About Bell-ringing
Bell ringing is very English.
Bell ringing is a particular fascination of the English. Yes, there are bells towers around the world, but it is from England that the music of change and method ringing comes. Bells and the sound they make have been part of the soundscape of England for hundreds of years, entering into literature, poetry and song.
Dorothy L. Sayers, in her celebrated crime novel – The Nine Tailors – observes that:
The art of change-ringing is peculiar to the English, and, like most English peculiarities, unintelligible to the rest of the world. (The change-ringer’s) passion – and it is a passion – finds its satisfaction in mathematical completeness and mechanical perfection, and as his bell weaves her way rhythmically up from lead to hinder place and down again, he is filled with the solemn intoxication that comes of intricate ritual faultlessly performed.
Bell ringing is for everyone.
You don’t have to be strong, Christian or musical to be a bell-ringer.
We come from all faiths and none. All genders, sexualities, abilities, colours & creeds – bands are often as diverse (if not more so) than the parishes in which they ring!
If you are thinking about ringing, get in contact with us today!
We welcome everyone – young, old, skilled, beginner and the clueless!
Bell ringing is a social activity.
Bell ringing is a social activity on several levels – aside from the pleasure of ringing in the New Year, making a glad sound at a wedding or coronation, it is also a very social activity in that it provides a space to mix and mingle with ‘all sorts and conditions of’ people, to make new friends and enjoy the company of others in a meaningful activity.
Bell-ringing combines fellowship, teamwork, and physical exercise.
Bell ringing requires concentration.
Bands of ringers around the country maintain this tradition and faithfully pass it on to younger generations so that the bells of England’s churches might continue, with due solemnity, to mark the deaths of parishioners and princes alike, to bring joyful sound to the wedding day, and to celebrate national events.
Rather than playing melodies on the bells, bell-ringers ring in mathematical patterns known as ‘changes’ whilst standing in a circle, with one person to each bell. Standing in a circle allows the ringers to observe the rest of the band. When ringing ‘changes’ someone – often the Tower Captain – will call instructions. When method ringing, the ringers whilst observing the others ring according to memorised patterns.
Bell ringing really does look easy, but there is actually quite a lot going on that requires concentration and awareness. Its apparent complexity is very often the thing that makes it an addictive hobby. Requiring concentration grounded in the actions of this moment bell-ringing can be said to be a mindful activity. Indeed many find that is provides a good break from whatever has been happening in the week.
Bell ringing is free hobby.
These days it can be very hard to find a public place where you can just be without the expectation of parting with money. Bell ringing is one of a few free of charge hobbies, and unlike fishing it has the benefit of not taking place in the open air exposed to the elements!
Bell Ringing in Essex
There are approximately 30,000 – 40,000 bell-ringers in the UK at around 5000 towers (BBC), in Essex there are estimated to be 1000 active ringers.
Our tower is a member of the Essex Association of Change Ringers. The association was founded in Chelmsford in 1879 for the purpose of:
[the] furtherance of the work of the Church by ringing bells, promoting bells and bell ringers, and keeping the bells of Essex churches ringing.
It does this through advice and financial assistance, as well as by providing training in method ringing.