Youngsters urged to take up bellringing at St Annes Parish Church
A bellringing school in St Annes is encouraging more young people to take up the traditional activity.
The ringing school at St Annes Parish Church was established in 2023 and organisers say they are keen to attract more youngsters interested in learning bellhandling as a hobby.
Bellringing is the sound that welcomes people to church. It is done by pulling ropes that swing large bells to produce complex, changing patterns of sound.
Among the young ringers is Mason Fenton, 17, who regularly heads up into the church tower to practise.
He says he loves “listening to the different tunes” and that when he first tried the activity he “fell in love with it”.
Sofia Whatley, 14, has achieved her Level 1 bellhandling award with St Annes Bellringing School.
She completed it as part of her Duke of Edinburgh Award.
Church bells vary greatly in size and weight, from under 50kg to the largest change ringing bell in the world at Liverpool Cathedral, which weighs more than four tonnes and can still be rung by one person.
At St Annes Parish Church, the heaviest bell weighs about 800kg, roughly the weight of a small car, and measures more than one metre wide.
Those behind the school say bellringing is a rewarding hobby that combines history, teamwork and musical skill.
More information about St Annes Bellringing School can be found at www.stannesringingschool.uk.