - 19.00 - open ringing for those who wish to stay

Fri 27 May :: Advanced Practice :: St Cuthbert's, Edinburgh, 7.30pm-9pm. As usual, please let Ruth (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) know if you plan to attend.

Fri 3 Jun :: Queen's Platinum Jubilee :: There's to be a Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral, London, with a suggestion for a collective ringing session. Time still to be confirmed but it's likely to be the morning (this and other info at https://cccbr.org.uk/2022/01/12/hm-queens-jubilee). https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/event.php?id=14297



Fri 29 – Sun 31 Jul :: Inveraray Ringing Festival :: More details to follow nearer the time.
 

September :: Doors Open Days take place in Scotland in September. The national theme is following VisitScotland’s “Year of Stories” and the European Heritage Days theme is “sustainability”. Perhaps there might be opportunities for tower open days around these dates and themes in September? Here’s a link to show provisional dates for your area: https://www.doorsopendays.org.uk/2022-weekends 

 
Sat 22 Oct :: October meeting :: location to be confirmed


News

Happy Birthday To Us! :: 23 April was the 90th anniversary of the inaugural meeting of SACR, and our healthy Association saw a wide range of ringing over the weekend: a women's development day, quarter peals both in hand and in towers, peals in hand, and the usual Sunday service ringing across Scotland. Plus a mention on "What's Hot on BellBoard" (The Ringing World, 5792, p.384). And congratulations to Ruth Ellis on her first QP.
    Here's a link to a bellboard page of performances, with more likely to following in a few weeks when the anniversaries of the first peals come up: https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/event.php?id=14724.

Development Day :: Inveraray :: There was a development day on heavy bells for some of our SACR women on 23 April in Inveraray. Abundant positivity, embracing of challenges, good ringing and company, plus sunshine and plenty of whisky. Not a bad way to spend the 90th birthday of the SACR.

The Highlands :: 21 April was an exciting day in the Highlands with a variety of ringing, both at Balnaferry Campanile and at Inverness Cathedral… It was the first time for many months that 10 bells were heard from the most northerly tower in the world. http://facebook.com/scottishbellringing/posts/1406364816473767

Haddington Ringing Course :: This six-week ringing course was very successful, and with so many new recruits the Friday practice has been extended by an hour and now starts at 6.30 for bell handling and rounds. The photo shows some of the new recruits and the tutors outside St Mary's Haddington after the final session of the course. An article has been submitted to The Ringing World which we hope will be published soon. The article sets out some of the learning from the course which we hope other towers may find useful when thinking about recruitment. There will also be more information at the SACR AGM. Sally Thomas

 
BBC Radio Scotland's show Sunday Morning broadcast a feature about bellringing in Scotland, looking in particular at the Haddington ringing course. Catch it on BBC Sounds via https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00161gv (the feature starts 1hr 28mins into the programme).

Fun with Bells podcast :: History of change ringing in Scotland :: April's podcast focused on the history of the association and change ringing in Scotland, with Simon Aves in the hot seat. It's available online at https://funwithbells.com/simonaves. Simon's book is available as an e-book via Amazon (no print copies are available).
Host Cathy Booth writes: In this month’s episode of the Fun with Bells podcast, Simon Aves takes me on an entertaining romp through Scotland’s bell ringing history, which is very different from England’s.
    Who knew the Scots were so fond of peace and quiet? Cathy learns that in the past the best way to annoy people in Dundee was to travel up there and ring all their bells. And beware of the constable waiting at the bottom of the tower to arrest you for that very noisy peal you just rang. Or worse still, the constable might well follow you to the pub and then ban you from ringing, perish the thought!
    Of course, all of this is history  very colourful history and brilliantly told at that. First bells, first peals, first women ringers, colourful characters, court cases and ringers being sick after their eight pints, this podcast episode has it all.


Call for photographs of your church and bells :: As we enter the spring and summer this could be a good time to capture some colourful photos in and around your tower. It would be good to have a selection of photos available for use by the media (we sometimes have requests for photos from the press), etc. If you have any suitable photos, or fancy taking some fresh ones, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
    Of course, if there are any identifiable individuals in photos, please ensure they are happy for you to take the photos. And please also include a description for each photo, and a longer caption with more detailed info where relevant.
 

The SACR Committee

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Newsletter, 4 April 2022

Dear Members

Next month is the SACR Striking Competition in Aberdeen. It will take place on Saturday 21 May along with the SACR AGM. Please would you start thinking about your band for the Striking Competition and Ruth know at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 30 April if you will be entering a team. Thank you.

Upcoming events

On BBC Sounds
:: BBC Radio Scotland's show Sunday Morning has a feature about bellringing in Scotland, looking at the Haddington ringing course, which Sally Thomas ran this spring over six weekends for new ringers. The piece also discusses the history of change ringing in Scotland with Simon Aves. Catch it on BBC Sounds via https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00161gv (the feature starts 1hr 28mins into the programme).


Thu 14 Apr :: Fun With Bells podcast :: April's podcast is a focus on SACR in which Cathy Booth interviews Simon Aves on the history of the association and change ringing in Scotland. It will be available online from 14 Apr onwards. funwithbells.com. Simon has made his book available as an e-book via Amazon (no print copies are available).


Sat 23 April ::
90th anniversary of the inaugural meeting of SACR, which took place on 23 Apr 1932 at St Mary's, Edinburgh.

Fri 29 April
:: Advanced Practice :: Glasgow, 7.30pm-9pm. As usual, please let Ruth (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) know if you plan to attend. Focus methods are Yorkshire, Bristol & Cambridge Royal.

Sat 7 May
:: Scottish Handbell Day :: Simon Gay is planning a handbell day on Saturday 7th May at 1 Albany Quadrant, Glasgow.
    The format will be a mixture of practice sessions and quarter peals, as we have done in the past. Please feel free to pass the invitation on to anyone who you think might be interested, especially if you are doing any regular handbell ringing with people who have started recently. The only condition is that we are not planning to cater for complete beginners, so anyone who comes needs to be able to ring Plain Bob Minor already.
    So, please could you do the following:
1. Tell me whether or not you are going to come.
    If you are coming:
2. Tell me what you would like to ring a quarter of.
3. Tell me what you would like to practise.
4. If you think I don't already know, tell me what you can ring confidently.
5. Tell me whether you can bring a set of bells.
    All of that goes for conducting too; maybe some people would like to try calling new things.
    Simon Gay (for more details, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

Sat 21 May
:: May meeting in Aberdeen: AGM & Striking Competition :: Aberdeen will be hosting our next big meeting, where we will have the AGM and striking competition along with some handbell ringing. Please put the date in your diary. And please see above re. entering a band: Ruth (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) would like to know details by 30 April.

Fri 27 May :: Advanced Practice :: St Cuthbert's, Edinburgh (provisional venue), 7.30pm-9pm. As usual, please let Ruth (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) know if you plan to attend. Both venue and focus methods to be confirmed.

Fri 3 Jun :: Queen's Platinum Jubilee :: There's to be a Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral, London, with a suggestion for a collective ringing session. Time to be confirmed but it's likely to be the morning (this and other info at https://cccbr.org.uk/2022/01/12/hm-queens-jubilee).

 
Fri 29 – Sun 31 Jul :: Inveraray Ringing Festival :: More details to follow nearer the time.

Sat 22 Oct :: October meeting :: location to be confirmed


News
 
SACR training day in March at Tulloch Ringing Centre

A few thoughts on being a trainee, from Irene Drummond.
    I am one of the ringers from Glasgow St Mary's tower. I thoroughly enjoyed the training day on Saturday 12 March. Tulloch Ringing Centre is an excellent training venue and creates a unique learning platform, allowing various levels of bell ringers to meet together and share knowledge, skills and experience. I was learning to ring up and ring down and also the theory of call changes... and there were lots of practice opportunities... I feel I made good progress. I am very grateful to the organisers and teachers for sharing their breadth of knowledge... and for their patient and encouraging approach.

A few thoughts on being a helper, from Margaret Williams.
    The training day was a long day with a very early start from home, but fortunately I was offered a lift for part of the journey which made it much less tiring. The situation at Tulloch means that both rings of bells can be rung all day if necessary, although the lighter bells in the Last Tower were challenging for some people. There were sessions on bell-handling, some simple doubles and minor methods and Stedman Triples. At the end of the day we also practised some call changes on the back ten of the twelve.
    Prior to the training day the students had indicated what they would like to learn and they were put in to groups to accommodate their wishes as far as possible. They were given talks by a tutor on the theory of the method they were learning. The role of the helpers is to give advice, but mainly to ring methods competently so that the students have a good chance to see where they should be ringing, who they should be following, and put the theory into practice. If there are plenty of helpers it means that there is only one student in each band, making learning much easier. By the end of a long day’s ringing it is quite an effort to keep ringing perfectly but the helpers all did their best. At least this year it rained all day so that no-one was tempted to leave their post to wander off and talk to the chickens!
    This was an enjoyable day meeting with some SACR members whom I had not seen in person for two years. Most importantly from the comments I heard it proved valuable for the students and I hope that they are now able to put their new-found skills into practice in their home towers.
 
Sunday service ringing :: Congratulations to Alex Linton, who has starting ringing on Sundays. Alex reported on facebook: "A bit nerve racking but extremely enjoyable. First at The Parish Church of St. Cuthbert, Edinburgh City Centre with some Call Changes on the Front 6, then onwards to St Andrew's and St George's West Edinburgh for some ringing on 7 (missing out the 2nd). Lovely weather for it too!"

6060 changes :: Happy Birthday, Sue! https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=1502726


Inveraray maintenance weekend
:: A whole weekend of sunshine & hard work ... fabulous weather for some maintenance.

