Ringing Half Muffled

RINGING HALF-MUFFLED

Last Sunday, Audlem bells should have been rung half-muffled for the Remembrance Service and then again for a quarter peal ( about 40 minutes ) as the sun set.
The bells are fitted with a 'muffle,' -- usually a piece of leather, that is attached to one side of the clapper. As the bell is rung it swings almost a full circle and the clapper hits the bell twice, so one note sounds clear and the other much softer.

The sound of half-muffled bells is unmistakable and very beautiful to listen to. Audlem has 6 bells, so you would hear 6 clear notes and then an eerie echo of that sound.

Bells are usually rung in this way at funerals, in Memorial, Good Friday, Remembrance Sunday and before midnight at New Year to mourn the passing of the Old Year.

It can be nerve-wracking to be in the tower on New Year's Eve because in the time it takes for the clock to strike midnight, people have to clamber up to the bells, remove all the muffles and return to the ringing chamber in time to ring the bells in celebration.