Change ringing

For centuries church bells have been chimed from below by means of ropes attached to simple levers fixed to the headstocks from which the bells were hung. The replacement of levers by full wheels, which began in sixteenth-century England gave the ringers better control of their bells, allowing sets of bells (rings) to be rung in systematically changing patterns.

How is it done?

The bells are tuned to a normal (diatonic) scale and it is usual to start with ringing down the scale, a sequence which ringers call "rounds". The order in which the bells sound is then altered to give different sequences called "rows" or "changes".

Changes may be called out individually by the conductor, and this style is known as call-change ringing. Alternatively, the changes may be made to a pre-set pattern or "method", and each ringer must learn that method in order to know when his or her particular bell must sound in each row. This style is known as method ringing.

Call changes and a few standard methods are rung in most towers and this makes it very easy for ringers to visit and ring with other bands. There are many more advanced methods which provide a continuing challenge as ringers gain proficiency over time.

Change ringing is also performed on handbells either to provide additional opportunities for practice or as an activity in its own right. It is, of course, popular with groups of ringers who live far from towers with change-ringing bells.

Please click here for a more detailed description with a North American flavour, including a sound-clip.

What does it sound like?

An extensive library of change ringing recordings has been compiled by John Ketteringham MBE and can be found at:

http://cccbr.org.uk/bellrecordings/

What does it look like?

A number of animated diagrams of one or more bells being rung full-circle are accessible on the World-wide Web:

http://www.cathedral.org/wrs/animation/animation.htm Links to four different animations:
1. Two ringers dodging (longish download) by Peter Harrison. Shows movement of each ringer's arms, rope with sally, pulley, wheel, bell, stay, end view of slider and runner bar with stops.
2. One bell ringing full-circle by Chris Billinge. Shows movement of upper end of rope around pulley (including the way it is attached to the wheel), wheel, headstock, bell, clapper, stay and end view of slider.
3. Cutaway view of a bell and clapper by Paul Ireland. Shows movement of headstock, bell, crown staple and clapper.
4. Five bells being rung in rounds by Kate Crennell. Action includes movement of each ringer's arms, rope with sally, pulley, wheel, bell and clapper.
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/john.ketteringham/bellringing.htm One ringer by Peter Harrison, included at the top of John Ketteringham's detailed and interesting ringing autobiography. Detail as in 3(a) above, but much quicker to download.
http://www.nagcr.org/pamphlet.html One bell ringing full-circle by Chris Billinge, as in 3(b) above, included within the North American Guild's on-line pamphlet describing change ringing.

History

Change ringing evolved in England in the early part of the 17th century. It is probable that if a ringer from that time could visit one of our towers today he would have little difficulty in recognising much of our ringing.

Group of ringers

Today there are more than 40,000 ringers in the UK and smaller numbers in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Southern Africa and the USA. They are young and old, men and women, short and tall, girls and boys, non-musical and musical, church-goers and non-churchgoers. They come from all walks of life, but they share a fascinating hobby and a commitment to their team.

When are bells rung?

For church services
for weddings
for special occasions
for ringers' practice and pleasure

What's in it for me?

A hobby which involves:

being part of a team
providing a service for the church
a good social life
continually learning something new

Bell ringing is good fun! Once you have learned the basic technique you will always be made welcome when you visit other towers. There are more than 5,000 church towers and a small number of secular towers with bells suitable for change ringing.

How long does it take to learn?

Initial teaching takes place on a one to one basis and most beginners will be ready to ring with a band in a few weeks or months. The basic skill lies in being able to control a bell that rotates full circle using a rope attached to its wheel.

Bell-handling instruction

There is always something new to learn and ringers progress at their own pace, depending on the time and effort they devote to increasing their knowledge and practical experience.

How can I find out more?

Contact your local church,
see if there is a poster in the church porch listing ringing times and giving a contact name,
visit your local tower when you hear the bells being rung,
check the list of ringing societies for the one covering your diocese, county or district, or
send an email to The Ringing World including the first half of your Post Code.