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The secret society keeping bellringing alive
In Bathurst and Orange, a small community of bellringers is preserving a 1600s English tradition that demands intense concentration and lifelong commitment.
In brief
In Bathurst and Orange, a small community of bellringers is preserving a 1600s English tradition that demands intense concentration and lifelong commitment. Bellringers in central west New South Wales are keeping alive a centuries-old English craft that requires mathematical precision, intense focus and deep community…
Bells ring out from Bathurst cathedral
Six bellringers pull numbered ropes with carpet grips inside All Saints Cathedral in Bathurst, central west New South Wales, continuing a tradition that began in England in the sixteen hundreds.
A secret society with a lovely community
Bathurst ringing master Oriana Zanon describes bellringing as a hidden world. It's such a secret society, but such a lovely community, she says of the craft.
“It's such a secret society, but such a lovely community”
The pinnacle demands hours of focus
A peal is continuous ringing for hours, both mentally and physically taxing. Many attempts fail. If you lose concentration for five seconds, then you've lost everything, Ms Zanon said.
“If you lose concentration for five seconds, then you've lost everything”
Honouring the world's oldest bellringer
Chris Bacon, ninety eight years old, is reputed to be the world's oldest bellringer. Later this year, Ms Zanon will join ringers from central west New South Wales and Sydney to attempt a peal honouring him.
Change ringing is hard to master
Change ringing uses brass bells on wooden wheels. Music compositions called methods resemble code, not notes, and are written for six to twelve ringers. It can take twelve weeks to learn how to put two strokes together.
“It can take 12 weeks to learn how to put two strokes together”
Jim Woolford trains the next generation
Jim Woolford, tower captain for the Orange Pealers and former master ringer at UK churches and Sydney cathedrals, trains younger ringers using a TV simulator. He focuses on preparing them to teach the art themselves.
Bellringing demands marathon-level stamina
Woolford monitors hydration and blood sugar levels during peals. At lower levels ringing is intense, but you reach a point where it is meditation, he said. It is a delightful experience at a high level.
“At lower levels [of ringing] it is intense, people have to concentrate, but you reach a point where it is meditation”
Family traditions span generations
Richard Hurford, Bathurst steeple keeper, is a fourth generation ringer. His great grandfather George Hurford was the city's first. His son has now started ringing. You only know about bellringing if you're a bellringer, Ms Zanon said.
“You only know about bellringing if you're a bellringer”
What to remember
Bellringers in central west New South Wales are keeping alive a centuries-old English craft that requires mathematical precision, intense focus and deep community bonds.
