Charleston, SC | Breaking News, Sports, WeatherBells chime in the Holy City

Bells chime in the Holy City

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — Bells have been ringing throughout the Holy City. Master bell ringers from England are in town to teach change-ringing methods to local ringers.

"It's an English traditional art and craft and at one time it was only done in England," bell master, Ron Warford said.

Ron and his wife Yvonne have come to Charleston every two years since 1998 to train local ringers. Today, they were at St. Michael's Church in Charleston for a special bell ringing precession in honor of Carolina Day.

"People individually learn each rope, but can eventually ring anywhere in the circle," Warford said.

There are eight bell ringers at St. Michael's that pull the ropes that ring out the melody heard on the streets below. The team is made up of all ages, men and women, both novice and experienced ringers.

Warford said bell ringing requires control and patience.

Each bell varies in size and tone. Change-ringing bells are called this because they turn 360 degrees when rung. They are also rung in a series of mathematical patterns, depending on what the conductor orchestrates.

"We change the order of the bells each time they pull the bells," Warford said.

The bell ringer team at St. Michael's says they are a band. It's up to all ringers to ring in correct place at all time.

Charleston Historian, George Williams is a member of the ringing band. He said the Holy City appeals to ringers around the world because it has more bell towers than any other American city.

"Charleston has the four bell towers, with St. Michael's primary because it goes right back to the 18^th century. These are the second oldest change ringing bells in the country," Williams said.

Every four years there is a "Ring Around Charleston," which is an event where all four bell towers will ring throughout a weekend.

The next one is in February 2012.