Lexicographer review — Page 12 of 37 S2

The art of change-ringing is peculiar to the English , and , like most English peculiarities , unintelligible to the rest of the world .

Dorothy L. Sayers , “ The Nine Tailors “

ASLACTON , England --

Of all scenes that evoke rural England , this is one of the loveliest : An ancient stone church stands amid the fields , the sound of bells cascading from its tower , calling the faithful to evensong .

The parishioners of St. Michael and All Angels stop to chat at the church door , as members here always have .

In the tower , five men and women pull rhythmically on ropes attached to the same five bells that first sounded here in 1614 .

But there is also a discordant , modern note in Aslacton , though it can not be heard by the church-goers enjoying the peal of bells this cool autumn evening .

Like most of the other 6,000 churches in Britain with sets of bells , St. Michael once had its own “ band “ of ringers , who would herald every Sunday morning and evening service .

We 've tried to train the youngsters , but they have their discos and their dances , and they just drift away . “

Mr. Hammond worries that old age and the flightiness of youth will diminish the ranks of the East Anglian group that keeps the Aslacton bells pealing .

History , after all , is not on his side .

According to a nationwide survey taken a year ago , nearly a third of England 's church bells are no longer rung on Sundays because there is no one to ring them .

It is easy to see why the ancient art is on the ropes .

Then , at a signal , the ringers begin varying the order in which the bells sound without altering the steady rhythm of the striking .

Each variation , or change , can occur only once , the rules state .

Ringers memorize patterns of changes , known as “ methods , “ which have odd-sounding names like Kent Treble Bob Major or Grandsire Caters .

A series of 5,000 or so changes is a “ peal “ and takes about three hours .

A look at a Thursday night practice at St. Mary Abbot church in the Kensington district of London gives an idea of the work involved .

Each variation , or change , can occur only once , the rules state .

Ringers memorize patterns of changes , known as “ methods , “ which have odd-sounding names like Kent Treble Bob Major or Grandsire Caters .

A series of 5,000 or so changes is a “ peal “ and takes about three hours .

A look at a Thursday night practice at St. Mary Abbot church in the Kensington district of London gives an idea of the work involved .

Ten shirt-sleeved ringers stand in a circle , one foot ahead of the other in a prize-fighter 's stance , each pulling a rope that disappears through a small hole in the high ceiling of the ringing chamber .

A series of 5,000 or so changes is a “ peal “ and takes about three hours .

A look at a Thursday night practice at St. Mary Abbot church in the Kensington district of London gives an idea of the work involved .

Ten shirt-sleeved ringers stand in a circle , one foot ahead of the other in a prize-fighter 's stance , each pulling a rope that disappears through a small hole in the high ceiling of the ringing chamber .

No one speaks , and the snaking of the ropes seems to make as much sound as the bells themselves , muffled by the ceiling .

Totally absorbed , the ringers stare straight ahead , using peripheral vision ( they call it “ rope-sight “ ) to watch the other ropes and thus time their pulls .

A look at a Thursday night practice at St. Mary Abbot church in the Kensington district of London gives an idea of the work involved .

Ten shirt-sleeved ringers stand in a circle , one foot ahead of the other in a prize-fighter 's stance , each pulling a rope that disappears through a small hole in the high ceiling of the ringing chamber .

No one speaks , and the snaking of the ropes seems to make as much sound as the bells themselves , muffled by the ceiling .

Totally absorbed , the ringers stare straight ahead , using peripheral vision ( they call it “ rope-sight “ ) to watch the other ropes and thus time their pulls .

Far above in the belfry , the huge bronze bells , mounted on wheels , swing madly through a full 360 degrees , starting and ending , surprisingly , in the inverted , or mouth-up position .

In a well-known detective-story involving church bells , English novelist Dorothy L. Sayers described ringing as a “ passion that finds its satisfaction in mathematical completeness and mechanical perfection . “

Ringers , she added , are “ filled with the solemn intoxication that comes of intricate ritual faultlessly performed . “ “

Ringing does become a bit of an obsession , “ admits Stephanie Pattenden , master of the band at St. Mary Abbot and one of England 's best female ringers .

It is a passion that usually stays in the tower , however .

More often than not , ringers think of the church as something stuck on the bottom of the belfry .

In a well-known detective-story involving church bells , English novelist Dorothy L. Sayers described ringing as a “ passion that finds its satisfaction in mathematical completeness and mechanical perfection . “

Ringers , she added , are “ filled with the solemn intoxication that comes of intricate ritual faultlessly performed . “ “

Ringing does become a bit of an obsession , “ admits Stephanie Pattenden , master of the band at St. Mary Abbot and one of England 's best female ringers .

It is a passion that usually stays in the tower , however .

More often than not , ringers think of the church as something stuck on the bottom of the belfry .

It is a passion that usually stays in the tower , however .

More often than not , ringers think of the church as something stuck on the bottom of the belfry .

When their changes are completed , and after they have worked up a sweat , ringers often skip off to the local pub , leaving worship for others below .

This does not sit well with some clerics .

With membership of the Church of England steadily dwindling , strong-willed vicars are pressing equally strong-willed and often non-religious ringers to attend services .