A CAMPAIGN to recruit hundreds of people for a special historical past-time has begun, and you could be one of them.

As 2018 begins, there is hope that people in Southampton in search of a new hobby will take up bell ringing.

The Central Council of Church Bell Ringers is looking to recruit 1,400 bellringers across the country including in Southampton and the wider Hampshire area.

The drive is in memory of the 1,400 bell ringers who died in the First World War as well as to preserve the heritage of the art which the council says is suffering from a lack of new recruits.

Bell ringing is a distinctively British tradition with around 6,000 working bell towers across the UK and there are few other places around the world that ring bells in the “English style”.

Alan Regin, a bell ringer at the 14th century Edrington Priory near Salisbury said: “I was a youngster when I started ringing peals - that’s the more advanced bell ringing for extended periods, and wherever I rang, I was often the youngest bell ringer.

“Now - close to half a century later - I am, on occasions, still the youngest, and this concerns me.

“I’d love people in Hampshire to help 2018 become the year that saves British bell ringing.

“There are many benefits of bell ringing. You instantly feel part of a team, and it helps keep my body fit and my mind active.”

Virginia Crompton, of Big Ideas Community Interest Company, who is helping to lead the new year call for bell ringers, added: “If you want to feel part of your local community, bell ringing could be for you.

“Bell towers are commonly found in churches but you don’t have to go to church to become a bell ringer. “Ringing bells used to be what social media is to people today – a way of sharing information across long distances.”

“It’s a hobby steeped in tradition and a fun way to connect to British culture.”

The hobby is suitable for anybody between the ages of eight to 80 and for people who are able to climb steep staircases.

To apply email ringingremembers@bigideascompany.org and then the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers will then connect you to your local bell ringing teacher.

Learning the art takes around three months to and classes are usually once a week and generally free.

Top five benefits of bell ringing:

1.       It’s social and fun – you become part of a team

2.       You improve core strength and it helps you to stay physically active

3.       Learning ringing patterns is mental gymnastics that is good for your brain

4.       Ringing for people’s weddings and other celebrations connects you to your community

5.       You will be doing your bit to preserve a distinctively British tradition