I was taught by my father as a child and didnt really enjoy ringing. When I went to university I stopped completely and sort of expected
people to try and persuade me back. I wasn't a great ringer, but I had rung a handful of peals, and about 100 quarters. I was pretty competent at most of the standard 8. No one ever asked me to ring in that time (3 years 2 months). Not my parents, godparents or friends. I came back to ringing because I wanted to. I ring at a 12 bell tower now which is where I met my husband. It is full of alpha males. The atmosphere is quite oppressive and filled with testosterone. A lot of the time its not a nice place to be. I’ve had to deal with sexist comments for 25 odd years, this has not changed as time has gone on. I’ve had to deal with unwanted sexual advances, and whilst breastfeeding my daughter I had to deal with comments designed to be funny but which were actually hurtful. Don't get me wrong, some members of our band are amazing, one of them will be Godfather to our little girl. But the ridiculous amount of sexism I’ve faced makes me sad. Its 2020 and I have to deal with men sniggering and leering when I breastfeed. Strangers in coffee shops don't do this, why do my friends think its ok? I completely understand why women might not continue with ringing. I’ve lost count of the number of peals, quarters, or outings where I’ve rung where I have been the only female. Its a sad state of affairs from a hobby which claims to be inclusive.