Progress with recruitment of new band of ringers

In our post Recruitment of Head of Bell Tower – York Minster we reported that the Minster was inviting experienced bell ringers to apply for the role of Head of Bell Tower, and interviews were planned for 11 March. Commenting on The Guardian headline “The bells of York Minster could ring out on Easter Sunday after it began the search for a replacement bellringing team”, we cautioned that assuming a successful applicant is selected on 11 March, (i.e. the day before the 2nd Sunday in Lent), there would be a relatively short time if this were to be achieved.

The York Press now reports “Minster plans for Easter bells” stating that “York Minster and says arrangements are in hand for its famous bells to be rung again at Easter by visiting bands of bellringers – as happened just before Christmas…A spokeswoman said yesterday that the head of tower role had been offered.

‘References and DBS checks are being taken up’, she said. ‘The DBS process can take a while. The head of tower will be involved in the recruitment of the new band, so recruitment won’t start until the head of tower is confirmed in post.'”

Comment

In his President’s Blog – 27 March 2017, which preceded the recent announcement from York, Chris Mew, President of the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers commented generally on the importance of safeguarding;

“Safeguarding issues are still to the fore and questions regarding “vetting” of visiting ringers are being followed up. We still await an outcome from the process of appointing a new band at York Minster”.