Name of Applicant:

Zoe Marshall

Date of birth:

10/06/2010

Email address:

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Home tower:

St. Peter's Church, Scotter

County:

Lincolnshire

Consent given:

Parent/Guardian name:

Kieron Marshall

Parent/Guardian email address:

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Application:

I started ringing for my bronze Duke of Edinburgh award; but now at 15 years old, I have been ringing for 3 years with it becoming a key part of my life. Ringing has helped me grow in confidence, develop leadership skills, and become more involved in my local community.
During my time ringing, I have worked hard to improve my ringing skills and consistency. Within the last year, I have rung a quarter peal (in which I rang a touch of Grandsire and Bob Doubles). As for my ringing ability, I can ring Bob Doubles on any bell and have progressed through a range of methods including Single Oxford, Greenford, Bastow and inside work. I enjoy the challenge of learning new methods and trying to ring them well as part of a team. I have also helped my tower by providing catering when we are acting hosts for competitions or meetings.
I have also taken on leadership roles within ringing, particularly when working with other young ringers. In 2025 I led the group of ringers that won the Lincolnshire Guild of Bell Ringers Cup, of which I was enormously proud. I led another group in the same competition and we placed fourth, even though we had not had the chance to practise together beforehand. I enjoy helping bring young ringers together as a team, encouraging everyone and supporting less experienced ringers to feel confident on their bells. On our annual tower outing, I led the ringing chamber at one of the towers, helping organise who rang which bells and supporting others throughout the session. These experiences have helped me learn how to encourage people, stay calm under pressure, and work collaboratively.
I attend young ringers’ events when I can, although recently I have had to focus more on studying for my GCSEs. Even so, I remain committed to ringing regularly and helping wherever possible. Bell ringing has been a positive influence on me, giving me confidence and a sense of belonging, as well as allowing me to contribute actively to my community.
Most recently, I have been elected Assistant Tower Captain. This will allow me to develop my leadership and communication skills further and hopefully be able to encourage more young people to join this amazing community.
If I were awarded the Dorothy L Sayers Award, I would use the funding to contribute towards installing two more bells into my tower to turn it from a 6 bell into an 8-bell tower. This would massively help myself and others from local towers to practise eight bell method ringing. These opportunities would allow me to deepen my skills, learn from others, and give more back to ringing locally.
Bell ringing has taught me dedication, teamwork and perseverance, and I am keen to continue progressing while supporting others. I would be incredibly grateful for the opportunity this award offers and would use it to strengthen both my own ringing and my contribution to the wider ringing community.