Fun with Bells

Apr 10 2024 26
Fun with Bells Podcast artwork

Explore the world of bell ringing with insightful interviews, captivating histories, and challenging quizzes. Join us on this monthly podcast as we journey into the lives of multifarious bell ringers, uncovering their passions, favourite towers, and the essence of quintessential English change ringing. Tune in for a unique and comprehensive perspective on this timeless tradition. 

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Cool Kenyan Ringers from Kilifi Bring Bell Ringing Back Home

Apr 10 2024 35 mins  
‘Unique’ is often overused as a word, but host Cathy Booth’s guests on this wonderful episode, John, and Debbie, can certainly claim it for their ringing experience. That’s because they ring at St Thomas’s Church, Kilifi in Kenya which is one of the remotest rings of bells in the world, with the nearest bells hung for change ringing being at Harare in Zimbabwe over 1,000

Discover Your Bell Ringing History!

Mar 14 2024 40 mins  
Why do you ring in a gallery? Who were the ringers whose names are on the peal boards behind you? Where can you find an example of an art deco ringing association certificate?Host Cathy Booth quizzes knowledgeable guests Chris Ridley and Gareth Davies about the amazing range of historical sources at your fingertips to help answer these questions and more.Thanks to the hard work and

Our Podcast’s Fifth Year Anniversary

Feb 07 2024 36 mins  
In this special fifth anniversary episode, the Fun with Bells Podcast celebrates by turning the tables on host and producer Cathy Booth, as she takes her turn on the other end of the microphone and is grilled by team member Emily Roderick.Emily digs into the background to the podcast, its aims, and the entire podcast process from idea to launch. The origin of the name is also revea

David Smith: A Bell Ringing Tutor’s Uplifting Global Perspective

Jan 10 2024 35 mins  
In this episode, David Smith makes a much-welcome return to the podcast for another conversation with host Cathy Booth that’s brimming with insight.Find out about about the differences between ringing associations in the UK and those in the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. With David’s global ringing teaching experience there are plenty of anecdotes and observations, on

The Joy of Bells: New Ringers Reflect on Their New Obsession

Dec 13 2023 38 mins  
This episode sees host Cathy Booth catching up with three Ring for King recruits to find out what their first year of ringing has been like. And what a year it’s been!Jessica, Lindsey and Andy have notched up an amazing collection of ‘firsts’ since starting their ringing adventure. First tower tour, first wedding ringing, first quarter peal and first striking competition have

Bells in Her Music: An Interview with Composer Helen Ottaway

Nov 08 2023 50 mins  
The debate around ringing and music is taken to an entirely new level in this fascinating conversation between show host Cathy Booth and composer Helen Ottaway.Deeply inspired by the sound of bells, Helen’s passion for this shared soundscape has led from the creation of individual musical works to an entire bell-inspired festival! It’s amazing to hear what can happen when compo

How to lead: An interview with the inspiring Linda Garton

Oct 11 2023 36 mins  
Show host Cathy Booth aims high this month in conversation with accomplished ringer and leading light Linda Garton.Linda strongly believes that “success breeds success” and, as you’ll hear, this is amply illustrated in both her own ringing career and the winning bands that her leadership has inspired.So muster your motivation, make a plan and put some of Linda’s practical i

Ringing Success: Church History, Fundraising, and Band Building in Nevern

Sep 13 2023 26 mins  
How many bells are enough? Six, eight, ten? As show host Cathy Booth discovers from Peter Heard, once the offers of help and support came rolling in to Nevern Restoration Project, it was easy for their ambitious plan to grow and grow!There’s something for everyone in this engaging episode, whatever your interests. Church history, restoration projects, epic fundraising, setting up

100 Amazing Tips for Bell Ringers on How to Use Social Media

Aug 09 2023 50 mins  
Terrified of Twitter, hesitant about hashtags, tentative about TikTok? This practical podcast sees host Cathy Booth take a closer look at social media and how ringers can make the most of it, whether it’s to recruit new ringers, keep the neighbours engaged or impress other towers with what you’re up to.And if it’s tips you’re after, this podcast delivers in spades, with gre

From Virtual to Tower: Wensleydale Ringers' Ringing Room Success

Jul 12 2023 30 mins  
What, if anything, is worth keeping from the COVID lockdown period? Well definitely the Wensleydale Clusters online ringing course! Host Cathy Booth hears from ART award winners David Scrutton and Jonathan Couchman, who tell the story behind their successful recruitment scheme, now in its third year.In just five hours of online learning and practice in Ringing Room, the course gets