Egzandra Posted November 22, 2016 Share Posted November 22, 2016 I think this can be classed as a craft, and I have recently started learning to ring the bells at our local churches. I am finding it quite difficult - has anyone else tried it or does anyone on here do it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarahjayne Posted November 22, 2016 Share Posted November 22, 2016 I started this summer. Am finding it difficult to follow my fellow bell ringer! Only up to 2 bells at the moment! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egzandra Posted November 23, 2016 Author Share Posted November 23, 2016 It sounds as if you are learning the hand bells if you are using more than one at a time! They do have hand bells where I am but the bells I am learning to ring are the ones in the church tower. Luckily there is a simulator attached to one of them, which is why I can practice without annoying the people in the village! It's taking ages to get the technique. I expect we'll get there eventually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarahjayne Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 No, church bells. There are 6 in the church tower. I can now ring the bell on my own, but have just started trying to follow the first bell, let alone be in time with the other 5. Goodness knows how long it will take me to be able to ring at weddings etc! Can't even get the bell to stand! It's quite funny when my friend has stopped her bell and I'm still going. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarahjayne Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 Sorry, re read my first post. 6 bells, 6 ringers. But only ringing with one other person at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egzandra Posted November 23, 2016 Author Share Posted November 23, 2016 It is not as easy as it looks is it - when you see the ringers who have been ringing for some time they make it look effortless! I am not ringing with a group at this stage, although if I go along to the practice they will let me have a little go. Someone else has to put the bell up into ringing position for me though as I haven't managed it yet! I can actually get the bell to stand if all is going well but not necessarily when they want me to! It sounds as if, like me you have someone to give you one-to-one. Are you using the SmARTringer system? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egzandra Posted November 23, 2016 Author Share Posted November 23, 2016 You may of course be aware of this resource, but I found this very useful in the past week or so - I was considering giving it up so that I would not be wasting my 1-1 teacher's time. https://smartringer.org/blogs/2015/09/26/why-i-nearly-sacrificed-bell-ringing-for-the-benefit-of-my-teacher/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarahjayne Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 I just went along with a friend who has been ringing for 3 years. There were 6 ringers, but 3 (all part of the same family) moved away, so now the church is short on ringers. I started along with another girl from the village so we have been learning together. We meet on a Monday evening for about an hour. I have been ringing on my own with someone stood in front of me for when I get in a pickle. I'm sure those bells have a mind of their own! The last couple of weeks though I have been trying to follow my friend. She starts and I follow with not much success. I still can't work out how to slow down or speed up. Haven't heard of the smart ringer system. I will look it up. I think it's a bit like learning to drive. One week you think you're doing really well, the next week it's as if you've never done it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...