 
Bells on Sunday: Call for recordings :: Here are some details about how to make a good recording of bells, and a request for submissions for broadcast on Radio 4's Bells on Sunday. https://cccbr.org.uk/2022/01/28/bells-on-sunday-guide-to-making-a-recording/

Anniversary dates


Social media
For up to date info on social media:
https://www.sacr.org
https://www.facebook.com/scottishbellringing
https://twitter.com/SBellringing
@SBellringing
https://www.facebook.com/groups/bellringers

The SACR Committee

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Newsletter, 11 March 2022

Dear Members

Upcoming events
 
Sat 12 Mar :: SACR training day at Tulloch Ringing Centre from 10.30am. Please contact Ruth at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any queries.

Thu 14 Apr :: Fun With Bells podcast :: April's podcast is a focus on SACR in which Cathy Booth interviews Simon Aves on the history of the association. It will be available online from 14 Apr onwards. funwithbells.com

Advanced practices :: More details on date and location of April’s and subsequent practices in due course.

Sat 7 May :: Scottish Handbell Day
:: Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you're interested in attending this day in Glasgow.

Sat 21 May
:: May meeting :: St Machar's, Aberdeen :: The plan is to have the AGM and striking competition in a traditional in-person format. There will also be hand bellringing Please save the date.

Fri 3 Jun :: Queen's Platinum Jubilee :: There's to be a Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral, London, with a suggestion for a collective ringing session. Time to be confirmed but it's likely to be the morning (this and other info at https://cccbr.org.uk/2022/01/12/hm-queens-jubilee).


Fri 29 – Sun 31 Jul :: Inveraray Ringing Festival

Sat 22 Oct :: October meeting :: location to be confirmed
 

News

February meeting
:: After a good turnout in Glasgow on Friday evening for a session of Royal and Caters, Saturday saw a busy day of ringing in Edinburgh interspersed with a brief business meeting at lunchtime. Twelve-bell ringing was sadly thwarted because of storm damage at St Mary’s, but where else in Scotland could you go at short notice to a neighbouring tower for some great ten-bell ringing? This included lowering all ten together for the first time in many many months, with that amazing thrum half way down. Thank you St Cuthbert’s! The day was rounded off with some excellent touches on eight at St Andrew’s & St George’s West.



Ringing course at Haddington for new recruits ::  A new intensive beginners course is taking place in Haddington in February/March. With 12 people signed up for the six-week course, plus two on a waiting list, Sally has set up a duplicate morning and afternoon session to keep the tutor/student ratio low. Everyone did really well at the first session and seemed very enthusiastic and excited about the prospect of learning to ring. Learners span a range of ages, with some from the congregation. If other Scottish towers are interested, Sally would be happy to run a zoom session and talk through how Haddington has approached this, and what seems to have worked in terms of attracting some potential new ringers.
    BBC Radio Scotland will broadcast a piece soon about the ringing course on the programme “Sunday Morning”. Watch this space for details!  [The feature was broadcast on Sun 3 April. Catch it on BBC Sounds here. (The feature starts 1hr 28 mins into the programme.)]


Welcome to newly elected members
:: Scott Cooper (Dumfries) :: Sasha Webb (Glasgow) :: Claire Dickson (Glasgow) :: Karin Farnworth (Edinburgh St Mary) :: Matthew Machin-Autenreith (Aberdeen)

Congratulations to these longstanding members
:: Magnus Peterson (60 years of SACR membership) :: Michael Pink (60 years) :: Chris Thomas (40 years) :: Neil Ballard (30 years) :: John Grainger (30 years) :: Eric McNally (30 years)

Balnaferry Campanile ::
See this facebook page for regular updates on a monthly ringing practice in Forres, and get in touch if you're going to be in the area! facebook.com/BalnaferryCampanile

Awareness event :: On 6 Feb, Margaret and Ruth held an awareness event via zoom about safeguarding for children and vulnerable adults, and inclusion and safety in the ringing environment. If you missed this and would like to pick up on the topic, please email Margaret at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Training Officer :: As previously announced, this is a new role that the Association is very keen to develop, and a description of the proposed role is available. Do please give some thought as to whether this is something you might like to volunteer for or whether you know someone who has the skills and might just need a wee nudge! It was stressed that the role is not about delivery of everything, but more a facilitating role in liaison with the SACR Master. Full details available from This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Bell Restoration Fund 50-50 Club 
:: The results of the draw at the February meeting were:
  • January — Martin Mellor, £31.50
  • February — Sue Bryce, £31.50
Ruth Ogilvie writes: I still have numbers available if anyone wishes to support the BRF and have a chance of winning at least £30 each month. Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for details. If you prefer to set up an annual standing order, Ruth can confirm the bank details for that.

Young Change Ringers Association :: The first meeting of the YCRA in Birmingham was a great success, with a summer event planned for Nottingham. If you're under 30, this is an association for you! Reports on the outing are on facebook and in The Ringing World (no. 5779).

St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall, Orkney :: From a post seen on Bellringers Facebook page: The bells of St Magnus Cathedral. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Fd9eMtmVcE

Anniversary dates

Social media
For up to date info on social media:
https://www.sacr.org
https://www.facebook.com/scottishbellringing
https://twitter.com/SBellringing
@SBellringing
https://www.facebook.com/groups/bellringers

The SACR Committee

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Newsletter, 5 February 2022

Dear Members

Upcoming events

Sun 6 Feb – Awareness event :: Margaret and Ruth are holding an awareness event via zoom on Sun 6 Feb. Details from Margaret. If you miss this and would like to pick up on the topic, please email Margaret at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Sun 6 Feb – Accession of Queen Elizabeth II :: 70th Anniversary of the Queen's Accession. If you're ringing this weekend, The Ringing World would love to receive your photos and hear about what you did in snippet news items (under 300 words). If you'd like to send something for print in the 11 Feb issue, please submit it by midday Mon 7 Feb to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..


Fri 25 Feb – February advanced practice
:: In-person at Glasgow at 7.30pm.

Sat 26 Feb – Winter meeting :: Here are details of the rescheduled in-person ringing and meeting.
  • SACR ringing meeting – in person. This will be held on Sat 26 Feb in Edinburgh and all are welcome. Plans for the day are as follows
    • 10.30–12.00 – advanced practice at Edinburgh St Mary 
    • 12.00–13.30 – bring your own lunch and business meeting in the cathedral halls
    • 13.30–14.30 – general ringing at Edinburgh St Mary 
    • 15.00–16.30 – general ringing at Edinburgh St Andrew and St George
Sat 12 Mar :: SACR training day at Tulloch Ringing Centre from 10.30am. Please see Ruth's recent email (from 3 Feb), and if you are thinking about attending (as student or as helper) please email Ruth at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to indicate interest. Ruth also invites you to indicate what you'd like to focus on as a student.

March advanced practice :: More details in due course.

Sat 7 May :: Scottish Handbell Day :: More details in due course.

Sat 21 May
(earlier announcement mentioned 14th, but please note updated date) :: May meeting :: We hope that the AGM and striking competition will be able to take place in a traditional format. Venue TBC but please save the date.

Fri 3 Jun :: Queen's Platinum Jubilee :: There's to be a Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral, London, with a suggestion for a collective ringing session. Time to be confirmed but it's likely to be the morning (this and other info at https://cccbr.org.uk/2022/01/12/hm-queens-jubilee).

Fri 29 – Sun 31 Jul :: Inveraray Ringing Festival :: This is planned for the last weekend in July, and hopefully it will be able to go ahead this year.
 
News

Haddington :: Community grants awarded to Haddington for air purifier and CO2 monitor to allow for longer ringing sessions, as reported in East Lothian Courier. The article also included a call for new learners. https://www.sacr.org/index.php/resources/media#md220120


Training Officer :: As previously announced, this is a new role that the Association is very keen to develop, and a description of the proposed role is available. Do please give some thought as to whether this is something you might like to volunteer for or whether you know someone who has the skills and might just need a wee nudge! It was stressed that the role is not about delivery of everything, but more a facilitating role in liaison with the SACR Master. Full details available from This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Bell Restoration Fund 50-50 Club 
:: If you've not yet renewed your subscription to support the bell restoration fund, please check with Ruth (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). If you prefer to set up an annual standing oder, Ruth can confirm the bank details for that.

Burns Night Quarter ::
"Old Time and Nature their changes tell; But never ranging, still unchanging, I adore my bonie Bell" :: Happy Birthday, Rabbie! https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=1486641

January advanced practice
:: A fun practice at the end of January via ringingroom and zoom, including some eight spliced Surprise Major.


Bells on Sunday: Call for recordings :: Here are some details about how to make a good recording of bells, and a request for submissions for broadcast on Radio 4's Bells on Sunday. https://cccbr.org.uk/2022/01/28/bells-on-sunday-guide-to-making-a-recording/


Subscriptions :: SACR membership fees for 2022 are now due, and someone from your tower has probably been in touch about paying these. Membership fees remain at £10 per member, £5 per junior member (under 18) and £5 per associate member. Please check with your tower correspondent if you've not yet sent your payment in.

Anniversary dates

 


The SACR Committee

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Newsletter, 16 January 2022

Dear Members

Upcoming events

January meeting – Following Sue's email on Friday, it's a shame that the in-person meetings are postponed, but fingers crossed for a February in-person meeting [Ed.: see below for details of rescheduled event on Sat 26 Feb]. Here's a summary of January's activities:
  • Wed 19 Jan, 7.30pm :: SACR committee meeting online. All towers have been sent an invitation to send a rep. Please try and encourage your tower rep and provide feedback via them. Papers have been circulated.
  • Sat 22 Jan, 11am :: Online ringing via ringingroom. Please can you email Ruth on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Wednesday 19th so we can gauge level of interest. All levels are welcome. [Unfortunately we don't have enough interest in Saturday's on-line practice , which was going to replace the in-person event in Edinbrugh that has now been postponed to February, so I am cancelling it. There is still a surprise majour practice on-line on Fri 28 Jan, 7.30pm. If you'would like to attend, just let me know and I'll send you the log-in details. I look forward to hearing from you and seeing you in person in February if not before! All the best, Ruth]
  • Fri 28 Jan, 7.30pm :: Online S Major practice via ringingroom. Please can you email Ruth on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Sat 22nd Jan is you will participate in this.

