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Bell Tower Challenge Has
Nice Ring To It
CHURCHES and cathedrals across
Merseyside are being challenged to show people the ropes by bringing to life the
400 year old tradition of English style bell ringing as part of Heritage Open
Days this September. The call to the ringing world to open up 500 sites will
provide a unique opportunity for ringing bands across England to share the
heritage hidden inside their bell towers as well as their passion with millions
of visitors who every year venture out to discover the treasures on their
doorstep.
Bell ringers across the country are already signing up to take part in Challenge
500 including enthusiasts at some of Merseyside's most interesting locations,
such as Holy Cross Parish Church, Woodchurch and St. Andrew's Church, Maghull.
The tradition of change ringing is a unique
form of music which has its roots in England. Instead of 'tunes' the bells ring
in orderly sequences that the ringers learn as patterns and then ring from
memory. Ringers control the bell with a rope, while the bell turns full circle,
mounted on a wheel. Famous people who are reported to have rung bells include
comedians Victoria Wood, Jo Brand and Timmy Mallett, gardener Alan Titchmarsh
and entertainer and writer Frank Muir.
In addition to the Challenge 500 ringers are
invited to come together to create a collective bell ringing moment as part of
the festival on Thursday, 8 September between:- 18:00 to 19:00 hours.
Loyd Grossman, Patron of Heritage Open Days, said:- "Heritage Open Days
provides the perfect opportunity to join together to bring to life the
four-hundred year old tradition of English-style bell ringing for a huge
audience. We are keen to recruit churches and cathedrals to become involved in
the festival by registering an event for visitors to discover their bell towers
and to take part in hands on demonstrations."
Chris Mew, President of the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers, said:-
"We are excited that bell ringers will join this annual celebration of our
cultural treasures. There are 5,000 bell towers for change ringing and our
challenge is to unlock the doors to 500 of them. What's more, some visitors may
be able to see the bells, often locked away over our heads, discover our ringing
forebears' achievements recorded on peal boards, learn about bell ringing and
maybe have a go themselves."
Clara Govier, Head of Charities at People's Postcode Lottery, said:-
"Ringing out the bells over Heritage Open Days is a great way to bring people's
attention to the cultural and historical significance of bell ringing and its
preservation. We are excited that millions of visitors will be able to discover
the hidden history of bell towers in churches and cathedrals which will be free
to access over four days."
To take part in the challenge and to be counted, bell towers need to register
with Heritage Open Days, by 1 August 2016. By registering, all participants
will be able to access a free marketing support pack and their event will be
listed at
online from mid July.
2 examples of the 500+ registered events...
► Holy Cross Parish Church, Woodchurch. Enjoy the opportunity to try your hand at ringing the tower bells alongside
experienced bell ringers. Climb the 100+ steps up the tower for views of
Woodchurch and beyond. Enjoy our Church Trail, activities and a colouring
competition for children. Old photographs of Woodchurch and our Church together
with memorabilia will be on display, and visitors can speak to us about family
history enquiries.
► St. Andrew's Church, Maghull. Listen to the wonderful art of bell ringing by St. Andrew's hand bell ringing
team and explore the gorgeous sights at St Andrew's Church.
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