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Provide a pop-up display explaining change-ringing to those attending and visiting the church. Page 6

METHODS RINGING METHODSThe mechanics of a It is traditional to start and Theswinging mechanics full-circle of a bell swinging means finish ringing with rounds full-circlethat we meansneed tothat restrict we need its to restrict its move to one position. move to one position. Not possible: Possible: Possible: Possible: The traditional notation shows each bell as a number starting at ‘1’ for the treble 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 (lightest bell) and running down the numbers to the tenor (heaviest bell). | X | | | | | | X X X | X X X X are usually tuned to the major scale. If there are more than 9 bells, letters 4 8 2Provide 6 7 a1 pop-up 3 5 display 1 3explaining 2 4 5 change-ringi 6 7 8 ng to1 those3 2 attending 5 4 7 and6 8visiting 2the 1 church. 4 3 Page6 5 78 7 The basic method incorporating this rule is called … are substituted, so 0 = 10, E =11, T = 12, A = 13, B = 14, C = 15, D = 16. The1 2 basic3 4 5 6 method 7 8 incorporating this rule is called … X X X X Strokes 2 1Provide 4 3 a6 pop-up 5 8 display7 Now,explaining if change-ringiwe drawng ato linethose attendingjoining and up visiting the the church. Page 7 Plain| X X X | Hunting The mechanical system by which bells are rung ‘full circle’ means that when Plain Huntingpath of a bell, we see that the same 2 4 1 6 3 8 5 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 the bell is first pulled off with the woolen tuft (‘sally’), the bell sounds at ‘hand- –1 2shown 3 4 5 6 here 7 8 on 8 patternbells.– shown emerges here on for 8 everybells. bell X X X X Starting with rounds at back-stroke: 2 1 4 3 6 5 8 7 stroke’ and when the tail end is pulled down, the bell sounds at ‘back-stroke’, X X X X 2 4 1 6 3 8 5 7 Starting4 2 6 1 8 with 3 7 5 rounds at back-stroke: and brings the bell back to its original position. 2 |1 4 X 3 6X 5 8X 7 | Now,- called if we the draw ‘blue linea line’ because joining that up is the how 4 2 6 1 8 3 7 5 | X X X | Now, if we draw a line joining up the 4 6 2 8 1 7 3 5 pathit was of printed a bell, in we early see publications. that the same The line 4 6 2 8 1 7 3 5 path of a bell, we see that the same 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 2 64 41 86 23 78 15 57 3 through the treble (no. 1) is shown in red. 6 4 8 2 7 1 5 3 pattern emerges for every bell 2 1 4 3 6 5 8 7 Each ringer aims to strike his X6 8 X4 7 X2 5 X1 3 pattern emerges for every bell 6 8 4 7 2 5 1 3 2 4 1 6 3 8 5 7 4 82 66 71 48 53 27 35 1 8 6 7 4 5 2 3 1 - called- Incalled plain the the hunting ‘blue‘blue lineline’ each’ because because bell thatfollows that is howis thehow 4 2 6 1 8 3 7 5 | 8 X7 6 X5 4 X3 2| 1 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 bell to a regular rhythm it samewas printed pattern in early but publications.starts at a differentThe line 4 6 2 8 1 7 3 5 4 76 82 58 61 37 43 15 2 it was printed in early publications. 7 8 5 6 3 4 1 2 through thepoint treble on (no. the 1) pattern. is shown in red. 6 4 8 2 7 1 5 3 It is also traditional that the bells are rung with a small pause before the leading 6 74 58 82 37 61 15 43 2 The line through the treble (no. 1) is 7 5 8 3 6 1 4 2 6 8 4 7 2 5 1 3 hand-stroke sounds, producing an even beat of 16 followed by a small hesitation: 6 58 74 37 82 15 61 23 4 5 7 3 8 1 6 2 4 shown in red. 8 6 7 4 5 2 3 1 8 56 37 74 15 82 23 61 4 In plainIt is muchhunting easier each to bell memorise follows the 5 3 7 1 8 2 6 4 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 8 37 56 15 74 23 82 41 6 sameIn plain shapepattern hunting of but this startseach pattern bell at afollowsthan different to the 3 5 1 7 2 8 4 6 7 8 5 6 3 4 1 2 7 8 5 6 3 4 1 2 3 1 5 2 7 4 8 6 rememberpoint onwhich the bellpattern. you have to 3 1 5 2 7 4 8 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4.. same pattern but starts at a different point 7 5 8 3 6 1 4 2 7 15 38 23 56 41 74 62 8 1 3 2 5 4 7 6 8 on thefollow. pattern. 5 7 3 8 1 6 2 4 For method-ringing we write each hand-stroke and back-stroke row one below 5 17 23 38 41 56 62 74 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 5 3 7 1 8 2 6 4 It is much easier to memorise the 5 3 7 1 8 2 6 4 the other: 3 5 1 7 2 8 4 6 It is muchshape easier of this to pattern memorise than the to shape 3 5 1 7 2 8 4 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 -each bell is ringing at hand-stroke 3 1 5 2 7 4 8 6 ofremember this pattern which than bell to remember you have towhich 3 1 5 2 7 4 8 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 -each bell is ringing at back-stroke 1 Frustratingly,3 2 5 4 7 6 8 thisbell pattern youfollow. have torepeats follow. after 116 3 2changes 5 4 7 6 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 -each bell is ringing at hand-stroke 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 (about half a minute of ringing) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 -each bell is ringing at back-stroke Frustratingly, this pattern repeats after 16 changes 1 2 .. So how do we access the other 40,304 different changes? Frustratingly,(about this patternhalf a minute repeats of ringing) after 16 changes

