Reading Branch,ODG - Guidance for Tower Corespondents

Guidance to Tower Correspondents

Tower correspondents are invited to supply details of their tower to the webmaster, for inclusion on the Branch website. The following questions are intended to suggest information which readers may find helpful or interesting.

Bells:	How many bells? What is the tenor weight (cwt-qtrs-lbs and/or kilograms)? To which key have the bells been tuned?
Dedication:	What is the church's dedication? When was it dedicated/consecrated? Does the church have its own website?
Location:	What is the church's address? Is there a postcode? What is the Ordnance Survey map reference? - e.g. SU 634675 (map 175).
Parking:	Where are the nearest parking spaces found? How many spaces are there? Is it hard-surfaced or grass? Are there any restrictions? - e.g. time limit, pay-meters or disability permits only.
Access/Height:	Where is the way in? Is it a Ground Floor ring? How many steps are there? Do stairs have a handrail? What is the draught of the bells? How audible are the bells?
Service ringing:	Are the bells rung every Sunday or only on certain Sundays? Start & end times for Sunday mornings? Start & end times for Sunday evenings? Any other regular times for service ringing?
Practice ringing:	Start & end times for weekday evening practice? Any other regular times for practice ringing?
Facilities:	Is there emergency back-up lighting? Is there a first aid box or a fire extinguisher? Are there toilets? - where are they? Is there a usable clock in the ringing chamber? Is there access to drinking water? Is there a Ringing Simulator? Any other relevant facilities?
Belfry fittings:	Are there any clock hammers? Have any sound control measures been installed? Are the bells on plain or roller bearings? What type of stays are used? What sort of frame is it?
Ringers:	How many regular ringers are there in the band? Does the tower provide training for beginners? Does the band ring quarter-peals or peals? Does the band ring any unusual methods? Is there an annual tower outing? What social events does the tower organise? Note: This is meant to be an overview of the life and work of the local band. Please do not submit any personal information or subjective comments as these will not be posted on the website.
Picture:	What does the church/tower look like? Note: Digital pictures only may be accepted from the copyright owner if accompanied by a copyright waiver for its display on the website.
Bell details:	When were the bells cast and by whom? What are the weights and notes of the bells? Do the bells have inscriptions?
History:	Are there any peal-boards? Have there been any notable ringing achievements? What is the history of the bellframe and the tower? Are there any historical features in the church?

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