29th Aug 06 Monday

Skibbereen Bell Ringers
The Skibbereen Bell Ringers are a group of about 9 (4 ‘hardcore’ and 5 occasionals) ringers and 5 apprentice ringers. Tonight 5 ringers and 2 learners we out to practice. Abbeystrewry church got its set of bells in 2001 through the enthusiasm of some parishioners, including Diana Pitcher who had experience of bell ringing in England. Diana explained to me that bell ringing is very English (siting the example that there are 300 churches with bells for this kind of ringing in Devon to Irelands 35). You don’t have to be a parishioner of Abbeystewery church however to become a bell ringer or have pervious knowledge of it, Diana reckoned someone can be taught in a couple of months by attending their normal weekly sessions, not do you have to be of any particular age one of the learner their tonight who was ringing with the adults was William who is ten and was cool as a breeze about it all and made it look very easy. Morris is younger brother was also there but he was still at the basic learning stage. The age of the group goes from this to a member in their 70’s.

The way the bells are rung is not so much like reading a piece of music but reading a piece of mathematics as it is all based on rounds and who goes before or after who. I had a go myself – just at trying to pull the rope (the fluffy bit of which is called a ‘sally’) and ruing the bell properly, building up a rhythm. It was strangely meditative for something quiet loud, I think because you have to totally focus on what you are doing and on building up the rhythm of pull let go catch pull…

The ringers say the do it purely for the love of ringing, taking any opportunity to do so – weddings, football matches church services in fact they are organizing a festival so the can do even more ringing!

So if you fancy it you can find them in a little paneled room up Abbeystrewry tower on Tuesday nights from 7.30pm onwards or contact Diana Pitcher Art@cunnamore.com, 028 38483