It is a fact that in order to enjoy successful ringing, the first necessity is a team of other ringers to ring with. This is true whether we are ringing for Sunday service, at a practice night, a meeting, a quarter peal or a peal. It is disappointing when insufficient ringers arrive for whatever ringing has been planned.
It has become apparent to me that we should all try to communicate with each other in many different ways in order to enjoy and promote successful ringing. It seems as if it is stating the obvious, but good communication is extremely important; without it arrangements fail completely. There are many ways in which ringers can keep in touch with each other and with what is going on: The Ringing World, our DDA email list, Strike Notes (the newsletter of the Southern and Central Districts), the future events diary in the Annual Report, posters, email, the DDA website, telephone and those useful little diary sized slips of paper printed with the District events for the year.
Advertising meetings in The Ringing World not only tells ringers from our Association what is going on and when, it is also likely to attract visiting ringers from other areas to join us at our meetings. I'm aware that some very good posters are produced and distributed to the towers in whose area meetings are to be held. Advertising events in Strike Notes and The Ringing World increases the likelihood of better attendances at events. The four districts usually hold their meetings and other events on different Saturdays in the month. The idea of holding meetings on different days was so that ringers could support events in the other districts if they so wished but this only works if we keep the information flowing! So, please, if you organise something, make sure that everyone knows about it, and then there is a much greater chance of success!