Pull the other one ... now you can be a bellringer, thanks to open days (VIDEO)
It is an ancient tradition which can be heard throughout England's towns, cities and villages.
Church bellringing is just one activity to be enjoyed in a series of Heritage Open Days across the region.
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Bellringers at St Mary's Church in Lowgate, Hull.
The four-day annual event, which will take place from Thursday, September 9 until Sunday, September 12, is opening the doors of hundreds of historic buildings to visitors.
Chris Baxter, ringing master at St Mary's Church, Lowgate, Hull city centre, said he was looking forward to teaching newcomers the ropes at open day at the landmark.
He said: "We'll be inviting folk to have a go for themselves, and you never know some of them might just get hooked.
"These days we get all kinds of people bellringing, from a publican to engineers and doctors.
"It's the ultimate way to unwind and helps keep alive a very long tradition."
St Mary's Church was founded at a "Chapel of Ease" to All Saints' Church, North Ferriby, in 1333.
Damage to the church-tower led bellringing to cease altogether in 1957, but a fundraising project allowed for restoration and the bells were rededicated in 2002.
Heritage Open Days are run by an army of volunteers and coordinated by English Heritage.
Other highlights include:
* Brass-rubbing at the Bayle Museum, in Bayle Gate, Bridlington.
* The chance to visit a once top-secret RAF control bunker in Withernsea.
* A rare opportunity to see original documents from the collection of poet Philip Larkin's archive at Hull History Centre, in Worship Street, off Freetown Way.
This year's event coincides with the Freedom Festival – an arts, music, and dance extravaganza in the city.
In Hull, Heritage Open Day activities will centre around Trinity Square on Saturday, September 11.
These include a town-crying masterclass with East Riding town crier Michael Wood, free guided bus tours around the city centre and a display of vintage prams.
Costumed actors will also be mingling with the public, telling them authentic stories from the city's past.
Philip Hoskins, of Hull Civic Society, has helped to pull together the city's venues and activities.
He said: "We have got more openings and events in Hull than ever before and we're sure there is something to suit everyone's taste.
"It's a real celebration of this extraordinary city."
To find out more about Heritage Open Days, call 0207 5397907 or visit www.heritageopendays.org
2 Comments
by Red Dog, Hull w/side
Friday, September 03 2010, 1:59PM
“Peter Levy's false teeth nearly flew out pulling those bell ropes! lol.”
by Ranter, Hull.
Friday, September 03 2010, 10:18AM
“* A rare opportunity to see original documents from the collection of poet Philip Larkin's archive"
Can you imagine what little treasures could be amongst that lot?.
Wonder if theres any reciepts for all the booze he used to drink. Maybe theres a few letters from irate husbands telling him to stop his womanising ways, or a few of his dads reciepts from the Nazi Nurenburg rallies. Might even find a membership card for an Antisemitism group, or a certificate from a psychiatrist, confirming his unstable mental state.
The Collins big book of how to shock people with obscene outbursts could even be there, and even notes of how he despised Hull and its working class people.
I am going to join this bell ringing group.
Never know what you could find.”