If you don’t know Lundy, you may be surprised to learn that we get regular groups of bell ringers staying on the island. During these times, the bells of St Helen’s Church ring out across the landscape. Built in 1896, St Helen’s houses ten bells in its tower, creating a wonderful bell-ringing experience.
The bell-ringing groups that visit Lundy — probably around five or six large groups each year — are made up of various dynamics. Sometimes they are family groups who have been bell ringing through the generations. Sometimes they share a similar age profile — people in their thirties or forties who may have met at university — or perhaps a slightly older group, with bell ringing running through their veins for many years.
Lundy and St Helen’s Church provide the space and place for people who share the joy of bell ringing to come together as a temporary community. They stay in the island’s various properties, meet up between ringing sessions in the Marisco Tavern, share meals and drinks, and walk around the rugged island.
I have worked and lived on Lundy for four years, but this is the first time I have been persuaded to have a go at bell ringing. I was probably spurred on by my brother and sister-in-law, who were visiting the island and were keen to try it themselves. With encouragement from the Bray Tower Bell Ringers, we decided to give it a go.
You can watch the video below — I went from standing outside in the wind to climbing the tower and entering a small room full of sound and people. There were young children, young adults, their parents, grandparents, extended family, and bell-ringing friends.
When it came to the physical act of bell ringing, I thought I would have to pull the rope hard and that it would be quite physical. In reality, it was more about concentration, timing, and rhythm.
If you want to get close to the bell-ringing experience yourself, you can book to stay in the church vestry.
Jane Sharkey 
