An interview with Ryan Trout
They do things differently in Devon, so Cathy Booth discovers in this interview with Devon call change ringer Ryan Trout. Not only do they have a distinctive cream tea, Devon also has its very own unique style of bell ringing.
With a great sense of regional pride, Ryan fills Cathy in about this fast and furious ringing style which has it’s own terms and traditions. Listen in to discover more about cartwheeling, Sixties on Thirds, which is also known as the Queen’s Peal, and when to employ a strapper.
Although Ryan’s been ringing since about the age of nine this podcast is evidence that he still gets a huge buzz from ringing, visiting other towers, going up into the bell chamber and, of course, visiting the pub afterwards. And keen to encourage others, he generously shares some great tips on places to ring both in Devon and further afield.
Ryan is passionate about ringing and spreading the word about Devon call changing, and although you can hear it second hand on You Tube, he urges people to come to Devon and experience if for themselves. Sounds like you’ll get an extremely warm welcome and so, with excellent bell striking, delicious cream teas and some wonderful pubs, what’s stopping you?
About Ryan Trout
Ryan started ringing when he was 9 at Eggbuckland in Plymouth. He was interested in the bells from a young age and would attend with his Dad. Eggbuckland was a real family affair and he was lucky enough to be ringing with some of the best ringers in the County, Eggbuckland have been Devon County 6 bell champions on 22 occasions, spanning 30 years. Ryan was a proud winner three times with the team in 2005, 2007 and 2009, the latter being his finest ring at Lustleigh where they rang 1st and won. Since leaving Eggbuckland he took over as captain at two towers that were run previously by another of his dad’s brothers. He has been captain at Shaugh Prior and Bickleigh for around 6 years. Ryan is also the secretary of the local deanery ringing association and was a past chairman of The Devon Association of Ringers.
Links
- Devon Association of Ringers
- Guild of Devonshire ringers
- YouTube channel for Devon call change ringing: Bellr1ngers
Top five takeaways
– Want to see and hear what Devon call changes are about but can’t travel? Check out these interesting You Tube accounts.
– You don’t have to be a Devon ringer to focus on your bell striking – try entering your band into a local striking competition to help you improve.
– Would you be a good bell ringing judge? Try listening to some bell ringing from outside the tower and see if you can spot any gaps or clashes.
– There’s no set age at when you can start to ring – it’s up to individual development and a lot depends on the size of your hands.
– Ringing can get you into some special spaces that people would not normally get to see, like inside bell towers, historic colleges and even film locations!
Ask the Expert
In this episode, Pip Penney answered the following questions:
- Rebecca: “I’ve heard people talking about being able to hear their bell, but I can’t distinguish the sound of my bell. How much of a problem is this?”
- Sophie: “I’ve started to learn to ring, but so far it is just me and my teacher. How long should I expect it to take before I will be able to ring with other ringers?”
- Harry: “What is the most difficult thing about learning to ring?”
Loved hearing about ringing in Devon. So interesting and explained with great enthusiasm. And now I know I like my cream teas the Devonshire way! Well done Ryan.
Trouts from Somerset here whose ancestors were from Stokenham. My great grandfather William Trout was a bell ringer in Over Stowey, on the Quantock Hills.