St. Mark's Church, Marske-by-the-sea
Joining the Marske bellringers
Who rings St. Mark's Church bells?
Handbell ringing
Books for Bellringers
Useful Links
Special Open Night to sample ringing
Famous Bells
Contact Information for St. Mark's Bellringers, Marske-by-th
Guestbook
Mail Form
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Learning to ring
 There are special sessions for people who are new to bellringing. These are usually held on Sunday evenings by arrangement, betweeen 6.00 pm and 7.00 pm. This enables them to master the basics and to catch up with the established ringers. Once the basics have been mastered, the new ringers transfer to the regular Monday evening practice nights.
Not sure if it's for you? The first three or four beginner sessions give new ringers the opportunity to sample what is is involved. If during those first few weeks, it turns out that there is more to learning to ring than the new ringer had expected, then there is no obligation to continue.
Practice nights are held every Monday from 7.30 pm till 9.00 pm. Special sessions are arranged for new ringers, usually on Sunday evenings at 6.00 pm.
Teaching basic rope control. At first the tutor controls the rope and guides the new ringer through the mechanics of how to pull. Gradually, control shifts over to the learner and, when the tutor is satisfied of the learner's confidence and competence, the new ringer takes full control of the bell.
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Membership of Marske Bellringers
 Membership is free and tuition is provided free. In return, members are expected to help ring the bells each Sunday morning from 9.00 am till 9.30 am.
Members are encouraged to join the Yorkshire Association of Church Bellringers. For those who regularly attend Sunday Service ringing, the annual subscription is paid for them out of the tower funds.
To join St. Mark's Bellringers, simply turn up on a Monday evening. To talk about bellringing and to enquire about joining the bellringers, ring 01642 471662.
Existing ringers, on holiday or moving to the area, are always most welcome.
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What's involved in ringing?
 Am I too old or too young? Young people may join St. Mark's ringers at the age of 12. This is the lower limit of the church's insurance and it usually ensures that the young peope are tall and strong enough to manage the bell rope comfortably.
Young adults usually find it easier to develop the necessary co-ordination to control the bell rope and the mental agility to 'ring the changes'. Bellringing is a recognised activity for Guides and Scouts and counts towards community service elements of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.
There is no upper age limit but mature adults may have to consider health-related isues. Bellringing involves climbing a flight of stairs, lengthy periods of standing - you cannot sit down to ring church bells - and gentle muscular exercise. In the past it has proved to be a useful and effective therapy for those recovering from minor heart complaints and for exercising damaged arms and shoulders.
The Basic Skills involve learning how and when to pull the bell rope. This usually takes three to five weekly sessions. How to pull is important, as it is more 'knack' than brute strength.
Knowing when to pull is essential in order to make the bell sound its note at exactly the right moment. Bellringing is very much a team activity in which all the ringers must co-ordinate their efforts to produce a pleasing musical sound.
The next steps: Once the new ringer is able to ring simple scales - it is called 'ringing rounds' - the next step is to learn about 'ringing the changes'. This is a form of music-by-numbers that needs a certain amount of mental agility. Once mastered there is considerable satisfaction in getting it 'just right'. From this point the ringer can continue to learn new ways of 'ringing the changes' or can stick at whatever level is comfortable.
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Here comes the bride!
 | Ringers formed a traditional arch of bell ropes when local ringer Sarah Akehurst was married at Marske.
Members receive no payment for Sunday Service ringing. A small fee is paid to those who ring for weddings. Those who attend regularly are invited to an annual dinner, paid for out the tower funds.
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Child safety policy
The Child Safety Procedures as recommended by the Central Council of Church Bellringers are applied at Marske by the sea. This means that the tower leaders are checked as being appropriate people to be responsible for the tower. At all times two adults are present when young or vulnerable people are in the tower. At no time will a young or vulnerable person be exposed to any physical or emotional risk.
In return, all visitors, young people in particular, are expected to accept the advice of tower leaders and to observe the safe-working practices of the bellringers' group.
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