Bells no longer ring out across some English villages
Jeanne:
August 7th, 2007
Shortages in the number of bell-ringers have left the ancient custom of bell-tolling in jeopardy in some parts of southern England. Residents of a number of villages in Devon have voiced concerns that a lack of interest in the custom which dates back several centuries may lead to its demise altogether. The Guild of Devonshire Ringers, an organisation which has overseen bell-ringing in this part of Britain for decades has stated that a number of church towers across the county have already fallen silent on account of the lack of trained ringers. In an attempt to deal with the crisis, it has launched a far-reaching recruitment and training program. The group has estimated that some 1,000 new ringers are required if the distinctly English tradition is to continue. A survey conducted recently indicated the existence of 500 bell towers across the county.
Devon’s bell-ringers have voiced great concern about the demise of bell-ringing in Britain. Mike Hatchett a representative of the Troyte Ringing Centre, based in the villages of Huntsham and Bampton voiced his concerns in a recent interview stating:
“Most people who live in villages love the sound of church bells - even if one or two describe it as a racket. But the next 10 years will be a critical period. We need to prepare a training and recruitment program because if we fail there will be many, many silent towers. Bell ringing is a great hobby, a great form of exercise and it performs a public service as well.”
Without immediate action, it is likely that this age-old tradition will soon die out.