Learning to ring
Bell ringing is a team activity. It is a service to the Church and a fascinating and rewarding hobby. It is enjoyed by people of all ages and from all walks of life. You can learn more about bells, bell ringing and change ringing here.
We provide tuition to those wishing to learn this ancient art of bell ringing. No special skill or strength is required: just a normal sense of rhythm and physical co-ordination will do. However, St. Mary’s bells are heavier than those at many other churches, and we do not normally teach anyone younger than mid-teens. There is no upper age limit: if you can make it up the 120 steps to our ringing chamber, you are fit enough to ring!
Bell ringing has been described as both an art and a science, the former referring to the handling and control of the moving bell via a rope, and the latter to learning “method” ringing – the production of “bell music”.
Tuition is provided free of charge in exchange for a commitment to join the band when you have acquired the requisite level of proficiency for Service Ringing. We practice on Thursdays from 7pm to 9pm and tuition sessions usually precede this, starting at 6.30pm. Tuition may also be possible at other times by arrangement.
If you are interested in learning to ring and would like to see what we do, we would be happy to show you around the tower and bells on any Thursday evening. Please contact us atstmaryedin@sacr.org to make arrangements.