Sun 6 Feb Accession of Queen Elizabeth II :: 70th Anniversary of the Queen's Accession. Here are some details from the Central Council: https://cccbr.org.uk/2022/01/12/hm-queens-jubilee

Fri 25 Feb
February advanced practice :: In-person at Glasgow at 7.30pm (if back in the tower by then)
 
Sat 26 Feb – Winter meeting :: In-person in Edinburgh
    • 10.30–12.00 – advanced practice at Edinburgh St Mary 
    • 12.00–13.30 – bring your own lunch and business meeting in the cathedral halls
    • 13.30–14.30 – general ringing at Edinburgh St Mary 
    • 15.00–16.30 – general ringing at Edinburgh St Andrew and St George
Sat 12 Mar – SACR training day :: In-person at Tulloch. More details to follow in due course.

Sat 14 May [Ed: will now likely be 21 May]
 – May meeting :: We hope that the AGM and striking competition will be able to take place in a traditional format. Venue tbc but please save the date.

Do please put the above dates in your diary. We hope there will be something for everyone, but feedback is always welcome. 


News

Bell Restoration Fund 50-50 Club 
:: Subscription renewal time! Ruth Ogilvie has sent out the annual reminder about subscriptions to the 50-50 club for the BRF. If you've not seen your email reminder, please check with Ruth (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). Ruth writes: "Congratulations to the 12 winners from 2021 who shared £341 in prizes, thank you so much to you (and all the non-winners!), for donating to our draw and therefore to the BRF ... I have been able to pay £300 into the Bell Restoration Fund."

Dunblane peal
:: A nice peal in December but some sore hands… well done Alex! And congratulations also to Sue, Peter and Peter. https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=1477458


Balnaferry Campanile :: Great to see that there were some new recruits in December in Forres… lapsed ringers returning! … https://www.facebook.com/BalnaferryCampanile/posts/3116678575243600:
    "12 December was our last practice of 2021, but also the first practice for 2 of our visitors for 8.5 years. After a quick refresher for Kath, we rang Plain Bob Doubles first with Alex on the tenor behind and then with Kath on the tenor behind. We then tried plain hunt on 5 with Kath on 3 and Alex on the treble. Lowenna had a go ringing some rounds for the first time unaided (having only managed rounds with help 8 years ago in England). We managed more Plain Bob Doubles with Kath inside, and with Sam inside and then tried some call changes on 8. After more rounds for Lowenna we rang more plain Bob Doubles and finished with Plain Hunt on 6. Thanks to Mike, Dawn and Sarah for all their efforts too." The January meeting was smaller due to the three-household rule but this will hopefully change soon.
 
Hand-bellringing :: A first for Jessica... congratulations! https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=1478594

St Machar's, Aberdeen :: Nov+Dec 2021: As well as well-attended Monday practices and Sunday service ringing we were pleased to be able to ring all 8 bells for the induction of the new minister at the service on Tuesday 23 November. We also rang recently for the University of Aberdeen carol service on Wednesday 8 December (photos courtesy of Ian Talboys)


The power of social media ::  The above news update from St Machar's on facebook @scottishbellringing was shared quite a few times on various Aberdeen facebook pages (the Cathedral page, Old Aberdeen page, etc.), resulting in a good number of "like" and "love" emoticons from the surrounding community... showing the power of social media!
    St Machar's Cathedral commented: "Thank you to our wonderful band of committed bellringers who do so much for the Cathedral. It is a joy to hear you after far too long a silence."

Ringing Forums :: The Central Council's discussion forum is up and running at ringingforums.org, and a range of questions has been asked and answered on the forum. You can sign up if you have questions to ask, or if you want to chip in with replies. Click here for more information.

Planning ahead: dates for the diary

90th Anniversary year of SACR
    Sat 23 April :: anniversary of the inaugural meeting of SACR, St Mary's, Edinburgh
    Sat 4 June :: anniversary of first peal at St Cuthbert's, Edinburgh
    Sun 12 June :: anniversary of first handbell peal at 66 Hillhead Street, Glasgow

Queen's Platinum Jubilee :: Fri 3 June – There's to be a Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral, London, with a suggestion for a collective ringing session. Time to be confirmed but it's likely to be the morning (this and other info at https://cccbr.org.uk/2022/01/12/hm-queens-jubilee).
 
Social media
For up to date info on social media:
https://www.sacr.org
https://www.facebook.com/scottishbellringing
https://twitter.com/SBellringing
@SBellringing
https://www.facebook.com/groups/bellringers

The SACR Committee

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_______________________________

Newsletter, 8 December 2021

Dear Members

Upcoming events

January meeting – to be held in three parts! [Postposted: see 16 Jan email for updates]
  • SACR committee meeting. This will be held online on Wednesday 19 January at 8pm. All towers have been sent an invitation to send a rep. Papers will follow in early January but please try and encourage your tower rep and provide feedback via them
  • SACR ringing meeting – in person. This will be held on Saturday 22 January in Edinburgh and all are welcome. Plans for the day are as follows
    • 10.30–12.00 – advanced practice at Edinburgh St Mary 
    • 12.00–13.30 – bring your own lunch and business meeting in the cathedral halls
    • 13.30–14.30 – general ringing at Edinburgh St Mary 
    • 15.00–16.30 – general ringing at Edinburgh St Andrew and St George
  • SACR virtual practice (S Major) – Friday 28 January at 7.30pm
February advanced practice :: In person at Glasgow on Friday 25 February at 7.30pm.
 
March training day :: In person at Tulloch on Saturday 12 March. More details to follow in due course.
 
May meeting Saturday 14 May [Ed: will now likely be 21 May] :: We hope that the AGM and striking competition will be able to take place in a traditional format. Venue tbc but please save the date.

Do please put the above dates in your diary. We hope there will be something for everyone, but feedback is always welcome.

News

Remembrance ::
There was ringing in various parts of Scotland including Grandsire Doubles in Haddington and tenor chiming in Inveraray ahead of wreath-laying ceremonies on Remembrance Sunday. At St Andrew and St George West, Edinburgh a  quarter of Cambridge Major was rung on Remembrance Day.

Inveraray 10-bell practice :: It was great to hear the bells at Inveraray ring again on 20 November, with a variety of ringing from Grandsire and Stedman to Yorkshire and Bristol. It’s 100 years this November since the bells were transported from Taylor’s of Loughborough to Inveraray, so we rang with this anniversary in mind.
    The Argyllshire Advertiser ran a feature on Inveraray's "Fyne bells" (the perennial pun!), including a cartoon about the bells' eventful journey over the Rest and Be Thankful.

Bell Restoration Fund 50-50 Club :: This week at the Aberdeen weekly practice, we carried out the two final SACR BRF 50-50 club draws for 2021. The results are:
  • November – Barbara Bell won £28
  • December – Ruth Ogilvie won £28 (and yes I have several witnesses that it was not fixed!!!)
In January I will be issuing the annual reminders so keep an eye out for my email in the New Year. Happy Christmas All, Cheers, Ruth Ogilvie (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Another way to support the Bell Restoration Fund :: With Christmas coming up, here's a reminder that you can help raise funds for the BRF using this link for Amazon purchases (other online sellers are available!): https://smile.amazon.co.uk/ch/SC011080. By using this link the BRF can benefit... it's a small percentage, but it all adds up! Up to November £4,504 worth of transactions qualified and thus they have made a donation of 0.5%: £22.52 to the BRF.
 
Photo competition :: The theme for the latest section of the CCCBR's photo competition is Ringers in Action. Deadline for entries is 19 December.

Covid guidance :: The guidance page was last updated in August: see details via this link.


Planning ahead: dates for the diary

70th Anniversary of the Queen's Accession :: Sun 6 February

90th Anniversary year of SACR ::
    Sat 23 April anniversary of the inaugural meeting of SACR, St Mary's, Edinburgh
    Sat 4 June anniversary of first peal at St Cuthbert's, Edinburgh
    Sun 12 June anniversary of first handbell peal at 66 Hillhead Street, Glasgow

Queen's Platinum Jubilee :: Thu 2 June
 
Social media
Even if you don't have an account with facebook or twitter you should still be able to look at posts using these links:
https://www.sacr.org
https://www.facebook.com/scottishbellringing
https://twitter.com/SBellringing
@SBellringing
https://www.facebook.com/groups/bellringers

Wishing everyone a fun Festive Season and Happy Hogmanay! Here’s a bit of seasonal facebook frivolity from Selby Abbey: click here.

The SACR Committee

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Newsletter, 5 November 2021

Dear Members

Here's the latest edition of the newsletter. Each time I send out the newsletter I think that the coming weeks are going to be quiet and that there'll be nothing to report for a while, but each time as the weeks go by news and activities unfold that are SACR-member instigated or Scotland related. And now, as things slowly and cautiously open up again, more in-person events are taking place, as well as a development of on-line opportunities. So, again, this newsletter is quite long, but it's interspersed with a few photos.
    If you're unsure about accepting images via email, you can also view the newsletter online at https://sacr.org, and then navigate via Resources to Newsletters and Reports.
    Martin

Upcoming events

Advanced Practice :: Sat 20 November. Ruth is planning some advanced ten bell surprise royal ringing at Inveraray on Saturday 20 November from 11am – general ringing sessions and quarter peals – exact details to be confirmed. If you are interested in coming along, please let Ruth know at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. so that she can include you in the arrangements.

