YORK Minster has begun a drive to recruit a new band of bellringers to replace the team it axed last autumn.

An advert placed on the cathedral’s website says it wants to ‘foster a culture where people of all ages and abilities are encouraged to develop their ringing skills and contribute to the life of the cathedral.’

It says the Minster is looking for bell ringers who can demonstrate ‘support and respect for chapter, particularly in inviting chapter to fulfil its mission of helping everyone to discover God’s love.’

Volunteers will need to be prepared to ring the bells before at least 30 Sunday or special services a year and attend at least 30 ringing practices a year on ‘one of the most challenging but rewarding set of bells in the country.’

It is looking for ringers who can demonstrate good experience and knowledge of theoretical and practical aspects of change ringing and good practice techniques, or the willingness and ability to acquire and develop such experience, knowledge and skills, and with a friendly and welcoming disposition, and an ability to recognise the importance of working as a team to carry out duties.

The recruitment campaign comes four months after the Minster’s entire team of about 30 volunteer bellringers was controversially axed amid safeguarding concerns.

More than 17,000 people signed a petition calling for them to be reinstated but the cathedral refused.

A Minster spokeswoman said on Friday: “The process to recruit a new bell ringing team at York Minster has started.

York Press:

“Whilst we won’t be rushing this process, we are very much looking forward to the resumption of regular ringing at the Minster.

“Our priority is to bring together enthusiastic volunteer ringers who can develop into a highly effective group, and we hope that our former ringers will want to be involved in this new start.

“We are not committing to a set date to have this new team in place, and we will continue to make appropriate arrangements for the Minster’s bells to be rung from time to time in the interim.”

The advert says the Minster depends a great deal on more than 500 volunteers. “ Without these volunteers giving their time and enthusiasm, the Minster would not be able to provide as much for its worshippers or visitors.”

Anyone interested in becoming a bellringer should contact Victoria Imada, HR & Volunteering Administrator on victoriai@yorkminster.org or 01904 557247. The closing date is March 12.