Basildon Bell Tower

It was an early morning to get to Basildon in time for their service ring.  But we made it. This is the tower, which is in the main town square, next to the church.

And you can see the bells from the outside!!! For me, who can't cope with heights, this is the FIRST time I have seen a ring of bells in place.  They leave them in the "up" position.

Inside the ringing tower.  There is air-conditioning AND heating but the ringers told us they were not plugged in. The young man was ringing up one of the bells.

And looking up.

Just in case you forget which bell you are ringing.

Kin Mun got to ring.  They were willing to give a visitor a go on a service ring.

And the tower moves as they ring.  Like a mini earthquake.  The lights above were shaking.
This is how they store the ropes/sallies.  Roger told us that at the bottom of the tube is a lamp that dries out the ropes if they get damp.

They have a warning about the bells being up.  And there is a spiral staircase, but much better than the old medieval ones.

And afterwards we went to the local shopping center for morning tea.  We know when to capitulate on ordering coffee.  Just have tea - which was very good together with the Victoria Sponge.