Our speakers on Wednesday 23 October 2024 were Sonia Field and Jean Power who had come to talk about Bell Ringing. As well as several models, they had brought a set of eight hand bells tuned to a scale of notes. Sonia and Jean both ring at All Saints Harrow Weald, and are involved with E Kenton Bell Ringers – an online association of bell ringers.

Sonia started by explaining where bells are hung and how they are rung and why they are rung. We learned a lot of new terms and had an explanation of the Nine Tailors. The mechanics of bell ringing need careful attention as the bells are heavy (and in the case of the lowest sounding bell – the tenor bell – very heavy).

Sonia, assisted by Jean then showed us how the bell rope or sally should be held – very important for the personal safety of a bell ringer so that the ringer does not get lifted off the ground by the bell. The bells are made of 70% Brass and 30% Copper but there are also secret ingredients added to ensure a good sound. A bell will ring twice – once on the down stroke and again on the up stroke – as it turns, so the bell ringer needs to know where the bell is and when it is in position.

We then learned about the different peels, and how many combinations can be rung from a set of 8 bells. There are accepted sets of rings for different purposes, and Sonia explained how the different patterns were developed and what they signify. There was a particular peel rung at All Saints Harrow Weald following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, for example. Many names for peels were provided with the bob in the name signifying how one pattern changes to another.

Members of the audience then had the opportunity to ring hand bells to see what was involved in ringing Rounds, Queens, Titums with Sonia calling for each bell. This was a most enjoyable meeting with plenty of opportunity for participation. Many myths of bell ringing were expelled, but also an insight into the art was given in straightforward terms.