Learn to Ring
Welcome to the S. Nicholas Society Of Change Ringers!
We are a friendly, multigenerational group that brings together everyone from enthusiastic beginners to seasoned experts. Whether you are a teenager looking for a unique skill or a mature adult seeking a new hobby, you’ll find a warm welcome here.
To find out more, please Contact Us.
Your First Session
Ever wondered what happens at the top of the tower? If you’re curious about bellringing, we’d love to show you the ropes! Whether you're looking for a unique physical challenge or a new social circle, we offer a gentle, gradual introduction to this ancient art.
When you first visit, we’ll start with the basics. You’ll get a safety briefing, a tour of how the bells work, and a chance to feel the movement of the rope for the first time.
Watch the video to see the step-by-step process our Tower Captain employs to progress a learner from complete beginner to competent bell handling.
Mastering the Technique
Bellringing is all about rhythm, not strength. You’ll begin by learning "half-pulls"—where you manage one part of the rope (the tail end) while your teacher handles the "sally" (the soft, fluffy grip). Once you’re comfortable, you’ll learn the other half. Before you know it, you'll be coordinating both movements together in one smooth motion.
Joining the Band
Once you can control your bell independently, you’ll join the rest of the team in:
- Rounds: Ringing in a simple, rhythmic sequence (1, 2, 3...).
- Call Changes: Following the conductor’s instructions to swap places in the order.
- Raising & Lowering: Taking the bell from the down position to the up position and vice versa.
- Method Ringing: The ultimate goal! Learning intricate, weaving patterns that keep your mind and hands busy. We even have our own method, the New Romney Delight Major!
When you can confidently raise and lower a bell, you will be given the opportunity to join KCACR - the association representing ringers in Kent. You can find out more about their activities here.
The Art of Ringing
A Unique Tradition
English Change Ringing is a distinctive performance art that evolved in the 17th century. Unlike the carillons found in continental Europe, which play melodies using a keyboard, English bells are rung using a mechanism known as "full-circle ringing." This technique allows for a depth of sound and a level of control that makes our tradition unique to the British Isles and the Commonwealth. When you hear the bells ring out over New Romney, you are listening to a soundscape that has defined British life for nearly 400 years.
The Mechanics of the Bell
Each bell is mounted on a large wheel and rotates 360 degrees with every stroke—starting mouth-up, swinging down, and returning to the balance point. This full rotation allows the ringer to control the speed of the bell, enabling them to place their note into a specific sequence with split-second precision.
Bellringing Cycle
The bell is in the 'down' position
- Stay: This catches against the slider and stops the bell turning more than one revolution.
- Direction of movement when when the rope is next pulled.
- Slider: This is fixed at one end, the other rests on a beam and is pushed by the stay from A to B.
The stay has pushed the slider to limit of its movement and the bell cannot turn any further. It is 'up' at 'handstroke'.
The bell has swung right round and is now 'up' at the 'backstroke'.
Mathematics Over Melody
The ringer’s job is to manage the bell's momentum, keeping it balanced at the top of the swing before pulling it off for the next stroke. It is a skill of timing and finesse, not brute strength. Because heavy bells rely on momentum, they cannot be rung fast enough to play conventional tunes. Instead, change ringing is based on mathematical permutations.
- Rounds: The standard sequence is a descending scale, rung from the lightest bell (the Treble) to the heaviest (the Tenor).
- Methods: To create "music," ringers follow predefined patterns - called methods - that change the order of the bells at every stroke. No row is ever repeated.
This results in a continuously evolving cascade of sound. These methods range from simple variations to complex patterns like Stedman Caters or Cambridge Surprise Major, which require significant memorisation and concentration.
Controlling The Bell: Raising and Lowering
For safety, the bells rest between ringing sessions in the "down" position (mouth-downwards) but they are rung starting in the "up" position (mouth-upwards). At the start of each session, the bells must be raised ("rung up") and then lowered ("rung down") at the end. The videos below show one of our band raising the bell and lowering it - this is an important skill for the ringer to learn as it enables full control of the bell.
The Physical & Mental Challenge
Change ringing is often described as a cognitive workout. It requires the ringer to manage the physical momentum of the bell while simultaneously processing the changing numerical patterns. It is a pursuit that attracts those who enjoy engineering, mathematics, music, or history, offering a lifelong learning curve and a connection to a centuries-old heritage.
Learner FAQs
Who can become a bellringer?
Almost anyone! We welcome everyone aged 10 and up. While ringing isn't about brute strength, you should have a reasonable level of agility to climb the tower stairs and maintain control of the bell rope. It’s a fantastic hobby for keeping both the mind and body active.
How is the tower managed?
The tower is run by the St. Nicholas Society of Change Ringers. Our Tower Captain oversees the sessions, manages the maintenance of the bells, and coordinates with the church. They are also responsible for the safety and progress of all our learners.
What is the expected commitment?
To see progress, regular attendance at our Monday practices is highly recommended, though we understand life can be busy! Once you become a competent ringer, we would love for you to join us for Sunday service ringing (typically 30 minutes, twice a month) and occasional special events.
Is there a cost to learn?
There is no charge for tuition at St. Nicholas. Once you have mastered the basics of "raising and lowering" a bell, we invite you to join the Kent County Association of Change Ringers (KCACR). This involves a small annual membership fee which helps support bell restoration and training across the county.
What should I wear?
Comfort is key! The tower can be cool in the winter, so we suggest layers. Avoid very loose clothing or long scarves that could get caught in the ropes. We recommend flat, sensible shoes and trousers rather than skirts or dresses.
Is bellringing safe?
Safety is our top priority. Like any physical activity, there are risks, but these are managed through rigorous training. You will be taught correct handling techniques from day one, and you will always be supervised by an experienced ringer until you are fully confident.
Do I need to be musical or good at maths?
Not at all! While ringing involves patterns and rhythm, you don't need to read music or be a maths genius. If you can count to eight and have a sense of timing, you have everything you need to start.
Do I have to be a member of the church or religious?
While we ring to support the church and its services, our band includes people from all walks of life and all faiths (or none). Everyone is welcome in the bell tower.
How long does it take to learn?
Everyone learns at their own pace, but most people can ring a bell safely on their own after several weeks of dedicated practice. Progressing to "Change Ringing" with the rest of the band usually takes a few months of regular sessions.
Where can I find out more about learning bellringing?
The best way to find out about bellringing is to come and try it for yourself! There are also great online resources, some useful links for learners:
Safeguarding
We put the safety and wellbeing of all our ringers and visitors at the forefront of all we do. As bell ringers, we adhere to the Church Of England's robust Codes of Practice, policies and training which are in place to promote Safeguarding as everyone's responsibility.
Once you become a Sunday service ringer, or attend practices regularly, anyone over the age of 18 years will need to perform the CofE basic and foundation awareness training. This involves the use of a PC or smartphone.
You can rest assured that the tower captain, and all those asked by them to train you in the art of bell ringing, have undergone an enhanced DBS check and are fully competent at ensuring your safety and that of all those around you. The tower captain is required to follow the guidelines set out by the CofE safer recruitment and people management ethos. Anyone who is deemed to fall outside of those guidelines will be asked to leave.
Further information can be found at www.churchofengland.org/safeguarding