So how do we access(about the other half 40,304 a minute different of ringing) changes? Step 1: Meet There are 2 systems to vary the order that bells ring: So how do we accessPl thea otherin 40,304 B odifferentb changes?Ma j or - it is written out down the right hand side of this poster      Step 1: Meet Plain Bob Major Call changes Still plain hunting until every time the treble (no.1) leads (- first bell in - itthe is writtenchange), out the down next the bell right follows hand it side twice of thisthen poster itself leads.g g Thisg is gcalled g Step 1: Meet Plain Bob Major - the appointed conductor calls out the change that is to take place. ‘making 2nds place’. To prevent repetition the other six bells are made Still- toit is exchange plainwritten huntingout positions down until the– ‘to righ dodge’- everyt hand time beforeside theof recommencing this treble poster (no.1)  plain  leads  hunting.  (-  first bellinthe Changes are rarely called quicker than every two strokes of the bells. change), the next bell follows it twice then itself leads. This is called ‘making StillThe plainred huntingline shows until the every treble time plain the hunting treble (no.1) still. The leads blue (- firstline bellshows in 2ndsthethe change), place’.path of Tobellthe prevent nextno. 2 bell and repetition follows the green it twice the line thenothershows itse six the lf bellsleads. path ofThisare bell madeis no.4.called to exchange positions‘makingYou can 2nds –see ‘to place’.thatdodge’- they Tobefore have prevent recommencingthe samerepetition pattern theplain butother hunting. displaced. six bells are made or Scientific Theto exchange red line shows positions the treble – ‘to dodge’-plain hunting before still. recommencing The blue line shows plain hunting.the path of bellThe no.red 2 lineand theshows green the line treble shows plain the hunting path of still.bell no.4. The blue You canline see shows that they – by which all the ringers learn a method (- a pattern) and the appointed havethe path the sameof no. 2 andbut thedisplaced.green line shows the path of bell no.4. conductor starts, modifies and ends the piece of ringing. YouProvide can a seepop-up that display they explaining have thechange-ringi same ngpattern to those but attending displaced. and visiting the church. Page 8 TheThe ringers ringers will will remember remember thethe blueblue lineline andand know know where where to to begin. begin. The The A different change is rung at every stroke of the bell. numbersnumbers inin circles on on the the right right hand hand side showside whereshow eachwhere bell ea startsch bell off startsalong off alongthe blue the line blue. line. The aim is to avoid repeating a change AnotherAnother aid aid to memorymemory is tois rememberto remember the rotation the rotation of work of of workeach bellof eachwhen bell whenthe treble the trebleleads as: leads dodge as: 3-4 dodgedown; 5-6 3- down;4 down; 7-8 down;5-6 down; 7-8 up; 7-85-6 up; down; 3-4 up; 7-8 up; in any piece of method ringing 5-6make up; 2nds 3-4 place up; and make repeats. 2nds This place is called and the repeats. ‘circle of Thiswork’. is called the ‘circle In principle, a change takes place between two rows, however in normal of work’. bell-ringing parlance, the word ‘change’ is used rather than ‘row’.

