knowledge; one of the earliest, still very much in existence, is the London-based Ancient Society of College Youths, founded in 1637.


Today this society has world-wide membership and sets very high standards. The ringers at St Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey are drawn from its members.


The installation of full- circle ringing bells and the practice of change- ringing developed in earnest after the Restoration. In 1668 one of the first books on change- ringing, the Tintinnalogia, was published.


The early ringing societies often included young aristocrats and ringing was regarded as a form of recreation, although members also came from many other walks of life. This growth continued during the 18th century.


Moreover, the installation of new rings of bells or the performance of feats of ringing were often reported in local newspapers. Teams of ringers sometimes made long journeys to take part in the opening of new rings - no mean achievement given the available transport.


The general state of the


church in the early part of the 19th century was reflected in the ringing community, with ringers often divorced from the church and bells left unrung for services. The ecclesiastical reforms of the Victorian era were reflected in belfry reforms.


The latter quarter of the century saw the formation of ringing societies based on either dioceses or counties. Here at Hampton we belong to the Middlesex County Association and London Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers, which, as the name suggests, was formed from the merger of two earlier societies.


17


In 1891, the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers was founded and today most ringing societies are affiliated to it. The Central Council, as it is usually known, represents ringers world-wide.


It provides advice on various technical ringing matters as well as guidance on teaching and legal issues. The Central Council also has an official journal, The Ringing World, which has been published weekly since 1911. This includes technical and historical articles, readers’ letters and records of peals and quarter peals.


(Continued on page 18)


Genealogy and Family History


Local, well qualified researcher


Please feel free to call and discuss your interests


Nick Gray 020 8979 6264


annandnick.gray@ btopenworld.com


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