Learning to ring bigger bells has been an uphill battle as a female ringer. I learned to ring at University and after seven years could ring eight spliced but would

In general I have spent my life bucking the trend on what girls and women are expected to do (sports, hobbies, career, temperament, family – well lack if it). For

 A few years ago, I called a peal. When it was published in the RW, I noticed I was the only female peal conductor that week. I had a millisecond's

I was a helper on a Surprise Major course some years ago.  After the tutor had placed a couple of students he said to the rest of us: ‘Fill
in

After I had learned a few methods I started going to other local practices and learned to call simple touches at a local tower where I
was the most experienced

I have never experienced much gender bias against me personally, but have been aware of slight gender bias in the world of ringing
and in society. Regarding heavier bells: Starting

One example: I tried to convince a male tower captain that his overwhelming tendency to place only male ringers around the back was a
problem. During the conversation he argued

Coming from a ringing family, I've sat in ringing rooms surrounded by both "uncles and aunties" as long as I can remember. Our band
was probably 60/40 men and women

I started ringing at the age of 7, and was lucky to have a ‘prolific’ tenor ringer as a father. He was always keen to push me to ring the

Last year (2019), I was on holiday with my two girls and we went to a local practice night.  Along with another (male) visitor who
happened to also turn up