<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><FONT SIZE=2>Unfortunately I have nothing in the way of constructive information to impart on this subject. However, it reminds me of an immaterial "discovery" I accidently made recently.<BR>
<BR>
Painted on the plasterwork of the ringing room at Kirkby Lonsdale (and doubtless at several other churches), are the salutary `ringers' orders' shown below. I have often wondered at the clumsy metre of the poem, which could so easily be improved, but when it is printed ‘centred’ on the page I am stuck by its appropriate shape. Is this deliberate? I wonder!<BR>
<BR>
<P ALIGN=CENTER>The Ringers Orders <BR>
If to Ring you do come here <BR>
You must ring well with hand & Ear <BR>
Keep stroke & time & go not out <BR>
Or else You forfeit Without doubt <BR>
He that a Bell doth overthrow <BR>
Must pay his Groat before he go <BR>
He that rings with his Hat on <BR>
Must pay his Groat & so begone <BR>
He that rings with spur on heel <BR>
The same penalty he must feel <BR>
If an Oath you chance to swear <BR>
You forfeit Each two Quarts of beer <BR>
These lines are old they are not new <BR>
Therefore the Ringers must have their due <BR>
N.B.Any ringer entering a peal of six pays his shilling.<BR>
<P ALIGN=LEFT><BR>
Malcolm Bland<BR>
</P></P></FONT></HTML>