Glossary of ringing terms – S

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Words or phrases underlined are defined within the glossary. Where it assists with clarity, a definition is annotated to indicate a part of speech. (n) = noun, (vb) = verb, (adj) = adjective, (adv) = adverb. Section references refer to sections within The Tower Handbook.

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S: (1) Single
(2) Slow, a twin bob calling position in Stedman with calls when the observation bell is runningin slow and doing the first whole turn.
(3) Society
Sally: Thickened woolly part of a bell rope at a height for the ringer to grip at handstroke.
Sally stroke: Alternative name for handstroke.
St Clements: A plain method for even numbers (basic stage Minor) in which Plain Bob is rung above the treble and consecutive thirds made below the treble causing continuous dodging in 1-2. Odd bell extensions add a hunt bell.
St Simon's: A plain method for odd numbers (basic stage Doubles) constructed as above (with only one hunt bell).
Scientific: (1) Slang term for change ringing used by West Country call change ringers.
(2) An asymmetric Triples principle devised by John Carter in 1904. Difficult to learn and ring.
Scissors dodge: When a pair of handbells dodges in a complementary way (one up and the other down) at the same time (eg one in 34 and the other in 56).
Scissors (position): Sometimes used for 'opposites'. but see scissors dodge.
Seage's apparatus: Mechanical apparatus to allow ringing practice with no external sound. The (tied) bells are connected by wires and levers to a set of small sounders in the ringing chamber that strike when the bell would have done.
Seconds place method: Method with seconds place made at the lead end change (as opposed to last place).
Section: A subdivision of the structure of a method. A set of successive changes in which the treble is in 1-2, or 3-4, etc. The boundaries between sections are the changes when the treble moves between these pairs of positions, eg from 1-2 to 3-4.
Self aligning: Self aligning (ball) bearings allow the gudgeon pins to swivel slightly, and are therefore suitable for use where there is potential movement in the frame.
Septuples: Stage name for methods with fifteen working bells.
Service bell: A single bell rung or tolled for a few minutes just before a service. Often rung by one person after the other ringers have gone down to robe for the choir, etc.
Service touch: The final touch rung before a service, usually with a band and method chosen to ensure particularly good striking.
Set: Another term for stand
Set out: Write down a composition in a stylised format (with columns for different calling positions) to make it easier to visualise
Set pull: Ringing at a set pull means ringing near enough to the balance to be able to set the bell immediately.
Sextuples: Stage name for methods with thirteen working bells.
Shank: The shaft part of a clapper, between the ball and pivot.
Sharp 2nd: A bell added to a ring of 12 to enable 8 of the lighter bells to be rung in a major key. (1, 2+, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
Shear bands: The steel or iron strip used to secure the canons of old style bells to (timber) headstocks.
Shift: (n) When two (or more) bells exchange position inadvertently, and hence do each other's work.
Shipway: An even bell principle (after William Shipway) closely related to Stedman. It consists of alternate 'slow and quick eights', ie backwards and forward hunting by the front four bells with pairs of bells triple dodging above.
Shoots: Alternative name for firing.
Short course: A course in which the observation bell is affected by a call and returns to the same position (normally its natural position) after fewer changes than a normal course.
Short splice: A splice in which all strands are worked into the rope in one place. This thickens the rope, and should normally be tapered so the thickness does not change too suddenly. A short splice in a bellrope will normally be 6-8 inches (150-200mm) long, depending on thickness and taper.
Shoulder: (of a bell) The part where the crown and waist meet.
Shrouding: The flanges or rims either side of the sole of a bell wheel.
Silenced: Bell with clapper immobilised so it can't strike when rung.
Silent: A silent touch, peal or quarter is one where nothing is said. 'Silent and non conducted' means no-one calls anything, gives advice or issues corrections.
Silent practice: A practice with the bells tied, or with very good sound control, and surrogate sound made in the ringing room by a simulator (or earlier by a Seage's apparatus or similar).
Simpson, (Canon): In the early twentieth century, he was instrumental in helping to develop the modern style of tuning
Simpson tuning: A popular name for bells tuned in the modern way. See tuning
Simulator: A device capable of generating bell (or bell-like) sounds ringing rounds or changes. In the commonest use, the sound of one bell is triggered by a detector attached to a tied bell or dumb-bell, while the sounds of the other bells are generated by the simulator to a predetermined rhythm. Thus one ringer can practise with a perfect band when no other ringers are present. Some simulators can be connected to detectors on all bells, thus providing a form of sound control, so the band can ring together normally, but with the sound only in theringing chamber.
Single: The second commonest type of call. It alters the nature of the resultant row compared to what it would have been without the call, and swaps two bells in the coursing order . In most methods the place that defines the bob is made as well as two places adjacent to it (eg bob=14 and single=1234, or bob=16 and single=1678). If the bob affects the work of three bells (eg plain=12 and bob=14, or plain=18 and bob=16), then the single leaves one of them unaffected.
Single change: Change with only one pair of bells swapping positions.
Singles: The stage name for methods with three working bells, so called because all changes are single changes.
