The Swing of a Bell

In England church bells are rung by swinging them through nearly a full circle, this gives them their unique tones as the ringing bell is moving backwards and forwards.

With the more traditional tower bells this is achieved using a rope attached to a large wheel (about the same size as the bell) connected to the bell. At East Bergholt, the bells are hung in the same way but without a wheel. They are rung by holding onto the blue headstock and pushing.

The image is a good cut away view of the bell and its parts.

East Bergholt Bell image by Paul Ireland

http://www.eastbergholt-bells.org.uk