Three Generations Help Keep the Bells Ringing in Bodmin

👥 When 11-year-old Azriel asked his grandad, “Can I ring for the King?” just three weeks before the Coronation, it seemed an ambitious goal. Yet in that short time, his grandfather Paul taught him how to handle a bell rope, and together they rang one of the bells of St Petroc’s Church to mark the historic occasion.

Now aged 14, Azriel is an accomplished young bellringer and a member of the Truro Diocesan Guild of Ringers Youth Squad and Call Changes Team. He has represented the Southwest at the Ringing World National Youth Contest, travelling to London, Birmingham and Nottingham to compete.

A Family Tradition Spanning Generations

Bellringing runs deep in the family. Paul began ringing in 1962, although he would have started two years earlier had it not been for a major project at the church.

“All eight bells had been taken down and sent to Taylor’s of Loughborough to be melted down and recast,” Paul explained.

“Did it take two years, Grandad?” asked Azriel.

“Yes, it did,” came the reply.

While waiting for the new bells to return, Paul learned handbell ringing and took part in fundraising performances to support the bells fund. Sixty years later, he received a certificate from the Truro Diocesan Guild of Ringers recognising six decades of service. He has also been awarded lifetime membership of the Guild.

Azriel’s father, Neil, was even younger when he began ringing. At just six years old, he was taught by his father, Paul. His first experience was ringing Bodmin’s curfew bell, which used to sound across the town every evening at 8pm.

The tradition dates back centuries. Originally, the bell signalled households to dampen down their fires for the night. During medieval times, it warned residents to return within the town walls before the gates were closed.

Although the daily curfew ringing ended in the 1990s, the tradition lives on during the Bodmin Riding & Heritage Festival each July. During the festival, the sixth bell is rung for five minutes at 8pm, followed by the tenor bell striking the date.

Neil recently received recognition of his own, being awarded a certificate for 40 years of ringing service by the Truro Diocesan Guild of Ringers.

Four Generations of Bellringers

The family’s connection to bellringing stretches back even further. It was Paul’s father who became the first bellringer in the family, creating a tradition that now spans four generations.

Today, Paul, Neil and Azriel regularly ring together at St Petroc’s Church. They attend weekly practice sessions on Tuesday evenings from 7.30pm to 9pm and ring before Sunday services, gathering at 9am for 45 minutes of ringing.

They also support neighbouring towers, including Lanhydrock and Cardinham.

“We make up the numbers, and it keeps things rolling along,” said Paul.

Throughout the year, the family ring for a wide range of occasions, including New Year’s Eve.

“We ring the old year out and the new year in,” Paul explained.

The bells also mark Remembrance Sunday, civic celebrations, royal occasions, and weddings. When needed, the family travels to other towers to ring for wedding services.

Azriel remembers the most recent wedding being in Camborne.

“We didn’t go up Camborne Hill,” Neil joked, “but we did run down Camborne Hill to get an ice cream after the service!”

Why Keep Ringing?

What motivates three generations of the same family to continue this centuries-old tradition?

“I just like it,” said Azriel. “I guess I like the challenge of it because it’s really difficult.”

For Neil, the enjoyment has evolved over time.

“It changes as you progress and get older. I can give back to the group now as a more established member. I still enjoy ringing because it’s a hard thing to do, and I appreciate the camaraderie.”

Paul agrees.

“Even after doing it for more than 60 years, I still enjoy the challenge and the social side.”

Paul, Neil, Azriel, and others ringing St Petroc's bells in June 2026 as a call to worship

A Unique Part of British Heritage

The family believes bellringing remains important because of its historical and cultural significance.

“It’s historical – it’s always been done,” said Neil.

Paul added, “Ringing marks key events such as the passing of a monarch, and it’s unique to this country.”

“Don’t they have it in other places?” asked Azriel.

Neil and Paul explained that while bells are rung worldwide, the distinctive British traditions of call changes and method ringing, are unique.

“Most people like to hear the bells,” said Paul. “If it didn’t happen, people would ask why the bells weren’t being rung. I often hear from people around the town, ‘Lovely to hear the bells ringing – they’re sounding alright!’” "Sounding alright" is is a local expression meaning "really great!"And so they should, as, according to Paul, St Petroc's tower bells are likely to be within the top five in the county.

A Lasting Record

Bodmin’s three generations of bellringers are officially recorded on the BellBoard website, where performances are logged along with the occasion, date, conductor and the bell each ringer rang.

Neil says that being part of a three-generation ringing family feels normal because they spend so much time together, but he recognises it is something to celebrate.

“There aren’t many families like this around, and in that way it does feel special.”

Interested in Learning?

The St Petroc’s ringing team welcomes new learners. Bellringing is a rewarding skill that combines tradition, teamwork, concentration and community spirit.

To find out more about learning to ring, contact Paul through the team office on 01208 809601 or email office@bodminway.org.

St Petroc's Bellringing website page