Bell Ringing

Bell ringing is the ultimate team activity. By becoming a bell ringer, you join a tradition dating back 400 years.

Why learn to ring?

It's a great mental workout

You'll maintain a traditional skil

It's a service to the church

It's a team activity and you'll join a global group of friends

It's a lifelong learning experience

You could have the opportunity to visit amazing places

Once you've got the bug, it's hard to give up: 'I learnt to ring over forty years ago and I still get the same buzz that I did when I first started'.

What's Bell Ringing all about?

Bell ringing is a team activity that stimulates the brain and helps keep you fit.. it also makes a glorious sound! Many consider ringing to be thir contribution to church life; others do it for the pure pleasure it brings.

Ringers come from all walks of life and range in age from ten to those in their eighties.

'When I'm ringing I forget all the tensions and frustrations of the day. Even better, you couldn't wish for a nicer group of friends!'

Change Ringing

The origins of change ringing lie in the sixteenth century when church bells began to be hung with a full wheel. This gave ringers control of their bell, which allowed sets of bells (rings) to be rung in a continuously changing pattern.

Music is created by moving bells up and down the ringing order to a defined sequence of changes known as a method. Learning a few simple methods allows ringers to join in with other bands in towers around the world.

'One of the delights of change ringing is the endless opportunity to learn new things'.

Could you become a ringer?

'If you can ride a bicycle, you can ring!'

Ringing is well within the capabilities of most people. The initial teaching takes several weeks, after which a learner can begin to ring with the rest of the band. Most ringers practise once or twice a week and ring before or after church on Sundays.

'Being able to count is all the maths needed and you can become a very good ringer knowing nothing about music.'

At St Mary Magdalene in Bridgnorth, we have eight bells, the tenor being 8cwt. We regularly ring such methods as plain hunt and bob doubles; we practice Wednesday evenings, ring Sunday mornings, and are available for weddings! New ringers or trainees are welcome - we're a friendly bunch and you don't have to be a churchgoer.

If you'd like to visit the bell tower at St Mary Magdalene, or find out more about joining or learning, email mailbox@bridgnorth-anglican.org