Pieces of ringing: Plain Course – rung without any calls of “Bob!” or “Single!” Extent – ringing all the changes possible – used most often for 5 bells, where an extent is 120 changes (takes about 5 minutes) and 6 bells 720 (about 30 minutes) The changes are set in motion by the appointed conductor calling “Go Plain The changes are set in motion by the appointed conductor calling “Go Bob course – a short piece with a call of “Bob!” at each treble lead. Bob Major!” A call of “That’s all!” means that the bells are about to reach Plain Bob Major!” A call of “That’s all!” means that the bells are about Touch – a piece of ringing, with some calls, providing changes without rounds and that they are to continue ringing rounds until the conductor calls repetition for the length of time desired. to“Stand!” reach rounds, whereupon and theythat setthey the are bells to at continue hand-stroke. ringing rounds until the Quarter – a long touch - a popular length of ringing with a minimum of conductor calls “Stand!”, whereupon they set the bells at hand-stroke. 1,260 changes, continuing for around 45 minutes ButBut thisthis onlyonly gives gives 112 112 different different changes! changes! Peal – a piece of ringing with a minimum of 5,040 changes (on up to 7 bells or (about five minutes to ring) 5,000 for more bells), continuing for around 3 hours. (about five minutes to ring) Step 2: Next there are two types of ‘calls’ which alter the pattern between one Step 2: Next there are two types of ‘calls’ which alter the pattern change and the next. These are ‘Bob!’ and ‘Single!’ When changing on an odd number, in betweenThe conductor one change can call theseand the at the next. appropriate These timeare ‘ Bob!’following aand composition. ‘Single!’ a tower with an even number of bells, TheThe conductor effect of these can callscall isthese shown at at th thee appropriatebottom on the time right. following a composition. With the right composition .. it is usual for the tenor to ‘cover’ (rings The effect of these calls is shown at the bottom on the right. last bell in each change). WithAll the 40,320 right composition changes can.. be rung without repetition! All 40,320 changes were rung to Plain Bob Major on the foundry campanile allbells, 40,320 Loughborough, changes in 1963 in can17 hours be 58 rung minutes! without repetition! How many different changes are there? All 40,320 changes were rung to Plain Bob Major No. of Stage No. of Approx. on the foundry campanile bells, Loughborough, bells suffix different changes time ot ring in 1963 in 17 hours 58 minutes! 3 Singles 1 X 2 X 3 = 6 a few seconds 4 Minimus 1 X 2 X 3 X 4 = 24 1 minute approx 5 Doubles 1 X 2 X 3 X 4 X 5 = 120 4 minutes 6 Minor 720 25 minutes 7 Triples 5,040 3 hours 8 Major 40,320 24 hours 9 Caters 362,880 9 days Photos by Robert B. Smith / Taylors, Eayre & Smith 10 Royal 3,628,800 90days 11 Cinques 39,916,8002. 27 years Names of Methods 16 Sixteen Quite a lot Um! For example, Cambridge Surprise Major, where Cambridge is the NAME What is Music in Change ringing? Surprise is the CLASSIFICATION showing how it is constructed Major is the STAGE or how many bells are changing (see item at left) Although non-ringers appreciate the overall effect created by bells rung to changes, and can hear differences between call changes and method ringing, or odd bell methods with a cover compared with even bell methods, further A few of the more popular methods out of thousands: musical appreciation is something acquired through study, generally by ringers themselves as they become more experienced in listening to method ringing. Music in ringing is the appreciation of the musical properties of individual changes contained in a touch, and the sequence in which changes are heard. The sequence of changes is determined by the choice of method; consequently one will hear people say things like ‘Bristol [Surprise] is a musical method’ or ‘that was a very musical touch of Stedman’. The reason for this is that people like the way that a particular method generates repetitions and rotations of a subset of bells within the changes. Methods can be rung to compositions that maximise the musical combinations of bells within the changes without causing any repetition of entire changes which would render the touch false. Composing is a great skill, which has been greatly aided by using computer programs to prove that no change is repeated.

