fun

Our Podcast’s Fifth Year Anniversary
February 08, 202400:36:19

Our Podcast’s Fifth Year Anniversary

In this special fifth anniversary episode, the Fun with Bells Podcast celebrates by turning the tables on host and producer Cathy Booth, as she takes her turn on the other end of the microphone and is grilled by team member Emily Roderick. Emily digs into the background to the podcast, its aims, and the entire podcast p...

The Joy of Bells: New Ringers Reflect on Their New Obsession
December 14, 202300:38:04

The Joy of Bells: New Ringers Reflect on Their New Obsession

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, fir...

Ringing Success: Church History, Fundraising, and Band Building in Nevern
September 14, 202300:26:31

Ringing Success: Church History, Fundraising, and Band Building in Nevern

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...

Beasts in the belfy
January 12, 202300:28:52

Beasts in the belfy

No, we’re not talking about tyrannical tower captains, caustic conductors or belligerent tenor ringers here, but the wide and wonderful variety of wildlife that ringers and steeple keepers share their bell towers with.  David Bagley fascinates host Cathy Booth with descriptions and anecdotes of both welcome a...

What Ringers wear
October 13, 202200:41:02

What Ringers wear

This episode sees host Cathy Booth explore the question of what ringers wear. You may or may not be surprised to hear that the answer is not bell-bottom jeans. Guests Deb, Alex, Elizabeth and Michaela touch on history, safety and decorum as they share experiences, research and anecdotes on what to wear, or more importan...

'Listen to the bells' quiz
January 13, 202200:34:00

'Listen to the bells' quiz

Fingers on buzzers, or perhaps that should be “look to”, as host Cathy Booth resumes the role of quizmaster in this latest Fun with Bells podcast quiz. This time the focus is on the bells themselves, so tune in, listen up and get set for a different sort of hearing test.  Everyone can play along, what...

Superstition
October 14, 202100:23:58

Superstition

Avoid all ladders, black cats and don’t whatever you do break a mirror in your rush to listen to this month’s Fun with Bells podcast on bells and superstition. From birth, through to death and beyond, bells have had played a fascinating role in the customs around our key rites of passage. Amongst the many sp...

Inspirational bell restoration project
May 13, 202100:47:08

Inspirational bell restoration project

Cathy Booth’s special guest this month is ringer and project manager par excellence Tim Keyes who gives us the inside scoop of Ledbury’s rather exciting bell restoration and augmentation project. Tim very helpfully talks through all the different stages of the project, step by step, with plenty of to...

Test your bell ringing and general knowledge
March 11, 202100:26:05

Test your bell ringing and general knowledge

In this month’s show, podcast host Cathy Booth transforms into the next Anne Robinson as she joins the ringers of St John’s in New Alresford for their fortnightly Zoom quiz. Fingers on buzzers as the ringers introduce each other and ask their two allotted quiz questions. There’s one point for each corr...

Love under lockdown : Belfry proposal, survey results & Valentine message
February 11, 202100:29:21

Love under lockdown : Belfry proposal, survey results & Valentine message

Love is very definitely in the air at the Fun with Bells Podcast this Valentine’s Day, as host Cathy Booth explores ringing’s tender side. First, we hear the heart-warming story of Jo and Graham, whose romance continues to deepen from Ringing Remembers, through Ringing Room, and to a very memorable lockdown ...