David Steel, Tower Captain, Carlisle Cathedral writes:
HEAVY METAL – THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RINGERS
The bell exhibition at the Cathedral is now ended and I feel that as the dust settles, I should thank all who contributed and helped us from across the Guild. The exhibition itself appears to have been very well received by both visitors and the Cathedral Chapter which is a great relief. The effort put in by so many of our band has been remarkable and quite humbling. I can’t recall any member of the band who didn’t give something, from attending every single day for a month (Ruth), helping at one of the many taster sessions or tower tours or just simply ringing. I cannot thank them enough and any praise will feel faint when set against the work and the time they put in. Thank you all anyway.
From the first stages of planning we tried to make a point of advertising the many local ringing bands and produced displays and leaflets highlighting the locations and contact details of every Guild tower and band, we hope that at least some of you may have received some benefit. We know for certain that Brampton has seen a distinct interest and people from the Wigton area also enquired. Nationally we pointed many visitors at several places across the country where they could learn to ring, but it is of course difficult to assess any impact the exhibition may have had on future recruitment. At the very least it may have piqued some interest that will pay off in due time.
Several of the bands across the diocese contributed a rope or indeed several ropes which were labelled and assembled into a wall of sallies. Displayed were the beautiful and striking colours from the following towers:
St James the Great, Barrow; St Bees Priory; St Martin’s, Brampton; Kirkby Stephen Parish Church; St Andrews, Thursby; St Mary’s, Wigton; St Michael’s, Workington and of course Carlisle Cathedral and last but not least; Ron’s garage.
Elsewhere was displayed a broken slider from St Michael’s, Shap, in a small display called ‘Mishaps do happen’. I must clarify that it was kept company by broken stays, ropes and clappers from the Cathedral…
Thank you everybody very much for your contributions. 
One of the stated purposes of the Guild is to foster an appreciation of bells and ringing in the wider general public, I hope that we have been able to do that on behalf of not just the Cathedral but also the Guild. I do have to say though that one of the things that came across loud and clear from the comments made by very many of the visitors is that the ringing of church bells is loved, welcomed and very much appreciated as one of the great traditions of the country.
I think on the whole we do a good thing.
Thank you all once again.
