From Beginner to Bell Ringer: Some Useful Tips

In white text it reads 'From beginner to bell ringer: some useful tips'. Around the text on a bright red background are mutiple red and white learner signs and green 'pass' signs.

Alongside the podcast episode you can watch the accompanying video below:

Screenshot of a Fun With Bells YouTube video showing the opening black screen. Central is white text that reads 'Learning to ring church bells?'. Above is a red button that says 'click to play'.

The learning experience!

Ever wondered what it’s like to learn how to ring church bells? Podcast host Cathy Booth catches up with both learners in Winchester and teachers at the Association of Ringing Teacher’s conference to find out.

It’s clear that all the beginner ringers love the challenge of learning, especially enjoying the feeling of being focused and in the present. However, ringing isn’t quite as easy as it looks. It’s just as well that there are patient teachers there to help. So listen to your teacher, take small steps and keep going – and if you go through a rough patch, just remember how much progress you have already made.

The good news is that the one thing that everyone agrees on is that the most important thing about ringing is to have fun. That, and don’t forget to breathe!

Meet the Learners

Jessica Hay
Carol Petty
Natasha Oxley
Valerie Marshall
Maureen Pearce

Meet the Ringers

Alison Everett
Caitie Ross
Melanie Rose
Tim Stone
Frances Warwick

Meet the Ringing Teachers

Ruth Suggett
Andrew Kelso
Arthur Reeves
Sonia Field
Chris De Cordova
Colin Newman
Deb Margason-Baker
Steve Farmer
Dee Smith
Les Boyce
Louise Booth
Simon Linford
Matt Jerome
Matt Lawrence
Paul Lewis

Top 5 Takeaways

  • When learning to ring, pull the sally hard at handstroke and stretch up at backstroke – remember that your hands need to go all the way up and all the way down
  • Once you can safely ring a bell, work on your listening skills. Begin by trying to hear your bell before working up to hearing all the bells in the row
  • Focus on learning one thing at a time. When you have mastered that, move onto the next thing
  • Don’t expect miracles and become despondent if you feel you are not making progress. There is a lifetime of learning ahead. Don’t worry, the lightbulb moments will come, so enjoy them when they happen
  • Interested in learning to ring? Visit ringingteachers.org/get-involved/learn-to-ringand Rose will help you find a teacher near you

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