The bellringers of St Cosmas and St Damian in Keymer have been summoning parishioners to church, celebrating weddings, funerals and national milestones for more than 25 years.

But they now have an average age in their 60s with one dedicated member of the group now in his 80s.
Bellringing provides a great workout for a wide range of muscles but is also an excellent brain-training exercise as concentration, memory and rhythm are key.

Stephen said: "You don't need muscles. If you can put a bat with a ball with a tennis raquet when it's coming towards you then you can ring a bell."

But, he said, bellringing hopefuls do need: "A good sense of rhythm, good hearing and a way of remembering."

Change ringing involves ringing a set of bells in a series of mathematical patterns called "changes".

Each person is ringing the same pattern but in different sequence but everyone has a different way of memorising the complex changes.
Stephen said: "I've got a memory that's a bit arty and I remember the shapes."

"Some people use mathematical equations and one lady holds the whole sequence in her head by listening."

The church has six bells ranging from 700wt or 300 kilos to 300wt or 150 kilos housed in the 13th century tower, the oldest part of the mainly Victorian church.

Contrary to popular belief, the sound is not deafening as the clapper strikes the bells horizontally so the sound is directed outwards to the surrounding parish.

And it appears to have an addictive quality.

One of the group, Diana Webley, even joined in in her wedding dress to ring the bells for her own marriage recently.

Stephen said: "The zing when it goes perfectly is absolutely wonderful."
The change-ringing group is looking for anyone aged 11-60 interested in learning this traditional skill and particularly youngsters and teenagers.

While training people need to set aside two hours a day twice a week for three months but once trained it would be one hour's practice a week.

Taster lessons are being arranged during the school summer holiday on Mondays and Tuesdays from 2pm-4pm from July 28 to September 2.