Fun with Bells

In this episode, David Smith makes a much-welcome return to the podcast for another conversation with host Cathy Booth that’s brimming with insight.

Find out about about the differences between ringing associations in the UK and those in the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. With David’s global ringing teaching experience there are plenty of anecdotes and observations, on all things teaching, learning and mentoring.

It’s also an episode that poses some philosophical questions about the nature of ringing associations and what it means, as ringers, to connect and belong. Associations may not be the future, but from David’s perspective, ringing itself has a very positive and promising outlook!

Top tips

• A ringing course might not be for you, but why not think about offering to lend a hand and help out
• Feeling brave? Why not ask another ringer you trust to observe your teaching session and ask for some constructive feedback
• Check out the NorthWest ringing course website nwringingcourse.uk
• Now’s a good time to update your website or social media so other ringers can easily find your tower and arrange a visit

Sound like the ART course might be for you? Take a look at bellringing.org/

Sponsor: This podcast is sponsored by the Association of Ringing Teachers (ART).  To find out more about learning to ring, learning to teach or other resources to support your ringing go to bellringing.org

Podcast team:
Anne Tansley Thomas
Emily Roderick
John Gwynne
Emily Watts
Cathy Booth

Ringing by:
The Cambridge Youths (supplied by David Richards) and for later episodes, The Liliputters Guild (supplied by Simon Edwards).

For bellringing training and support for teachers and ringers see: bellringing.org

This episode sees host Cathy Booth catching up with three Ring for King recruits to find out what their first year of ringing has been like. And what a year it’s been!

Jessica, Lindsey and Andy have notched up an amazing collection of ‘firsts’ since starting their ringing adventure. First tower tour, first wedding ringing, first quarter peal and first striking competition have all been ticked off the list. Also worthy of note are their first ringing blisters!

Find out what they have found hard, what they have found easy and what’s helped. Turns out that ringing is not easy as it looks, but as they enthusiastically point out, if it is too easy, it’s not worth doing!

Top five takeaways

• If you’re a novice ringer, pop into the beginners bell handling practice - it will make you realise how much progress you have made!
• Looking for some reading material? Try out Steve Coleman’s books www.ringingbooks.co.uk
• If you fancy a challenge and love a list then give 50 ringing things a go https://smartringer.org/50things/
• Inspired to learn to ring? Find out more at https://bellringing.org/learn-to-ring/
• On holiday? Fancy a ring? Dive into Dove’s guide to check out a tower and find the tower captain’s contact details  dove.cccbr.org.uk

Sponsor: This podcast is sponsored by the Association of Ringing Teachers (ART).  To find out more about learning to ring, learning to teach or other resources to support your ringing go to bellringing.org

Podcast team:
Anne Tansley Thomas
Emily Roderick
John Gwynne
Emily Watts
Cathy Booth

Ringing by:
The Cambridge Youths (supplied by David Richards) and for later episodes, The Liliputters Guild (supplied by Simon Edwards).

For bellringing training and support for teachers and ringers see: bellringing.org

The debate around ringing and music is taken to an entirely new level in this fascinating conversation between show host Cathy Booth and composer Helen Ottaway.

Deeply inspired by the sound of bells, Helen’s passion for this shared soundscape has led from the creation of individual musical works to an entire bell-inspired festival! It’s amazing to hear what can happen when composers and ringers come together to exchange knowledge and enthusiasm across different art forms, contexts and places.

Be inspired, listen to the recordings and maybe even download the ringtone - but don’t get so carried away that you forget to turn your mobile off before that peal …

Top Five Takeaways

• Why not get in touch with existing festivals to see if there’s a way your tower could get involved
• Given the heritage aspect of ringing, the National Lottery is a good source of funding for creative projects www.heritagefund.org.uk
• Check out the Ring Out Festival website for more inspiration https://www.rooklanearts.org.uk/ringout/
• Interested in finding out more about Helen’s work? Here are some good links to start with https://soundcloud.com/helen-ottaway/sets/ring-ring-bell-1 , https://helenottaway.bandcamp.com/album/ring-ring-bell , https://www.artmusic.org.uk/projects/ring-ring-bell/ and  https://helenottaway.blog/
• If you’ve not already got a bell related ringtone, why not try one of these out https://www.zedge.net/find/ringtones/Artmusic or https://www.zedge.net/find/ringtones/Frome%20Carillon

Sponsor: This podcast is sponsored by the Association of Ringing Teachers (ART).  To find out more about learning to ring, learning to teach or other resources to support your ringing go to bellringing.org

Podcast team:
Anne Tansley Thomas
Emily Roderick
John Gwynne
Emily Watts
Cathy Booth

Ringing by:
The Cambridge Youths (supplied by David Richards) and for later episodes, The Liliputters Guild (supplied by Simon Edwards).

