What We Do

Details

Published: Monday, 02 October 2017 10:00

The Association arranges various activities and events in order to support and promote change ringing on bells in Sussex. These are organised at Association or District level – anyone is welcome to attend events in any District, not just their own. Check the events calendar or District newsletters for details of upcoming events.

District Events

Each District holds a programme of events on Saturdays throughout the year. These include ringing practices, social events, or both! The District Committees also organise regular practices on weekdays. Any member can go to any District event. Check the calendar for details.

Northern District

• 1^st Saturday of the month – ringing and social get-together; varying between morning and afternoon.
• 1^st Monday – Advanced 7/8 Bell Practice: Stedman Triples & Surprise Major. 
• 2^nd Monday – Moving on to Methods Practice: all welcome, including newer ringers looking to develop their skills and more experienced ringers as helpers. This practice will include rounds and call changes, Kaleidoscope exercises, leading and listening skills, developing ropesight, intro to Plain Hunt, up to Grandsire and Plain Bob Doubles.
• 3^rd Monday – Minor methods practice: from Plain Bob up to Surprise Minor
• 4^th Monday – General 10/12 Bell Practice: rounds onwards, all welcome! Rounds and call changes, plain hunt, plain and surprise methods are usually rung.
• Other practices – additional practices (e.g. elementary or ringing up/down) are occasionally held on 5^th Monday evenings.

Western District

• 1^st Saturday of the month – Beginners & Improvers Practice: Washington
• 2^nd Saturday – General Social practice with tea or other social event. Varying between morning and afternoon.
• 4^th Saturday – 6 bell Surprise practice - Walberton (Treble bob and surprise methods)
• 1^st Friday, 7.30 pm – Basic 8 Bell Practice
• 3^rd Friday, 7.30 pm – 'Stedman onwards' 7/8 Bell Practice

Southern District

• 1^st week of the month: Surprise Major practice (joint with Eastern district)
• 4^th Wednesday – 'Progressing in Minor' practice (joint with Eastern district). Only one method will be rung at each practice - this may be plain, treble bob or surprise. Those wishing to ring the treble are welcome but it will be to the set method.

Eastern District

• 1^st week of the month: Surprise Major practice (joint with Southern district)
• 4^th Wednesday – 'Progressing in Minor' practice (joint with Southern district). Only one method will be rung at each practice - this may be plain, treble bob or surprise. Those wishing to ring the treble are welcome but it will be to the set method.
• 4^th Saturday – monthly ringing event (occasionally held on 3^rd Saturday)

Young Ringers

Regular events are organised to provide opportunities for Sussex Young Ringers to ring together, develop their skills and eat cake! More details on the Young Ringers' page.

Codgers – Monthly Mini-Outing

Codgers is a group of ringers across Sussex of all ages who get together to for a 'mini-outing' once a month, usually on the first Wednesday. The group will happily ring rounds and call changes as well as more difficult methods.

Annual Association Social

The Association holds an annual social event, usually on a Saturday in October. In recent years there have been many different types of event, including a canal cruise, barn dances, quizzes, and dinners.

Ringing for Special Events

You can find out about nationwide ringing events by looking at www.cccbr.org.uk/things-to-ring-for

ADMs and AGM

Annual District Meetings (ADMs) take place on Saturdays in February, following the same pattern as for Saturday events. The District Committee members are elected and Association Officers are nominated. Details of previous meetings are recorded on the minutes page.

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) usually takes place on the second Saturday in May. The four Districts take turns to host the AGM. The main business is to approve the previous year’s reports and to elect Association Officers. Details of previous meetings are recorded on the minutes page.

Committee and Team Meetings

The elected General (Association) and District Committees meet regularly to organise the running of the Association and plan events. Four volunteer Teams also meet to discuss and organise particular aspects of the Association’s activities. For more information, see About the Association and About Committees & Teams.

Events Calendar
Interactive Towers Map
About the Association
Association Rules
Committees and Teams

Magazine (Soundbow)

Details

Published: Monday, 02 October 2017 10:00

The Association produces two different types of news publications. The SCACR magazine, Soundbow, is produced quarterly, and each District also produces regular newsletters.

Soundbow contains around 48 pages of news, views and information about what is and has been going on in and around the Association, plus other various ringing related articles. Soundbow includes some longer articles that are not published in the District newsletters.

Printed copies of Soundbow are available by taking out a postal subscription for £8/year, and are sometimes available to buy (£1.20 each) at Association/District events. Soundbow is not included as part of your Association subscription, and is not available electronically.

Please send articles and photos to the Soundbow editor via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Soundbow editions are produced on the following dates:

Association & District Officers & Teams

Details

Published: Monday, 02 October 2017 10:00

The SCACR is split into four districts: North, East, South and West. Each district has officers that work together to promote and support bell ringing in their region. In addition to those representing the four regions are the 'Association Officers' that handle the central functions of the Association. There are also four teams of unelected volunteers who organise specific association activities.

General Committee

The General Committee usually meets twice a year, in March and November. The committee is formed of the elected association officers and nominated district representatives. The list of current General Committee members and contact details can be found on the Association Officers page. The Finance Committee is a subgroup of the General Committee. The Central Council Representatives are also part of the General Committee.

District Officers

Each district has an elected committee to organise local events and activities: 

• Northern District Committee
  
• Southern District Committee
• Eastern District Committee
• Western District Committee

Association Teams

There are four teams of volunteers who help with specific activities across all districts:

• Communication and Events (including Recruitment)
• Training
• Bell Maintenance and Restoration
• Administration, Records & Library

Association Bookstall

Details

Published: Monday, 02 October 2017 10:00

The Association runs a bookstall, currently looked after by Margaret Oram, which is at present at most Association events i.e. the AGM in May, the District ADMs in February, and some of the Saturday events through the year.

The bookstall stocks a large number of Central Council publications as well as others from Sherbourne Teaching Aids, The Whiting Society, the Yorkshire Association and David Marshall. Other publications can easily be obtained if requested.

The bookstall covers a wide range of subjects covering learning, teaching, bell maintenance, methods and compositions. The current stock includes:

“A Ringer’s Guide to Learning the Ropes”, published by the Association of Ringing Teachers, and a sample copy of Bill Butler’s book, “On this day….” have recently been added to the stock.

The complete Central Council list is published monthly in the Ringing World and online, where details of other publications are also listed.

Books published by the Association are also available; these are David Kirkcaldy’s history “The Sussex County Association of Change Ringers 1885 – 2010” and “Masters of the SCACR” compiled by Christine Baldock.

It is not practical to keep large quantities of books in stock, but such is the efficiency of all the suppliers that copies can be obtained in a matter of days.

There is also a “Bargain Box” of books, now out of print or dog-eared, which are available for a small donation.

If you are interested in a particular publication, send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We are happy to order special requests. Once available, the network of ringers will soon make sure it finds its way to you. However, depending on method of delivery, postage & packing may have to be added to the cost. The Association benefits from a small commission on most book sales!