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[I_want_an_Omega]

As a church bell ringer, this weekend is quite special as the ringing has additional significance.

One of the things that adds to the occasion is that many towers ring with the bells "half muffled", giving the following effect:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plqMEUWJp0g

or, as you may have seen at Diana's funeral:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_oTlWPGU0w

A leather pad is attached to one side of the clapper on each of the bells in the tower. This means that each of the initial clapper strikes (let's call it the "ding" sounds normal) - so there will be 6 or 8 of those according to how many bells are in the belfry. The following n strikes, i.e. the dongs, then all happen on the other side of the clapper - as it has the leather pad the sound is muffled giving the effect.

As you will see, it gives quite a nice call & response almost haunting effect.

So, listen out tomorrow morning and on monday and you will hopefully witness what I mean. Not all churches do this, but many do. Bells throughout the land will be rung with pride this weekend. I've already rung for one event this weekend, I have another later today, three tomorrow and one on monday.

I hope this is of interest to you.

Thanks - Rob

[PhilRich]

Good on you Rob
We don't hear enough of them where I am, but on the rare occassion we do, the bells invoke many emotions all of them good!

[Seth]

Good on you Rob
We don't hear enough of them where I am, but on the rare occassion we do, the bells invoke many emotions all of them good!

Sentiments echoed here. Well done Rob!

[tigers_gonads]

Good on you Rob 

Just being down to the off licence for my annual half bottle of whisky for one of the old boys who has his regular spot collecting at this time of year.
A good mate and myself (both ex mob) have popped into town the Saturday before for the last few years to see him and have a 5 minute chat.
Always end by slipping the bottle in his pocket before we walk off.
The smile on his face paints a picture 

I'll be at the cenotaph, in morning .............   

[Lizzie_Zoom]

Great info Rob!

Can you imagine what it was like when the Church Bells throughout Great Britain were silenced in WW2 so that they were only rung if an invasion was taking place, but then the exception came about of them being rung after the war changing El Alamein victory?  What a boost to British morale that must have represented, and long may church bells ring out!

A great British tradition, which has followed our history and continues to do so!

[I_want_an_Omega]

Great info Rob!

Can you imagine what it was like when the Church Bells throughout Great Britain were silenced in WW2 so that they were only rung if an invasion was taking place, but then the exception came about of them being rung after the war changing El Alamein victory?  What a boost to British morale that must have represented, and long may church bells ring out!

A great British tradition, which has followed our history and continues to do so!

Thing is, that there are only about 50,000 ringers in the whole country and the number is reducing and average age rising. I'm the youngest at one church I go to - which seems bizarre @ 55! There is a shortage, so the way round that is that ringers travel around to churches - often ringing at several on a Sunday. I usually manage two most Sundays - but there are about a dozen that I visit regularly within a 10 mile radius and ring at a few times a month each.

It's quite a social thing too, you can go to as many practices during the week as you like - followed by the pub afterwards. I've lost count of the number of weddings I've been to - which is bizarre as you usually don't even know the names of the couple.

So, if anyone fancies having a go then please do - I guarantee you will be warmly welcomed wherever you turn up. PM me for further info