Imagine the scene…
Twenty or so stalwarts of a certain ringing district at a recent half-yearly meeting, pondering the fragile state of local ringing over large slices of cake and mugs of tea. We have little recourse to a large pool of younger recruits in our scattered, rural communities, and a sense of being somewhat up against it hovered about the room as we contemplated the future of ringing and the ever-advancing age of those gathered.
However, resolve to keep the show on the road prevailed and with renewed energy and commitment to the cause, we emerged with several plans of action. What we might lack in the youth and vigour department, we make up for with many years of experience, a willingness to embrace new ideas and teaching methods, and a degree of what has to be called missionary zeal and steely determination. We recommitted ourselves to persevere with the improvement of handling skills and striking, to improve communication across the district and to give new impetus and inspiration to method learning, and we sincerely hoped that we could reinvigorate those who felt that they’d seen it and done it all before.
All well and good, but what really gave us heart was an enthusiastic returning ringer, new to the district, spurring us into thinking more widely about ourselves as a ringing community. It was amazing to see the meeting come to life at a suggestion of a lunchtime gathering at a local hostelry, sandwiched between open ringing at two local towers at which warmth, proper coffee and homemade biscuits and cakes would be the order of the day. The idea of eating and drinking together, spending time reconnecting after the isolation of Covid, simply getting to know each other better and doing a bit of ringing at whatever level people wished for, was readily and appreciatively taken on board.
Most of us feel the need to belong, to be part of a family, a group of friends and colleagues, a community. The experience of hospitality, of eating and drinking together, can be invaluable, and at its best produces an energy that has the potential to revitalise the most flagging of groups. The stories of Jesus’ life on earth abound with tales of meals, of conversation, of changed hearts and minds and a sense of belonging and purpose – hospitality extended to all was definitely the order of the day. We hope and pray that, like our faith which can be sparked into life in a warm, welcoming and vibrant community, our ringing can flourish as we develop as a community enjoying each other’s company.
Revd Nicky Seabright,
Honorary Priest & Hospital Chaplain
Hereford Diocesan Guild of Bell Ringers