News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

Bell-ringing-Portsmouth-main_article_image.jpg
DIOCESE OF PORTSMOUTH
UK News

Church bell ringers gather for yearly conference

by Hannah Tooley

More than 200 people are expected from diocese all over the UK.

Kate Flavell from the Central Council of Bell ringing told Premier it is not easy.

"It's a physical and mental challenge ringing bells, we don't play tunes from music like you would if you're playing an instrument like you would in an orchestra," she said.

"We learn mathematical patterns off by heart - they can be very simple and easy, or they can be highly complex and difficult."

She also said that the challenge is sociable too.

"It's a very exciting hobby, there's so many different angles to it - nowadays I find the social side is one of the most attractive because so many of my friends are bell ringers, I met my husband through bell ringing!"

The group have been invited to a special Songs of Praise service and will hold meetings over the next few days.

The Bishop of Portsmouth Rt Revd Christopher Foster, said: "Bell ringing is a unique and wonderful tradition and skill.

"Those of us who practise or have practised the art know how quickly community forms among the team, as together we work on timing and stamina and the complexity of the sequences.

"And so for many of us who hear the sound of the church bells ringing out across our villages, towns and cities, the bells are a reassuring reminder of our cultural rootedness, and of the continuing place of the church in the community."

 
Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

Connect

Donate

Donate