Britain's ancient bell ringing tradition at risk of dying out

Telegraph

08-03-2025

For centuries, the chimes of church bells have provided the musical backdrop to some of the nation's most historic events from coronation celebrations to melancholic tolls honouring the war dead.
But the latest data reveals the demanding art of peal bell ringing is at risk of dying out, which could transform the sonic landscape of English cities, towns and villages.
In recent years, the number of officially recorded 'peals' – precise mathematical variations of 'changes', or striking sequences, rung on tuned church bells for up to four hours – has fallen by more than a quarter.
In 2024, only 3,583 peals were performed, a sharp decline compared to 2014 when 4,791 were officially logged in The Ringing World, a weekly journal recording such data since 1911. Only the two World Wars and Covid pandemic saw a more marked decrease.
There are now far fewer 'first pealers', with the average age having reached 60 for the first time. In 1974, the average age was 35.
The campanology crisis has meant the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers (CCCBR), which represents those who ring bells in the English tradition with a rope and wheel, is now considering simplifying the craft of peal ringing to make it more attractive to younger people.
It comes after the council warned of a 'demographic time bomb', which could mean 'there won't be that many active ringers' in 20 years because of a dwindling 'base of young ringers'.
Tina Stoecklin, the CCCBR president, said although she was reassured by the increase in the number of post-Covid peals, there may be a need to make the art more attractive to younger people.
'A peal can take between three and four hours to ring. It is a significant achievement in mental concentration and sustained physical effort for a team of ringers working together,' she said.
'It is a bit like a test match in cricket. Like cricket, we have shorter performances that a lot of ringers prefer over ringing peals.
'Could we come up with the equivalent of a 20/20 match for ringing to appeal to yet more people?'
Will Bosworth, the editor of The Ringing World, said the number of younger bell ringers had increased, but they were shunning the traditional, longer three-hour peals.
'Students are not taking to it in as many numbers as they used to; three hours is considered a long time to ring these days and they are more likely to ring quarter peals,' he said
'There is also the issue of the declining number of churches making it more difficult for some people to get to ringing towers.
'Although we are seeing increasing numbers of youth bands being formed around the country, there is concern about the declining number of peals.
'I think there are several reasons; one is the natural decline following the post-War boom. It is worth noting that more peals are still rung now than there were before the war.
'In the past, ringing a peal was often a team and village effort so easy-to-ring peals were chosen – and that sort of cultural goal has died out.'
The CCCBR has set up the Ringing 2030 project to help recruit new ringers amid fears 'there won't be that many active ringers' in 20 years time.
For a peal from a tower containing seven bells to be rung they must be struck in every conceivable combination, requiring 5,040 changes to resonate creating a sound that cannot really be perceived as a melody.
The Ringing World data includes all peals rung around the world worldwide, although the vast majority are in England. They also include hand bell peals, although their number is dwarfed by church tower peals.
There are an estimated 30,000 bell-ringers in the UK.