This month we were treated to a most entertaining and enlightening afternoon when PershoreAbbey Bellringers (led by Tower Captain Stuart) came to give a talk and demonstration.

Stuart,and member Sarah, were accompanied by other Worcestershire South members from local teams, and we are very grateful for them donating their time.
The team brought with them the Ambergate Campanile, a portable “mini ring” of bells, which allowed us to experience the sights and sounds of bellringing without needing to climb theAbbey’s lofty tower.

As we entered, we were greeted with the sound of the ancient tradition of change-ringing involving rhythm, teamwork, and mathematical precision. Instead of ringing tunes, bellringers ring patterns or ‘changes’, with each bell following a precise sequence. It was quickly apparent that bellringing is less about brute strength and far more about timing, concentration, and cooperation.

Who?

We learned about the organization of bellringers in the UK, and in the Abbey, with a team of 12 and a further 6, who can be called on when required.

Six of the eight bells date from 1729 and hang high above the Abbey’s nave, in a wooden frame weighing a mighty 5080 kg in total. The suspended ringing platform, an 1864 G.Gilbert Scott addition, is reached by a series of 111 steps and narrow passages- not a journey for the claustrophobic or those with wobbly knees.
Also, in Pershore we have 8 more accessible bells in St Andrews used for practice, weighing in at 2032 kg.

How?

The star of the afternoon was the Ambergate Campanile. This clever piece of engineering is a small set of 10 bells, mounted in a wooden frame and operated by ropes, just like the real thing. The campanile is small enough to transport and can be set up in a hall — making them perfect for demonstrations such as ours.
The bellringers showed us how to handle a bell rope, and demonstrated the smooth, rhythmic motion of ringing in rounds (a precise sequence of changes) to show how patterns are created. The sound was gentle but musical and watching the coordination between ringers was genuinely impressive.

The mathematical permutations were mindboggling- with 8 bells, 40,320 changes are possible, known as a Peal. The changes are named - for example Whittington, Plain Bob , Cambridge Surprise..

Why?

Stuart and Sarah explained that they ring initially to call worshippers to services carrying on a centuries-old tradition when watches and clocks were not common. They also for ring for celebratory occasions such as weddings, and national events. The bells can also be muffled or half muffled for solemn occasions such as funerals, Remembrance Sunday and Good Friday.

The talk ended with the ringers explaining the benefits of ringing:

• For pleasure and to practise. It clearly keeps both the mind and body active
• For the challenge of learning new things
• For fellowship and for the camaraderie (visiting the pub afterwards!)
  

The afternoon ended with questions from the floor and an invitation for anyone intrigued to visit Pershore Abbey or St.Andrews on a practice evening. The ringers assured us that beginners are always welcome — no musical background required, just enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.

Afterwards members of the audience were invited to take turns at the ropes, All in all, the afternoon was a fascinating blend of history, maths and music. The cheerful sound of those tiny bells filled the hall and left everyone smiling — and perhaps just a little tempted to take up ringing themselves!

For a virtual Pershore Abbey tower tour and view of the bells / ringing platform
https://youtu.be/mnQXdFmLX5g?si=tK3gC7lVdd2RvxU8

Sally Whyte Speaker Coordinator