The Tower Handbook

6.3: Being organised

a: Is it worth having a notice board?

Some towers manage without one while others find them very useful. The main benefit is that if things get pinned to the notice board you know where they are. Things left lying around have a habit of disappearing, unless you are very good at managing heaps! If you are thinking of providing a new notice board, don't make it too small. You will be surprised just how many things you will have to put on it. Make sure you have an adequate supply of pins. The latest addition is always more important (especially to the person putting it up) than earlier stuff, from which the pins will get nicked!

Most towers find their white (or black) board gets used for all sort of short term notices and lists which they feel will be more likely to be read than if another piece of paper was added to the notice board. Whether this is true could be a long debate. Ringers seem very capable of not seeing notices in front of them! See section 6.6l.

b: How can we keep track of who can attend when?

In an ideal world you wouldn't need to since everyone would attend every time. But real ringers take leave, go away on business, attend meetings, and cannot always attend ringing. One of the easiest ways to keep track of things is to use an attendance sheet that allows each member of your band (and regular visitors) to indicate when they will or will not be present. You need a row for each person and a column for each service, practice or other occasion when you ring. You may get one or two months to a sheet, depending on how big the squares are. Of course having an attendance sheet only works if people remember to fill it in, and you all need to get into the habit of marking up your intentions, especially intended absences, as soon as you know about them, but this is really only courtesy in advance.

c: How should we look after donations?

Many visitors will look for somewhere to leave a donation. If you have a prominent collection box, they will put the donation in it. If not, they may put it in any number of places they felt was 'safe' (or not bother at all). But if your ringing room is open, don't make the box too prominent in case of theft. Remember to empty it frequently as well.

d: What else could be useful in keeping things organised?

• A clock
  It is easier to keep your eye on a clock than look at your watch while ringing.
• Record of ringing times
  Something like an A4 hard-back, lined exercise book will last up to twenty years in most towers. See section 3.7a.
• Quarter peal book, peal book
  It is useful to write down your quarter peals and peals (if any) as a permanent record of the high points in your ringing. Some towers like to keep peals separate in a rather more deluxe book. Some find it more convenient to use a sheet for quarter peals. Using an A4 sheet of 5mm squared paper with a column per ringer [54] and a row per quarter peal you can record over 40 - more than a year's worth for most towers.
• Touch book
  A tiny minority of towers has inherited the tradition of recording all touches. This is quite a lot of work. Alternatively, just recording noteworthy touches can be effective in maintaining interest in the band's overall achievement. Noteworthy touches may include: well struck pieces, firsts, good efforts, no mistakes. You can think of your own reasons, and you can share the decision to record particular touches. 'Should that go in the book?' You may get some interesting responses.
• Progress chart
  Some towers record the progress of their learners, particularly the younger ones, on a chart.
• Bell club kit (Sherbourne teaching aids)
  Many towers use this scheme of progress card and badges to encourage their beginners, especially the youngsters.
• Calendar or year planner
  Dates for the next week or two usually get written on the board, but it is useful to keep track of longer term events as well.
• Wedding list
  If you have many weddings, a regularly updated list of when they are is helpful. Your rector or parish secretary probably has such a list. Ask if you can be given a copy.
• Address list
  A list of your members' phone numbers and addresses, together with those of friends of the band, regular visitors and church officials.

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