Bellringing Badge

What does Bellringing offer

Bellringing is an activity that will provide a new, worthwhile and different activity for sections to try and badges to earn.

Ringing tower bells (mostly in churches) is more challenging than most people realise. It does not require mathematical or musical ability, physical size or strength, but is all about timing and technique and a little mental effort and is best learned young - the tens and teens are ideal though a badge is available to all sections.

Bellringing technology dates from before the 1600s and bells weigh anything from a few kilograms to a few tons! They are rung “full circle” - mouth uppermost to mouth uppermost - sounding once on the way which gives excellent control over timing – it’s all a matter of learning the technique. Ringing tower bells does not require church attendance.

It is a social, group activity for anyone from about 10 years old developing both physical skills and mental agility and offers ongoing personal challenges. As a hobby it can last a lifetime.

For younger participants, hand bells and chimes provide an alternative.

Bellringing Stage 1 Badge
Bellringing Stage 2 Badge
Bellringing Stage 3 Badge
Bellringing Stage 1 Badge
Bellringing Stage 2 Badge
Bellringing Stage 3 Badge

Leader Information

  • This Badge is a local badge for Derbyshire and developed by the county Bellringing Team. It is supported by the Derbyshire Diocesan Association and the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers.
  • Any scouting section can request a visit to a bell tower and a session in their HQ to cover most of the badge requirements with just a little finding out for the scouts to do themselves.
  • 23 Derbyshire towers have offered to help and almost every Derbyshire Scout Group is within about 20 minutes of a participating tower.
  • In the HQ sessions, we will use games and activities to discover tower bell ringing, understand how it all works, and its history and more.
  • The visit will explain and demonstrate how bells are rung and give the youngsters a chance to see the bells and the mechanisms and to, at least, chime a bell.
  • With a little more personal effort the youngsters will have earned the Know About Bellringing badge. For youngsters who are interested, the towers will provide the tuition and practice needed to go on to the Bellringer Badge which is staged.
  • Sessions will normally be planned to fit your usual meeting days and times.
  • For large sections, there may have to be two tower visits.
  • Bellringing can also be used for DofE Skills requirements.
  • For more information about the badges and to book a visit, use email contact below.
  • Please wear uniform

To contact the Bellringing team, click Bellringing Team

To request the Bellringing team to organise a tower visit and follow on session in your HQ, click Bellringing Team

Please discuss the maximum group size for a tower visit with the Bellringing team.
Please discuss how long a session will run for with the event organiser,

Visits can be arranged at your local Scout headquarter. Visits to bell towers can be arranged all around the County.

Please discuss any costs, with the Bellringing Team.

Additional Information

Click here to request any technical support or advice.

Scouting UK does not currently publish any specific information relating to this activity.
All Scouting policies, safety, risk assessments must be applied when you undertake this activity.
All information has been provided by Derbyshire Scouting members and is fully intended to help Leaders arrange Bellringing related activities.
Alternatively click here for the full list of Activities that Scouting UK publishes information on.

Click here for information about badge requirements

The world authority on Bellringing has lots of useful information.
Central Council of Church Bell Ringers, click here to visit their web site.

Events Bellringing Team supports

Andy AustenBellringing Team

Supported Sections

SectionEligibleNotes
 
 
 
 
 
 

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