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Provide a pop-up display explaining the operation of ringing bells to those attending and visiting the church page 7

Provide a pop-up display explaining the operation of ringing bells to those attending and visiting the church page 2

Frames The Low Side Frame (Timber)

Diagrams © D. Greenwood 2008 Bells BellsFramesChange-ringing depends The 'H' Pattern Frame on accurate control of the

Diagrams © D. Greenwood 2008 The earliestbells whenarchaeological rung full-circle The earliest archaeological evidence of evidenceChange-ringingby ofrope bells and dependsdates wheel, from on which accurate The Low Side Frame (Iron) bells dates from 3rd millennium BC, 3rd controlmillenniumin turn of the depends BC, bells and when ison rungstrong full- tracedcirclebell to by the framesrope Yangshao and wheel,and culturewell- which in turn and is traced to the Yangshao culture of depends on strong bell frames and well- of Neolithicdesigned China! fittings. Neolithic China! designed fittings.

Western bells evolved to their ChurchChurch wardens’ wardens’ accounts indicate indicate that that Western bells evolved to their present presentmathematical general shape change-ringing about 1,000was fairly mathematical change-ringing was fairly widespread by the early 17th century The dynamic general shape about 1,000 years ago. years ago.widespread by the early 17th century The right down to the 19th century, except that the loadingdynamic about loading every about 2 seconds every 2 seconds from every from bell rungtimbers full-circle became is 4 slimmer.times its weight downwards every bell rung full-circle is 4 times its weight Cast-iron was used for bell frames as early as the anddownwards 2.2 times and its 2.2 weight times foreits weight and foreaft. and The aft. new timber1820s, frames but did notof comethat erainto accordinglygeneral use until had thelong heads,The newmassive timber braces frames andof that no era king accordingly posts. Such frames1880s; really and beforedid not the alter advent in ofdesign the rolled-steel had long heads, massive braces and no king joist the iron side-members of the frame were rightposts. down Such to framesthe 19th really century, did not exceptalter in designthat the timbersstill supported became on slimmer.oak beams.

Cast-ironMost metal was usedframes for are bell of frames the low-side as early type, as thewith 1820s, the bearings but did on not top come of them. into Butgeneral where use Casting untilspace the in1880s; the tower and isbefore restricted, the advent high-side of the ‘H’ rolled-steel shaped frames joist arethe used. iron side-members of the frame were still supported on oak beams. Bell metal is a bronze, containing 23% tin and 77% copper Most metal frames are of the low-side type, with the bearings on top of them. But where The inner core is built up with a mixture containing sand, loam, straw or horse manure space in the tower is restricted, high-side ‘H’ shaped frames are used. and goat hair. The fibres in the mould are important. They burn in contact with the molten bell metal, creating tiny tubes that help air to escape from

Strickle the mould. Provide a pop-up display explaining the operation of ringing bells to those attending and visiting the church page 8