January Meeting :: Sat 22 January. More details in due course. If you have any thoughts or comments about the format of the January meeting, please do send to Sue at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

News

October meeting
:: A good October weekend both virtually and in Glasgow, with a variety of ringing from call changes through doubles, minor, triples, major and royal — plus minor and major in hand — so something for everyone. Plus £100 was collected for the Bell Restoration Fund. 
    Thanks in particular to Arthur Reeves for a very interesting online talk on Friday evening on learning and memory, giving an overview of how the human brain processes different types memory and, in turn, how the brain learns and remembers (or doesn't remember without e.g. repeated revision!). One of the best quotes from the talk: "It's not really within your evolutionary survival requirements to remember Plain Bob Doubles... so we have to teach ourselves how to learn and remember it." Some great pointers on using mnemonics to help structure and shape our own personal learning... and a reminder that learning can be hard but that it's definitely possible and fulfilling. And, as Sue noted, each of our brains has more connections between neurones than there are stars in the galaxy – quite a thought!


Training Officer :: This is a new role that the Association is very keen to develop, and a paper was circulated ahead of the October meeting giving some more detail and information. Do please give some thought as to whether this is something you might like to volunteer for or whether you know someone who has the skills and might just need a wee nudge! It was stressed that the role is not about delivery of everything, but more a facilitating role. Full details available from This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Haddington
:: A photo from @HughPumphrey: Sneak aerial view of the Tyne at #Haddington, taken through a door we now have to open in order to get sufficient ventilation in the ringing chamber. Tweets are here and here.


COP26 in Glasgow :: Sat 30 October. The bells of St Mary's Glasgow rang on the eve of the COP26 United Nations Climate Change Conference with a Quarter Peal of Plain Bob Triples. Along with other bells across the UK, St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh, St Andrew's and St George's West, Edinburgh, Inverness and Balnaferry Campanile rang out a warning about climate change. And bells were also heard on Shetland, at St Magnus Church, Lerwick: link here.

(The quarter peal band at Glasgow)

(The band at St Andrew's and St George's West, Edinburgh)

Bells on Sunday :: On Sun 31 October, Bells on Sunday came from St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, Glasgow. The recording is of Yorkshire Surprise Royal, recorded inside the ringing chamber at the October meeting (thanks to Rachel for the recording). https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001141j
 
Bell Restoration Fund 50-50 Club :: Here are the results of the bumper draws we had on Friday at the October SACR meeting. As we had not seen each other in quite a while, we had five draws for June to October 2021 inclusive!
  • June 2021 – Simon Aves from Edinburgh won £28.50
  • July 2021 – Nick Jones from Tulloch won £28.50
  • August 2021 – Alison Fyfe from Edinburgh won £28.00
  • September 2021 – Tim Gatland from Dunkeld won £28.00
  • October 2021 – Barbara Bell from Edinburgh won £28.00
A good night for Edinburgh ringers!!! Congratulations to everyone and thank you all for your continuing support. If anyone wishes to purchase £1 tickets for the monthly draws please email me on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
    Ruth Ogilvie, SACR BRF 50-50 Club organiser

Handbell ringing: A view from the Isle of Arran
:: I have been involved with regular online handbell ringing for almost a year now. We have one on Mondays (8.30–9.30pm), and again on Fridays (7.30–8.30pm). We meet on Discord for an initial chat and use Handbell Stadium for the ringing (see details here). Handbell Stadium requires that ringers have a set of eBells (or other motion sensors). We decide on what to ring depending on who comes along, dividing the session in to two half hour sessions.
    Anybody is very welcome to come along. We will ring whatever the capabilities of who comes, and everybody is very welcome.

    On a personal note although I was a very competent tower bell ringer, I had not touched a handbell for over 40 years before getting my eBells. The screen simulation is great, which makes using Handbell Stadium in ‘practice’ mode a great way to learn to ring handbells again. I find that ‘online’ ringing with others is challenging as one has to concentrate hard to ensure that you are not put off by other’s hesitations and mistakes, which takes what one has learned in practice to the next level.
    Online to in-person: Using both the ‘practice’ and ‘online’ ringing on Handbell Stadium meant that when I did get to ring with other real ringers using real handbells, the eBell ringing translated very well in to real life.

    Timothy Billings
 
Photo competition :: The CCCBR's ongoing photo competition has a different theme every few weeks. A photo from St Machar's, Aberdeen won the latest category Bells in Art with this beautiful stained glass window. Photo by Lian von Wantoch.


SACR on BellBoard :: Peals and quarter peals are back in full swing again, both in towers and on hand bells. The latest SACR performances can be viewed with this customised search on bell board: https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/search.php?association_id=35.

Ringing Forums :: The Central Council has created a discussion forum at ringingforums.org, for asking questions, getting support and sharing information. Click here for more information.

TowerTalk :: The latest edition of this newsletter for ringers using Learning the Ropes is available at this link.

Covid guidance :: The guidance page was updated in August: see details via this link.

In memoriam

David Ford :: We're sorry to report that Tulloch ringer and SACR member, Dave Ford, died suddenly on 19th October, age 74. Dave came from a ringing family and rang initially as a teenager in Somerset, giving up in his mid-20s. He restarted at Tulloch in 2016, and continued until he had a stroke at the start of 2020. He will be remembered as a very cheerful and friendly man and will be greatly missed.
    We rang a peal and a local quarter peal on 2nd November, the day before his funeral, in his memory: details here and here.
    Ian and Sue Turner

Planning ahead: 2022

70th Anniversary of the Queen's Accession :: Sun 6 February

90th Anniversary year of SACR ::
    Sat 23 April anniversary of the inaugural meeting of SACR, St Mary's, Edinburgh
    Sat 4 June anniversary of first peal at St Cuthbert's, Edinburgh
    Sun 12 June anniversary of first handbell peal at 66 Hillhead Street, Glasgow

Queen's Platinum Jubilee :: Thu 2 June
 
Social media
Even if you don't have an account with facebook or twitter you should still be able to look at posts using these links:
https://www.sacr.org
https://www.facebook.com/scottishbellringing
https://twitter.com/SBellringing
@SBellringing
https://www.facebook.com/groups/bellringers

As usual, please send in any items or articles that you would like included in the newsletter to Martin at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The SACR Committee
 

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Newsletter, 1 October 2021

Dear Members

Here's the latest edition of the newsletter, and details of the upcoming in-person and virtual meetings at the end of October. Please remember to let Ruth know (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) by Sunday 3rd October, if you wish to ring at Glasgow on the morning of Saturday 23rd October. Names also to Ruth please for virtual ringing on the afternoon of 23rd.

On Friday evening (22nd October), Arthur Reeves from St Martin's Guild, Birmingham will give a talk about learning and memory, reflecting on:
  • why is learning so challenging?
  • practical tips to overcome these challenges; and
  • how can we be the best teachers for our learners?
Read on for start times and details ...


Upcoming events

SACR October meeting ::
Friday 22nd October - online meeting 7.30pm-9pm (zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/97192015609?pwd=UExRUitrdHkwQ1FObHU0eUtvVm15UT0)
  1. Invited talk by Arthur Reeves on "Breaking down barriers: how to overcome the challenges of learning": learning and memory
  2. Election of new members
  3. Brief update on SACR business
  4. Training officer post
  5. Opportunity to BYOB and chat
Saturday 23rd October - SACR in person practice at Glasgow 11am-2pm
  1. There will be ringing for limited numbers in the tower. If you wish to ring you must let Ruth know (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) by Sunday 3rd October. Numbers in the tower will be limited so we can ensure social distancing and CO2 monitoring will be in place.
  2. Depending on numbers interested, we may have to divide into sessions to help limit the number of people in the tower.
  3. If you wish to ring in the tower, please note that you must be confident in ringing heavy bells as it will not be possible to have anyone standing by.
  4. There will also be handbell ringing in the cathedral halls at the same time.
  5. Face coverings will require to be worn in the Cathedral and tower unless guidance changes.
  6. We would suggest that all attending should take a lateral flow test within 36 hours prior to joining the event. Lateral flow tests can be obtained free of charge https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19/test-and-protect/coronavirus-covid-19-get-a-test-if-you-do-not-have-symptoms.
Saturday 23rd October - virtual practice using ringing room 3.30pm-5pm (zoom link to follow in due course)
  1. In addition to ringing at Glasgow, we will also have a virtual practice using ringing room during the afternoon. Everyone is welcome to attend this - whether or not you have rung in person in the morning.
  2. Again, please let Ruth know if you wish to attend this so that we can ensure sufficient 'towers' and people to run the ringing. Names to Ruth at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Sunday 3rd October if possible.
We do hope that you will be able to join us for the Friday evening and for one (or both) of the events on the Saturday.
COP26 in Glasgow :: Sat 30 October. There has been a general suggestion to ring church bells on 30 October at 6pm, on the eve of the COP26 United Nations Climate Change Conference, which, as you no doubt know, takes place in Glasgow from 1-12 November.

