Any Bell ringers out there..???

:thumb:I thought it about time I popped in here... I always wanted to ring bels since childhood, but somehow it never seemed to happen... :dh: So I took it up relatively late in life as many started at the age of 8 so have many years ahead of me.. It is a thrill to start with as the sounds the bells make is wonderful.... Then comes the hard bit... Learning to do it yourself...!!!! It has been fantastic fun.... Some moments of panic... A realisation of hard work, but the more relaxed you ar the better you will ring.. A respect is needed for the ropes & the weight of the bells, but once you have that you are half way there.....
It is infinitely easy for a child to ring, when they start their innocence keeps them relaxed & they learn easily... Where as anyone about 4oyrs plus really has to think about it & make an effort, but it comes easily & very quickly & boy is it worth it!!
It is a brilliant community & once you are an experienced ringer you can visit any bell tower you like when you know ringers are there..
I was amazed to find Lundy Island church has 8 bells & it is one of my ambitions to attend a ringing contest there...!!!
http://www.btinternet.com/~bob.caton/story.htm

I have met many interesting people through it & been to some beautiful churches.. If I can acheive my goal it will be to ring in..
Wells Cathedral.... it has 10 bells, but they are the heaviest lift in the world..!!
St Mary Redcliffe Bristol.. 14 Bells... Their 5th & 6th Bells date back to the 1600s..!!
Gloucester Cathedral 10 bells the Great Peter Bell is Englands only remaining Medievel Bell & weight in at 59 cwt 3qr 14lb...!!!!
Tewkesbury Abbey.. 12 Bells... Again some very old Bells.. A huge piece of history at the end of your rope..!!!:D
http://www.cccbr.org.uk/

Anyone can become a bell ringer & towers are often looking for people, if you are interested go to your local tower on their practice night & meet them all.. It is a wonderful hobby that makes a wonderful sound...!! :gnthb::yho: Well to me anyway..... :D

 

:thumb: Thanks Aaron & Clare.. :thumb: It is great Aaron.. Get on your local churches website & see if they have a Tower Captain you can contact.. Most towers have practice once a week... We have several things going on around my area locally as it is our Branch centenary this year..! Do have a go Aaron something I always wanted to do & finally did & I love it, despite a couple of whoopsies in my early ringing days.... Just don't get despondent.. I am determined I am going to win & master it, is my attitude :dh::hehe:
Good Heart Lung excercise too!!!! :gnthb: Let me know how you get on Aaron..

Clare, it may souns silly, but one of the most beautiful sounds the bells make it when you are bringing them down & you are basically ringing rounds but getting faster as you shorten the ropes so that at the end you are using one hand then the captain gives the call & you do 1 more round then after your last chime you stand your bell & there is the most wonderful sound as each bell makes its last chime on its own then silence & you all look around & feel you did well.... We have 6 bells here so after all the ringing it ends with each bell doing a single chime... 123456 then silence.. Rather like bells on the continent.. A lovely sound..!!:gnthb:

Maybe I need to put Rochester Cathedral on my list then Clare.. I see it used to have 6 bells till 1904 & now they have 10 bells there hung in 1921.. I bet they do sound fabulous..!!