On the continent of Europe and often in the USA a "ringing peal" comprises three, four or five bells rung at random often swung by electric motors and electronically controlled.

The Beginning

Since the middle of the 17th century, Church bells in England have been hung for "change ringing". This is a peculiar English custom where the bells are tuned to a major diatonic scale and are rung down the scale from the lightest to the heaviest bell (the treble to the tenor). This is known as ringing in rounds which on six bells would appear as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. The bells are rung manually and rotate full circle each bell being controlled by one person (the ringer) by means of a rope.

Change Ringing

Each bell is operated by a rope attached to the wheel on the supporting beam of the bell itself and requires a ringer skilled in controlling the bell on the balance at the end of each revolution. Changes are permutations of the numerical sequences starting from rounds and finishing in rounds and such sequences are collectively known as a method. Strict mathematical rules govern the construction of methods, and during the ringing each person memorises the pattern of their own bell amongst the others and controls the bell to ring in correct sequence and rhythm.

Where

Change ringing peals are confined mostly to the British Isles where there are over 5000 towers (mostly attached to Churches) containing a ringing peal of between 5 and 12 bells. Many of our historic Cathedrals and Parish Churches have Taylor peals which have gained great fame and renown amongst bellringers for their excellence of tone and ease of handling, for example St Paul's Cathedral, London; York Minster; Exeter Cathedral; Beverley Minster; Chester Cathedral; Lincoln Cathedral, and many others.

Overseas

There are a small number of peals overseas (about 250) in other English speaking countries. St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne; St Andrew's Cathedral, Sydney; Wellington Cathedral, New Zealand; are to name but a few and each year the list is growing. Wherever these are found, bells cast and hung by John Taylor of Loughborough abound.

Who & Why?

The art of change ringing is practiced by men, women and children. It demands mental agility and offers physical exercise and much enjoyment. It has often been said to contribute to longevity. A large amount of fellowship is promoted amongst participants and this often contributes in other ways to Church activities.

When

Most Church bells ring out prior to the principle Church service on Sunday and to commemorate other Church festivals and National events.

Bells & Fittings

The way in which a bell is hung, and rung, for change ringing is also quite different from that used in any other system of bellringing. The following sketches give an outline.

Forces

Considerable forces are exerted by bells rotating full circle and it is therefore of utmost importance that the bell frame is of strong and rigid construction and correctly designed for their distribution. Similarly the tower must contain these forces, in ancient towers the bulk of the of the masonry is usually sufficient to absorb or resist them. Modern structural towers create complex problems especially in achieving the rigidity that the bell frame and the tower require.