The final shape is controlled by rotating a ’strickle’ - a wooden board Bell Fittings

Strickle shaped like the cross section of the bell to be cast. Bellhttp://miamibells.wordpress.com/ringing/glossary/ Fittings http://miamibells.wordpress.com/ringing/glossary/

The cope, or outer mould, is formed with the same material, inside a A bell hanging in large iron bell shaped container. The strickle is used again to ensure its frame with the fittings needed for the correct profile inside the mould. full-circle ringing. When the moulds are dry they are clamped together. After the molten The bell is shown mouth downwards (‘down’) metal has been poured in, it is left for several days (depending on and safe. size) to cool down before the mould is broken off. The bell is cleaned and the top is ground level to provide an accurate mounting surface.

http://allsaintswokinghambells.org.uk/AbBells/index.html

Shape A bell hanging in its frame with the fittings needed for full-circle ringing. The bell is shown mouth downwards (‘down’) and safe. The shape evolved to its present form, as founders experimented to RingingProvide a pop-up displaybells explaining the operation of ringing bells to those attending and visiting the church page 9 find out what made a better sound. From the ‘down’ position the bells are successively swung higher and higher until they can be Current shapes are a compromise between stopped (‘stood’ or ‘set’) as shownRinging here. The bell bells is now said to be ‘up’ (and dangerous to From the ‘down’ position the bells are successively swung higher and higher until they can be stopped untrained people) and is ready for(‘stood’ use or ‘set’) in asthe shown traditional here. The bell is nowEnglish said to bestyle ‘up’ (and of dangerousbell ringing. to untrained people) and the sound quality of the bell (which is heavily is ready for use in the traditional English style of bell ringing. The clapper is resting on influenced by its profile), ease of casting, tuning the lower edge of the bell and other characteristics such as weight and when the bell rests on the basic dimensions of importance when the bell stay. is rung full circle. During each swing, the clapper travels faster than Compared with modern bells, mediaeval bells the bell, eventually striking were longer and thinner. the bell when roughly Improvement of bell sounds has occurred in periods of dramatic progress (for example, by the horizontal as it rises. At the A bell set at ‘hand-stroke’ A bell set at ‘back-stroke’ The stay holds the bell upright, with the slider The stay now holds the bell upright, with the slider blocked at the left. The rope goes over the pulley blocked at the right. The rope goes straight past the Hemonys in the 17th century; by English founders in the late 19th and early 20th century; and in balance point the clapper and along the bottom of the wheel and is tied pulley and around the top of the wheel and is still through the wheel at ‘8 o’clock’. The striped sally tied to the wheel at ‘8 o’clock’. The sally will now be the mid to late 20th century as the result of detailed research). will pass over the top and will be within the reach of the bell ringer below at ceiling height, beyond the reach of the bell ringer HANDSTROKE BACKSTROKE Diagrams by John Gough of Napton on the Hill

