Fun with Bells
Explore the world of bell ringing with insightful interviews, captivating histories, and challenging quizzes. Join us on this monthly podcast as we journey into the lives of multifarious bell ringers, uncovering their passions, favourite towers, and the essence of quintessential English change ringing. Tune in for a unique and comprehensive perspective on this timeless tradition.
Episodes
81 episodes
More than a hobby : A Celebration of Bellringing
In a fitting finale to the Fun with Bells Podcast, show host Cathy Booth gives the fondest of farewells by foraging through all 75 episodes, to figure out the answer to the second biggest question of our time - why do we ring?Cathy riffs...
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Season 7
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Episode 4
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29:41
Kent Young Ringers - The Organisers
Want to know the secret to successfully setting up a competition-winning young ringers’ group while also securing the long-term future of ringing? Then listen up!In this episode, host Cathy Booth talks to Neil Jones, Jen Thomas, and Step...
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Season 7
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Episode 3
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35:49
Devon Guild: A Sesquicentennial Celebration
In this delightful episode, host Cathy Booth chats with Martin Mansley, AKA Helen’s Dad, about his lifelong journey in ringing.Born into a ringing family, Martin attended his first practice at just six weeks old and has never looked bac...
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Season 7
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Episode 2
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22:53
Kent Young Ringers - The Members
In this lively and engaging episode, host Cathy Booth catches up with Kent young ringers Oscar, Lottie and Flo, and Flo’s mum, Hannah.Although young in years, the ringers have a wealth of experience to share, having already notched up n...
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Season 7
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Episode 1
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25:38
ART Conference 2024: Building Communities
It’s time to catch up with part two of the wide-ranging conversation on the future of ringing hosted by Cathy Booth at the recent Art Conference. Just like part one, the panel of Tina Stoecklin, Andrew Slade and Max Drinkwater don’t hold back f...
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Season 6
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Episode 10
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21:41
ART Conference 2024: Bridging Generations
Who better to quiz about the future of ringing than the President of the CCCBR, the chair of the Association of Ringing Teachers, and an ordained ringer and co-author of a book about ringing and the church? Show host Cathy Booth puts this estee...
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Season 6
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Episode 9
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27:38
Cool Kenyan Ringers from Kilifi Bring Bell Ringing Back Home
‘Unique’ is often overused as a word, but host Cathy Booth’s guests on this wonderful episode, John, and Debbie, can certainly claim it for their ringing experience. That’s because they ring at St Thomas’s Church, Kilifi in Kenya which is one o...
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Season 6
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Episode 8
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35:45
Discover Your Bell Ringing History!
Why do you ring in a gallery? Who were the ringers whose names are on the peal boards behind you? Where can you find an example of an art deco ringing association certificate?Host Cathy Booth quizzes knowledgeable guests Chris Ridley ...
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Season 6
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Episode 7
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40:26
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Our Podcast’s Fifth Year Anniversary
In this special fifth anniversary episode, the Fun with Bells Podcast celebrates by turning the tables on host and producer Cathy Booth, as she takes her turn on the other end of the microphone and is grilled by team member Emily Roderick.
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Season 6
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Episode 6
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36:19
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David Smith: A Bell Ringing Tutor’s Uplifting Global Perspective
In this episode, David Smith makes a much-welcome return to the podcast for another conversation with host Cathy Booth that’s brimming with insight.Find out about about the differences between ringing associations in the UK and...
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Season 6
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Episode 5
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35:42
The Joy of Bells: New Ringers Reflect on Their New Obsession
This episode sees host Cathy Booth catching up with three Ring for King recruits to find out what their first year of ringing has been like. And what a year it’s been!Jessica, Lindsey and Andy have notched up an amazing collection of ‘f...
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Season 6
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Episode 4
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38:04
Bells in Her Music: An Interview with Composer Helen Ottaway
The debate around ringing and music is taken to an entirely new level in this fascinating conversation between show host Cathy Booth and composer Helen Ottaway.Deeply inspired by the sound of bells, Helen’s passion for this shared sounds...
