Ringing Festival Registrations now open
If you are a visitor or visiting ringer, please see 'Visitors Information'. To see where we ring and learn about our bells, see 'About our Bells' If you are interested in learning to ring Tower Bells, Handbells or both, please complete the Application Form here, or get in touch with us.
Welcome to the Wellington Combined Society of Bellringers' website. We are responsible for ringing the church bells at Wellington Cathedral of St Paul and Old St Paul's in Wellington, New Zealand. We also ring on the John David Mini Ring, which is housed at Wellington Cathedral of St Paul, and on Handbells.
We ring the bells according to an old English Art known as Change Ringing, which was developed as early as the 16th century. The bells are hung on a full wheel and swung by rope until facing upside down. They are then rung from balance point to balance point, enabling small but precise changes in the timing of when the bells strike. However, we do not ring traditional tunes due to the length of time it takes for the bell to swing - instead, we ring methods, whereby bells move in a set pattern and at a maximum of one place at a time, producing different 'permutations'. These methods are completely memorised - you are not allowed to have physical aid during ringing, which is what makes Bellringing such a fun mental exercise!
If you're looking for a fun, unique hobby and a great way to keep fit and make new friends, why not try Bellringing? You do not require any experience or religious connection, but a good sense of rhythm, coordination and concentration would be advantageous. Don't let that put you off, though, as anyone can become a bellringer - we offer training from age 10 onwards. Ringing is a great way to travel too - many ringers go around NZ visiting other towers, as individuals or with a band. Change Ringing is also practised in Australia, the USA, Europe and the UK!
The society is currently recruiting, as we do not have enough ringers to ring all the bells at both of our towers. We have 14 bells at the cathedral, for example, but most of the time only 6 or 8 bells can be rung at once. To join the band: visit us while we're ringing, book a tour, or get in touch with us.
FAQs:
What are the requirements for becoming a bellringer?
For starters, you must be at least 10 years old or physically capable of ringing the bells, and this will be assessed during initial lessons. Despite ringing being mostly about technique, there is still some physical strength required, and due to the latter, there may also be limitations for those aged over 65 who may want to join. After a few taster sessions, we will let you know if we are unable to carry on training you.
Aside from this, there is no strict requirement - but as stated earlier, a good sense of rhythm, coordination and concentration are beneficial. Ringing involves handling a bell, striking your bell in the right place AND concentrating on a method (pattern) of ringing all at once, so there is a lot to think about. It does become second nature after a while, though, just like riding a bike or driving a car!
How long does the training take?
It depends on the individual - younger people tend to pick it up quicker, but this isn't always the case. It can take between a few weeks to a few months of one-to-one lessons to become fully confident at handling a bell, before you even begin to ring with the others. People have been known to pick it up within days, though! In the end, it depends on how keen you are and how much time you can spend on the end of the rope.
How much does the training cost?
Tuition is currently free.
Do I need to be strong?
No - whilst some aspects of ringing do require a bit of physical strength, Bellringing is mostly about technique. As you improve with training, you become better at swinging the bell from balance point to balance point, meaning the strength required to ring them is reduced. Many bells weigh over 3 tons and are regularly rung by a single person. However, what you DO need is the ability to stand for medium to long periods.
Is Bellringing dangerous?
Like a lot of physical hobbies/ sports, it does have its risks, but 99% of the time, bellringing is a very safe activity. One myth is that ringers fly up to the ceiling - this definitely does not happen in real life, due to the potential for ropes to get caught underfoot we keep our shoes flat on the floor. There are many rules and regulations in place to protect ringers' safety in the ringing room and the belfry.
Do you need to be religious or attend church to ring bells?
Not at all - while some ringers do attend church, bell ringers come from all walks of life, and being religious or not does not matter as long as the bells get rung!
This diary shows ringing times and events within the WCSB. Please click on an event for further details or scroll down to see more events. The diary is usually kept up to date, but if you are visiting, we recommend checking with one of our contacts before your visit.
If the tower will be closed to the public during a particular ringing session, this will be indicated with '(C)' after the event name. This means that you will not be able to ascend the tower - there will be times when the ringers need to concentrate, such as for quarter peals, peal attempts, or other special ringing like weddings and funerals.
The Wellington Combined Society of Bellringers has been a registered charity in Wellington-Wairarapa since 2016. You can view our information on the New Zealand Charities Register here.
