Meet the team
The Secretary’s duties include organising the meetings and practices of the Society; recording minutes of meetings; dealing with correspondence; informing members of the dates, venues and business of the Society's meetings; and maintaining our correspondence list.
"I learned to ring at Kings Bromley in 2001 after accompanying my son who wanted to learn after attending an open day. I joined the Lichfield Cathedral band in 2016 and it was challenging to ring on 10 bells after years of ringing mainly on 6 bells but help was at hand & I was soon able to plain hunt to Plain Bob & Grandsire Caters.
I have made very good friends through ringing and have always been made welcome at the various towers I go to. I am lucky to ring with so many highly skilled (& patient) ringers who are always on hand to help and offer support."
Gordon Birks - Ringing Master
The Ringing Master is responsible for running the ringing at Society practices and meetings, quarter peals, peals, and other ringing events to further the purposes of the Society.
The Treasurer keeps an account of the income and expenditure of the Society; prepares an annual statement of the accounts; maintains the Society's insurances; and maintains a complete register of all members of the Society.
"I was originally taught to ring in the 1970s at a 3-bell tower at Alkborough in north Lincolnshire, which is known as the site of one the few remaining turf mazes in England.
I was then taught again to ring properly when I joined the Abbots Bromley band around 2011 and have benefited hugely from being surrounded by expert ringers."
Gary Crutchley - Assistant Ringing Master
The Assistant Ringing Master helps the Ringing Master run the ringing at meetings.
"As a teenager, I was taught to ring at St Matthew's Walsall in 1981 by George W Hughes and Arthur Botterill. At that time, I rang regularly at my home tower as well as several others across the Black Country, even serving for a time as tower captain at All Saint's in West Bromwich. I returned to ringing at Pelsall in 2018 following a break of about twenty years and am once again enjoying being part of our Society. I am passionate about ensuring that ringing in our area continues in support of the mission of the church, also to encourage new ringers of all abilities to join us to secure the future of the tradition of which we are the current custodians."
Andrew Aspland - Bell Advisor
The Bell Advisor keeps a watching brief on all bell installations in the Society; performs inspections as requested and supplies reports; and gives advice to towers and members regarding maintenance and restoration.
John Deakin - Safeguarding Officer
The Safeguarding Officer provides guidance and assistance to members regarding Safeguarding issues if able to do so. If not, they will refer members in need of assistance to the appropriate sources of guidance.
"I began ringing in 1995 at Wednesbury St. Bart’s. I’m an electrical/electronic engineer by trade and have worked with jet engines in powers stations before leaving to work at the BBC as a Senior Communications Engineer on outside broadcasts. I left the BBC for ordination training and was ordained in 2003.
I was Rector at Short Heath Holy Trinity, I left in 2019 and worked as a Chaplain at New Cross Hospital through COVID, finally retiring in 2022.
I’m a Lichfield Society member at Darlaston. In common with many towers, we have insufficient members for practice, I now join Coseley and sometimes Pelsall and Cannock for their practices. I’m grateful for the support and encouragement offered by these towers.
I was asked to join the committee this year and to take on the Safeguarding role. Safeguarding is so important to group activities and we must take it seriously to develop a safe environment for all."
The Committee can elect up to four additional members who carry out the additional work of the Society. The Committee meets five times a year.
Olly is also the Meetings Secretary and organises the venue and activities for each of our Society events.
"I started ringing in 1990. The vicar announced "If anyone wants to learn to ring please join the Pelsall band". So I did. I am now assistant tower captain at Walsall but ring regularly in Birmingham, where I worship. I am a regular helper for the Birmingham School of Bellringing and am a qualified Association of Ringing Teachers tutor."
A Newsletter is published four times a year and summarises the news from towers, adverties forthcoming events, and reports on the activities of the Committee.
Richard is also the Membership Secretary, keeping the accurate details (in line with GDPR) of all 300+ members.
The Central Council exists to be "the strategic leader and public voice of the ringing community, the arbiter of standards; and to promote an environment where ringing can flourish." We send 3 reps to the annual meeting and report back to the AGM.
Stuart and Liz also lead the Youth Team which meets on the 1st Sunday of each month.
He also produces the Annual Report and Handbook which lists members, performances and reports of the activities of the Society.
"I was taught by Brian Harris shortly after the new bells at Abbots Bromley were installed. The new band included young and old and everyone was treated the same which appealed to me as a 10 year old! I was introduced to the society in 1977 and was always well supported, being transported to meetings across the area. After university Liz and I lived in Armitage and were instrumental in getting the new ring of 6 installed. We returned to AB in 2008 and have enjoyed ringing with the enthusiastic local band ever since.
Matt Hardy - Committee
The Committee can elect up to four additional members who carry out the additional work of the Society. The Committee meets five times a year.
Matt manages the GDPR records of all Society members.
"I learnt to ring in the 1990's at Market Deeping in Lincolnshire where we had an experienced 8 bell band and other young ringers to learn alongside. I also rang at nearby Peterborough Cathedral on higher numbers of bells. While at Birmingham University I rang in Birmingham where I am still a member of the Cathedral band at St Philips. Since moving to the Walsall area and working in Staffordshire I have been ringing locally at Great Barr for nearly 20 years and at other local towers. I have been a former committee member, meeting chair and Ringing Master of the society, as well as starting the society young ringers group."