| Bell ringing: learning the ropes Telegraph.co.uk Ceri Radford undergoes a bell ringing tutorial at St. Nicholas's Church, Godstone, Surrey Photo: MARTIN POPE By Ceri Radford How hard can ringing a church bell be? Pull rope downwards, listen out for chime from somewhere up above in bell tower, ... See all stories on this topic » |
Friday 1 July 2011
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I am a campanologist from Devon where we practice Devon call change ringing. We are just as concerned about the lack of new recruits. Over many years we have taught young people the art, but uninterested girl/boy friends, college, uni, and jobs away from home mean that they fall by the wayside.We do get the occasional young person who really loves it but they are few and far between. We have better luck with older learners.(Usually the older you are the longer it takes to get the hang of it.) So numbers are not quick to build up.
Cornish round ringing is another form with very accurate striking.
It rather annoys me that the Devon call change and Cornish round ringing is sometimes looked upon as the poor relation. Rung well our rise, peal and lower are applauded by method ringers.Having said that
I am full of admiration for people who ring method because they must have incredible memories to be able to memorise the patterns. I could never do that, and besides I doin't enjoy ringing bells as high as they do. I like lower smarter rounds.
I have to say that 3 hours of nonstop ringing would drive me mad and I have heard of people complaining to us who don't ring for that long about it. Devon call change and cornish round ringing is rung for short spells. Please don't tar us all with the same brush.
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