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There is a lot more to this than most people probably think. I have been >ringing now for around 18 months. There's still a lot to learn.
English bell ringing differs, in that the bells are 'Rung up' first,
until they are completely inverted. Then they are swung completely
through 360 degrees. That, rather than just rung from side to side as is
the case in many other countries.
It takes quite a lot of practice, with tutorial assistance, just to
master the technique of ringing the bell safely, and ringing up (getting
the bell up to the inverted position) and ringing down (returning it to
the normal hanging position, which is the 'safe' state for it.)
Once having got to the stage where you can ring the bell without
assistance, then you start to learn to ring with others. Initially, just >following another bell in sequence, usually that is from the smallest >(highest note bell) through to the largest (lowest note) bell. Called >'Ringing in rounds'. Then you start to learn different 'changes' which
make the sound more interesting and varied.
You can go on learning more for a lifetime!
(It would have been nice to share this kind of thing on a certain other >newsgroup, too. But that group has been effectively destroyed now, sadly.)
If you haven't read "The Nine Tailors" by Dorothy Sayers, you might
enjoy it.
It's a murder mystery, in which bell-ringing plays a part.
If you haven't read "The Nine Tailors" by Dorothy Sayers, you might
enjoy it.
It's a murder mystery, in which bell-ringing plays a part.
On 31/08/2025 18:01, Steve Hayes wrote:
If you haven't read "The Nine Tailors" by Dorothy Sayers, you might
enjoy it.
It's a murder mystery, in which bell-ringing plays a part.
I have bought the Kindle edition, I've only read the short forward
written by the author so far, but she starts with:
"From time to time complaints are made about the ringing of church bells."
Yes! A German lady complained because we were practising and learning on >Wednesday mornings from 10 to 12. Apparently it was during her coffee >mornings. However, she was the only complainant - and we were allowed to >carry on, since it was deemed reasonable that someone near a church with >bells should expect them to be rung sometimes...
So, if someone doesn't want to hear church bells, they shouldn't choose
a home near a church with bells.
The author goes on to mention that, (as I said), English bell-ringing is
a uniquely English invention and tradition. Part of our 'Unique
heritage', as Dorothy wrote.
I notice also her reference to East Anglia. My mother's people came from >East Anglia, near the Norfolk/Suffolk border (I was always told to say
that we were 'From Norfolk'!)
So I already think I will enjoy this book.