The singing of bells is a sound everyone has heard. But do you know about the captivating history of traditional bell ringing? Experts Chris Pickford, Elizabeth Johnson, and Micky Nadal join Cathy Booth to uncover never-before-heard tales and unique traditions on the historic profession. From the grand bells of Winchester Cathedral to smaller churches across Hampshire, every chime carries centuries of history with it. Discover their fascinating stories!
In this special Heritage Open Days 2021 festival podcast, our experts discuss what traditional bell ringing is - From the history of bell ringing to the role it has in the current era, our guests offer stories and information of the role bell ringing played in local communities and some of the challenges that it has faced in the past and why it holds a special place in the lives of bell ringers.
Cathy Booth
Cathy Booth is the wife and mother of bell ringers and hosts a podcast about it – Fun With Bells.
In her podcast, she has been delighted to meet bell ringers from across the world, who have many fascinating stories to tell, from performing lifesaving CPR in the tower to record-breaking feats and the imposition and lifting of the ban on ringing during World War II.
Elizabeth Johnson
Elizabeth Johnson started to ring as a teenager in 1956, took a break to bring up a family but has been ringing at St. John's, New Alresford since the 1980s.
She has rung 107 peals and nearly 800 quarter peals.
Elizabeth has been secretary and chairman of the Winchester District and President of The Guild of Medical Ringers.
Micki Nadal
Micki Nadal is the secretary of the Winchester District of The Winchester and Portsmouth Guild of Church Bell Ringers.
She comes from a bell ringing family in Wiltshire and her earliest recollections are of being told to sit still in towers and feeling sick on coaches on ringing outings.
She rang in London and, after a long break, returned to ringing in Hampshire when she stopped working.
Chris Pickford
Chris Pickford is a lifelong ringer who has been studying the history and heritage of bells for several decades. He was formerly the County Archivist for Bedfordshire.
Now in semi-retirement, he volunteers with the John Taylor Bellfoundry Museum and Archives at Loughborough.
Through lockdown, he was much in demand for online talks about the history of the bell founding industry and on ringing history.
Further Information and Additional Links
If bell ringing is something you are interested in taking part in, visit The Winchester and Portsmouth Guild of Church Bell Ringers website by clicking here.
If you enjoyed any of the festival episodes or events and want more, share what we are doing on social media or with your friends so we can continue to grow and offer you more episodes and events in the future.