Sue Robinson – the Guild’s new Master Elect

My name is Sue Robinson & I live near Stanford Bridge in Worcestershire. I moved to this area approximately 9 years ago from Buckinghamshire and after a short stint in Buckeridge, Far Forest moved here to the Teme Valley.

After a very long absence from bellringing and being fortunate enough to start working part time I decided to re-enter the world of campanology. I am absolutely loving it and have rediscovered the passion and enthusiasm for bellringing I remember first appreciating in my early teens.

My first brush with the hobby started at the age of fourteen in a small village called Whitchurch nestled on the edge of Dartmoor in Devon. I was extremely fortunate to be taught by George Mudge & lucky enough to fall in with a very enthusiastic group which enabled me to progress very quickly. However as is often the case I went off to college to study Agriculture and immersed myself in other things which became detrimental to my bellringing, and I gave it up at the age of twenty.

A move to Wells in Somerset rekindled my interest once again through a work colleague called Brian Mountjoy and I continued to ring up until the time I started my family. A number of house moves later, my two boys grown up with children of their own and living in various parts of the country – here I am ringing at Bromyard & Worcester Cathedral on a regular basis and attending daytime practices at Rock and Stoke St Milborough. In addition, there is a smattering of Quarter Peals, the occasional peal, the privilege of becoming a College Youth member and recently taking on the role of Ringing Master for the Marches District Ladies Guild as well as being the education officer for the Hereford Guild.

I assist at the Cathedral sessions in the training centre which is open to all for an hour before the Monday night practice, here the activities range from handling coaching through to simple methods. At Bromyard we have a wide range of abilities within the band including a couple of novices and the practice sessions are organised to support all levels so the ringing on offer challenges everyone from rounds and call changes through to Yorkshire Royal.

On a personal level I would love to ring eight spliced with a level of confidence, I am enjoying the challenge of 10 & 12 bell ringing and always love returning to my 6 bell ringing roots!

Enthusiasm & resilience! And myself as an incredibly positive, self-motivated type of person.

I am usually cheerful, a glass half full person and a good facilitator.

I have 26 years of professional experience in a corporate role where my whole life was based around influencing people and implementing quality related improvements. I hope this experience will assist me to take our guild forward in a positive direction addressing the challenges that face us as custodians of our beloved hobby.

We are emerging from the covid pandemic and although restrictions have been removed, we are far from being back to normal. Whatever normal is, it still equates to an aging ringing population with elements of parochialism. Success, where we find it, currently stands mostly in isolation.

My aim would be to make the Guild better than the perceived “normal.” Make it vibrant & living, more cohesive, open to change that brings improvement & enriches the ringing experience for everyone. If we can turn the Guild into a proactive force for bellringing, we will future proof it whilst protecting the traditions of its origins.