And that advice (if it was Rocky Balboa he’d say ‘ … keep on swinging!) will surely be the rule of thumb when a unique international event comes to Lithgow, Bathurst and Orange next month.

The region is to play host for the first time from March 11 to 15 to the annual general meeting and festival for the Australia and New Zealand Association of Bellringers.

Venues over the four days will be Hoskins Uniting Church in Lithgow and the Anglican cathedrals in Bathurst and Orange.

A group of Sydney based ‘ringers’ was in Lithgow at the weekend getting in some advance practice with members of the local bell ringers club on the bells of Hoskins.

And they told the Mercury there’s much more to this ancient art than just dragging on a rope.

There’s mental ‘mathematical calculations’ going on the whole time to ensure a co-ordinated effort by the team.

Apart from bellringers from across Australia and New Zealand the organisers are expecting visitors from overseas to chime in.

The Lithgow members, whose efforts ring out across the valley every Monday night, are looking forward to the festival with a great deal of anticipation.

According to spokesperson Hannah Musgrove bell ringing is an ancient art.

She said the origins of change ringing (bell ringing) are in the 16th century when church bells began to be fitted with a full wheel.

This gave ringers control of their bell, allowing sets of bells to be rung in continuously changing patterns.

Music is created by altering the order in which the bells sound.

This is done in defined sequences of ringing called ‘methods’.

Learning a few simple methods allows ringers to join in with other bands in towers around the world.

“English style church ringing (change ringing) is a fascinating activity that requires physical co-ordination, a sense of rhythm and good listening skills,” she said.

“It provides mental and physical stimulation, along with the social aspect of working with other ringers.”

Bellringers in Australia and New Zealand belong to a body known as The Australian and New Zealand Association of Bellringers (ANZAB) which is holding its annual festival in the Central West.

Approximately 120 ringers from all parts of Australia and overseas will be coming to the Central West for four days of intensive bell ringing with many sessions planned in the bell towers of Lithgow, Bathurst and Orange, along with social events and activities including wine and historical tours of the region.

“The festival will give ringers the chance to extend their ringing experience by providing opportunities to ring at new towers and to perform methods that are only possible when experienced ringers are brought together,” Ms Musgrove said.

“Newer ringers will be able to improve by associating with ringers who can advise and teach new and more advanced methods.

“In addition to bell ringing, there will be several theory sessions to explain the finer points of campanology.”

The bells at Hoskins Uniting Church will be ringing out during sessions for visitors on Thursday 10th, Friday 11th, Monday 14th as well as after the Sunday morning service on the 13th.

A local Lithgow ringer will be present at each session if anyone wants to come and listen.

The standard of ringing should be great and will be lovely to listen to from the church gardens.