Nottingham University Society of Change Ringers

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The Nottingham University Society of Change Ringers is one of the oldest societies affiliated to the University of Nottingham Students' Union (where it is known as Bellringing Society), being founded in 1958. Its principle aim is to allow students from both the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University to practise English Change Ringing. It also represents the University at the annual Northern Universities Association (NUA) Striking Competition each November.

1 Aims
2 History
3 Annual Dinner
4 Current Activities
5 Peals
6 Honorary President
7 Past Masters
8 External links

[edit] Aims

The aims of the society are:

To promote ringing for Divine Service, in particular providing a band of ringers for All Saints' Church, Nottingham, which shall be The Society’s Home Tower
To encourage and develop the art and science of change ringing, in particular amongst members
To provide communication between members and to promote social activities
To maintain the bells and their fittings at The Society’s Home Tower
To ensure the continuation of The University of Nottingham Union [UNU] Bellringing Society

[edit] History

In late 1957, a number of students (inc. Roger Baldwin and John Underwood) came to study at the University of Nottingham who were already experienced bellringers. They attended the practice at Nottingham, St. Peter. A meeting was held in February 1958 and the Nottingham University Society of Change Ringers (NUSCR) was formed.

A separate practice night was held by the Society at St. Peter's between 1958-1960. In 1960, attempts were made to make the derelict bells at All Saints' ringable. This was only partially successful and the Society's practice night moved there from 1960-62. Due to the poor state of the bells, the Society then moved to Beeston where the bells required less work to make them ringable. During this period the Society did well. Local people (who were not students) were also taught to ring on the bells and this caused friction in the early 1970's. At an EGM on 17 March 1972 it was formally decided to leave Beeston and return to All Saints'.

Over the next two decades there was a gradual patch-up of the eight bells with the support of several ringers from the Nottingham area (such as George Dawson amongst others). However it was clear that at some point the bells would require rehanging. A quote was obtained from John Taylor's Bellfounders at Loughborough for the work in the late 1970's which put the cost at a huge £16,000. It was felt quite out of reach of a student society and the patch up continued. The bells were slowly put onto metal headstocks and ball bearing which made them easier to ring.

During the 1970s there were a significant number of ringing students at the Trent Polytechnic (predecessor to Nottingham Trent University) and the Trent Polytechnic Society of Change Ringers (TPSCR) was formed. This gradually faded and ringers from "Trent" came within NUSCR in the 1980's.

Around 1995, a report gave the bells approximately 5 years before they would be unringable. Quotes were obtained to rehang the bells in a modern steel bellframe for ten bells (i.e. space for two extra treble bells in addition to the eight that were there). With some uncertainty the Society set out in 1996 to raise the initial quote of almost £12,000. A ring-a-thon was held, sponsored walks and various other fundraising activities. Surprisingly the money mounted up much more quickly than expected and discussion began to centre on whether it might be possible to augment the bells to ten also. This would require the original eight bells to be tuned (as they were cast in 1864 prior to modern bell tuning) at a further cost of £1800. In 1999, members of the Society helped to lower the eight bells out of the tower (the heaviest being 3/4 ton or 760 kg) and removed the old oak bellframe. Holes were then cut for the new steel frame and it was hoisted and bolted together. The old eight bells were tuned and returned for Easter 1999. Fundraising continued and the two trebles of ten were cast at John Taylor's Bellfounders in 2004 and hung in September that year. Thus it was that bell restoration, something which had been a major aspect of Society history, came to a successful conclusion.

[edit] Annual Dinner

To date no written records have been found documenting the first Annual Dinner. In addition, only minute books from 1967 onwards are known to exist. The minute book states that the Eighth Annual Dinner took place in 1968, so it is reasonable to presume that the first was in 1961. Dinners have taken place annually since 1968.

[edit] Current Activities

The Society holds a weekly practice during term-time at All Saints' Church (10 bells, 16 cwt or 810 kg), 7-8.30 pm. This encompasses everything from teaching new ringers to Surprise Major and occasionally Surprise Royal. There is also ringing for Sunday Service at 10-10.30 am. In the recent past quarter-peals were arranged for Evensong at other churches as All Saints' no longer has an evening service. Occasional peals are also arranged.

An Annual Dinner is held every February on the third weekend. This includes a ringing tour on the Saturday with Dinner in the evening. There is usually a peal attempt at All Saints' on the Friday evening and/or Sunday. Other annual events include the Freshers' Tour in the Autumn Term, Progressive Meal, Bernard's Do (an afternoon of homemade wine with the Honorary President) and Summer Tour (a long weekend after exams).

[edit] Peals

As of October 2006, the Society had rung 126 peals. Notable peals include 41 Surprise Minor and the first of NUSCR S Major & Maximus. Half a dozen peals have also been rung by bands who were largely NUSCR (ringing in that capacity).

[edit] Honorary President

The Society's first Honorary President was Paul Taylor (that last Bellfounding Taylor of John Taylor Bellfounders). Following his resignation, Revd. Bernard Baines was elected on 24 February 1981. Bernard Baines had been a curate at All Saints' and very supportive of the Society during his time there, and had acted at Master of Ceremonies for the previous three years.

The Honorary President acts as Master of Ceremonies at the Annual Dinner.