David Steel shares ‘A Year of Learning’

Reproduced from ‘Tower Talk’ Number 30 (page 13!):

I have been ringing for around about a year now, following my wife into the world of mystery that is bell ringing, and I love it. The red sandstone of Carlisle Cathedral, the walk along the clerestory under that blue and gold ceiling, the ringing room when it moves and the sallies are bobbing, the belfry with its array of colour, Taylor red, bronze and gold.

How could you not feel wonderful surrounded by it all?

The thing that makes it though is the people; they have from the very beginning been welcoming, humorous and friendly.

It is difficult to describe how generous the cathedral ringers are with their time and the devotion they put into the band and the tower, and I am very grateful to them all. Of course it isn’t entirely without days of frustration. I swear that bell ringing is the most difficult thing I’ve ever tried, and it doesn’t come naturally to me. Sunday mornings have changed from a chance of a lie in into a morning of nervous tension and the dreaded phrase of ‘closer David’, but I also cannot remember a day when we haven’t been able to have fun and a good laugh, rounded off with a coffee in the cathedral café. So, if we ever wonder why the tower has a band in excess of 30 members and a group of learners making steady progress, the answer is easy; it’s because of the people.

It has also been my good fortune to have been invited to be a steeple keeper and being upstairs in amongst the bells is a thing that brings me great satisfaction, and I am slowly acquiring from Barry, Ron and John the skills associated with that.

It is amazing how readily you can acquire a sense of responsibility and even affection for the bells and everything associated with them. Ron, our tower captain, is also the Diocesan Bell Advisor, and has for many years had a band of Carlisle Cathedral volunteers who have been responsible for carrying out many projects across Cumbria, they carry out all manner of works from general maintenance to the complete renovation or renewal of bells and frames. I have had the privilege of joining them on several occasions and cannot express the pleasure and sense of purpose I have derived from playing just a small part in bringing bells back to life, or just simply to keep them ringing. I believe that church bells are part of our history and it’s nice to play a small part in that heritage.

There you have it then, a year of learning to ring bells at Carlisle Cathedral, it’s not just ringing, it’s also spanners, screwdrivers, splices and stays, but mostly, it’s just the people.

‘A mistake is never met by a harsh word or shake of the head, it is met with words of encouragement, a smile, and a genuine desire to help, particularly from the teachers and leaders.’

David Steel