Hell's Bells

I've been quite the Culture Vulture this year.

Late January began 4 weeks of the Fringe Festival. This one was my biggest binge ever.

Then it was Sculptures by the Sea in March & now a whole month of Heritage events in the city. Unlike the Fringe, most of them are free but require registration. The days of just spontaneously turning up to stuff are pretty much over since COViD.

So I've already been on some Art Deco walks in the city, the old hospital museum and on a treasure hunt at the Mint.

But today's event was the icing on the cake.

A talk about the Sean Bells with demonstrations from real be ringers.

I booked several weeks ago and swapped my shift at work to make space on my schedule.

Apparently 30 people had booked but by 14.30 only 8 had shown up.

So an audience of 8 with 7 bell ringers who all came in specially to put on a show for us.

We even got a go at chiming the bells. Something you normally have to go on a paid tour to do. I did it this time last year.

But back then we did not get a big fat 80 minutes in the ringing room nor did we get to see anyone ringing changes or ringing the biggest bell.

It was geek heaven topped off by tea and biscuits in the staff room with views over the river.

I'd already spent an hour at the tower on Sunday for Open Day.

There really is something so mesmerising & enchanting about bells especially when you can see them ringing with nothing between you and them but a lot of double glazed glass.

Even though, you can still feel as well as hear them ringing.


On Saturday is Open Day at the old Observatory - a place that I always miss out on seeing because it gets booked out so quickly.

This time I got in early. Then the afternoon I'm off on an art Deco tour of the spooky old girls school.


I've never had so much fun. For free.

I will now have bells ringing in my ears for a week.