For bellringing training and support for teachers and ringers see: bellringing.org

Show host Cathy Booth aims high this month in conversation with accomplished ringer and leading light Linda Garton.

Linda strongly believes that “success breeds success” and, as you’ll hear, this is amply illustrated in both her own ringing career and the winning bands that her leadership has inspired.

So muster your motivation, make a plan and put some of Linda’s practical ideas on training and development into action. You’ll then be set to celebrate all levels of ringing, from rounds right the way up to the Society of Royal Cumberland Youths* and beyond.

*Other ringing societies also available

Top 5 Takeaways

• Planning a striking competition? Open it up to all ringers, put on a picnic and make it a celebration!
• If some of your ringers need more time to master a skill, consider putting on some intensive all-day courses with small numbers
• Evolve your practices as your students progress
• Have a target – give your ringers something to aim for
• Does your tower have a set of handbells? Where’s the most unusual location they’ve been rung? Why not take them out for a day trip?

Sponsor: This podcast is sponsored by the Association of Ringing Teachers (ART).  To find out more about learning to ring, learning to teach or other resources to support your ringing go to bellringing.org

Podcast team:
Anne Tansley Thomas
Emily Roderick
John Gwynne
Emily Watts
Cathy Booth

Ringing by:
The Cambridge Youths (supplied by David Richards) and for later episodes, The Liliputters Guild (supplied by Simon Edwards).

For bellringing training and support for teachers and ringers see: bellringing.org

How many bells are enough? Six, eight, ten? As show host Cathy Booth discovers from Peter Heard, once the offers of help and support came rolling in to Nevern Restoration Project, it was easy for their ambitious plan to grow and grow!

There’s something for everyone in this engaging episode, whatever your interests. Church history, restoration projects, epic fundraising, setting up a band from scratch and the ups and downs of special guests and TV appearances all get a look in.

Peter feels that ringing has rejuvenated him in later life, but I think this may be the other way about. Judging from the amazing success of this bell restoration and training centre, he has fully reciprocated by doing his bit to breathe new life into an old tower.

Top 5 Takeaways

• Looking for the perfect holiday location with an excellent ring of bells thrown in? Find out more about Nevern church and its bells here Our Church Bells | Nevern Church (nevern-church.org.uk)
• If you’re planning a bell project, check to see what talent there is in your church congregation, you might be amazed to discover the expertise that you have
• Find out more about the Keltek Trust Helping churches acquire surplus and/or redundant bells to be hung for English-style full-circle bell ringing
• Looking to hold a ringing recruitment drive? What better place to hold a welcome and introductory session than the local pub!
• Whilst the Colwinston Trust focuses its funding on projects that benefit Wales, look for unusual connections to your church and local trusts that might be able to help you with any bell ringing project

Sponsor: This podcast is sponsored by the Association of Ringing Teachers (ART).  To find out more about learning to ring, learning to teach or other resources to support your ringing go to bellringing.org

Podcast team:
Anne Tansley Thomas
Emily Roderick
John Gwynne
Emily Watts
Cathy Booth

Ringing by:
The Cambridge Youths (supplied by David Richards) and for later episodes, The Liliputters Guild (supplied by Simon Edwards).

For bellringing training and support for teachers and ringers see: bellringing.org

Terrified of Twitter, hesitant about hashtags, tentative about TikTok? This practical podcast sees host Cathy Booth take a closer look at social media and how ringers can make the most of it, whether it’s to recruit new ringers, keep the neighbours engaged or impress other towers with what you’re up to.

And if it’s tips you’re after, this podcast delivers in spades, with great advice from those already up to exciting things on their social media platforms. Listen and learn from Chrissie and Katelyn from Loughborough Bell Foundry, Sarah Bowyer from Worcester Cathedral, and Richard and Rebecca from Frittenden Bell Ringers.