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Season 6
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Episode 3
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50:36
How to lead: An interview with the inspiring Linda Garton
Show host Cathy Booth aims high this month in conversation with accomplished ringer and leading light Linda Garton.Linda strongly believes that “success breeds success” and, as you’ll hear, this is amply illustrated in both her own ringi...
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Season 6
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Episode 2
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36:09
Ringing Success: Church History, Fundraising, and Band Building in Nevern
How many bells are enough? Six, eight, ten? As show host Cathy Booth discovers from Peter Heard, once the offers of help and support came rolling in to Nevern Restoration Project, it was easy for their ambitious plan to grow and grow!The...
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Season 6
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Episode 1
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26:30
100 Amazing Tips for Bell Ringers on How to Use Social Media
Terrified of Twitter, hesitant about hashtags, tentative about TikTok? This practical podcast sees host Cathy Booth take a closer look at social media and how ringers can make the most of it, whether it’s to recruit new ringers, keep the neighb...
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Season 5
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Episode 12
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50:20
From Virtual to Tower: Wensleydale Ringers' Ringing Room Success
What, if anything, is worth keeping from the COVID lockdown period? Well definitely the Wensleydale Clusters online ringing course! Host Cathy Booth hears from ART award winners David Scrutton and Jonathan Couchman, who tell the story behind th...
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Season 5
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Episode 11
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30:18
A Life Well Rung: An Interview with the Brilliant Phil Gay
Is Phil Gay a typical ringer, an atypical ringer or just total legend? Show host Cathy finds out as she delves into a ringing life very well lived.From inventing a mobile belfry, developing the Keele Ringing Summer School, teachi...
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Season 5
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Episode 10
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32:15
Connecting with Your Bell: How to Unlock Your Ringing Potential
Struggling to strike in the right place? Anxious about unpredictable sallies? Getting no satisfaction from your ringing? You’ve come to the right podcast!Ace ringing teachers, Ruth Suggett, Judith Frye and Greg Russell, talk host Cathy ...
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Season 5
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Episode 9
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29:50
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Inside The Media Blitz: What Might Ringing be Like in 2030?
In this second episode focusing on engaging the media, host Cathy Booth looks at two sides of one ‘Ring for the King’ interview by talking to broadcast journalist Tim O’Callaghan and Simon Linford, President of the CCCBR.Cathy learns th...
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Season 5
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Episode 8
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25:31
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Navigating the News: Taking Bell Ringing to a Wider Audience
This episode is jam-packed with practical tips as host Cathy Booth, with the help of three engaging guests, explores how to get positive bell ringing stories into the media.First off, ringers Matthew Butler and Kate Flavell talk Cathy t...
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Season 5
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Episode 7
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36:39
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From Beginner to Bell Ringer: Some Useful Tips
Ever wondered what it’s like to learn how to ring church bells? Podcast host Cathy Booth catches up with both learners in Winchester and teachers at the Association of Ringing Teacher’s conference to find out.It’s clear that all the beg...
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Season 5
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Episode 6
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9:54
Emily brings bell ringing to the art world
This thought-provoking episode sees host Cathy Booth catch up with Emily Roderick, who after volunteering to support the podcast now finds herself featuring in it!One of the age-old questions that ringers rarely agree on is ‘what exactl...
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Season 5
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Episode 6
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37:33
Ringing in the Ears: Navigating Sound in the Bell Tower
Are your bells too loud, or too quiet? Could some simple tips help your hard-of-hearing ringers to cope better in the tower? This podcast sees host Cathy Booth and guests explore the fascinating world of sound.First, Alison and Chris sh...
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Season 5
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Episode 5
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41:39
Beasts in the belfy
No, we’re not talking about tyrannical tower captains, caustic conductors or belligerent tenor ringers here, but the wide and wonderful variety of wildlife that ringers and steeple keepers share their bell towers with. David...
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Season 5
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Episode 4
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28:50
Ringing in Redundant Churches - part 2
This second sojourn into ringing in redundant churches sees show host Cathy Booth discovering two more exciting projects where ringers have joined forces with the Churches Conservation Trust.When someone suggests you take the keys and ch...
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Season 5
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Episode 3
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23:56
