Cathedral bell-ringing centre is a world-first

The 21st Century Teaching Centre, housed in the clock tower underneath the ringing room at Worcester Cathedral, uses specialist computer bell ringing simulators and will be used to teach a new generation of bell ringers.

There has already been support from Bishop Perowne College and the King's School, with students from both schools having great fun handling the bells and ringing in unison using the state-of-the-art equipment.

Peter Atkinson, Dean of Worcester Cathedral, said: "It would be a tragedy if the ancient art of bell ringing were to die out.

"At Worcester, with such a fine peal of bells, we have both an opportunity and an obligation to train up a new generation of bell ringers.

"The planned bell-ringing centre is fully in line with the cathedral's policy of working closely with local schools and I warmly welcome this scheme."

Tim Keyes, bell ringer and headteacher of the King's School, said: "Bell ringing is a skill that requires co-ordination, mental agility, and a strong sense of teamwork - I cannot think of anything better as a hobby for teenagers.

"On the teaching side, the cathedral ringers are doing something that is ground-breaking here.

"Instead of waiting for people to come their way, they are establishing a proper educational programme based on the latest technology and some very clever engineering. I know of no other cathedral that is taking the initiative in this way."

Worcester Cathedral's bells are difficult to ring to a high standard and even experienced ringers find them a challenge.

Having a specifically designed training centre enables students from the age of 11 to be taught with more advanced teaching methods, giving them lots of time to practise their newly acquired skills.

The teaching centre was designed and built by NDS Engineering, based in Clifton on Teme, and funded by a donation from the Elmley Foundation.

Using dumbbells and simulators means that teaching takes place without making any noise outside.