A Brief History
Chiming bells (swinging them through a short arc using a rope and a lever) goes well back into the Middle Ages but it was not until the seventeenth century that ringers developed the full wheel that allowed enough control for orderly ringing. In 1668 Fabian Stedman published Tintinnalogia - or the Art of Change Ringing, containing all the available information on systematic ringing. The theory of change ringing set forth by Stedman has been refined in later years but remains essentially unchanged today. His Principle is regularly practised here at Bosham

Why Do People Ring? Change ringing is a non-competitive activity that is stimulating intellectually and mildly demanding physically whilst making a beautiful sound. It develops mental and physical skills in a team environment. The concentration required completely detaches the mind from the demands of the day. In addition there is the companionable nature of ringers, interdependence creates a tremendous fellowship. Visitors to a change ringing session will invariably be asked to join in if they are ringers. All ringing sessions include time for socialising. Could I Be A Ringer? Almost certainly. Ringing is within the intellectual and physical reach of anyone who can ride a bicycle. If you can count you know all the mathematics you need and you can become a very good ringer without knowing anything else about music.