Central Council of Church Bell Ringers

The Central Council of Church Bell Ringers (CCCBR) is an organisation representing ringers of church bells in the English style.^[1] Within England (where the vast majority of English-style rings are) most towers will be affiliated through local organisations.

Origins

English style ringing had developed from the seventeenth century onwards. Swinging bells were converted to full circle ringing by rope and wheel and then augmented to more bells. From Fabian Stedman's time, ringers had sought to vary the simple ringing of rounds by using increasingly complex patterns. In 1891, Sir Arthur P. Heywood proposed the creation of an organisation to codify and support this ringing; this organisation became the CCCBR.^[2]

Membership

Individual members do not belong to the CCCBR; it consists of 65 affiliated organisations representing parts of the British Isles and territorial organisations throughout the world. Affiliated organisations send representatives, who serve for a three-year term. The council may itself elect both members and life members for past services to ringing.

Committees

The work of the CCCBR is performed through committees. Most of these committees are concerned with the normal minutiae of an organisation: administration, various records/archives. One committee, methods, is concerned with defining and recording methods and principles.^[3] It lays down the criteria for accepting peals, including quarter and half peals. Most towers accept its findings as binding.

References

1. "Ding-dong for bell ringers as row breaks out over bid to be classed as a sport". Telegraph.co.uk. 17 February 2016.
2. "Genius railway engineer is set to be honoured". Uttoxeter Advertiser.
3. "World record for South Petherton bell ringers". Chard & Ilminster News.

See also

Dove's Guide for Church Bell Ringers

External links

• Central Council website