Campanology

Would you sign up for a lesson in campanology?

My glamping friends are no doubt whooping “YES!” with cabin-fevered fervor.

We’re all chomping at the bit in anticipation of our first spring camping trip,

but campanology really has nothing at all to do with tents or teardrop trailers.

Speaking of which …

800px-HomemadeTeardrop

Photo by Don Stucke via Wikimedia Commons

 

Trailer envy!

Wait—what am I saying?

Ah, yeah, back to the point:

Does “campanology” ring a bell with anyone?

(Hint: that was an intentional pun.)

The term campanology refers to the study of REALLY BIG bells, like these:

Clifton_Campville_Church_Bells

Photo by Brian Webster via Wikimedia Commons

 

By study, I mean all facets of bell construction and tuning to the art of ringing these behemoths, an age-old practice that doesn’t command a lot of attention these days, especially here in the U.S.

Derived from the Latin word for bell, campana, campanology was coined in the Campania region of Italy, which is known for the mining of bronze that was used to cast bells.

These days, though, much of the talk of campanology resounds from the hallowed halls of English churches, and I was surprised at how many young people are chiming in.

Take, for instance, Becky Dunnet. She’s the teen star of this fun bit of campanology promotion:

I never would have guessed that campanology is considered cool.

Now, about that camping trip … have you made any plans yet?

  1. Winnie Nielsen says:

    My first introduction to the world of bell ringing was in a Dorothy Sayers murder mystery. There is an entire musical art build around the proper ringing of the church bells and there is even musical scores to read. Imagine! Speaking of camping plans, I read on the MJF connection about an upcoming camping opportunity in Arizona this late March! The plans are hatching and people are counting down the days!

  2. Karlyne says:

    The Nine Tailors, Winnie!

    And camping! With sunshine! Ahhhhh….

  3. CJ Armstrong says:

    Actually, I’ve found learning about bells to be interesting . . thank you!

    Glamping/camping trips? Yup . . Backyard Glamper Party & Sleepover at my daughter’s house in Arizona in March. GLAMPER-IFIC GATHERING TWO in Southwest Colorado “Mesa Verde Country” JUNE 13-15.
    And, whatever we can manage the rest of the summer!

  4. Melody Larson says:

    My Grandfather, Ted Berry was a famous Church Bell Ringer in the town of Orfino, Idaho for many years, and a friend of his wrote a wonderful poem about him ringing the bell! I am so proud of him in so many ways, and this special distinction only made me prouder of the man he was!!

    • MaryJane says:

      Orofino is a lovely town. Now it’s even more lovely knowing it has church bells that ring! I hope someone still rings them????

  5. Peggy Richmod says:

    My father-in-law used to Bell Ring with his church group, it was lovely. Camping plans, you bet! First one is March 1-4 Chuckwagon cookoff with SOTF in Pigeon Forge TN, March 29-April 1, Lazy and laid Back with SOTF in Sweetwater, TN, April 12-15 Moonshine Creek with SOTF in NC, April 20-22, Country Living Fair in Lebanon TN, camping with SOTF, June 7-10 Synchronized Fireflies, Elkmont, TN Smokey Mountains, August 2-5 Longest Yard Sale, Fall Creek Falls State Park, TN, September 5-9, Flying Dragons Racing, Pensacola, FL (actually this is staying with Sisters in a beach house but its like glamping) Sept 14-16, Henry Horton State Park, TN, October 25-28Country Living Fair, Stone Mountain Campground, GA and that is as far as I have gotten planning this year.

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