We end the year with the bells of North Elmham in Norfolk. The small village has an impressive church, which can't be missed when driving past! Nearby are the ruins of an old priory as well as a great selection of walks across one of the nicest parts of the county.
The tower holds a ring of eight bells, cast and hung in 1962 by Mears & Stainbank. The bells are lovely, but sadly the same can't be said for the handling. The bells are on two levels, I say that, but I think only one bell is on the top level. The tower large and imposing tower does shake and this does really effect the go of the bells. They are unpredictable and drop like stones, or fly way over the balance with even the most experienced ringers finding them a bit of a handful. The bells are rung from a gallery, and with very springy ropes and flighty trebles, they do make for an eventful ring! The peal is sadly riddled with odd-struckness which, couples with the unpredictable 'go' of the bells, it does keep one on their toes.
Here is a video recorded back in the summer. Ringing here features call-changes from inside and some Plain Bob Triples from outside (featuring the local residents at the end).
Musical changes can be be found at:
2:35 - Whittingtons
4:45 - Kings
7:50 - Tittums
The band was formed of varying abilities from across the world, and did rather well on these difficult bells!