Ampthill

Ringers

Cruelty to Animals in Bell-Ringing

Have you ever noticed the names of methods and changes? Many have references to animals or cruelty towards them.

The first perpetrator of this is Plain Hunt, clearly. It provokes hunting animals, and is attempting to brainwash people into thinking they can still hunt even with the hunting ban in place.

Numer two on the 'Evil List' is Antelope, a fast method involving Plain Hunting. It's obviously saying "Let's all hunt the antelope!"

Putting methods aside, change ringing also has elements of animal cruelty. We have Weasels, for a start. It may seem pretty innocent, but you should remember the tune it emulates.

"Half a pound of tuppeny rice,

Half a pound of treacle,

That's the way the money goes,

Pop goes the weasel."

It indicates that we should shoot the weasel.

You may be thinking that this is the only animal-related change method, but say 'Exploding Tittums' lots of times fast. It sounds like 'Exploding Kittens'. And the Cat's Ears pattern is shoving taxidermy right down our throats. Stop this campanology cruelty now, before it's too late!

The RSPCA will be so proud of me now.

by Alíce O'Regan