NEW RECRUITS are needed to help the bells continue to ring out in Dorchester.

The Dorchester Bellringers are keen to recruit new members to ring the bells for cermonial and civic occasions in the town.

Bellringing is also a hobby in its own right and the two towers of the county town are looking for more people to try a new pastime.

The ringers from St Peter’s Church in High West Street and St George’s Church in Fordington say the activity improves concentration as well as opening a whole new social world.

Members also help keep alive the ancient art of bellringing that has been used across Europe for centuries.

It is used for official duties across the continent and in Britain change ringing offers a special form of music that is unique in its style.

However, it requires as many people as there are bells in the tower to use to them to their full potential.

Will Haydock, tower captain of St Peter’s Church, Dorchester, said: “It doesn’t take long to master the basics of ringing, and once someone is able to ‘turn’ a bell, they are a useful ringer and can start on the great learning curve that is change ringing.

“There’s also a great social aspect to ringing.

“It is a common tradition that bellringers withdraw to the pub after evening practice, where much of the teaching and discussion takes place.

“There’s also the fact that wherever you go in the country, you’ll find a tower where you can ring, make new friends, and discover new and interesting places.”

As well as challenging themselves on practice nights and enjoying a sociable time, the ringers also give something back to the churchs that host the bells by ringing on Sunday mornings.

Mr Haydock said: “Staying for the service is far from compulsory.

“Some ringers are religious and others aren’t, that’s just down to each individual ringer.”

People of the county town enjoy hearing the bells ringing out on Christmas morning or when the bride and groom leave the church after a wedding.

There is also a civic side to the ringing as well with the bells rung ‘half muffled’ on Rememberance Sunday while the ringers also mark major celebrations such as New Year and in 2012 heralded the arrival of the Olympic torch in the town.

The tradition was celebrated by author Thomas Hardy, who wrote about visiting the ringers at St Peter’s church in Dorchester one New Year’s Eve one year.

Practices are held from 7.30pm to 9pm on Mondays at St Peter’s Church and from 7pm to 8.30pm on a Tuesday at St George’s.

Get in touch or just come along on a Monday or Tuesday night and try your hand at the ancient art.

For more information on how to get involved contact Mr Haydock on 01305 459276 or email william.haydock@yahoo.co.uk

You can also follow @DorchesterBells on Twitter