Single Oxford Bob: Popular plain method with extended dodging on the back.
Sit out: Not ring in a touch.
Six: (1) A unit of six rows, in principles like Stedman and Erin.
(2) A ring of six bells.
Six-score: A touch of 120 changes of doubles, ie the extent. (Old term).
Sixteen-in: The stage name for methods with sixteen working bells . see -'in' (3)
Six bell peal: A Devon style ringing performance with call changes affecting the front seven bells and the Tenor covering.
Sixth place bob: (In Major methods). A bob at which 6th place (as opposed to fourths place) is made. This is standard for eighths place methods, eg Double Norwich, but not universal, eg Kent.
Sixth place method: A minor method at which 6th place is made at the lead end change (as opposed to seconds place).
Sixty on thirds: See 60 on thirds
Skeleton course: Diagrammatic representation of a method showing the path of the Treble and one working bell, with the positions of other bells either omitted or just shown as dots.
Slack rope: ('Ringing with a slack rope') A condition caused by poor handling with no tension on therope for a far greater part of the bell's swing than normal.
Slap board: Alternative name for running board.
Slider: The bar beneath the bell against which the stay rests to let the bell be stood. It slides so the bell can go beyond the balance in either direction to be stood at hand or back.
Slider cage or frame: The wooden frame or slot in which the moving end of the slider travels.
Slip wheel: The rope jumps from the groove round the rim of the bell wheel. It may be caused by any combination of damaged or distorted wheel, sticking or misaligned ground pulleys, a stiff rope and ringing with a slack rope. Bells prone to slip wheel can normally be prevented from doing so by good ringing with a taut rope.
Slow: (1) (adverb) Hunting interrupted by making a place, eg 'go in slow'
(2) (noun) 'In the slow' = doing slow work.
Slow bell: The bell in the slow, doing slow work.
Slow course: A class of method with a principal hunt bell (normally the Treble) and a secondary hunt bell that makes second's place when the principal hunt bell leads.
Slow hunt (bell): Slow bell.
Slow six: A six in which the front three bells hunt wrong.
Slow work: Portion of work involving extended front work, especially in methods like Kent and Oxford Treble Bob and principles like Stedman and Shipway.
Snap: A single blow at which the direction of hunting reverses. Also called point.
See also: The snap
Snowdon, JW: Jasper Whitfield Snowdon was author of many books, including Ropesight.
Society: A ringing organisation, typically representing a number of towers in an area.
Sole (or soling): The bottom of the channel around a bell wheel in which the rope lies.
Soundbow: The thicker part of a bell, a little way in from the mouth, that is struck by the clapper.
Sound chamber: Intermediate room between ringing chamber and bell chamber that helps reduce and balance the internal sound.
Sound control: (1) A device or system to enable the sound of the bells outside the tower to be reduced significantly (or eliminated) for practices etc, and restored to normal volume when required for services etc. Most mechanical sound control involves some form of movable flap or shutter, but tied bells and some form of internal sounder can also be used. See also simulator, ting-tang.
Sound lantern: An elevated structure on the tower roof containing the sound outlets. If the structure is set in from the edges of the tower, and no other outlets are provided, the sound can be projected well to a distance without beating down oppressively near the church.
Spider: Fitting with multiple hooks on which rope ends can be hung. Drawing the spider to the ceiling on a cord then lifts the ropes clear above head level.
Spike: Alternative name for snap.
Splice: (1) (vb) Making a smooth joint between two pieces of rope by opening the strands of each and then tucking them progressively between the strands of the other piece.
(2) (n) A joint so made. Splices used for ringing are short splice, long splice, eye splice.
(3) Composing or ringing a touch, at various points during which the method being rung is changed.
Spliced: (1) Used to describe touches in which methods are spliced, eg 'spliced Plain and Little'. See splice.
(2) (By convention, without qualification), spliced surprise, eg 'eight spliced'.
Split lead: (When ringing handbells), a lead in which a pair of bells that are mainly coursing ring in the 2-3 position. The tenors do this in the middle lead of a course of Plain Bob. As it is the treble coursing between the tenors, the coursing order excluding the treble is not affected.
Split parallel dodge: Sometimes used to describe parallel dodges where the two dodging places are separated, eg 3-4 and 7-8.
Split scissor dodge: Sometimes used to describe scissor dodges where the two dodging places are separated, eg 3-4 and 7-8.
Split tenors: A composition in which the tenors do not always course each other. The term is mainly used for Major and above, since on lesser number it is not possible to keep the tenors together except for very simple touches.
Spoke: A 'radial' member of a bell wheel.
Spotted cow: An alternative name for Tittums.
Spread them out: Call used to slow down the ringing when ringing some way below the balance, eg prior to calling 'stand'.
Square bearings: A slang term to describe a bell that does not go well.
SRCY: The Society of Royal Cumberland Youths.
