Chris Bacon rings at 98, honoured by Bathurst bellringers' peal attempt
Bathurst bellringers maintain the 1600s English tradition of change ringing, with 98-year-old Chris Bacon believed to be the world's oldest active ringer.
Six bellringers at All Saints Cathedral in Bathurst pull numbered ropes to ring brass bells attached to wooden wheels, continuing a tradition begun in England in the 1600s. Change ringing uses musical compositions that look like code rather than notes, assigned to groups called bands.
Chris Bacon, 98, took up bellringing in his 70s and is believed to be the world's oldest active bellringer. Later this year, ringers from central west NSW and Sydney will attempt a peal (hours of continuous ringing) in his honour.
Learning change ringing takes weeks. Bacon's dedication at his age makes him a rare case.
Jim Woolford, a former master ringer at UK churches and Sydney cathedrals, now trains the Orange bellringers using a TV simulator.
- 98 years old
- Age
- In his 70s
- Started ringing
- 6
- Bells in the band
- 12 weeks
- Time to learn basics
Why it mattersBellringing expertise is disappearing in towers worldwide where no teachers remain; the Bathurst and Orange bands are training younger ringers to ensure the craft survives.
AustraliaCentral West NSW is home to thriving bellringing communities that keep a little-known ancient craft alive in Australia, breeding lifelong friendships and cultural pride.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
Open this story in InSnip →
