Thinking allowed

Learning to ring bells

on Monday, 9 September 2002 at 10.42 am by Simon Kershaw
categorised as bellringing

First prac­tice ses­sion at St Ives. Using a tied bell (i.e. the clap­per is strapped in place so that it doesn’t hit the bell and ring) a group of 5 or 6 begin­ners prac­tised back­strokes. Michael White, tower cap­tain at Hem­ing­ford Grey, assisted by his wife Brid­get, was the teach­er, super­vising us, ringing the hand­strokes, and ensur­ing noth­ing went wrong, or res­cuing us if it did.

Ever wanted to ring bells?

on Sunday, 8 September 2002 at 11.02 am by Simon Kershaw
categorised as bellringing

For some time at St Ives there has been no reg­u­lar ringing of the church bells. At long last some­thing will be done about this, and Michael White, tower cap­tain at neigh­bour­ing Hem­ing­ford Grey, has offered to teach a new band.

So this morn­ing, after Church, Jenny and I stayed behind to hear what Michael had to say. I sup­pose nearly a dozen oth­ers were there too.

Michael set up a bell (num­ber 5) at back­stroke, and then we each, under his super­vi­sion, pulled it down, Michael catch­ing the sally and re-set­ting the bell.

We agreed to start learn­ing how to do this, so that our bells can once again sound out reg­u­larly to announce wor­ship and oth­er cel­eb­ra­tions at the Church. First prac­tice, tomor­row night.