More people are learning to become bell ringers thanks to an approved teaching initiative in Durham Diocese.
Holy Trinity Church in Darlington is hosting sessions which are accredited to the Association of Ringing Teachers (A.R.T) – a national organisation which provides training and support for new bell ringers.
Known as The Darlington Training Centre, it also provides training for people who wish to become bell ringing teachers.
Currently, there are no fewer than 38 new ringers attending sessions at Holy Trinity, while the number of A.R.T accredited teachers has increased from two to seven, with two more working towards accreditation.
At the heart of the movement are experienced ringers and teachers Anthea and Chris Enzor (pictured left), who are determined to safeguard the future of the vocation by helping to develop a new generation of bell ringers and teachers.
“We are grateful to Holy Trinity,” said Chris. “It is has six light bells which are ideal for teaching and learning. We welcome people of all faiths and none and the initiative has created a very supportive and social bell ringing community.”
Anthea and Chris established the scheme in 2019, but had to wait until the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic before it became established. The primary objective was to ensure that churches in the Darlington area had enough bell ringers to cover Sunday services, as well as weddings and other special occasions.
Now there is an established team, with new ringers ably supported by an invaluable group of experienced campaigners who come along each week to form a steady band. Working as a team means that with a little co-ordination, if one church (or tower, as they are referred to in the bell ringing community) is short of ringers on a Sunday morning, other ringers can be called upon to help out.
There’s a simulator at Holy Trinity, which silences the bells to anyone outside the tower, but the sound is cleverly replicated inside via sensors on the bell wheels. It means ringers can practice at length without disturbing the neighbours. The Darlington team is very grateful to the vicar, the Revd James Harvey and churchwardens for facilitating this.
Anthea and Chris are active church members at St Michael’s Church in Heighington Village, Newton Aycliffe. Both have been ringing for many years, they met while ringing at Great St Mary’s, the University Church in Cambridge, back in 1978.
“The bells are the outward voice of the church,” said Anthea. “If you hear your church bells ringing, come in and see what is going on inside.
“It’s a bit like riding a bike. If you have done it in the past you don’t forget but may first need a refresher to get going again. If you are starting from scratch, we are very happy to help. It’s something that appeals to people of all ages.”
Anyone interested in finding out more about bell ringing in the Darlington area is welcome to get in touch to arrange an initial visit to find out more. Email darlingtonbells@gmail.com.
If any existing ringers are interested in developing their teaching skills, they are welcome to contact the Association of Ringing Teachers via their website to enquire about forthcoming courses: https://bellringing.org/