Situated in south west Scotland on the River Nith, Dumfries has seen a new band of ringers  develop at St John’s church under the leadership of Debbie Johnson. Some of the band, who are all at Level 2 / 3 of LtR, tell us why they got involved and how they are getting on:

Douglas Solley

I first experienced the enjoyment of bell ringing as a young boy in the mid 1970s. However I was unable to pursue this interest fully until recently. So, when the bells were installed at St John’s, Dumfries in 2013, I immediately signed up to learn. I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience and the team ethos which developed.

I have progressed from basic rope handling to plain hunt and covering. I very much appreciate the teaching from Debbie, Tony and Anthony to support my learning. Ringing at Christmas 2015 was a thrilling yet nerve-racking experience which I even managed to complete without making any noticeable mistakes.

I thoroughly enjoy being a member of the bell ringing team at St John’s and look forward to our weekly practice sessions and ringing on a Sunday morning.

Dumfries practice night

Ann Roberts

Coming back to learning to ring after a 40 year gap as an older ringer was rather daunting and I appreciate the contrasts in the learning process. We have a large and supportive learners’ group which I’ve been a part for the last 18 months and a very encouraging group of experienced ringers who are all happy to share their tips and experience. Each week we are all encouraged in our ringing practice despite some of the faux pas that occur. As our ringing is developing we are challenged by a variety of exercises to help in bell control and ropesight. Debbie makes the ringing practice enjoyable and has infinite patience. It is gratifying to feel on some occasions that my participation goes ‘just right’ and to look back on the distance I have come since joining the St John’s band. I look forward to Thursday evenings and what progress can be steadily made.

Jane Madden

It is hard to believe that my son, Andrew, and I have been ringing the bells at St John’s Church, Dumfries, for three years now. Andrew was only ten years old when we started and we only went along because a friend of mine invited us to give it a try. I did not imagine then that we would still be ringing three years down the line. Andrew and I both enjoy going bell ringing and have improved a lot since we first started. However, Andrew is able to pick things up much more rapidly than I am and is able to do much more complex methods (I put this down to his youth). Hopefully, he will continue to go bell ringing even though he is now a teenager!

Ringing at Dumfries