Today,Provide there a pop-up is display no one explaining formula the foroperation the profileof ringing bells of to a those bell attending that guaranteesand visiting the thechurch best results page 5 for all rest against the sound bow. purposes, and founders regard their bell profiles as commercially sensitive information. Sound www.hibberts.co.uk andProvide http://cccbr.org.uk/pr/publicity/b a pop-up display explainingellsandbellringing/slides/ the operation of ringing bells to those attending and visiting the church page 5 Who? Why? A bell sounds a variety of unrelated notes at the same time Sound “if you can ride a bicycle you can ring!” • Lifelong learning experience unlike an organ pipe or a guitar string, which generates notes related by A bell sounds a variety of unrelated notes at the same time Sound precise numerical ratios. Ringing is well within the capabilities of most • Maintain a traditional skill www.hibberts.co.uk and http://cccbr.org.uk/pr/publicity/b ellsandbellringing/slides/ unlike an organ pipe or a guitar string, which generates notes Provide a pop-up display explaining the operation of ringing bells to those attending and visiting the church page 10 A bell sounds a varietyWhen of aunr bellelated is hit notes by the at iron the clapper,same time we hear a people. The initial learning takes several weeks, related by precise numerical ratios. • A service to the church unlike an organ pipe or acombination guitar string, whichof notes, generates which notes come related from by different after whichThe clapper you is resting can on thebegin lower edge to of thering bell when with the the restbell rests on the stay. During each swing, the clapper travels faster than the bell, eventually striking the bell when roughly partsprecise of the numerical bell vibrating ratios. at different frequencies, of the band.horizontal You as never it rises. finishAt the balance learning! point the clapper Most will ringers pass over• Team the top activityand rest against the sound When a bell is hit by the iron clapper, we hear a combination intensities, attack and decay times. bow. When a bell is hit by the iron clapper, we hear a of notes, which come from different parts of the bell vibrating practise once or twice a week and ring for church services. combination of notes, which come from different • A great mental workout These 'partial tones' combine to give each bell its at differentparts frequencies, of the bell vibratingintensities, at different attack frequencies, and decay times. characteristicintensities, attack tone. and decay times. “ Being able to count is all the maths you’ll need • Friends around the world

These ‘partialThese 'partial tones’ tones' combine combine to to give give each bell each its bell its and youWho? can become a very good ringer without Why? "if you can ride a bicycle you can ring!" characteristic tone. • Opportunity to visit characteristic tone.  Lifelong learning experience knowingRinging anything is well about within music.” the capabilities of most amazing Maintain places a traditional skill people. The initial learning takes several weeks,  A service to the church after which you can begin to ring with the rest of the  Team activity band. You never finish learning! Most ringers practise  A great mental workout once or twice a week and ring for church services.  Friends around the world "Being able to count is all the maths you'll need and you can  Opportunity to visit amazing become a very good ringer without knowing anything about places Where?music."

Listen for the bells at a church near Where? you or lookListen for for a thetower bells onat a ‘Dove’.church near you or look for a tower on ‘Dove’. www.dove.cccbr.org.uk/home.php Then go alongThen go and along try and it! try it!

Beware! once you've got the bug, you'll find it hard to give up: Beware! once you’ve got the bug, you’ll find it hard to give up: Tuning "I learnt to ring over forty years ago and I still get the same buzz that I did when I first started." “I learnt to ring over forty years ago and I still get the same buzz that I did The science of modern bell tuning was only fully understood when I first started.” in the late 19th century, and is named after Canon Arthur B Provide a pop-up display explaining the operation of ringing bells to those attending and visiting the church page 11

Simpson who first described it. Ringing Associations All UK founders subsequently adopted ‘Simpson tuning’, which controls five frequencies To provide an organisation and opportunity for ringers to get together to practise and improve their skills, associations or guilds started in the 17th century and by the late 19th century they covered most counties. More Ringingrecently they have flourishedAssociations within universities. For practical support, the associations usually have a branch or - the lower notes shown on the stave above. district structure comprising 20 – 40 towers.

Tuning is a complex process though, To provide an organisation so despite all the science, it still and opportunity for ringers depends on skill and judgment. to get together to practise

Removing small amounts of metal from and improve their skills, the central council of ringers different parts of the inside of the bell adjusts associations or guilds started All the associations and guilds the different frequencies. A modern bell is cast are members. deliberately thick, and then tuned on a vertical in the 17th century and Carlisleby the Diocesan Guild CCCBR has many working boring machine (a giant lathe). Before these committees whose volunteer late 19th century they coveredof members assist in all matters of machines, metal was chipped away with a bell ringing and maintenance. Church Bell tuning hammer. most counties. More recently The Council owns a weekly Ringers magazine for bell-ringers.

they have flourished within universities. Founded in 1876, the Lancashire Association covers pre-1889 Lancashire including what is now southern

Property of Peterborough Diocesan Guild of Church Bellringers. Contact Public Relations Officer [email protected].