We all take part in hobbies for many different reasons. For some it can be to keep fit. For others it is for social company. Some like to learn new skills and some like to feel achievement in what they have done. Others like to take part in team sports, and many prefer more relaxing, gentler pastimes. Book clubs, art clubs and local history societies provide yet more pastimes to help us engage in ‘out of work’ activities.
One thing that is required to do anything well is committment, dedication and a sense of belonging in a group, and in some activities the mutual support and help which comes as working as a team.
Very few people know anything about bell ringing. This is ok! Ringing is done mostly in a church and often, if the bells are rung from an upper floor, behind closed doors. It isn’t intended to be a reclusive, secret activity, this is just the environment in which we find ourselves. If bells were hung in warehouses, that is where we would do it! As a consequence ringing isn’t seen as a public activity and many people think that bells are rung automatically. The clock may chime every hour but real ringing is done by real people!
It is estimated that there are only about 35,000 ringers in the country and numbers are declining. Ringing is an exciting, practical activity which involves teamwork (without being sporty) and co-ordination of body and mind. It offers challenges of developing new skills but in a structured way which is targetted to individuals. It is a very social activity in a friendly, respectful and supportive group. Ringing can take you all over the country to meet and ring with others.
It is steeped in history. Change-ringing was developed in the early 1600s. In Great Gransden the bells have been rung continuously since 1658. It is a privilege to be involved, not only in keeping ringing going in the village but in maintaining the art and science of change-ringing which has been passed down through the generations. Sadly, due to shortage of ringers and natural attrition it is quite possible that there will be little or no ringing in Great Gransden within 5 to ten years.
A person can learn to ring a bell in a matter of hours but to develop the high level of skill required to become proficient can take several months or even years at the higher levels. But the rewards of becoming a ringer are significant; the level of satisfaction of being part of a team, the skill aquired and the knowledge that there is always something else to learn keeps the challenge fresh whilst contributing to one of the most quintessentially English sounds in our community.
People of all ages can learn to ring. Generally we teach from age 10 and it is important to say that we are looking for younger people across the age spectrum, but we welcome older people too. Ringing is a transeferable skill. Learn it as a teenager and it can be taken to university where you will immediately be among friends. Many adult learners bring their other skills to the tower which can help with maintenance, or organising events such as ringing on outings, or social activities. Ringing is not just ‘pulling a piece of string!
We ring the bells with permission of the rector and churchwardens, but our committment to ring for church services, weddings and other events doesn’t mean that all ringers follow the Christian faith. Ringing is a hobby in its own right and everyone is welcome. You don’t need to have any connection with the church.
It doesn’t cost very much to be a ringer (see FAQs https://gransdenbells.org/faqs/). Apart from the initial 10 week learning phase there is no weekly charge but to ring well requires committment and dedication. Training is done by accredited trainers.
If you would like to know more please contact us through this website https://gransdenbells.org/contact/ or just come along to a practice night which are held on Thursdays from 7.30pm until 9.00pm. You are assured of a very warm welcome. There is no obligation on your part but I’m pretty sure that you will be fascinated by what you see. We have some excellent bells, some of the best in South Cambridgeshire. They need to be rung!
Phillip George
Tower Secretary and Steeple Keeper
10th July 2025
Great Gransden Bell Ringers 