Tower and Town, March 2020

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Bell Ringiing - The Exercise

Bell ringing and especially what is referred to as 'change ringing' is an ancient art that requires physical and mental dexterity.

The first step in learning to ring bells in England is to master control of the bell. Not so easy, as each bronze bell can weigh from a few hundredweight to several tons and is housed in the bell chamber, at the top of the church tower. Swinging easily on bearings that are set in stout - often ancient - oak frames, the bells are controlled by a handmade rope that drops from a wooden wheel, attached to the bell, through the floor and down to the ringing chamber, frequently many feet below. The number of bells range from up to four or five in a small church to perhaps six, eight or ten in a substantial tower. Most cathedrals have twelve bells.

The ringing chamber is usually hidden away and reached by a spiral staircase within the tower. A degree of anonymity suited pious worshippers in times gone by, as ringers were sometimes unruly and given to drink.

The normal resting position of the bells is down, and ringing starts by taking hold of the 'sally', the familiar, colourful, woolly section of the rope, with one hand and the 'tail' with the other and gently swinging the bells. Then, with each tug, they move faster and faster until their increased momentum brings them up with their mouths facing heavenward. The bells are stopped from tipping over the top by a wooden ‘stay’. From then on, each stroke of the clapper requires a 360-degree revolution of each bell. Every ringer controls his own bell and great care must be taken not to break the 'stay', by overthrowing the bell, in which case the full weight of the bell would cause it to tumble over and over, pulling the ringer up to – or even through ? the ceiling with catastrophic results. That is, unless he or she has been quick-witted enough to let go of the rope!

Ringing a bell up requires one to exert considerable energy and is one good reason why this activity is sometimes known as 'the exercise'. However, once in position the bell is delicately balanced and can be handled by a ten-year-old or an octogenarian.

Once up, the bells are in position for 'rounds', which means that each bell follows the next; round and round in a circle ? the familiar do, ti, la, so, fa, mi, re, do.

Once bell control has been mastered, the next step is to make the sound more interesting. This is achieved by the Captain of the Tower, who calls for changes in the order of progression. Following a string of commands – moving to the right ? do will follow ti, then la, then so, ad continuum.

The next development is for the ringers themselves to follow a pattern that they hold in their heads. This is known as 'hunting a plain course' and means that each bell will follow a different bell on each stroke, working through a set pattern. Once this has been learned the ringer can exercise mental agility by studying complicated method ringing and equip him- or herself to ring a peal. A typical peal is just over 5000 changes, with no sequence repeated, taking several hours to complete. Ringing a peal successfully is no mean achievement for both mind and body.

Many methods have curious names. These may, like Stedman's, denote the name of the originator of the method, or the name of the place where it was first rung, as in Cambridge Surprise. Names with Minor (Little Bob) or Doubles (Grandsire) or Triples (Single Oxford Bob) denote a technical aspect of the method, as does Bob. A single error will disqualify the peal attempt, but there are plaques in churches all over the country commemorating successful peals, the names of the ringers who participated and the event celebrated. These are usually for coronations, jubilees, royal weddings or a local occasion; perhaps a ringer's significant anniversary or in memory of long-standing service. For funerals, bells are rung half-muffled, which is achieved by tying a leather thong to one side of the clapper, and the clear call of the bell followed by an echo signifies this world and the world beyond.

The first peal in England was rung in 1715, and I think most people agree that the sound of church bells, rung by real experts, is beautiful. If you are looking to exercise a new skill that provides fun and camaraderie bell ringing could be for you!

More information about bell ringing in Marlborough and especially attempts to restore the ringing facilities at St Peter's church in the sixties - together with much else - can be found in my book: An English Baby Boomer: My Life and Times which is available at the White Horse bookshop.

For those wishing to try their hands at bell ringing you may care to contact:

Neil GM Hall