With so many platforms you might very well be wondering where to start. Well apparently photos of animals, and especially cats, are the perfect clickbait. Get your cute Stedman 'cat's ears' pics ready everyone, as now is the time to use them!

Top 10 Takeaways

• Use your best photos, especially in Instagram – image is everything!
• Be true to yourself – what’s unique or special to your tower? Play to your strengths and think about the message you want to get across
• Short videos and reels are great to get people engaged. People love to see a real person and hear their voice
• Have a look at other bell ringing social media accounts to see what works and get some inspiration
• Get a few great photos and draft a few posts before you start. It will help to have some content already figured out
• Don’t forget that with some small tweaks, you can use the same content across more than one platform!
• Looking to reach out to your local community? Facebook is a great way to target a local area as you can connect with other local groups already on the platform
• There are all sorts of ‘how to’ videos – if you’re not sure how to do something, check it out on YouTube
• Post regularly if you can and don’t be disappointed if you don’t get instant results, it can take time to raise your profile
• Social media shouldn’t be a chore so enjoy it and have fun. It’s a great way to introduce ringing to a whole new audience!

Sponsor: This podcast is sponsored by the Association of Ringing Teachers (ART).  To find out more about learning to ring, learning to teach or other resources to support your ringing go to bellringing.org

Podcast team:
Anne Tansley Thomas
Emily Roderick
John Gwynne
Emily Watts
Cathy Booth

Ringing by:
The Cambridge Youths (supplied by David Richards) and for later episodes, The Liliputters Guild (supplied by Simon Edwards).

For bellringing training and support for teachers and ringers see: bellringing.org

What, if anything, is worth keeping from the COVID lockdown period? Well definitely the Wensleydale Clusters online ringing course! Host Cathy Booth hears from ART award winners David Scrutton and Jonathan Couchman, who tell the story behind their successful recruitment scheme, now in its third year.

In just five hours of online learning and practice in Ringing Room, the course gets wannabe ringers up to the stage of understanding plain hunt and eager to be matched with a local tower captain so they can begin ringing for real in a nearby tower. The retention rate is impressive too!

Lots of tips here for any ringing project - bring together talented people with towers in need, keep things friendly and informal, and don’t intimidate leaners by exposing them too early to the ‘scary ringers’…

Top 5 Takeaways

• Check out all the other winners and runners up from the ART awards as there is plenty of inspiration there! www.ringingteachers.org/awards
• Committees and formal structures can sometimes put people off – keep your project agile with just a small team at the top
• Interested in following Wensleydale’s example? Check out their materials: www.funwithbells.com/wensleydale-ringers-resource
• Think about timing for any recruitment, or project come to think about that. People need something to do and look forward to in the cold, dark nights in January and February
• Consider the benefits of online ringing for people with health conditions, carers and others who find it hard to leave the house. So much potential to bring ringing, and the wider community, together.

Sponsor: This podcast is sponsored by the Association of Ringing Teachers (ART).  To find out more about learning to ring, learning to teach or other resources to support your ringing go to bellringing.org

Podcast team:
Anne Tansley Thomas
Emily Roderick
John Gwynne
Emily Watts
Cathy Booth

Ringing by:
The Cambridge Youths (supplied by David Richards) and for later episodes, The Liliputters Guild (supplied by Simon Edwards).

For bellringing training and support for teachers and ringers see: bellringing.org

Is Phil Gay a typical ringer, an atypical ringer or just total legend? Show host Cathy finds out as she delves into a ringing life very well lived.

From inventing a mobile belfry, developing the Keele Ringing Summer School, teaching his family to ring and hanging his own mini-ring in his garage to notching up 1000 peals, Phil has made a massive contribution to ringing both locally and nationally. And that’s without mentioning his years of service at the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers.

Yes, not every one of his innovations has been taken forward, but Phil still has plenty of ideas. In particular, we just can’t wait to see Phil’s quick erection model!

