Volunteer Team of the Year Finalist – Bell Ringing Team

Bell-ringing Team – Carlisle Cathedral

The Bell Ringing Team at Carlisle Cathedral have just been named Band of the year in the Association of Ringing Teachers’ Awards.

These Awards recognise people and groups who are leading best practice and innovation in the teaching and development of ringing and this particular award is for bands focused on improving ringing standards and developing the sustainability of ringing.

The award builds on previous successes back in 2018, when the band won the ART Award for Innovation in the effective Use of Technology in Teaching; in 2019, when Barry Garrett won the Westley Award for Church Bell Maintenance and in 2022 when recently retired Tower Captain, Ron East was awarded the BEM for services to church bellringing.

The Cathedral Band now has thirty-three ringers (up from sixteen back in 2014) and succeeded in ringing all twelve bells for every Sunday morning service in 2024.

There are now seven ringers who are qualified to teach ringing and who can lead the regular ringing practices and twelve of the band have improved and achieved a better ART qualification during this past year.

Cathedral ringers also support towers at nearby churches and, led by John Proudfoot, have successfully recruited and trained several ringers at a previously silent tower at St. Martin’s, Brampton.

‘They are a dedicated, passionate, and friendly group who embody the spirit and tradition of English bell ringing. They give their time so generously for regular services, civic occasions, and special events, bringing both joy and solemnity to occasions at the Cathedral.

The team passionately teach new bell ringers, ensuring the tradition thrives for future generations, and even lead bell tower tours to engage and inspire the wider public. 

‘Nominations for the awards was open to all at Carlisle Cathedral volunteers, with comments on the voting forms such as: “a dedicated team who devote a lot of time to improving the ringing” and “they willingly support and give guidance to one another”.

‘The team’s sense of community, skill, and unwavering support for one another make them truly outstanding ambassadors for bell ringing and Carlisle Cathedral.’

See all of our finalists here.