Current Local Situation
There is currently only limited ringing (for Sunday Services only) at some towers, although this number is increasing. Some towers are returning to weekly practices. All ringing is on a planned basis (numbers, attending, etc). Towers are not able to accommodate visiting ringers without prior notification. There are no ringing events on our Calendar other than (online) Management Committee Meetings.
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Current Wales Guidance
Whilst, broadly speaking, many restrictions have been lifted, there is still a need for bellringers to exercise caution in returning to bellringing activities.
Covid-19 has not been eradicated and it is a disease that is likely to be with us for some time. Whilst over 80% of the adult Welsh population has been vaccinated, there remain people who cannot be vaccinated for health reasons and people who have chosen not to be vaccinated. Furthermore, even with vaccination some people can still become ill or even die from the virus.
Even at Alert Level Zero, there three key legal requirements that must be observed:
- Organisations must undertake a written coronavirus risk assessment of their premises and activities and take reasonable measures to minimise exposure to, and the spread of, coronavirus based on that risk assessment.
- Everyone must still self-isolate for 10 days if they test positive for COVID-19. If you are a close contact of someone who has tested positive and you are not fully vaccinated you must also self-isolate for 10 days as instructed by the Test Trace Protect system.
- Adults and children over 12 must (with limited exceptions) wear face-coverings in indoor public places (including churches and halls), with the exception of hospitality settings such as restaurants, pubs, cafes or nightclubs.
Useful Guidance about the virus and returning to ringing is available:
Central Council of Church Bell Ringers:
Coronavirus information and guidance.
Ringing and Covid Health Risks
CCCBR Returning to Service Ringing.
Association of Ringing Teachers (ART):
Survial and Recovery Toolkit
Other Guidance:
Welsh Government Guidance of Reopening Places of Worship: Coronavirus
Church in Wales Coronavirus (Covid-19) Guidance
Risk Assessments
Towers' Risk Assessments should take into account the following:
- Ventilation: spaces with good ventilation are safer spaces. If a space cannot be ventilated with fresh air, then social distancing will be even more important.
- The wearing of face coverings is a legal requirement for public buildings and this includes churches. Raised voices remains a particular risk factor.
- Social distancing: Whilst the requirement for social distancing is no longer a legal requirement, it remains a useful mitigation to reduce the risk of transmission.
- There are clearly much lower risks from fully vaccinated persons mixing than when unvaccinated people are mixing.
- Hand washing and sanitising should continue.
- The cleaning of surfaces and premises remains important.
- Track and Trace – continuing to record who is present in a building enables effective tracing if there is a positive contact.
- It is important to remind people that Covid-19 has not been eradicated and people should still exercise caution in their behaviour.
Association and Branch events will also require a completed risk assessment to be agreed with the PCC/MAC of the host tower. Visiting groups of ringers should comply with the risk assessment in place at that particular host church.
Risk Assessment Guidance
Key sources of guidance on preparing risk assessments is available as follows:
Welsh Government - https://gov.wales/alert-level-0-guidance-employers-businesses-and-organisations-html
Church in Wales - https://www.churchinwales.org.uk/en/clergy-and-members/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance/
There is also some very useful information from the Health and Safety Executive regarding ventilation available at:
https://www.hse.gov.uk/coronavirus/equipment-and-machinery/air-conditioning-and-ventilation/index.htm
Risk assessments must be approved by PCCs or Ministry Area Councils.
The Scottish Association of Church Bell Ringers has a useful template risk assessment available at:
https://www.sacr.org/images/documents/covid-19/Return%20to%20Ringing%20Risk%20Assessment.docx
Updated 28th August 2021
Local ringer and historian Andrew Giles has very kindly made available for free download two of his excellent publications about ringers and bells in our Association's area.
