The Dorothy L Sayers Society has announced an exciting new annual initiative to celebrate and support the next generation of bellringers. The Dorothy L Sayers Award for Young Ringers will grant £500 to a young person under the age of 18 who has shown leadership and dedication within the bellringing community.

The Award is designed to help young ringers deepen their skills and broaden their experience. Funding may be used for activities such as attending ringing courses, visiting other towers, or purchasing equipment to support ringing in their own church. Group applications from teams of young ringers are also welcome.

Named in honour of author Dorothy L Sayers—whose love of bells began in childhood while living in the Rectory at Bluntisham—the Award pays tribute to her enduring enthusiasm for the sound and craft of ringing. Her celebrated detective novel The Nine Tailors vividly reflects this passion, featuring bellringing as a central theme and offering a memorable portrait of Fenland life after the First World War.

Applicants may submit a written entry of up to 500 words via the online form, or a short video of no more than two minutes. Submissions should demonstrate genuine commitment to bellringing and evidence of leadership qualities. Applicants appearing in any video must ensure that appropriate permissions have been obtained.

Key Dates:

• Applications close: 31 March 2026
• Shortlisting completed: 31 May 2026
• Winner announced: 5 September 2026 at the CCCBR Annual Conference

The Society hopes the Award will inspire and encourage young ringers as they continue the rich tradition of change-ringing for generations to come.