YES. If you want to you can ring bells.
Just about anybody can ring church bells. There are no age limits, you do not have to be strong or musical. You do have to stand for several minutes at a time so you should be comfortable and stable doing so, but if you really want to ring we can probably work round even that!
Below are the answers to the most frequently asked questions, but if you have any other questions or want more information please get in touch. There are some links to other bell ringing websites on the 'Learning to Ring' page, so have a look there too.
Below are the answers to the most frequently asked questions, but if you have any other questions or want more information please get in touch. There are some links to other bell ringing websites on the 'Learning to Ring' page, so have a look there too.
AGE – we suggest a good age to start is about 10 as you do have to have some physical strength and also a reasonable concentration span. However there are some excellent ringers who are younger and you are never too old to learn.
STRENGTH – you do not have to be tall or strong to ring bells, it’s all done with pulleys and wheels! If you can push somebody on a swing and ride a bicycle you should be able to ring a bell.
MUISICALITY – you do not need any musical aptitude to bell ring, although if you do have a good ear you will probably find method ringing easier.
HEALTH – as long as you make us aware of any health problems it shouldn’t be an issue. There are asthmatic ringers, ringers with heart conditions, ringers with limited or no sight, one armed ringers, ringers who ring from wheelchairs……..
COMMITMENT – obviously the more you practice the quicker you will learn, but if you start ringing you are not committing to anything. You do not have to go to Church, you do not have to come to every practice night or ring every Sunday. However, as the main purpose of Church Bells is to call people to the Church you really should be prepared to ring for at least some services. I ought to mention though that ringing can be addictive!
What do you get out of it?
Well if you carry on ringing after the first few weeks then you obviously are enjoying it, so it is FUN
It is a great way of making new friends around the world. Once you can ring a bell by yourself then you can walk into just about any bell tower on any practice night (and usually on a Sunday) anywhere in the world and have a go. Generally bell ringers are a friendly bunch who will happily impart their local knowledge if you are new to an area or on holiday.
It is very good exercise, both mentally and physically. You use your arms, back and legs but without strain; and learning the methods keeps your brain sharp.
Did I mention it was FREE? There is no charge for lessons or for practice night. Once you are good enough to ring for weddings you even get paid.
There is also a whole social life around ringing if you want to get involved, but the great thing about ringing is that you can do as much or as little as you want, it’s all up to you!
STRENGTH – you do not have to be tall or strong to ring bells, it’s all done with pulleys and wheels! If you can push somebody on a swing and ride a bicycle you should be able to ring a bell.
MUISICALITY – you do not need any musical aptitude to bell ring, although if you do have a good ear you will probably find method ringing easier.
HEALTH – as long as you make us aware of any health problems it shouldn’t be an issue. There are asthmatic ringers, ringers with heart conditions, ringers with limited or no sight, one armed ringers, ringers who ring from wheelchairs……..
COMMITMENT – obviously the more you practice the quicker you will learn, but if you start ringing you are not committing to anything. You do not have to go to Church, you do not have to come to every practice night or ring every Sunday. However, as the main purpose of Church Bells is to call people to the Church you really should be prepared to ring for at least some services. I ought to mention though that ringing can be addictive!
What do you get out of it?
Well if you carry on ringing after the first few weeks then you obviously are enjoying it, so it is FUN
It is a great way of making new friends around the world. Once you can ring a bell by yourself then you can walk into just about any bell tower on any practice night (and usually on a Sunday) anywhere in the world and have a go. Generally bell ringers are a friendly bunch who will happily impart their local knowledge if you are new to an area or on holiday.
It is very good exercise, both mentally and physically. You use your arms, back and legs but without strain; and learning the methods keeps your brain sharp.
Did I mention it was FREE? There is no charge for lessons or for practice night. Once you are good enough to ring for weddings you even get paid.
There is also a whole social life around ringing if you want to get involved, but the great thing about ringing is that you can do as much or as little as you want, it’s all up to you!