Meet the team

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.

"I learnt to ring at Polesworth in 1968 with five other novices. We rang our first quarter together the following Easter (1969) and our first peal of Plain Bob Minor (six first pealers) the following year. Regular visits to other practices, ringing with ‘experts’, helped me to develop my skills. Ringing with Bob Smith at Leicester Cathedral and in a peal band lead by Mike Roberts, has highlighted for me what good ringing is all about. I played an active role in getting Polesworth Abbey augmented to eight bells, Cannock to ten and am now enjoying being Tower Captain at St Luke’s."

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 as a teenager in the early 1970s in the Brewood tower, where my father was a member of the band, but then I took a 30 year break and re-started ringing when nearing retirement. I am now a member of the Brewood band and enjoy being part of the teaching community. I am an enthusiastic quarter peal and peal ringer, whilst also trying to assist ringing in general as secretary of our society, trustee of our mobile belfry and one of our society representatives on the Central Council."

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."

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. 

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."

Tayeed MacPherson - Data Protection

The Data Protection Officer ensures that the Society processes the personal data of its members in accordance with the applicable data protection rules. 

Tayeed also produces the Annual Report and Handbook which lists members, performances and reports of the activities of the Society each year. 

"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."

Lilas Rawling - 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. 

Oliver Bouckley - Committee Member

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.

"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."

Richard Harper - Newsletter Editor

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


Stuart Hutchieson - Central Countil Rep

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.

"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. 

"Bells hadn’t featured much in my life except in the distant background until moving to Cambridge in 1994. It was a fabulous and inspiring experience hearing so many bells and meeting the people who rang them.

At the end of September 2003 I had my first ‘handling’ lesson at my local church, as a very adult learner. Thereafter I attended two 3-day residential courses, two years apart and after the first I joined other practice evenings.

In time I was invited to ring quarter peals fairly regularly, in a regular group, and occasionally some peals. We relocated to Lichfield  where I now ring at the Cathedral. In the last few months I have been learning to ring handbells and it has been a a terrific experience.”