On December 31st, 2023, I finished my 4 year term as President of the Leicester Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers. As a Yorkshire woman, it has been a real honour and a privilege to hold this post in a Guild where I’ve been a resident member since 1979.

During my term of office there have been many memorable events and occasions. Shortly after I became President, the COVID pandemic struck and, though we weren’t able to meet in person, the Guild continued to meet once or twice a week via Zoom. The camaradery between Guild members was astonishing and helped many of us to stay connected to the Leicestershire ringing community. We heard from dozens of interesting speakers and had lots of on line socials. Sadly, all of our exciting plans for the Guild’s 75th anniversary had to be cancelled or postponed but we did have an on line 75th Anniversary Guild Dinner with speakers.

After ringing resumed, I was made extremely welcome at many District meetings and local practices and it has been nice to see ringing return, as far as has been possible, to normal. Although many ringers did not return to ringing after the COVID lockdowns, many new and returning ringers have come forward and lots of teaching is being done across Leicestershire. Several of us have attended locally held ART (Association of Ringing Teacher) courses and have enjoyed teaching many people to handle a bell. This has been extremely rewarding. One of my passions has been raising money for the Guild general and bell repair funds, and many members now have their own Guild mugs, tea towels, 75th anniversary badges, polo shirts, face masks, Christmas tree decorations and many other souvenirs. The badges to commemorate ringing for the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and the Coronation of King Charles III have been particularly popular, with over 10,000 being sold to all corners of the ringing world.

Over the past few years, I have attended lots of funerals of Guild members. Though these occasions are often sad, it has been very interesting to learn all about and celebrate the lives of some truly remarkable people.

A huge thank you to all the Guild officers and ringers throughout the county who have supported the Guild and made my term of office so enjoyable. I am very pleased to be handing the role over to Pete Brown, together with the Chain of Office and a tub of Brasso, kindly gifted to me by Mark Pendery. I hope Pete realises just how much polishing he will need to do!

Pete has already done a lot for the Guild in his roles as Melton District Chairman and Chair of the Guild’s Education Committee and I look forward to seeing the Guild flourish under his leadership.

Sally Brown, President January 1st, 2020- 31st December, 2023.