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[Elite Pete]

Happy St Georges day to you all

[I_want_an_Omega]

& you Pete ..........

Might be worth listening out for church bells around the country today - if you hear them being rung then that's why 

[Elite Pete]

Got one on the door step, bell practice tonight but sunny sunday mornings are the best

[I_want_an_Omega]

You ought to have a go ....

[pscocoa]

I spent many a happy time as a campagnologist - don't knock it til you've tried it

[Marks DTM Calib]

Interestingly, they have a public holiday in Rio - Brasil for St Georges day!

[I_want_an_Omega]

I spent many a happy time as a campagnologist - don't knock it til you've tried it

I dont think anybody is actually. You say spent - which sort of indicates that you dont do so any longer. Why did you stop & what level did you progress to? I've laid hand on the odd rope myself and still have a go occasionally 

[zirk]

Yep, cheers Pete 

[pscocoa]

I spent many a happy time as a campagnologist - don't knock it til you've tried it

I dont think anybody is actually. You say spent - which sort of indicates that you dont do so any longer. Why did you stop & what level did you progress to? I've laid hand on the odd rope myself and still have a go occasionally 

I was really into it in my early to mid teens and used to go to practice in different churches every night of the week except Saturday. My base church had a peal of 12 bells and I did the usual Stedman, Bob Major etc. On Saturdays I went on what they called "tower grabs" where you would drive to prebooked sessions at other places - so I have rung bells at Liverpool and Manchester Cathedrals, York Minster, Wakefield Cathedral (interestingly), Selby Abbey and so on. I also visited the bell foundry at Loughborough

I was introduced to bell ringing by my music teacher but after about 15/16 had discovered other things and rebelled - never to return.

[Nick W]

Aren't forums great? I'd never have realised so many of us are/were ringers.
I only gave up when work patterns meant I had no idea when I was able to attend.

Tower grabs were always fun, £10 a wedding was always handy as a kid, striking competitions were interesting, and on one memorable district outing we drank a pub dry of beer. All good social occasions.

I rang handbells for a several years too.

[I_want_an_Omega]

I spent many a happy time as a campagnologist - don't knock it til you've tried it

I dont think anybody is actually. You say spent - which sort of indicates that you dont do so any longer. Why did you stop & what level did you progress to? I've laid hand on the odd rope myself and still have a go occasionally 

I was really into it in my early to mid teens and used to go to practice in different churches every night of the week except Saturday. My base church had a peal of 12 bells and I did the usual Stedman, Bob Major etc. On Saturdays I went on what they called "tower grabs" where you would drive to prebooked sessions at other places - so I have rung bells at Liverpool and Manchester Cathedrals, York Minster, Wakefield Cathedral (interestingly), Selby Abbey and so on. I also visited the bell foundry at Loughborough

I was introduced to bell ringing by my music teacher but after about 15/16 had discovered other things and rebelled - never to return.

You ought to take it up again - I understand that people can pick it up again quite easily. Did you do many peals & 1/4s? I don't do as much as I'd like - & wish I'd started in my teens rather than at 48! I've rung @ Liverpool Cathedral as well - even got to ring the tenor   . Also, Lincoln (of course), Guildford & Oxford Cathedrals.

In 2006 I spent the best part of 6 weeks working in Cookham's tower - when it was augmented from 8 to 10 bells. Very interesting indeed - they used a group of local helpers to keep the cost down. I did the "first ring" on one of the newly cast bells which were added to make the 8 to 10.

I usually go to local 6 & 8 bell towers, feeling much more comfortable on 6 if I'm honest.

This has got my thoughts going - I might even try and organise a 1/4 peal for this evening - it would be a shame not to on St Georges day wouldn't it. Nothing too complex - plain bob minor or the like.

[Nick W]

I rang at Rochester cathedral which has the heaviest 10 in the area, and at St Andrew's in Plymouth when visiting my grandparents, so I was much happier on heavy bells. They sound better too.

We were limited to 3 peals a year, so they were generally saved for something special, but I've rung several quarters.
A couple were even on practice nights when only 8 of us turned up
I often consider starting again, which will have to wait until my hours change. 12 hour shifts finishing at 20:00 really screws your social life.    A

[pscocoa]

Would not go back to it now as too many things on and I am a sort of "been there,done that" type.

I am currently reading a book on the Munroes and studying places to stay much to my wife's dismay as she does not want to spend time in the north of Scotland - we have done Ben Nevis, (well almost go to top but had to turn back due to bad weather) but would like to do some walking up there while I can - getting off topic - sorry!

[Elite Pete]

Yep, cheers Pete 

Loving the avatar Chris

[zirk]

Yep, cheers Pete 

Loving the avatar Chris

Yep, as it says in my signature, feel free anyone 

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg299/zirk-photos/oof/avatar_1698.gif