RECTOR’S LETTER JULY 2010
Dear Friends,
Imagine that you were kidnapped blindfold and taken to a strange place, with only your ears to give you clues to your whereabouts in the world. It may be that all you could hear would be traffic noise or silence. But if you could hear bells ringing far off, you would know you were in a Christian land. And if you could hear bells ringing in an orderly pattern, changing their order with each time round, you would know that you were almost certainly in an English-speaking country. For the art of bell-ringing as we know it began in East Anglia in the 17th century, and spread from there across the country and across the world, particularly with the export of 'Brand Church of England' in all its elements. I think it is still true that most people enjoy the far-carrying sound of church bells, and recognise them as one of the pleasing noises of our land.
Four of the churches of our Benefice have tower bells hung for ringing: Westonunder-Penyard, Aston Ingham, Linton and Upton Bishop, six in each, and those of you who live in earshot will hear them from time to time (which is not necessarily near; I have heard Linton bells at the Rectory with the wind in the right direction). Hope Mansel has two (recently restored) bells which are chimed and the Lea three bells struck by a hammer mechanism, and anyone confident can do that. The art of ringing bells proper, however, takes a bit of learning, and the simple fact that we do not hear the bells very often on a Sunday is a reflection of the fact that there are just not enough active ringers in the area, for if you hear six bells ringing then there are six worthy people in the tower ringing away.
What I am clearly working up to is an exhortation for more people to take up ringing (and for the 'closet bellringers' out there to take it up again – we know who some of you are!). The time taken to learn the basic skill varies, although it will always be a few months at the least, but it will then be possible to join in tower ringing and progress through ever-increasing levels of skill to more difficult methods. Most ringers regard 'the exercise' as it is known, mainly as an enjoyable hobby, and for many to ring on a Sunday is sufficient offering to the church without also attending the service. It is also both a local social organisation and opportunity to meet new people, and a worldwide fellowship in which one will find welcoming friends everywhere.
In order to encourage new ringers, Mike Williams, the Tower Captain at Weston (which is the only tower holding a regular practice) is organising an Open Tower Afternoon on Saturday 17th July (more details elsewhere in this month’s Chimes magazine) at which all are encouraged to come and have a go, and learn more. If a good band of beginners is found it is possible that extra sessions may be organised at a convenient time for you. Our hope is that it will be possible for the bells of all four towers to be rung much more often on Sundays, to call people to church and bring gladness to the hearts of all who hear them.
Neil