 

News

Mike Barker :: We're sorry to have to report that Mike Barker died on 27 September. Mike and his wife Judy rang at St Cuthbert's, Edinburgh for many years from the late 1980s onward, and Mike served as Tower Captain for a few years.
    He will be remembered as a very kind and self-effacing man and, one of the best tenor ringers Scotland has seen. He rang over 200 peals for the Scottish Association including visits to Ireland, USA and two trips to South Africa and Zimbabwe. He was very much at the heart of the expansion in peal and quarter peal ringing in Scotland at the end of the twentieth century.
    Mike rang a total of 321 peals, 215 of which were for SACR.
    He will be greatly missed.
    Simon Aves

Covid guidance :: The guidance page was updated in August: see details via this link.
Young Change Ringers Association :: An exciting new organisation was launched earlier in September at the Ringing World National Youth Contest. If you’re under 30 this is for you! https://www.ycra.org.uk

Fun With Bells podcast :: September’s edition of this great podcast that covers wide-ranging topics is an interview with Tina and Simon about their book “Change-Ringing on Handbells”,  e-bells and ringing in general. Listen at https://funwithbells.com/?p=1300. This webpage also includes some useful weblinks at the end.

Peals :: In-person peals are back again, with the first peal for the Scottish Association in over 16 months rung on hand bells at Newtongrange on 7 August (https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=1455646). And the first tower-bell peal was rung at St Andrews on 2 September (https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=1458649).

Photo competition :: The CCCBR's ongoing photo competition has a different theme every few weeks. The current category in the competition is Bells in Art, and this runs until 8 October. Details are available here. Here's an article about the winners of the previous category, Bells and Installations: click here.
 
Social media: For up to date info on social media:
https://www.sacr.org
https://www.facebook.com/scottishbellringing
https://twitter.com/SBellringing
@SBellringing
https://www.facebook.com/groups/bellringers

Please send in any items or articles that you would like included in the newsletter to Martin at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The SACR Committee
 

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Newsletter, 2 September 2021

Dear Members

Here's the latest edition of the newsletter.

Upcoming events
 
Fun With Bells Podcast :: 9 September. Watch out for the next edition of the Fun With Bells podcast, which this month comes from Glasgow! … It’ll be out on 9 September… https://youtu.be/7O3PKGSRWX0

Here are the show notes:
    Just as change ringing on handbells requires each ringer to have two bells, this perfectly formed podcast on the subject has two guests. Host Cathy Booth chats with Tina and Simon, authors of the latest must-have handbell manual.
    As always, this podcast asks all the right questions. What is best, tower or hand bells? Will online ringing last post lock-down? Is bell ringing music? And should you start with hand bells and then move onto tower bells, or vice versa?
    As well as addressing the big issues Cathy also finds out the fascinating process behind writing and publishing their book, discovers the joy of e-bells and gets insider information on the progress of Volume 2 and likely publication date.
    Think handbells aren’t for you? Then listen to this podcast and think again.

Advanced Practices:: Next date to be announced in due course, and very likely with "real ringing" following August's meeting in Glasgow.

October Meeting :: Sat 23 October (and possibly also Fri 22). There will be a separate email shortly about this.
 
COP26 in Glasgow :: Sat 30 October. There has been a general suggestion to ring church bells on 30 October at 6pm, on the eve of the COP26 United Nations Climate Change Conference, which, as you no doubt know, takes place in Glasgow from 1-12 November.
 
 
Courses
 
Online ART Workshops (Module 1 and Module 2F) :: These are suitable for both new and experienced teachers – after all, it has been a long time since most of us have taught anyone to ring and it is easy to forget some of the finer details. The online workshops break down the course content into bite-sized chunks so you can choose whether to dip in and out between teaching lessons or do the whole course before you start. They each take about one and a half hours to complete, and are available to anyone who has attended the relevant day course. Whether you are still working towards your ART accreditation or you have already achieved it, these courses are an excellent way to get back up to speed.
    In the words of a ringing teacher who has already completed the Module 1 Online Refresher: “Thank you and all those involved in putting so much hard work into this series of videos and reminders. I found them very watchable and clear, just enough and not too much at this stage! The timing of it is impeccable and will stand a lot of teachers in good stead when teaching can start again.”
    You can enrol on either workshop here: Bellringing Online Learning Portal
Judith Frye (ART Tutor)

 

News

Covid guidance :: The guidance page was updated in August: see details via this link.
St Andrews dumbbell up and running :: Our bells at St Salvator's, St Andrews have been in for about 10 years now. They have been well used over that time for practice, services and graduation ringing, as well as a good number of quarters and peals. We have taught a lot of new ringers from scratch, but because of the limitations of term-time (and recently Covid-19!), a learner is only with us for perhaps half of the year.
    Inspired by the set-up at Tulloch, we started to explore the idea of a dumbbell and simulator. A generous gift from Michael Buchannan (the original donor of the bells) and an SACR grant enabled the project to go ahead and was achieved under-budget thanks to the donation of a rope (Dundee), laptop (St Andrews medical school) and volunteer labour.
    The dumbbell is now fully installed ready for the lifting of ringing restrictions and is available for teaching of bell-handling and method-ringing at any level. The software gives an overall accuracy score and percentage early or late for back- and hand-stroke changes. The video shows our initial try-out of a course of Plain Bob Minor, leaving scope for progression up the learning curve! The turning speed of the bell is a little slower than might be expected from the "feel" of the weight, but it is perhaps no bad thing for a learner to have slightly more time to acquire new skills.
    See the short video clips here, here and here.
Peter Williamson

Inveraray:: A shame not to have been able to have the Inveraray Ringing Festival at the end of July… fingers crossed for 2022… Rachel managed to get a great shot of the bell tower though (oh, and some hills too!).

Photo competition :: The CCCBR's ongoing photo competition has a different theme every few weeks. The current category in the competition is Bells in Art, and this runs until 15 September. Details are available here.
    Here's an article about the winners of the previous category, Bells and Installations: click here.

Dundee walking tours :: Calling all visitors to Dundee… Here are some great offers of tours, and an opportunity to help augment the bells at St Paul's Dundee. 
    Are you planning a day trip or perhaps an overnight stay to Dundee this summer to see the exciting V&A Museum and take in the sights along the Riverside development including The RRS Discovery?
    Dundee city centre: Our resident local history expert and Dundee ringer Christina is happy to offer guided walking tours of the city centre offering an insight into the rich history of Dundee and showing a few of the more unusual and hidden gems in the city that might otherwise pass you by!
    Tours are suitable for all ages and families and will be about an hour in duration. The tours will be free of charge but a donation to the St Paul’s Dundee Bells appeal will be gratefully received.
   
Bridge to Bridge: For any runners/joggers/walkers, how about a flat Riverside "Bridge to Bridge" (approx. 5km) along the Tay Estuary with Dundee ringer Margaret. The route is away from the road using the walking/cycle path passing through The V&A, The Discovery and along to The Tay Railway Bridge. It offers wonderful views across the Tay to Fife. Easy paced and lots of stops for photos! Again, donations for the bells appeal gratefully received.
    If you would like to take part in either of these tours, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Margaret Gamble


Social media: For up to date info on social media:
https://www.sacr.org
https://www.facebook.com/scottishbellringing
https://twitter.com/SBellringing
@SBellringing
https://www.facebook.com/groups/bellringers

As usual, please send in any items or articles that you would like included in the newsletter to Martin at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The SACR Committee

 

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Newsletter, 25 July 2021

Dear Members

Here's the latest edition of the newsletter 

News

Covid guidance :: There's a page on the SACR website giving guidance, and this has been updated recently; see the page here.
  • If you have questions, or need support with risk assessments or frameworks, or just to share how you are doing don't hesitate to reach out to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please email with any questions.
  • At the end of the page there are examples where some ringing has resumed; please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. as and when examples of ringing at your tower need to be updated.
Training Officer :: A new role of training officer has been suggested by the Training Group, and the Committee is finalising a description for the role with a broad remit to help coordinate training. Look out for a more detailed email about this soon!

Photo competition :: Congratulations to Chris Frye, who won the first round of the CCCBR photo competition with this photo of Dunblane Cathedral and Holme Hill in the snow. Here's an article about the winners: click here. Out of the 63 entries for the category four entries were from Scotland, which is a good representation.
    The current category in the competition is Bells and Installations, which runs until 15 August. Details are available here.

NHS, Social Care & Frontline Workers Day :: Ringing took place in Scotland at various locations, including Balnaferry Campanile, Inverness, and in Glasgow on handbells with a cunning quarter of 1273 changes composed by Simon Gay (link here). A list of performances from around the UK is on this link.

Hand bellringing
:: If you're in to handringing, Simon Gay has an excellent blog at https://www.handbellringing.co.uk, including a technical description of how he composed the above 1273 changes. Worth a scroll through the archives for lots of interesting topics.

TowerTalk
:: The latest edition of the TowerTalk newsletter, produced by the Association of Ringing Teachers, is available at http://www.learningtheropes.org/resources/our-newsletter.
 
Planning ahead

Cycle tour of Britain :: This takes place in September and two of the stages will pass cities with bells. Hopefully there will be a bit more ringing in towers by then. What better way to welcome cyclists and tourists than to ring bells!
    Stage 7: Hawick to Edinburgh, 11 September
   
Stage 8: Stonehaven to Aberdeen, 12 September

Heritage Open Days :: No doubt in previous years many church towers have been open for Doors Open Day... these take place in September and while some locations might mean that a virtual tour for the public is more realistic, there may be local opportunities to link in with local organisations' websites. https://www.doorsopendays.org.uk. Here are the dates for each region:
    4-5 Sep: Dumfries, Inverness
    11-12 Sep: Aberdeen, Angus, Central Fife
    18-19 Sep: Glasgow, Stirling, West Fife
    25-26 Sep: Edinburgh, East Lothian, Argyll

October Meeting :: 23 October 2021
January Meeting :: 22 January 2022


Social media: For up to date info on social media:
https://www.sacr.org
https://www.facebook.com/scottishbellringing
https://twitter.com/SBellringing
@SBellringing
https://www.facebook.com/groups/bellringers

Please send in any items or articles that you would like included in the newsletter to Martin at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The SACR Committee

 

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_______________________________

Newsletter, 2 July 2021

Dear Members

Here's the latest edition of the newsletter. There's a bit on change ringing and some news on other ways of making music with bells.

