I have only just now seen this thread - and I am really glad I am not alone in the folk world by also being a ringer. ( I did meet 3 other people up the tower at Sidmouth at the fesitval in 2000 but they were dancers I think. )When I lived in Yorshire I used to get a lot of friendly teasing by the Ryburn crowd for being a ringer.

I have been ringing for about 20 years and I have rung about 50 peals for mainly Lancashire, Yorkshire & Manchester University Guilds though I haven't been a Sunday service ringer for about 3 years. I first learnt at St Michael's Headingley ( that's the one you can see from the cricket ground ) and later rang for Sunday Service at Manchester Cathedral ( 10 bells ) then Halifax Parish Church( a lovely Gillet's 12).
Congratulations brid widder! I am consumed with envy - I used to attend St Mary Lowgate in the days when the bells were classed as 'unringable' because the tower was said to be unsafe. I always wanted to ring the bells there. Now I live in Cambridgeshire, and I'll probably never get the chance.
If anyone wants to arrange a Mudcat quarter (or a peal ) I am up for it!
I shall be at Whitby this year and that's a tower I'd love to grab.Any conductors out there?
Mary Humphreys