Is Bell Ringing a Sport?

I put this question on our tower Facebook page.

Some said “No.” Some said “Yes.”

The definition of sport according to Google is: an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.

One comment said, “I think one could call it a sport were it not for the fact that there’s no commercial element to it.”

A further comment said, “It’s a recreation.”

The definition of recreation according to Google is: An activity done for pleasure when not working. OR; Refreshment of one’s mind or body after work through activity that amuses or stimulates. Play.

Another said, “We ring for God.”

I have long been of the opinion that Bell Ringers pay “lip Service” to the church in order to keep their hobby alive, and have little or often no interest in the church itself. Very few ringers go to church and fewer still that are regular worshipers. There is very often an appointed person from the bell tower to keep good relations going with the PCC so that they don’t kick us out. How many peals have been rung for a service, and how many on Saturday mornings for the pleasure and entertainment of the ringers? I’m as guilty as any for all of this.

I am lucky enough to come from a tower where our relationship with our vicar is extremely good. We are a busy tower with a good mix of able ringers and learners of all ages and backgrounds. But even so, we have our tower open days and recruitment drives just the same as everyone else. It’s on these occasions I constantly hit the same wall especially with younger people. “It’s a church thing.” “But I don’t believe in God, so it wouldn’t be right for me to learn.” “I’m not good at getting up on Sunday mornings, it’s my lay in day.” Which turns out to be a lie, they get up for football training or a session at the gym.

It’s on these occasions I am heard to say, “If I could pick the bells up and move them to the Leisure centre down the road, the belfry would be full of ringers every day.”

I am also conscious of rings of bells falling silent due to lack of ringers (support for the church) and as the churches close the bells lost to those who can and do like to ring. But there’s another trend that’s quietly growing. There are a surprising number of mini rings out there. Mobile or installed in peoples garages and outbuildings. I know a fair few people who have got or are considering a Saxilby bell in there attic space and ringing with a simulator in their own homes.

Ringing isn’t dying. It’s changing. It’s modernising to fit in with times.

Maybe my idea of making bells (or dumbbells with a simulator) gym equipment isn’t so crazy after all. Maybe, that’s the commercial element that we need.

So, Is Bell Ringing a Sport?

Is going to the gym or an aerobics class sport? It certainly has a physical element just the same as ringing, maybe more so. But they don’t compete, as we do. They go simply for pleasure, therefore it’s a recreation.

Bell ringing certainly has all the elements of a sport as defined by Google. So, yes maybe it is But we ring for pleasure, therefore, A Recreation, is perhaps the correct definition.