RINGING OUT
Handbell ringing is a dying art in New Zealand, and the Taranaki bellringers would love to see it continue.
‘‘Our main cause in our mission statement is to try and teach the art of bell ringing to any who are interested in learning,’’ said Cathedral Handbell Ringers member Helen Shearer.
‘‘It is a dying art because there aren’t many groups in New Zealand.
‘‘We have lost three bell ringers for this season, mainly through age and health reasons... It means we have to choose music on fewer bells.
‘‘We’ve got to the stage where three of us are over 80.’’
The bells have tonal variations and are sold in sets so they all have the correct tone relative to each other. In theory, the clapper (middle piece of the bell) only rings in one direction rather than back and forth. The bells are worth thousands of dollars and are reasonably heavy to hold.
The ringers stand in a row ringing their bells in turn to make the tune. Some mark their notes - they use piano music - according to whether it’s the bell in their left or right hand. ‘‘Some of us can ring four bells and we might have a fifth bell on the table.
‘‘We can’t ever hear the whole effect; you really only hear the bells either side of you. It’s only the conductor or the audience out in front of you that can have the full tonal effect of the bells.’’
Although the bells are owned by the St Mary’s Cathedral, they are a non-denominational group, and are hoping to recruit five or six new ringers to keep the group going.
While the ability to read music would help, being able to count is the main thing, along with being available for practice between 3.30 and 5pm on Mondays.
Handbell ringing began in England as a way to practice the tower bells without disturbing the nearby villagers.
Anyone interested in joining the group can call Helen on 758 2188 or 021 185 8009.