Aims and Objects of the Piglet Initiative -
The principal aim of Pig-le-Tower is to provide the opportunity for all ringers to participate in peal-ringing. As the world leader in the art of change-ringing on small bells we ensure that the peal takes precedence over other ringing formats, but quarters and general ringing are of course encouraged to promote this worthwhile objective.
Courses in the understanding of composition and conducting - The use of computers coupled with traditional media is used here. This has been found to be most beneficial to those wishing to enhance their skills in these areas.
The Pig-le-Tower website - This provides a world-wide preview of all the activities related to the initiative. From this source ringers from Australia, New Zealand and the USA have returned home having rung peals. 124 ringers have rung peals here and several hundreds of visitors have sampled the easy to ring eight.
Tours in the area - Tours can be arranged to both the foundry at Dulcote and the bell-hanging works at Chilcompton, with ringing at local towers in the area. These visits are to provide the student with a comprehensive overview of most of the very traditional processes that are involved in the production of rings of small bells for full circle ringing by rope and wheel.
Tower grabs and quarter peals - The bells of Somerset are renowned for their great variety, both in weight and tone. From ancient rings of five bells through to a very modern ring of twelve. Ringers wishing to ring quarters or just have an afternoon’s grab can be accommodated. Just ring 01373836215 or email us for details. The usual donation to the tower visited would be appreciated.
Traditionally, ringing has been a no cost activity - The Pig-le-Tower initiative has been set up to further this concept. All people should be encouraged to participate in the knowledge that they are continuing an exercise that costs them nothing, and giving themselves the chance to belong to a large family with over a four hundred year history that hopefully will proliferate.