THE TUNEFUL BELLS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20485, 11 December 1934, Page 8

THE TUNEFUL BELLS.

English Ringers Arrive in City. FIRST PRACTICE TO-NIGHT. Five of the party of twelve English bellringers, who performed at the Melbourne Centenary celebrations, arrived in Christchurch this morning and will remain here until next Monday, when they will leave on their return to England. They were joined this morning by four New Zealand ringers who have had English experience, and the party ] as a whole will have the first united practice this evening from 7 till 9 o’clock. The English members of the party are:—Messrs W. IT. Fussell (Slough), organising secretary of the party, G. Martin (Berkshire), J. Hardcastle (Bradford), R. Maude (Pudsey, Yorkshire) and W. Linter (Fareham, Hants). The New Zealanders are Messrs C. Charge (Auckland), late of Fulham, London, B. Roberts (New Plymouth), formerly of Gravesend, Kent, B. Shaw (Wanganui), of Leeds, and J. S. Wilde (Dunedin), late of Hyde, Cheshire. The Englishmen have extended their Australian visit at the invitation of the New Zealand ringers. Volcanic dust from Ngauruhoe coated the English travellers as they made the train journey from Auckland to Wellington. They greatly admired the beauty of Lyttelton harbour as the inter-island steamer made its way to port in the bright sunshine of this morning. Only Bells “ Ringable.” That the bells in the Christchurch Cathedral are the only ones in New Zealand which are “ ringable ” is the impression which has been given to Mr Fussell, leader of the party. lie said that the Christchurch Cathedral was very reminiscent of Truro Cathedral in England. Both buildings were of about the same age. He expressed high appreciation of the welcome accorded to them in Christchurch, and of the complete arrangements made for their stay : here. The inclusion in the party of the New Zealanders brought together two men, who, thirty-five }’ears ago this month, were associated in ringing the “ Treble Bob Royal ” peal, of 5000 changes, at All Saints’ Church, Fulham. The composition took *3hrs 19min to complete, and two of the ringers were Messrs Fussell and Charge. Mr Charge has been in New Zealand for the last thirteen years, and the bell he rang on that occasion weighed a ton. Mr Fussell said that their experience in Australia was unique. It was astonishing to find in that country the great interest evinced in the old English art of change ringing, and many reminiscences were exchanged with former residents of the Old Country. Wellington Carillon. Questioned regarding the Wellington carillon, Mr Fussell said that he had seen the memorial in Hyde Park before it was brought to New Zealand. Ringers with their love of bells naturally appreciated carillons, but would respectfully submit that the true sound of a bell could be produced only by swinging it, instead of hitting it. In this age of mechanical music more of the personal element in playing was needed. Nearly 5000 men are engaged in bellringing in England, stated Mr Fussell The art had existed there for nearly three centuries, and had evolved from a stage where three or four bells were used till now’ up to twelve bells were rung scientifically in difficult permutation. The largest “ ringing ” bell in the world was at Exeter Cathedral, the tenor bell there weighing 72i cwt. St Paul’s Cathedral, London, had a bell of 62 cwt. and one at York Minster weighed 60 cwt.