Other Documents

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Published: Monday, 02 October 2017 10:00

Listed below are documents relating to the association, covering a range of topics. If you can't find what you are looking for or you spot an omission or error, then please contact the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

SCACR Privacy Policy

SCACR Insurance Policy (documents pending)

SCACR Health and Safety Policy (June 2020)

SCACR Event Record Form (pdf) (docx)

SCACR District Map (basic PDF only; use the interactive Tower Map for full details)

Bell Maintenance Course Notes

Events

Event Organiser Guidelines (Nov 2020)

A Risk Assessment must be completed for all events by the organiser.

Financial Documents

Financial Policy (Oct 2024) (pdf)

Expenses Policy (Oct 2024) (pdf)

Expenses Form (Oct 2022) (pdf) (word)

Gift Aid Form (Oct 2022)

Association Rules - Competition Rules

A copy of the rules for a range of striking competitions can be found below:

SCACR Call Change Competition Rules (Western District)

SCACR Method Ringing Competition Rules (Western District)

SCACR Striking Competition Rules (Southern District)

Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults

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Published: Monday, 02 October 2017 10:00

The Association takes safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults very seriously. We have a dedicated Safeguarding Officer, and a regularly updated Safeguarding Policy (policy and other essential documents available to download below).

Towers must follow the Church of England Safeguarding Training Framework which means

•  All ringers, even if the tower has no young ringers, must complete the online Basic Awareness course and renew this every 3 years.
• All tower captains and trainers, even if the tower has no young ringers, must in addition complete the online Foundation course and renew this every 3 years. In this case there is no need to renew the Basic course.

The parent or guardian of each young ringer must complete the Permission to Ring form and provide this to the organiser of the practice (e.g. the tower captain, district secretary or practice coordinator). The CCCBR Good Practice Guide should be displayed in all towers.

Anyone who regularly teaches, trains or supervises children must have a DBS check done by the parish safeguarding officer (usually a member of the PCC). Ringers in general supporting roles or who only undertake one-off teaching/deputising do not need DBS checks. “A DBS check dating from January 2022 should be renewed every 3 years (or 5 years if before January 2022). If you join the Updates scheme within 30 days of a DBS check, there is no need to renew the DBS check and other organisations can access your records (with permission) to avoid multiple checks.

So much of safeguarding is really just good practice: always obtain written parental consent to teach children and ensure that two adults are present (preferably one male and one female) when children are present. Towers are also advised to keep an attendance register, just so you can look back to see who was present at any ringing occasion.

The Central Council of Church Bell ringers have published several helpful documents, including a general Safeguarding Guidance document. We recommend that each tower keeps a copy of this in the ringing chamber.

If anyone has any worries, concerns or questions please contact the safeguarding officer: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You can also speak to your parish safeguarding officer or the safeguarding team at the Diocese of Chichester. The Diocese provides guidance for likely situations: "What do I do if ...".

Safeguarding advice for young ringers online

In general bellringers are lovely people but very rarely things can go wrong. To help you stay safe when ringing online:

• When you are going to a practice make sure there is someone you know and trust there.
• If someone says something inappropriate use the “Report Behaviour” link on Ringing Room and tell an adult you trust (mum or dad, tower captain or another family member).
• You can take screenshots to keep a record of conversations.
• If you need more help or don’t know who to talk to, go to cccbr.org.uk/safeguarding.

Permission forms

Permission to Ring Form (PDF) (.docx)
Permission ro Ring at Association Events (PDF) (.docx)
Permission for an Additional Activity Form (PDF) (.docx)

Policy and Guidance

SCACR Safeguarding Policy
Tower Safeguarding Flowchart (PDF) (.docx)
CCCBR Safeguarding Guidance (includes Resources for Ringers and Ringing Societies)

Learning to Ring

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Published: Monday, 02 October 2017 10:00

Interested in learning to ring? Bellringers in Sussex would welcome you as a new recruit! Read on to find out more about learning to ring, or see our "What is Bellringing?" page for more information.

Why Learn to Ring?

For many people ringing is a great hobby that allows them to meet friendly new people. It provides a lifelong learning experience and helps to maintain a traditional skill. As well as providing gentle physical exercise and a good excuse to get up from the telly and out of the house, it's also a great mental workout. Bellringers of all abilities are encouraged to visit other towers and are always welcome to join practice nights throughout the country. As such its an opportunity to visit some interesting places.

"One of the delights of ringing is the endless opportunity to learn new things."

 Beware! once you’ve got the bug, you’ll find it hard to give up:

"I learnt to ring over forty years ago and I still get the same buzz that I did when I first started."

Could I Become a Bellringer?

Ringing is well within the capabilities of most people. The initial learning usually takes several weeks, after which you can begin to ring with the rest of the band. Most ringers practise once or twice a week and ring before or after church on Sunday.

There is no fixed upper or lower age limit, although different towers will have their own lower age limit. You don't need to know anything about music to be a good bellringer, you really just need a sense of timing and sense of humour! Read our FAQs for more information.

"Being able to count is all the maths you’ll need and you can become a very good ringer without knowing anything about music."

First Steps

The first step is to find a local tower that can teach you. There is usually little or no cost; enthusiasm and committment to learn are all that is asked of you! You can use our Searchable Tower Database or the Tower Map to help you find a tower near you. Alternatively you can contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. telling us where you live (town or village name and your full postcode) to find a tower in your area.

Contact Us

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Published: Monday, 02 October 2017 10:00

If you would like to find out about learning to ring and the best local tower for you to visit, or just have a question about bellringing in Sussex or in general, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to get in touch and someone will get back to you as soon as possible.

Or, to contact a tower correspondent directly use the phone number or email address on the relevant Tower page.