The Association
About Us
We are a group of about 400 bell ringers in North Staffordshire who meet to ring and socialise together.We give support and training throughout the area, promote bell ringing and provide bell ringing advice.
Due to the current Coronavirus situation, ringing is currently very limited. However, if you would like to find out more about bell ringing please .
Up-coming Events
Fri 2nd OctoberOnline Doubles Practice
Sat 3rd October
Quarterly Meeting - Online
Wed 7th October
Ringing Room Practice
Fri 9th October
Online Doubles Practice
Wed 14th October
Ringing Room Practice
Fri 16th October
Online Doubles Practice
National Bodies
The Central Council of Church Bell Ringers is the representative body for bellringers worldwide. Founded in 1891, the Council today represents 65 affiliated societies including our Association.
View the Central Council website
The Association of Ringing Teachers (ART) provides training, support and motivation for ringing teachers. It also provides a progresive learning scheme for new ringers. They have an extensive website with many useful resources.
View the ART website
News
Ann Hodgkins
We regret to report the death of Ann Hodgkins of Seighford on Tuesday 15th September.
Ann grew up near Broughton and learnt to ring there in the 1950's. After marrying local farmer Harold Hodgkins, she moved to Cotton Clanford and began ringing at Seighford. For many years Ann was tower captain, mixing ringing with her busy life as local midwife and duties on the farm. Our photo shows Ann at work back in the 1980's.
Online Meeting - Sat 3rd Oct
The next Association meeting takes place online on Saturday 3rd October. There will be a Business meeting in
the afternoon starting at 4pm and an online ringing session in the evening starting at 7pm
We will be using "Zoom" and "Ringing Room". Zoom allows everyone to see and hear each other, and Ringing Room let's us ring together.
If you would like to join in, take a look at our events page where you will find full details of what's happening and how to get involved.
Meeting details...
Stafford Update
As many of you will know, Stafford bells are being replaced by those from Hanley St John and augmented to twelve.
Prior to the lock-down Hanley bells were taken down and sent to the bellhangers. Stafford's old bells and frame were also removed.
The installation of the new frame and bells has been delayed by Covid19 and latterly by other work clogging the bellhangers' workshop. However, things are now moving and installation at Stafford is expected to commence in January 2021.
Treasurer Wanted
Our current treasurer, Lisa Horritt, will be standing down in December after completing her three years in the post. The Association
will therefore need a new treasurer to be elected at the AGM. If this is something you would be able to do, the committee would
be delighted to hear from you.
A description of the role and further contact details are available here.
Resumption of Limited Ringing
Limited ringing can restart immediately provided it is in in accordance with the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers
guidelines and agreed with the local incumbent.
The latest guidelines have been produced after consultation with Public Health England and agreed with the Church of England.
Please use the following links to see the latest guidance. See the Basic Guidance here...
For the full information, latest updates and guide notes, see the CCCBR website...
Newsletter
Our latest North Staffs Newsletter is now available in the Newsletter section of this website.
See the latest news, read about what other bands are doing during, and not forgetting our Carnall Pleasures.
Our thanks to the editors Helen and Lydia for their hard work in putting together the Newsletters. (And Margaret for the "Pleasures".)
Look here for this latest edition...