Robots don’t ring the bells at Truro Cathedral, real people do!

All year round we have a team of committed bellringers, who come to the cathedral to ring the bells come rain or shine.

We’re a group of active volunteers and we love it because there’s always something different to try, it keeps the mind active.

As a group, we find that learning to ring the bells in Truro boosts our concentration, focuses our teamwork skills, enhances our personal discipline, listening, and analytical skills.

You may have heard the bells ringing for all kinds of reasons; of course, we ring for services and special occasions, but we also like to ring at other towers too, on specially arranged outings. Sometimes the bells ring for an extended time - we call this peal ringing and sometimes we ring against other bands of ringers for fun in competitions.

Ringing is really great exercise for posture and toning muscles; it’s gently aerobic and even burns calories! Our hobby is exhilarating, satisfying, and relaxing. Many of us find that it relieves stress, enables us to switch off, and unwind.

Bellringing is for all ages (generally 10 years+) and all backgrounds. It’s ideal for individuals, couples, families, and groups. It’s widely accessible and inexpensive, and there’s no special clothing required.

Only some of the cathedral band of ringers have musical abilities, we’re not particularly strong or religious. We welcome people of all faiths and none to join us.

Many of us ring when we’re on holiday or away on business. Most towers welcome visiting ringers - it’s a very social hobby.

We’re hugely proud that we get to ring the largest and loudest (unamplified) musical instruments in the world, and lots of people tell us that we make a glorious sound.

If you’d like to learn more about it, please come along to the cathedral on 8 October for our open day all about ringing. Alternatively, make contact with Hayley Young: hayleyyoung05803@gmail.com or Andy Smith: agsdorset@btinternet.com