蜜芽传媒

There are nearly 40,000 bell ringers in the UK but the numbers may be declining according to 蜜芽传媒 local radio research. It is suggested that a fall in church attendance and a difficulty in recruiting new bell ringers are the reasons why.

However, 14 year-old Rachel Mahoney believes there are plenty of young people taking up the tradition:

鈥淲e鈥檝e got such a massive community our young ringers鈥� she told 5 live Sunday Breakfast.

Rachel has been bell ringing since the age of 11 and says it is a great way to make friends:

鈥淵ou鈥檙e accepted by everyone, at all ages. I鈥檝e got friends who are 10, I鈥檝e got friends who are 24 and I have friends who are older people which is great.鈥�

Her 76 year old granddad Peter Hurcombe has been a bell ringer his entire life and also shares Rachel鈥檚 view of the tradition:

鈥淵ou can go into any tower, if you鈥檙e on holiday or at university, and you鈥檙e immediately amongst friends.鈥�

This clip is originally from 5 live鈥檚 Sunday Breakfast on 4 September 2016.

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