It’s Friday and when I was a teenager, Friday night meant bell practice night. We never got to hear Lady Gaga ringing out from the St Patrick’s in Ballymena, even with the new ring of 12 hanging there.

We were more used to the gentle sound of the ‘middle six’ and sometimes if we were lucky to hear the sound of the 12 bells being rung. It is always a pleasure to hear the bells of St Patrick’s ringing out, the pleasure is now tinged with sadness at the illfeeling that was created when FODS toured Northern Ireland and one ringer was put out of the tower.

However, as one who learnt to ring under the tutelage of the late Claire Hudson, it is with great pride that I can say that I started my campanological career in that tower.

The days of hearing 12 ringing out on each Sunday morning appear to be past, for now. But if anyone is interested in learning the art of change-ringing and is within the hearing of a church with bells, I encourage you to head round and you will find a welcome, and a new activity that will bring some fitness (both physical and mental), and some new mates for drinking in the pub (if you’re in England).