Special Open Night - visitors sample bell ringing

SPECIAL OPEN NIGHTS are held each year at the parish church in Marske-by-the-sea. Visitors can see demonstrations of English Change-ringing, handbell ringing and have a few trial pulls. The next Open Night will be held at the beginning of the autumn school term. Visitors are always welcome between 7.30 p.m. and 8.30 p.m. at the Monday evening practice sessions.

"It's a complete mystery to most people. Few realise that there is a team of bell ringers at work when they hear bells ringing," said Tower Leader Sue Sotheran.

"Ringing is very much a family activity and we often attracted adults and teenagers. This very traditional English activity combines a little gentle exercise with a certain amount of mental agility," added Sue.

Membership of St.Mark's bell ringers and tuition in the art of campanology are free. In return, members are expected to help ring the bells on Sunday mornings.

For young people, bell ringing is a recognised activity by the Guide and Scout Associations and it counts towards the service elements of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme.

Marske - a leading tower
Marske Church is one of the leading towers in the area for teaching new ringers. "Ringers travel from as far afield as Whitby to join our tuition sessions," said Sue, a bell ringer for over thirty years. "We are lucky at Marske. There is only one flight of stairs, no worse than going upstairs at home, and the bells are quite small, lightweight and easy to ring."

The bells are rung every Sunday morning, on occasional Saturdays for weddings; each New Year's Eve the bell ringers gather to ring out the old and ring in the New Year.

Special Sessions for new ringers are held on Sundays, from 6.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. The next series of Sunday evenings runs throughout October and November. For more information click on the MAIL FORM on the side bar menu or below.