Ringing Forums

Well, yes, but this has the merit of having a proper method in it. It is PB minor with covering bells. As such, you and I could ring it and it would be a good way of getting us used to 12 bell rhythm. My argument here is that it doesn't justify a separate name; anymore than other methods have different names when rung with and without covering bells. This is not even broadly Little Box max; nor is even Little Bob at any stage; it is Plain Bob minor with covers.

I am a wholehearted supporter of the practice of recording what has been acheived and rung method wise and of keeping these records for posterity. Will those who follow us and see the records of random changes of order on two bells being named as "methods" feel as I do, that someone out there is taking the p***? "Go Queen Thingamybob; oops, missed a swap; call that "King Thingamyjig" . Really; methods for two bells? No doubt it has alll been said before but this selection reduces things to a riduculous low. Our forebears must be howling in laughter at us. Even with three bells there is the possibility for structure and variety but two simply does not allow it. What next? "Emperor's New Clothes One", Place notation 1. Emperor's Wife's New Hair Style: PN 1.1. A new name for every extra stroke rung; that seems to be the logic of these new methods for two. Why is time and space being wasted on them?

I wasn't there so don't know what was discussed. Doing away with associate membership does not of itself abolish the qualification requirement; one would simply not be entitled to any kind of membership until qualified and thus eligible. Was the qualification requirement itself abolished?

It is kind of you to acknowledge this Ellie; thank you. Could I however caution you on a related point? It will be good to see that ropes etc. are depicted authentically in your drama production but far more important is the sound that goes with the ringing. Unless you record actual ringing done in the Devon style and with the appropriate number of ringers and bells, you are in danger of getting the equivelant of a symphony orchestra while the scene shows a village band; or vice-versa. Do not for example show six ropes and broadcast ringing on eight bells, or the sound of advanced method ringing (let's just say good modern ringing of the mainstream style of change ringing) while the scene display ringers ringing rounds or called changes, or worse still just chiming the bells. Most lay people might not notice but many productions have displayed these and other appalling errors; they give us ringers a good laugh but do nothing for the credibility of the production. Simply letting actors chime a bell will not suffice; they either need teaching or else real ringers should be recruited. Please take advice from a reliable bell ringing source before you decide what to record and what to film. I trust these comments may be helpful and I am sure you can get further advice here if you require it.

Correct; my error.

Yes, there does seem to be a loop in that ringer's hand, either knotted or tucked, and some appearance of coils in other ringers' hands. Although the picture is a reconstruction of an event in 1810 the statement that it is at Launcells and the fact that the artist visited the tower prior to painting suggests that local details would be depicted fairly accurately. Apparently only the style of ringing was informed by what he saw at Willesden. Quite what ringng he is depicting here is hard to understand, a chaotic rise or lower perhaps. However the colour details cannot represent anything later than the date of the painting,1887. Obviously any painting might have inaccurate details but this one does seem a reasonable guide in this instance.

The well known picture "The Ringers of Launcells Tower,” by Frederick Smallfield (1829–1915)" depicts ringers at this Devon tower around 1887. It clearly shows ropes with sallies that are coloured in spirals, just as we have today. The actual colours are less clear, possibly just red and white. The tail-ends are bare rope, as we would expect. It is not easy to see if they are tucked back, as is customary now; perhaps there is just a single thickness wrapped around the hand. The only other style I have seen in Devon is a single example of a spliced-in loop at the tail end, large enough for the hand to pass through. I doubt that this is common but would be interested to know more about it.