Abingdonian 2017

52 The Abingdonian Bell Ringing The bellringing initiative has been an active club at Abingdon since it was commissioned by Mr Jenkins in 2011 and it has been especially active in the last year. The club is certainly by no means the largest at the School, with often only three or four boys in attendance together with both Mr Jenkins and Mr Lomax; nevertheless, we are all keen and committed ringers. Once we are at the church, the ringing is organised by two local ringers, Susan and Brian Read, who run the practice and provide first- rate teaching and assistance whenever necessary – it is indeed generous of them to give up their time for us. Each Friday afternoon, from four till five, the members of the club proceed to St. Helen’s Church in Abingdon town where we hold our ringing practices. St Helen’s Church is connected to the School in more ways than one. Not only is our greatest benefactor John Roysse (d.1571), who re-founded the School in 1563, buried within, but the church is used on a regular basis by the staff and pupils for the major church services at the start and end of each school term. The ringing of church bells as we do in this country is a peculiarly English phenomenon. We ring in a style called ‘full-circle ringing’. This involves swinging the bell high so that it revolves around its axis from a mouth-up to mouth-up position. This allows us to have greater control over the timing of the bell so we can ring ‘methods’, or set patterns or orders in which to ring the bells, which must be memorised by every ringer taking part. Ringing bells English-style is not only interesting, mentally stimulating and very enjoyable, it is also a uniquely English art which dates back centuries and is rooted in tradition and culture. However, this is not say more modern teaching methods are not being introduced! Whilst the learning process may not be as fast as that of other pastimes, the rewards are greater, as is the sense of achievement and accomplishment – there is always something new to learn! There is also the fact that church-bell ringing is said to be one of those dying arts - more and more bells are falling silent across the country, and so more and more young learners are desperately needed to keep the bells ringing out across the land. The Bellringing Club is an extremely welcoming club for all years, regardless of ability. Those who are curious about ringing are more than welcome to come along and see how it’s done, but there is also ample opportunity for the more experienced ringer too. William Sheffield, VIOTL William Sheffield