Top 5 Takeaways

• Consider running a separate practice for learners once they start attending the tower practice night – this will help them correct any bell handing issues and give them more rope time
• Help retain your ringers by being accepting – if someone can’t make every practice or Sunday think about the positive contribution that they can make
• Find out more about the Keltek Trust which helps churches acquire surplus or redundant bells that can be then hung for change ringing https://www.keltektrust.org.uk
• Equip your teenage ringers to become valuable assets at University Ringing Associations by, for example, encouraging them to conduct a quarter or arrange an outing
• Retention is partly down to good teaching – check out the ART website to find out what’s on offer https://www.ringingteachers.org

Sponsor: This podcast is sponsored by the Association of Ringing Teachers (ART).  To find out more about learning to ring, learning to teach or other resources to support your ringing go to bellringing.org

Podcast team:
Anne Tansley Thomas
Emily Roderick
John Gwynne
Emily Watts
Cathy Booth

Ringing by:
The Cambridge Youths (supplied by David Richards) and for later episodes, The Liliputters Guild (supplied by Simon Edwards).

For bellringing training and support for teachers and ringers see: bellringing.org

Struggling to strike in the right place? Anxious about unpredictable sallies? Getting no satisfaction from your ringing? You’ve come to the right podcast!

Ace ringing teachers, Ruth Suggett, Judith Frye and Greg Russell, talk host Cathy Booth through the most common bell handling problems and, more importantly, how to solve them. From slow hand transfers, inadequate follow through and not catching the sally at the right time, it’s all here.

Don’t worry though, with the help of a good teacher, early diagnosis and willingness to master the necessary skills, all can be put right. Above all else, aim to be one with your bell - it is not the enemy, but ego is!


Top 5 Takeaways

• Don’t believe you have a handling issue? Ask someone to take a video of you ringing on your own phone and then watch it back at a slower speed – very often with bell handling issues, seeing is believing!
• Watch other ringers and consider their individual ringing styles, you can learn a lot through observation
• If you can get it up the tower, have a full-length mirror available, so ringers can watch their style and get instant feedback 
• Once learning a new bell handling element, go back and practice earlier skills so that you can successfully put everything together and develop an elegant and effective ringing style
• Check out the videos on the ART YouTube channel https://youtube.com/@ringingteachers

Sponsor: This podcast is sponsored by the Association of Ringing Teachers (ART).  To find out more about learning to ring, learning to teach or other resources to support your ringing go to bellringing.org

Podcast team:
Anne Tansley Thomas
Emily Roderick
John Gwynne
Emily Watts
Cathy Booth

Ringing by:
The Cambridge Youths (supplied by David Richards) and for later episodes, The Liliputters Guild (supplied by Simon Edwards).

For bellringing training and support for teachers and ringers see: bellringing.org

In this second episode focusing on engaging the media, host Cathy Booth looks at two sides of one ‘Ring for the King’ interview by talking to broadcast journalist Tim O’Callaghan and Simon Linford, President of the CCCBR.

Cathy learns that it’s hard to set the news agenda so if the media pick up on your story, you’ll need to act fast. And once a news outlet runs with your story, others may well follow so make the most of it!

For the CCBR, the recent media blitz is part of a much wider strategy focused on the future of ringing and attracting ‘good’ bell ringers - that stick at it, enjoy it, and add value to their towers. So, ditch the cold, dirty ringing chambers, grumpy old men and unrealistic expectations and begin the adventure of a lifetime of discovery …

Top 5 Takeaways

• Want to recruit some new ringers for your tower? Think carefully about the different communications channels you could use and who they will reach
• Be creative with targeting your messages. Struggling to reach young people? Try engaging with parents
• Be upfront about the commitment needed and time it can take to learn to ring
• Preparing for a media interview – think about the top ten questions they may ask you and write down some answers so that you have these to hand
• For more tips on dealing with the media check out the CCCBR website https://cccbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Press-Info.pdf

Sponsor: This podcast is sponsored by the Association of Ringing Teachers (ART).  To find out more about learning to ring, learning to teach or other resources to support your ringing go to bellringing.org

Podcast team:
Anne Tansley Thomas
Emily Roderick
John Gwynne
Emily Watts
Cathy Booth

Ringing by:
The Cambridge Youths (supplied by David Richards) and for later episodes, The Liliputters Guild (supplied by Simon Edwards).

For bellringing training and support for teachers and ringers see: bellringing.org