The photo competition Ringing throughout the Seasons from the CCCBR finishes on Sunday, and a new theme will be announced soon for the next category… full details below.

Upcoming events

Recovery Group :: You will be aware Scotland is due to move to level 0 on 19 July, with potentially 1m distancing in public spaces, and loosen of all restrictions on 9 August (of course subject to the First Minister's validation at each step). If you do have questions, or need support with risk assessments or frameworks, or just to share how you are doing don't hesitate to reach out to one of the Covid Recovery working group – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
 
NHS, Social Care & Frontline Workers Day :: For 5 July, there's a national suggestion to ring something based around the number 73, which is how old the NHS is. Some information is available here.
    Probably hard to find a touch with 73 changes... but some touches of 1273 of minor and triples have been suggested on bellringers facebook page, and there are may be other ways to mark 73 years. Of course not all towers are ringing at the moment or have not been able to get back in the tower again, so if ringing is possible it would most likely be on a smaller number of bells.

Advanced Practices :: The monthly Advanced Practices take a break for the “staycation” season and will be back after the summer… perhaps even in an actual tower before too long.

News

Haddington :: Sunday 13 June. We're delighted to be able to let you know that Sunday Service ringing has restarted at St Mary's, Haddington. To comply with current guidance we can only ring 4 bells, have ringers from 3 households and ring for 15 minutes; 13 June was our first Sunday back in the tower. It was great to be ringing again and the Church and congregation are delighted to have the bells ringing again.

Dundee Cathedral :: St Paul’s Dundee ringers were very pleased to be able to ring before the Service of Installation of the Revd. Canon Dr. Elizabeth Thomson as Rector and Provost of St. Paul’s on Saturday 19 June. Here is a photo of the band.

Ellacombe :: On 26 June, Ellacombe chimes around the world rang out at 12noon local time to celebrate the bicentenary of the chimes. In Scotland they were heard at Lamlash (Isle of Arran), Dunblane, Inverness, Edinburgh St Cuthbert's and Peebles.
  • The Arran Banner published an article about the Lamlash bells (link here).

  • The ten at St Andrew's Cathedral, Inverness were augmented for the day with the Sanctus bell to broaden the repertoire (video here). The ringing was Heather Preece on the chimes, Cynthia Preece on the Sanctus bell, and Lynn Wiseman recorded the ringing.
  • Edinburgh was treated to a Worbey and Farrell Concert on the chimes at St Cuthbert's (video here via facebook).
  • Tunes and changes were also heard at Dunblane. Here's a link via facebook.

  • The bells at Peebles can be heard via this link.
  • Bitton, where the first Ellacombe chime was installed, was the home tower of Aberdeen ringer (and 50-50 draw organiser) Ruth Ogilvie: "I used to ring the original Ellacombe chimes every Sunday morning in my choir gown (they rang the bells in the evening – not me as I wasn’t a ringer then)."
  • Bells on Sunday on 27th came from Bitton, Gloucestershire, where Rev Henry T Ellacombe devised the chimes in 1821: click here.
  • Here's a dedicated facebook page: click here, and a list of performances here.
Pendulums :: If you like listening to new, contemporary, improvised music, try this album that includes bells as instruments in the ensemble. An array of styles and moods across the 11 tracks. Good to see a Scottish connection on the bells, with Alex Frye as one of the performers. https://andrewwoodhead.bandcamp.com/album/pendulums

The Language of Bells :: There’s a music project about bells called 'The Language of Bells' and it might be of interest to ringers. They're looking for stories about bells and ringing. https://www.thelanguageofbells.com

Photo competition :: The CCCBR is creating an image library via a photo competition .... The first category is Ringing throughout the seasons. Closing date for entries is Sun 4 July. Time to get your cameras out... and/or to look through your photo library... Full details are available here and current entrants are shown here.

Planning ahead

Cycle tour of Britain :: This takes place in September and two of the stages will pass cities with bells. Hopefully there will be a bit more ringing in towers by then. What better way to welcome cyclists and tourists than to ring bells!
    Stage 7: Hawick to Edinburgh, 11 September
   
Stage 8: Stonehaven to Aberdeen, 12 September

Heritage Open Days :: No doubt in previous years many church towers have been open for Doors Open Day... these take place in September and while some locations might mean that a virtual tour for the public is more realistic, there may be local opportunities to link in with local organisations' websites. https://www.doorsopendays.org.uk. Here are the dates for each region:
    4-5 Sep: Dumfries, Inverness
    11-12 Sep: Aberdeen, Angus, Central Fife
    18-19 Sep: Glasgow, Stirling, West Fife
    25-26 Sep: Edinburgh, East Lothian, Argyll

October Meeting :: 23 October 2021
January Meeting :: 22 January 2022

Social media: For up to date info on social media:
https://www.sacr.org
https://www.facebook.com/scottishbellringing
https://twitter.com/SBellringing
@SBellringing
https://www.facebook.com/groups/bellringers

Please send in any items or articles that you would like included in the newsletter to Martin at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
 
The SACR Committee

 

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Newsletter, 8 June 2021

Dear Members

Here's the latest edition of the newsletter, including details of this Saturday's Recovery Group Drop-In Session at 10am. Not to be missed!

Upcoming events

Recovery Group Drop-In Session :: Sat 12 June, 10am, via zoom. One of the Recovery Group recommendations was to start regular open drop-in sessions to share best practice around returning to ringing. To join, please use this zoom link.
    There is an ART/CCCBR return to ringing framework available to aid discussion. We would also like to take this opportunity to remind you of the Survival and Recovery toolkit, which has many useful resources.
  
Advanced practice: Fri 25 June, 7.30pm :: via zoom and in ringingroom.com; focus methods to be confirmed. As usual, please let Ruth Marshall know (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) if you're attending so she can plan how many ringing room towers to set up, etc.

Ellacombe Chimes: 200th Anniversary :: On 26 June, Ellacombe chimes around the world will ring out at 12noon local time to celebrate the bicentenary of the chimes... and in Scotland you should be able to hear them ringing at Lamlash (Isle of Arran), Dunblane, Inverness, and Edinburgh St Cuthbert's.
   
"Starting at noon in New Zealand, over the next 17 hours, working their way across the world, bells will be chiming at noon local time in each of the major time zones" (see http://www.bittonhistory.org.uk/ellacombe-chimes-bicentennial).
    Info about the Lamlash bells from Timothy Billings: I understand that the bells were made as a set by a founder in Glasgow, and that the ring is unusual because of that. About 10 year’s ago a gentleman came over to Arran and was making records of bells in Scotland made by Scottish founders.
 
NHS, Social Care & Frontline Workers Day :: For 5 July, there's a national suggestion to ring something based around the number 73, which is how old the NHS is. Some information is available here. Probably hard to find a touch with 73 changes... but there are may be other ways to mark 73 years.
    We're aware that not all towers are ringing at the moment nor have been able to get back in the tower again. If appropriate at your tower, this could be a date to work towards for ringing maybe a small number of bells.

News

New Members :: Welcome to Alex Linton, Karen Slater and Timothy Billings, who were voted as new members at the AGM. Happy ringing (be it virtual or on real bells)!

Hand bellringing :: If you fancy having a go at hand bellringing whether online or (as easing of restrictions allow) in person, Tina is happy to point you in the right direction. Feel free to email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

Glasgow Cathedral :: In the tower again at Glasgow!: "Very happy to be returning to Sunday ringing - even though on only half our bells! St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral, Glasgow."


Balnaferry Campanile, Forres :: Hot sunshine brought out enthusiastic ringers at the Balnaferry Campanile on 31 May! See the post on facebook.


St Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh, features on the front of The Ringing World, 7 May, one of the souvenir issues marking the death of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
 
Bell Restoration Fund 50-50 Club :: Here are the latest winners: April – Jonathan Frye; May – Iain Milne. If you want to join the 50-50 draws, or check your ticket detail, please contact Ruth Ogilvie on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Photo competition :: The CCCBR is creating an image library via a photo competition .... Time to get your cameras out... and/or to look through your photo library... Full details are available here.

Planning ahead

Cycle tour of Britain :: This takes place in September, so a while off yet, but two of the stages will pass cities with bells. Hopefully there will be a bit more ringing in towers by then. What better way to welcome cyclists and tourists than to ring bells!
    Stage 7: Hawick to Edinburgh, 11 September
   
Stage 8: Stonehaven to Aberdeen, 12 September

Heritage Open Days :: No doubt in previous years many church towers have been open for Doors Open Day... these take place in September and while some locations might mean that a virtual tour for the public is more realistic, there may be local opportunities to link in with local organisations' websites. https://www.doorsopendays.org.uk

October Meeting :: 23 October 2021
January Meeting :: 22 January 2022

Social media: For up to date info on social media:
https://www.sacr.org
https://www.facebook.com/scottishbellringing
https://twitter.com/SBellringing
@SBellringing
https://www.facebook.com/groups/bellringers

Please send in any items or articles that you would like included in the newsletter to Martin at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The SACR Committee

 

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AGM Update, 15 May 2021

Great AGM... after routine business we were treated to three enlightening and forward-looking reports (Recovery, Recruitment, and Training groups) on how ringers and towers can gradually move towards in-person ringing again as Covid-19 lockdowns slowly ease up. And exciting to reflect on how all of these ideas can develop over the coming months. Some ideas on how to support Dundee's augmentation project financially (more details shortly). Striking competition results. 50-50 Club draw (with entertainment from Ruth's glamorous assistant). And rounded off by Simon's superb quiz (joint winners: Sue&IanT & AnnieB). Info and ents enjoyed by over 50 SACR members.

