Ringing bells summons people to church, celebrates the joy of weddings and anniversaries, in tones the sadness of deaths and funerals. Change ringing is a particularly English tradition, where bells are rung "full-circle" which enables the order of the bells to vary in a controlled manner.

The Crondall ringers are looking for more people to learn this ancient art. So if you would like to learn a new skill, you like a challenge, you are prepared to commit time on a regular basis, and you would like to be part of a friendly team, then learning change ringing could be for you.

Brief History

Chiming bells (swinging them through a short arc using a rope and a lever) goes well back into the Middle Ages, but it was not until the seventeenth century that ringers developed the full wheel which allowed enough control for orderly ringing. In 1668 Fabian Stedman published Tintinnalogia - or the Art of Change Ringing - containing all the available information on systematic ringing. The theory of change ringing set forth by Stedman has been refined in later years but remains essentially unchanged today.

The Crondall bells were rehung and augmented to 8 (see All Saints Crondall) during 2000. These bells are one of the best rings in this part of the country, and represent a long history (over 400 years) of ringing in Crondall.

Why Do People Ring?

Change ringing is a non-competitive team activity that is highly stimulating intellectually and mildly demanding physically, and makes a beautiful sound. It develops mental and physical skills in a context of communal effort. Many people ring as a contribution to church life.

In addition, there is the companionable nature of ringers. We are an active group of over 20 people at all stages of learning the art of ringing, and most enjoy the regular socialising that occurs after practice night. We also arrange other activities such as outings to other towers, walks, meals, bowling and so on

Could I Be A Ringer?

Yes. People become ringers from 8 years old to 80. If you can count, you know all the mathematics you need. You can become a very good ringer without knowing anything about music. We practice once a week on Monday evening and also ring before church services on Sunday, for weddings and other special occasions.

Why not come to a practice session or contact any of the people mentioned below to find out more.

Information

Practice night

Monday evening 7.30 to 9.00 p.m. (followed by pub social)

Sunday

9.00-9.30 a.m.

Contacts

Tower captain - Kevin Fox

Vice captain

Michael Kelly

Tower secretary

Barrie Cheeseman

Web page

http://www.assm.org.uk/belltower.htm