Bell ringers at All Saints Church are seeking to recruit new members to join them in the old English tradition of ringing church bell changes.
Changes are tunes created by bells in the tower changing position in the ringing sequence after each bell pull. The eight-bell ring at All Saints is the third heaviest eight-bell ring in the world.
“The bells produce an amazing sound and are widely regarded as one of the best eight-bell rings in the country, if not the world,” said tower captain Chris Jenkins.
“Bell ringing is both mentally and physically stimulating and can also be quite challenging. It’s a thoroughly enjoyable activity once you get the hang of it,” he added.
The group meets every Tuesday evening and is keen to encourage others to give the activity a try, offering a chance to make new friends and learn a new skill. No prior musical experience or physical strength is required—just a willingness to learn.
“Change ringing was invented in England in the 17th century, and ringers are proud to uphold this very special legacy,” said Chris. “Learning to ring church bells well takes a little time, and training is necessary. Beginning with the actual mechanics of ringing a bell, moving on to ringing a bell as part of a basic sequence known as rounds, and then to ringing changes with a conductor calling which order the bells toll presents challenges. But almost anybody can do it, and once the basic skills are mastered, there is a huge repertoire of different methods that can be learned.”
At their practice on Tuesday 6th August, the group was joined by 4-year-old Rafferty Price, who wanted to find out more about the bells at All Saints after being inspired by a visit to Big Ben.
“I liked the little bell and seeing the people ring the big ginormous bell,” said Rafferty, who can hear the All Saints bells from his house and went to the church with his mum to find out more. “I would like 100 bells at home now.”
Practice takes place every Tuesday evening from 7.30pm to 9pm, and the band rings on Sunday mornings between 8.45am and 9.30am.
Access to the bell-ringing chamber in All Saints is 64 steps up the church tower.
For more information, email westburybells@gmail.com or contact Chris Jenkins on 07816 781631 or Tony Robson on 07955 802243.