Virtual Striking Competition results: Big Congratulations to Glasgow B for winning the Striking Competition. To Inverness for silver medal and to Edinburgh STAG&StCuthbert’s for the bronze accolade. Many many thanks to Matt Hetherington for superb, eloquent and constructive comments. And to all 54 ringers for taking part. Not forgetting Ruth & Jonathan for organising. Bands taking part: Glasgow A, Dundee, CentralTowersWed, Aberdeen St Machar’s, CentralTowersFri, Edinburgh St Mary’s, Edinburgh STAG&StC, Inverness & Glasgow B. Well done all!

Dundee augmentation appeal :: Usually at in-person meetings a fund-raising donations bucket would be circulated, and at this meeting it would have been for the Dundee augmentation appeal... so we're going virtual this year for donations and if you wish you can donate online (or by cheque or bank transfer) via this link: https://www.saintpaulscathedral.net/st-pauls-cathedral-bells-appeal.

St Paul’s Cathedral Dundee have set up an online donations page via PayPal to facilitate the payment of donations to the fund raising for the bells appeal. Gift Aid where applicable is added to the donation and added to the fund directly, so please tick the Gift Aid box if this applies to your circumstances. Please follow the link above. Your donation can be made via bank debit/credit card. If you would prefer to make a donation via cheque or bank transfer please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., who will pass on the bank details and gift aid form.

Thank you so much for any donations – no matter how small, it will all count in the end.

There will be further opportunity to donate to fund raising events soon! In the next couple of weeks, Margaret will publish full details of her sponsored marathon run from Dundee to St Andrews at the end of June! Thanks again for your support.

 

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Newsletter, 13 May 2021

Dear Members

Here's the latest edition of the newsletter. The first event is of course the AGM on Saturday... we look forward to seeing you at 3pm via this zoom link (and earlier in the day for the virtual striking competition).

Upcoming events

AGM: Saturday 15 May, 3pm-4pm, via zoom link https://cbre.zoom.us/j/93386989352. As well as a business meeting, all three of the working groups for recovery, recruitment and training will be presenting a short summary of their work so far. There will also be results of the strking competition, the 50:50 club draw, and a quiz hosted by quiz master extraordinaire Simon Aves.
    The virtual striking competition will take place earlier in the day, starting at 11:45am. We will be live streaming the event via YouTube for those who would like to listen to the other bands ringing; you can view the YouTube channel from 11:45am at this link.

Advanced practice: Fri 28 May, 7.30pm :: via zoom and in ringingroom.com; focus methods to be confirmed. As usual, please let Ruth Marshall know (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) if you're attending so she can plan how many ringing room towers to set up, etc.

News

St Paul's Cathedral, Dundee :: Good news – St Paul’s Cathedral, Dundee have given permission for Sunday service ringing to restart after many months of silence! Ringing resumed on Sunday 9 May for the first time in 2021! Only 4 ringers allowed, in order to adhere to the 2m rule, but we are delighted to be back! Facebook post is here.


Recovery Convention :: ART and the CCCBR hosted a series of online presentations on ringing recovery earlier in May. Each talk was recorded and can be viewed online via this page: click here.

HRH Prince Philip :: Various periods of tolling, online quarter peals, etc. were rung in April in Scotland and around the world. https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/memoria.php?id=13655

 

Culloden :: At 12noon on 16th April, half-muffled tolling of the tenor at Inverness Cathedral to commemorate the 275th Anniversary of the Battle of Culloden and remember the lives lost. Fought on a site 5 miles east of Inverness on 16th April 1746, it involved the deaths of some 1,600 men — over 1,500 of them Jacobites. It was the last pitched battle fought on British soil. 

https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=1435479

 

Alloa :: "We shall return." 20 April was the 150th anniversary of the dedication of the original ring of 6 at St John the Evangelist, Alloa, and a virtual quarter peal marked the occasion. https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=1438484

Maintenance :: Safety first as and when you are able to go in to the belfry, with a minimum of two people in the belfry at all times. Most important is a visual check for anything that might have moved, fallen into the path of the bells or otherwise changed. And ideally check for free movement of bells, clappers and pulleys. If possible cleaning and lubrication is desirable. Any queries or questions to the tower and bells advisor at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Three generations of ringers! :: Inverness ringer Rachel Milner was thrilled recently to find some records on Bellboard of her grandfather Fred Avery’s ringing in the 1960s and 1970s. Rachel is grateful to Stephen Elwell-Sutton, who found 46 entries in the Ringing World archives from 1944 to 1981 for Fred, who was born in 1912. Fred was a civil servant and was posted in Surrey during the Second World War. The photo from the Ringing World in December 1944 lists Fred’s first 720 (bottom right column), rung in Haslemere. Interesting that they were allowed to ring in December 1944. Fred died in 1989 and a band rang a quarter peal of Grandsire Triples at his funeral in Wilton; in the other photo, Rachel and her father Roger Avery are holding the board that commemorates that quarter.
    Rachel’s great-grandfather, Frederick Avery, was one of the many who died in the First World War; he died in 1918 from injuries sustained at the Battle of the Somme. In October 2018, Rachel and her father coordinated so that they both rang a quarter peal to commemorate the centenary of Frederick's death. Here’s a link to an article in Devon Calls about that; it’s on page 5 at this link.
     Three generations of ringers! What a pedigree!

 
Annual report :: The report for 2020 is available online at this link (and many thanks, as ever, to the Report Editor, Iain Milne).
 
Social media: For up to date info on social media:
https://www.sacr.org
https://www.facebook.com/scottishbellringing
https://twitter.com/SBellringing
@SBellringing
https://www.facebook.com/groups/bellringers

Please send in any items or articles that you would like included in the newsletter to Martin at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The SACR Committee
 

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Newsletter, 10 April 2021

Dear Members

Here's the latest edition of the newsletter. In particular please see the request to respond to the Recruitment Survey via this link: click here (full details below).

Following the death of HRH Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, guidance is to ring half muffled on the day of the Duke's funeral to mark the occasion. Between now and then, the suggestion is to rung bells half muffled if you're in a position to ring at your tower. As ever, please ring in line with CCCBR guidance, with necessary checks on bells, with necessary church permissions, and within current Covid-19 restrictions; follow safety advice for lone ringers in a tower. Around the world ringing took place at 12noon on Saturday 10 April, and in memoriam ringing can be seen on bell board via this link.

In Scotland, Ruth tolled the tenor at Glasgow Cathedral at 12noon for 5 minutes, and at St Andrew's and St George's West, Edinburgh, the tenor was tolled half muffled 99 times. There was no doubt also other ringing in Scotland. And friends in Alderney were in the position to be able to ring quarter peals in person.

Recovery :: Recruitment ::
Training

Three groups were set up after the January meeting. Here are some brief updates.

Recovery :: The recovery group have met a few times and have drawn together ideas and strategies for getting back to ringing. Here are some notes and links about resources available: ART & CCCBR have come together in a joint venture to create a Survival and Recovery toolkit, hosted here. This excellent resource contains information on online ringing and running virtual training, both areas where SACR has already had many positive experiences. It also has information on getting physically fit to start ringing again and dedicated resources for tower captains. It's constantly being developed and, as ringing recovery progresses, we will highlight further relevant topics to you. The recovery group is Annie Brechin, Margaret Gamble, Tina Stoecklin and Nick Sturgess.

Recruitment :: Survey :: Earlier this year the SACR Committee set up a Recruitment & Retention Working Group to look at how we might approach recruitment of new ringers in Scotland. The members of the working group are Sally Thomas, Lynne Sydes, Norma Greenwood and Sue Turner. The working group has been developing lots of ideas and having a look at how other ringing associations undertake and support recruitment activity. But they would also like input from SACR members. Below is a link to a short survey which will help to gather some information and also enable all SACR members to input their thoughts and ideas about recruitment. The survey will take no more than 5 minutes to complete and all responses will be anonymous. The survey is live at the link below until 21 April. Please complete it. Your ideas will help inform how we recruit new ringers in Scotland. Survey link is here: SACR Recruitment Survey.

Training :: The training group comprises Zoe Martin, Ian and Barbara Bell and Jonathan and Judith Frye. We have had three lively meetings and are continuing the momentum by getting together weekly. The discussion groups at the January Association meeting provided us with some ideas, the committee offered us their thoughts and our own suggestions have been added too. From this conglomeration some strategic goals have emerged and some exciting potential ventures for the future. We hope to report back to the committee before too long.

Upcoming events

Advanced practice: Sat 24 April, 11am
:: via zoom and in ringingroom.com; focus methods will be the standard eight, and in particular Lincolnshire, Cambridge, Yorkshire and Bristol. As usual, please let Ruth Marshall know (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) if you're attending so she can plan how many ringing room towers to set up, etc. Next advanced practice for your diary: Fri 28 May at 7.30pm.

AGM: Saturday 15 May, 2pm-4pm, via zoom :: Details to be circulated in due course. If you'd be interested in joining the committee, have a word with any of the committee members. All posts are re-elected each year, and two will become vacant so a new Treasurer and a new Bells & Towers Advisor are being sought. If you think you might be interested in a post in the future, you're welcome to join the committee and shadow a post, or dive straight in!
 
Easter ringing

Haddington :: Sally and Chris rang two bells for the Easter Service at Haddington. Since then people have been getting in touch to say how wonderful it was to hear the bells.

Dunblane :: We did not ring full-circle in Dunblane but Judith and Chris chimed the Ellacombe between two services (with numbers restricted to 50, there needed to be two services to cater for everyone). We rang both hymn tunes and changes. The bells have not been heard since Christmas Day so as members of the congregation walked up to the Cathedral their eyes inevitably looked up to the tower! Our efforts were certainly appreciated by many who passed on comments via those on duty. We plan to chime the Ellacombe each Sunday going forward, until such times as we can safely ring again.

