Hello everyone how many people on here who live in Kent can honestly say that A: they live near a church and B: have heard the bells ringing?
Because the art (if you will) of bell ringing has a small but growing problem not just down here in Kent but everywhere.
It's that people are just getting old and there's no one to replace them, last years census of every person that identifies as a "bell ringer" around 65% were over the age of 60.
Within the space as a whole there is a date that's been set (around 2030-5 ish) on which by that time most of those 65% of people over the age of 60 physically won't be able to ring the bells anymore which is a shame as it means many many church towers across the county and country will fall silent.
Kent is rather special in the sense that we have some of the most amount of church towers with more than 8 bells as a matter of fact my local church has 12 (plus 1 semi tone) which means minus Canterbury cathedral and a stand alone tower in quex park it is THE only church in the county with 12 bells.
Now these are some fun facts or quiz night questions for most but for those of us that actually ring them it's a problem as there's X amount more people required to ring them. Now I can appreciate that not everyone is going to like something or want to do something but from a stranger on the Internet to another bell ringing was possibly the most rewarding thing I've ever done so far in my life I've been doing now for about 7 years and I've helped win multiple trophies for regional competitions (yes we even have a sporting side) and even helped a Kent team win 3rd place in a national competition in London losing only to Worcester cathedral and the Norwich team.
So for those of you here who seek groups to do stuff or seek interesting things please please please as much as this is a personal cry for my own church it's just as much of a cry for the county as a whole, get in touch with your local rector,father, sister,dean, Deacon whoever and at least try bell ringing.
You don't have to be religious of any faith you don't have to be Mr/s Olympic all you have to be is willing and able.
Thank you very much.
TLDR: for those that seek a group or get together try asking your local church if you can join their bell ringers and keep the music playing.
