Fun with Bells

In a fitting finale to the Fun with Bells Podcast, show host Cathy Booth gives the fondest of farewells by foraging through all 75 episodes, to figure out the answer to the second biggest question of our time - why do we ring? Cathy riffs on six themes using some of the most memorable quotes from the 163 amazing guests she has interviewed over the past six years. In the end, it doesn’t really seem to matter whether someone’s at the early stages of ringing rounds or is scoring peals of 41 spli...

Want to know the secret to successfully setting up a competition-winning young ringers’ group while also securing the long-term future of ringing? Then listen up! In this episode, host Cathy Booth talks to Neil Jones, Jen Thomas, and Steph Runting from the Kent Young Ringers, who appear to have cracked the code! Recorded before the 2024 Ringing World National Youth Contest, this inspirational interview provides the recipe for success. Enthusiasm is a core ingredient, along with the right amou...

In this delightful episode, host Cathy Booth chats with Martin Mansley, AKA Helen’s Dad, about his lifelong journey in ringing. Born into a ringing family, Martin attended his first practice at just six weeks old and has never looked back! This engaging episode explores a variety of topics, from the Devon Guild’s 150th anniversary celebrations to the intricacies of Ellacombe Chimes and the distinctions between The Guild of Devonshire Ringers and Devon Association striking competitions. If y...

In this lively and engaging episode, host Cathy Booth catches up with Kent young ringers Oscar, Lottie and Flo, and Flo’s mum, Hannah. Although young in years, the ringers have a wealth of experience to share, having already notched up numerous quarter peals and having several striking competitions under their belts. Their unique perspective also means they offer the absolute best ringing tips! Cathy finds out how they got into ringing, what they like best about it and asks them to help fil...

It’s time to catch up with part two of the wide-ranging conversation on the future of ringing hosted by Cathy Booth at the recent Art Conference. Just like part one, the panel of Tina Stoecklin, Andrew Slade and Max Drinkwater don’t hold back from tackling the tricky questions! What does the CCCBR do for ringers? How can associations work with Diocese to target bell funds in churches that have a future? How do we empower younger ringers into leadership role and evolve structures that meet the...

Who better to quiz about the future of ringing than the President of the CCCBR, the chair of the Association of Ringing Teachers, and an ordained ringer and co-author of a book about ringing and the church? Show host Cathy Booth puts this esteemed panel through its paces, posing some vital questions on what needs to happen to keep change ringing alive, and to recruit and retain young ringers. It turns out that most of the answers lie with young people themselves, and that the ringing communi...

‘Unique’ is often overused as a word, but host Cathy Booth’s guests on this wonderful episode, John, and Debbie, can certainly claim it for their ringing experience. That’s because they ring at St Thomas’s Church, Kilifi in Kenya which is one of the remotest rings of bells in the world, with the nearest bells hung for change ringing being at Harare in Zimbabwe over 1,000 miles away. Cathy learns about the fascinating history of the church and the bells, as well as hearing how John and Debbie...

Why do you ring in a gallery? Who were the ringers whose names are on the peal boards behind you? Where can you find an example of an art deco ringing association certificate? Host Cathy Booth quizzes knowledgeable guests Chris Ridley and Gareth Davies about the amazing range of historical sources at your fingertips to help answer these questions and more. Thanks to the hard work and enthusiasm of Chris and the volunteers from the historical and archive working group of the CCCBR there are ...

In this special fifth anniversary episode, the Fun with Bells Podcast celebrates by turning the tables on host and producer Cathy Booth, as she takes her turn on the other end of the microphone and is grilled by team member Emily Roderick. Emily digs into the background to the podcast, its aims, and the entire podcast process from idea to launch. The origin of the name is also revealed. Who knew? Cathy and Emily also choose some of their favourite episodes from the last five years and play...

In this episode, David Smith makes a much-welcome return to the podcast for another conversation with host Cathy Booth that’s brimming with insight. Find out about about the differences between ringing associations in the UK and those in the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. With David’s global ringing teaching experience there are plenty of anecdotes and observations, on all things teaching, learning and mentoring. It’s also an episode that poses some philosophical questions about the ...