Muso interview: Julia Stewart and Peter Corlis, bellringers

Jessica Lowe, Dunoon and District Gazette

Bellringing, also known as campanology, is a unique form of music. I always enjoyed hearing the bells ringing from St Andrews Anglican Cathedral when I lived in Lismore. However, it wasn’t until I met Julia Stewart (at the Dunoon Hall craft group), that I discovered the sound is actually made by a group of people in the spire of the church (the belfry) pulling long heavy ropes attached to massive bells, in a series of mathematical patterns. Intrigued, I had to find out more…

Bellringing in Christian churches started in around 400 AD in Campania (Italy). However in the 16th century in England church bells were hung from a large wheel, enabling the bells to swing in a full circle and back again. This gave ringers control of their bell, allowing sets of bells to be rung in continuously changing patterns. Bells cannot rapidly duplicate a note as in other music. We have to wait for the bell to travel the full circle. This is “change-ringing”, as performed at St Andrews Lismore. The complex system of changes which makes a ‘peal’ was developed by an Englishman, Fabian Stedman, in 1657. Stedman was also a pioneer in Group Theory (Mathematics).

Julia Stewart is a member of the St Andrews Bellringers.
So, Julia, have you always been into music?

Music is in my soul, has been part of my life from childhood. As a child I learned the piano accordion. We only had radio and music was prime. Primary school choirs introduced me to classics – eg. Mozart. But more choirs alerted me to love the different sounds, moods and feelings music brings. And of course that anticipatory joy, the collective drawing in of breath, as a group prepares to venture forth.

How did you get into bellringing?

I was working in Sydney and had occasion to visit St Andrew’s Burwood church for another purpose and heard the ringing. It was Harvest Festival and they had a camera in the tower so it was enchanting to actually see and hear the action from downstairs. Stupidly I thought it would be contemplative! It certainly looked so. My daughter lived close by so we decided to give it a try. The teacher was incredibly painstaking and other tower members supportive. My developing skill and pleasure only increased. I am still a learner.

When did you first join the St Andrews Bellringers?

I started when I was well into my 50’s – near 30 years ago.

Was your first bell ringing experience scary?

No question, I was so frightened once I got my hands on the rope … the weight, the rope ripping passed centimetres from the nose, yet you are expected to get a hold and look around at others!!! Seemed an impossible feat. I was the most nervous learner. Every bell has a different weight. Our heaviest bell is greater than half a tonne. Rope length varies as well. You may have heard of accidents (and fictional murders) in bell towers. Therefore, there are very strict boundaries as to who can teach in the tightly controlled environment. But no one is ever just left to cope. Beginning ringers always have the teacher sharing the rope control. We are all covered by insurance too. You develop skills at your own pace.

What do you enjoy about it?

So much! We practise once a week and usually perform between church services on Sundays. You become friends with other ringers from all over the world who come from all walks of life, young and old, male and female, churchgoers or not. We all make mistakes, so we have to be tolerant. We have a conductor who is also ringing and must know when each bell should be rung in the sequence and helps us get things right. But the conductor also commands ‘Stand’ (stop ringing) if things just get too chaotic/clashy. The sequence has to be rung from memory. (No visual aids may be used). Our hands, ears and eyes are fully engaged. Ahh and the exercise. Why go to the gym to use weights? Towers have stairs – vertical tunnels. St John’s Cathedral, Brisbane has 102. So legs can get a workout as well.

Are the St Andrews Bellringers looking for new members?

It is good to have more ringers so we can take time off too. New ringers are always welcome. You ring to your skill level and availability. All bell towers are different – that is part of the fun and skills expand if visiting other towers nationally or internationally. Lismore is on the international campanologist’s map. Tower visitors are welcome as negotiated. We have 8 bells and it is like a full choir when all bells are rung – really satisfying for listeners and ringers.

More from Julia, and Peter Corlis, the steeple keeper of St Andrews (and bellringer) in the next edition of Dunoon and District Gazette. 

This article appeared in the Dunoon and District Gazette, February-March 2025.