After so many enjoyed the music from the bells rung by a visiting team yesterday, villagers can look forward to a band of bellringers attempting a full peal on the bells of St. John the Baptisit church on Wednesday, 8th May beginning at 10am. These ringers from Devon, Somerset and Dorset come together as a band once or twice a month to attempt a peal in different churches in the South West.
A good question to ask is why? Bob Crighton explains…
To begin with, there is the physical challenge of ringing a bell for around 3 hours non-stop (the tenor bell (ie heaviest) at St John’s weighs almost 15 cwt), and then the mental challenge of concentrating for that length of time. To be a true peal on 6 bells there has to be 5,040 different combinations in the order the bells ring, and we shall be attempting 17 different methods – mathematical patterns – in the course of the peal.
A lot to think about – especially for the conductor who also has to remember the composition necessary to achieve the 5,040 different changes and put anyone right who goes wrong. Fortunately, we have one of the most experienced conductors in the country who has rung well over 5000 peals and conducted over 3000 of them.
As well as the personal challenge for the ringers, peals are rung to mark special occasions: local, national and international, and we are often asked to dedicate a successful peal to a recently deceased member of the local community, opening of the refurbished village hall etc., and of course many peals were rung last year for the Coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Intrigued? Well come and talk to us afterwards at around 1pm. We hope that you will appreciate the music of your bells and that we won’t disturb the peace too much!’
Social media had many comments including some who expressed interest in forming a new team of a campanologists in Broadwindsor!
“It’s a great skill to learn, good exercise and really makes you feel physically in touch with the past.” commented Margery Hookings who has offered to get some information together to possibly get a team together 🙂 Anyone interested – please email Margery at margery.hookings@gmail.com
Photo credit: Annie Collins
For Whom Do The Church Bells Toll in Broadwindsor – April 23rd
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