Ancient Society of College Youths

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The Ancient Society of College Youths (ASCY) is an elite society of church bellringers, and the earliest recorded group of change ringers still active. The society formed in 1637, and was based in London, UK.

[edit] Achievements

Since its formation, the society has been a leader in ringing achievement, including large numbers of 'long length' peals - ringing bells for up to 17 hours continuously. The first of these long lengths took place on 18th May 1728, and consisted of 10,080 changes of Plain Bob Major. More recently, members of the society have rung the longest peal ever, on handbells, consisting of 50400 changes of Minor, ringing 70 different methods - all of which had to be memorised - and taking 17 hours and 6 minutes. The society also rang the 'extent' (or maximum number of possible permutations in the order of the bells) of Major - 40230 changes, on 27 December 1977, taking 15 hours, 59 minutes to do so.

The ASCY provide a band of ringers at St Pauls Cathedral, and also hold regular practices at various towers in London every week.