Bellringing, East Bergholt Church, Suffolk, July 2023

Bellringing, East Bergholt Church, July 2023.
Cardinal Wolsey (Henry VIII) sudden death, left uncompleted Church Tower, in 1531 a 'temporary' bell cage was built & still in use 492 years later.
Heaviest set of five bells currently rung in England & by hand, a total weight of 4.25 tonnes, unique living history.
#bellringing #churchhistory #suffolk #bellcage
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[@LandoVr0527]

Why are they not up in a tower? Also, they sound beautiful. I love the sound of bells.

[@paulbutterworthbillericay]

As I understand it, building the West Tower began, which you can still see to this day, but the benefactor died early & it was never completed, so this 'Temporary' Bell Cage was built around 500 years ago!! Can you believe that, & yes what a magnificent sound

[@vasilyp8041]

Великолепно 🔔🔔🔔👍

[@robertosemenzato7063]

Complimenti! Molto belle! Verso la fine erano sincronizzate perfettamente

[@paulbutterworthbillericay]

Thank you for your kind words. It's fascinating viewing

[@nord1486]

How are you suppsed to hear the calls?

[@paulbutterworthbillericay]

I can't help you, but I see the fella making signs behind his back

[@FerencDobos-b2f]

I assume there will be hand gestures to let the ringers know what would they ring. Like some sort of a sign language.

[@Steven_Rowe]

I ring church bells ,ie English change ringing, the bells swing the same but there are wheels on the bells and so rung from below. It is pretty dangerous what they do, you wouldn't want to get your arm caught between the frame and thre headstock.

[@paulbutterworthbillericay]

Absolutely, as I understand it, they train in a certain way, probably best folk like me are not allowed inside the Bell Cage to distract them, still I'd have a go if aloud

[@Steven_Rowe]

@@paulbutterworthbillericay The other thing is how the he'll would they perform call changes, you need to hear the calls I would love to see them.

[@paulbutterworthbillericay]

@@Steven_Rowe I asked them that, hand jestures, but obviously not as complicated at Bell ringing, yes recommend viewing in person, fir its unique in the whole of Great Britain ringing by hand

[@Steven_Rowe]

@paulbutterworthbillericay My dad was a bell hanger for Whitechapel, im talking back in thex1950s and 60s until 1972 when we moved to Australia. No OH and S back then , I can remember a bell bexrung up and dad was in the belfry, no ear protection, and now you see the ringers with ear protection , very sensible. Mind you, there were no hard hats either, Often, he was in the tower alone and no mobile phones back then.

[@paulbutterworthbillericay]

@Steven_Rowe funny that I met an old gentleman from a retirement home near Chelmsford Essex, & he told me he was a bell hanger from the Whitechapel Foundry, he was from Chelmsford or Writtle Im not sure & told me in the old days the gentleman types of the Village would give a few silver coins to cast into the mould, he swears by it gave the bell a better tone

[@Bellringercameron]

How are they stood cos they don’t have a stay or slider. Very interesting way of ringing and looks quite dangerous!

[@paulbutterworthbillericay]

As I understand it, they are trained in a certain way, can only imagine its been passed down for the last 500 odd years, incredible to witness

[@adamm2693]

All 5 have small peg sliders

[@Bellringercameron]

Do they ever have the bells mouth down for safety

[@paulbutterworthbillericay]

I think from memory up, as when stey started, one bell was half full of dust from the storm days before

[@Bellringercameron]

Ahh that’s interesting. I ring rope change ringing bells