Stage: Technical term describing the number of bells on which the changes of a method or principle operate. Many methods can be extended to a related method at a higher stage. Named stages are: Odd bells: 3 - Singles, 5 - Doubles, 7 - Triples, 9 - Caters, 11 - Cinques, 13 -Sextuples, 15 - Septuples, etc. Even bells: 4 - Minimus, 6 - Minor, 8 - Major, 10 - Royal, 12 - Maximus, 14 - Fourteen in, 16 - Sixteen in, etc.
Stand: (1) Causing a bell to go beyond the balance and to rest against the stay.
(2) Call to cause everyone to do so.
Standard calling: (1) A common touch or composition , particularly in Minor methods, where it produces an extent. Call the observation bell (Wrong, Home, Wrong) three times for a Treble Bob method, and six times with singles half way and end (ie doubled with a single) for a plain method.
(2) Also used for very common touches.
Standard eight: The standard eight Surprise Major methods, ieCambridge, Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Superlative,Pudsey, Rutland, London and Bristol.
Standard forty one: The 41 Surprise Minor methods that have Plain Bob lead heads , no 5-6 places (except at the half lead) and no single changes.
Stand behind: Stand near a ringer who may need help or advice during a touch, monitor his or her progress and give such advice as may be needed in the event of mistakes.
Stand in: Ring in touch (especially a peal, quarter peal or some other notable performance).
Stand out: Not ring in a touch or performance (in which you otherwise would).
Staple: Crown staple.
Start: (noun) The work a particular bell does at the beginning of a method.
Static extension: Extending a method by repeating a place or set of places in the same position to produce the extra section, eg St Clements,Kent.
Stay: Wooden rod attached to the headstock. By resting against the slider it supports the weight of the bell just beyond the balance, so the bell can be stood when up.
Stay bender: Slang term for a ringer with a rough handling style.
Stedman: (1) Fabian Stedman was a noted ringer, conductor and printer of the late 17th C. He published Tintinnalogia (1668) and was author of Campanalogia (1677). Master of the College Youths (1682).
(2) A popular odd bell principle designed by Fabian Stedman. It consists of alternate 'slow and quick sixes', ie backwards and forward hunting by the front three bells with pairs of bells above double dodging.
(3) Work in a method other than Stedman (eg Bristol) that is the same as a whole turn in Stedman.
Steeplage: Money paid by those present at a ringing practice,
Steeple keeper: The normal title for the tower officer responsible for the physical maintenance of the bells, fittings, etc.
Stop: Instruction to let the bells cease sounding at the end of a Devon fall – without an additional terminal round.
Stony: Derogatory name for towers ringing only Rounds or call changes that was common in former times when more bands didn't ring methods.
Strap: (1) (n) An extra tail end attached to the rope to permit an extra person to assist the ringer of a very heavy bell.
(2) (n) Such an assisting ringer, eg 'he turned in Exeter without a strap'
(3) (vb) Provide such assistance
(4) Toe strap
Strickle: Metal and/or wooden template used as a guide when forming the inner and/or outer surface of a bell by rotating it around the centre line of the mould. Also called crook.
Strike note: The note that is perceived when a bell is struck. Sometimes the frequency of the strike note cannot be measured, but is synthesised in the hearer's ear and brain from the other tones present.
Striking: Used to describe the quality of the rhythm when ringing, eg 'the striking was better that time'.
Strike: (verb) To make the bell sound
(noun) Individual bell sound.
Striking competition: A ringing competition where bands compete solely on the quality of their striking when ringing a 'test piece'. Most competitions allow a short unmarked piece of ringing for practice and familiarisation with the bells, either separate from the test piece, or the first few leads of it. Most associations and guilds, and many branches, hold one or more striking competition a year
Stroke: When a bell is up it swings between handstroke (rope wound under the wheel, ringer holding the sally) and backstroke (rope wound over the wheel, ringer holding the tail end). Thus the 'stroke' is a means of referring to one half of the swing rather than the other, or the corresponding blow.
Structure: The way the work of different bells fits together in a method. Familiarity with the structure is a valuable aid for keeping oneself and others right.
Sub section: That part of a section, either above the treble (rear sub section) or below the treble (front sub section).
Sucking & blowing: Unpredictable behaviour of a bell that drops or rises unexpectedly at any stroke. Caused by frame and/or tower movement.
Superlative Surprise: A double right-place Surprise method (basic stage Major). One of the standard eight. The first surprise method to be rung to a true peal (in 1821).
Surprise: A class of Treble Dodging method in which an internal place is made at every cross section.
Swapped: Crossed
Sweeping: Instructor guiding a trainee's hands down (or up) by following pressure, but without any grip.
Swing chime: Cause the bell to strike on one side by swinging it through a small arc. Also just called 'chime'.
Swing them up: Call used prior to calling 'stand' when ringing well below the balance. See also Spread them out
Symmetrical method: The normal type of method, ie one whose places are symmetrical from beginning to end of the lead or block, and hence of the course or blue line. Technically this is palindromic symmetry. Methods may also have front to back symmetry – see Double method or rotational symmetry.
Symmetry: The property of a method that is the same if transformed in some way, for example: palindromic symmetry (possessed by most common methods), double symmetry (possessed by double methods) and rotational symmetry.

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