Inverness :: Heather rang Easter hymns on the carillon for the first service back face to face in the Cathedral. Cynthia, Heather's mother, rang the the Sanctus bell since they are bubbled! This will be continuing until proper ringing can happen again.

St Andrews :: We rang three bells at St Andrews on Easter Sunday: 2/4/6. Our new dumbbell is installed too!

St Andrew's and St George's West, Edinburgh :: We rang 4 bells with 4 people from two households socially distanced. We rang a combination of call changes and Plain Hunt on 3 and 4. Becoming quite a regular thing now with tolling on the Day of Reflection (23 March), Good Friday and now Easter Sunday.

St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh :: 120 Plain Bob Doubles was rung on 1-2-4-6-7-8.

News

TowerTalk :: In the most recent edition of TowerTalk, Judith Frye from Dunblane explores ways to advance one's knowledge of methods... with the analogy of learning a musical instrument. Read about it on page 8 via this link. It's a packed 21-page edition with articles from around the UK.

Social media: For up to date info on social media:
https://www.sacr.org
https://www.facebook.com/scottishbellringing
https://twitter.com/SBellringing
@SBellringing
https://www.facebook.com/groups/bellringers

Please send in any items or articles that you would like included in the newsletter to Martin at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The SACR Committee
 

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Newsletter, 19 March 2021

Dear Members

Here's the latest edition of the newsletter.

Upcoming events

Covid Remembrance day: Tue 23 Mar :: St Andrew's and St George's West, Edinburgh, will be tolling the tenor half muffled. Are any other towers planning to toll on Covid Remembrance day?

Advanced practice: Sat 27 March, 11am
:: via zoom and in ringingroom.com, with a focus on the "old" standard eight, and Lincolnshire, Yorkshire, Cambridge and Bristol in particular. As usual, please let Ruth Marshall know (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) if you're attending so she can plan how many ringing room towers to set up, etc. Other advanced practices for your diary: Sat 24 April at 11am, Fri 28 May at 7.30pm.

Good Friday and Easter Sunday :: St A & St GW will be tolling the tenor half muffled on Good Friday at 3pm. The band is also planning some socially distanced ringing for the service on Easter Sunday.

AGM: Saturday 15 May, 2pm-4pm, via zoom :: Details to be circulated in due course. If you'd be interested in joining the committee, have a word with any of the committee members. All posts are re-elected each year, and two will become vacant so a new Treasurer and a new Bells & Towers Advisor are being sought. If you think you might be interested in a post in the future, you're welcome to join the committee and shadow a post, or dive straight in!

News

Recovery :: Recruitment :: Training :: Three groups were set up after the January meeting... more news from these groups shortly.

The Association of Ringing Teachers Awards
:: Scotland was well represented in the ART online awards on 6 March:
  • Huge congratulations to Ruth Marshall for winning the ART Award for Inspiring Leadership in Ringing. A well deserved award. (Joint winner with Birmingham’s St Martin’s Guild.) https://www.facebook.com/206179429825651/posts/1137190770057841.
  • eBells — a collaboration including Glasgow’s Simon Gay — were runners-up last night in the ART Award for Excellence in the Development of Technology in Teaching. Congratulations one and all: Simon Gay, Tim Hart, Graham John and Ben Johnson https://youtu.be/oMgPdkwyiK4.
Training! :: "Now I'm reinvigorated to do more" :: February and March were busy months for training, with a two-weekend conducting course attended by six SACR students, followed by a full training day with about 34 students, helpers and tutors... This is one of the most heart-warming comments: "Best day of my lockdown!" ... Some reports from participants are available below: https://sacr.org/index.php/resources/newsletters-reports#nl2102-03.
 
Bell Restoration Fund 50-50 Club :: The last couple of draws were done at the Training Day on 6 March. Here are the recent winners:
January – Christina Howie (Dundee)
February – Martin Mellor (Inveraray)
March – Jane Farquharson (Dunblane) 
If anyone wishes to join the 50-50 draws, please contact Ruth Ogilvie on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  Please also contact Ruth if you are not sure and wish to check if you still have a monthly ticket!

SACR on BellBoard :: There have been quite a lot of virtual SACR quarter peals in the last few weeks, which can be viewed with this customised search on bell board: https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/search.php?association_id=35. It includes a quarter marking 12 months to the day since a number of SACR members rang their last tower-bell peal. Surely in 12 months time towers bells will be ringing out again with 3-hour performances... watch this space!

Media coverage :: We have created a webpage with links to newspaper articles, TV/radio programmes, etc. See https://sacr.org/index.php/resources/media. If you have any historical articles about ringing in Scotland, please let Martin know at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

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Training days: February and March 2021

Training! “Now I'm reinvigorated to do more!” :: February and March have been busy months for training, with a two-weekend conducting course attended by six SACR students, followed by a full training day this weekend with about 34 students, helpers and tutors... This is one of the most heart-warming comments: “Best day of my lockdown!” ... Here are some reports from participants.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

The “Roving Ringer’s” enjoyment of Surprise Minor and brand new methods:

I am progressing to Surprise methods and today has enthused me at just the stage when I was getting weary of memory learning and worrying that similar patterns with small variations would just muddle my brain and in any case it probably wouldn’t transfer to the tower! 

Jonathan was honest, that we must commit Cambridge to memory, but then gave us a range of helpful tips to make it easier both to learn and to keep accurate. I made notes and I now intend to focus on each of his points as I ring on Abel so that when I go back to the tower they will be the signposts that lead me to accurate ringing. I now realise that being able to ring from memory on Abel is just not enough. I must work at recognising these extra elements and actually I think it will make it more interesting for me too.

But the best thing about all this effort I intend to expend is that it will pay dividends (I will hold you to that Jonathan!). As I progress to other Surprise methods the learning will not be so intense.

The breakout ringing sessions were great with steady helpers and Ian ensuring each of us had the practice we wanted. I didn’t need to have learnt Norwich and Primrose but I tried to and I always get a thrill when the conductor shouts “Go ......” and it is a new method for me. I managed them with help and even had a go at a touch of Norwich. Best day of my lockdown!

Lynne Sydes, Roving Ringer, Dumfries

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Miranda doubles down with Double Bob:

The day started off well for me. Ruth had made it foolproof to login to zoom meet and to group ringing rooms (essential for me), and there were no technical difficulties. We were all made to feel very welcome, and it was nice to see lots of new faces as well as familiar ones.

The day was extremely well organised into groups wanting to learn different things. Initially after being flung right out of my comfort zone with Double Bob, I was given the encouragement and support I needed to have a go, with success! Despite the range of skills in our group of learners, Tina had no difficulty tailoring the day to challenge and support each of us. I learned a lot and really enjoyed myself. It was nice not to have to worry about handling a bell as well as learning a new method. 

Thank you for organising this terrific day of virtual ringing. Thank you teachers and helpers: it was a great way to learn.

Miranda Jones, Dunblane

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Irene moves on to methods:

I am fairly new to bell ringing and prior to 2020 lockdown measures I had been making steady progress; this was due to the experience of the Glasgow band and the high standard of teaching. Although practice has continued via ringing room, my employment has impacted on my attendance and progress to the extent that I thought I would really struggle with Saturday's course. However, due to Ruth Marshall's style of teaching (and patience), by the end of the training day I had advanced from ringing "call changes" to ringing Plain Hunt Doubles, Bristow Bob Doubles and Plain Bob Doubles.

I thoroughly enjoyed the training day and would like to send my appreciation to all of the organisers/trainers and helpers. I look forward to any further training opportunities.

Irene, Glasgow

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Clyde orders his report well with all types of “courses” in this piece on intermediate conducting:

A small group of averagely competent SACR ringers recently signed up for Simon Gay’s Intermediate Conducting course. I was one of them and the course really was excellent.

Over the course of a couple of afternoons (8 hours in total), Simon gently introduces you to coursing orders – where and how to spot them, how to transpose them and a whole host of other useful info locked away in them. The key to the course’s success is of course Simon’s gentle coercion into realms unknown for the participants. Each theoretical part of the course is reinforced by a practical session using just a couple of methods – Plain and Little Bob – as illustrations of the theory and to give us all the opportunity to try out what we’d learned. Simon was his usual patient and tolerant self, allowing time for information to soak in and effortlessly fielding tangential questions without letting us stray too far from the essence of the coursework.

It’s an ill wind… and the pandemic-driven online resource Ringing Room turned out to be the ideal training space. Plenty of opportunity to consult helpful scribbles of relevant coursing orders, which the physicality of tower bells would perhaps not allow. For anyone vaguely familiar with the superb “On Conducting” by Wilfred G. Wilson, Simon’s course fulfils an invaluable role by filling in the interim rungs of the learning ladder. My only word of caution is that an effortless command of Plain Bob Doubles, Minor, Major and Little Bob Major using Ringing Room is essential for steering a steady course since relentlessly lumpy ringing greatly detracts from being able to observe what you’re supposed to!

Everyone came away from the course with a fistful of extra tools to use on virtual practice nights and hopefully, in the near future, in the tower. Huge thanks to Simon for structuring and delivering a brilliantly eye-opening course, and to the rest of the Gay family for allowing him the time to do it!

Clyde Wallbanks, Glasgow

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And from other snippets heard over the weekend: Aside from all the learning and enjoyment with virtual bells, in Inge’s words, “it’s just nice to see lots of familiar faces” during these weeks of lockdown. And Iain said “Now I'm reinvigorated to do more!” It was good fun and there was a great sense of community from across Scotland. 

 

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