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VIDEO: Journal reporter takes up bell-ringing challenege
Thrusday, 5.20pm - WITH St. Wulfram's church looking to the next generation of bell-ringers, Journal reporter Neil Graham joined the St. Wulfram's Band of Change Ringers for a try-out this week.
Thrusday, 5.20pm - WITH St. Wulfram's church looking to the next generation of bell-ringers, Journal reporter Neil Graham joined the St. Wulfram's Band of Change Ringers for a try-out this week.THEY are heard but rarely seen. The St. Wulfram's Band of Bell Ringers can be heard sound the bells across the town every Sunday.
They follow a long line of church bell-ringers stretching back hundreds of years but to ensure the chain is not broken, they always need to pass on their expertise to a new generation.
This week an electronic bell-ringing simulator will be housed within the church and on Saturday, as part of the St. Wulfram's open day, people can come along and have a go.
The simulator has authentic ropes, a system which replicates the feel and weight of the bells and sensors which are hooked up to a computer to replicate the noise of the bells themselves.
Experienced bell-ringer, Geoff Rigler, said: "The basic principle is the same as ringing the big the bells. It is easier to ring the simulator but if you can ring that then transferring over to the real church bells will be a relatively simple task.
"The simulator is ideal for learners and for practicing more advanced techniques."
After seeing the simulator in action, I was invited up to watch the real-thing in the tower Belfry.
Shaun Power has been part of the bell-ringing team for the last two years.
He said: "I had a go when I was about 12-years-old and liked it but I didn't stick with it. I came to an open day for a flower festival and someone said it's good for your health and good for your back, which it is.
"It is also great fun. You have to try it to appreciate it. It gives you a really good buzz.
"Everyone should have a go."
And so I was asked by the band to give it a try myself- without even having a go on the simulator first.
As a novice I was given a bit of extra help, and some words of advice from Geoff.
He said: "It looks very simple but does require skill and a great deal of practice.
"The most essential thing to remember when ringing is to relax. It is important because if you're tense you can't think properly but if you relax you will be okay."
Having been taken up to see the bells moments earlier I was surprised by how little resistance there was as you pull on the rope. It is easier to understand now why anyone aged from nine to 90 can be a bell ringer.
It was a nerve-wracking experience with the thought of breaking bells that are centuries old but I was given a polite round of applause by the team at the end.
I don't think I'm a natural but I would recommend trying it to anyone.
The best part is that every time I see the church I can nudge whoever is standing next to me and say, "I rang the bells in there once".
If you are interested in giving bell-ringing a try, contact the Tower Captain, Pandy Pearce on 01476 860357 or go along to the open day on Saturday.
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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