Welcome to the website for the Dorset County Association of Church Bell Ringers.

The Dorset County Association of Church Bell Ringers (DCA) is a ringing society based in Dorset (although we have members across the country) that holds a regular monthly practice and other events (e.g. Bell Ringing Outings, workshops, etc.). We have a Bell Restoration Fund (a registered charity) and also a Mobile Bell Tower which can be used for recruitment at locations without a bell tower (i.e. outdoors at fairs, sports halls, etc).

All DCA members are Life Members and any bell ringer can join for a one off fee of just £6. If you are a ringer and would like further information or to join then email dcacbr@gmail.com

Enquiries about Dorset Bell Towers can be made via dcacbr@gmail.com and help to find a Dorset Bell Ringing Teacher can be obtained from ringingteacherdorset@gmail.com . To find out more about bellringing nationally visit Learn To Ring or What is Ringing.

What should I know if I want to take up Bell Ringing? (click to see the answer)

You probably already know that church bell ringing is a traditional art and an important part of our national heritage. You’ll also discover it’s a fun, healthy and sociable activity. Bell ringers exercise their bodies, stimulate their minds and make new friends.

You will be joining a community of people from all walks of life throughout the UK and across the world. There are many opportunities to visit other towers, join in social activities and ring for special events and competitions.

You will need to commit to a period of intensive one to one tuition to master the basic skills of bell handling before you can start to ring with others. It normally takes 1 or 2 hours practice a week for a period of up to six weeks to become competent at ringing a bell on your own.

You don’t need to be a christian or regularly attend church to be a bell ringer but you may be asked to support the church by ringing the bells for Sunday services, festivals or celebrations (some of which you may get paid for).

You can listen to typical Dorset church bells below:

The Association is represented on The Central Council of Church Bell Ringers and supports the Association Of Ringing Teachers.

There are also two more ringing guilds operating in parts of Dorset; the Salisbury Diocesan Guild http://sdgr.org.uk, and the Winchester and Portsmouth Diocesan Guild https://www.wpbells.org/.