CLAPPERS come in all shapes and sizes. The picture on the left shows how they were made in medieval times. Bell-ringers soon learned that a softer metal, like cast iron, was needed for the ball of the clapper to avoid it cracking the bell (which is made of bronze).

Before metal pins and pivots could be made to withstand the strain of the clapper swinging from side to side, they used leather straps. Only the best, most resilient leather was used. It came from the neck of a stag, and took over a year in preparation.

In 1248, a clapper fell down in Winchester Cathedral nearly hitting a monk was he was ringing the bell for Vespers. (The illustration on the right comes from a 10th century manuscript)

When the bells are rung in full circle, the clapper hits the bell only once on each revolution (or ‘stroke’).

The bells are rung half-muffled on Remembrance Sunday, for funerals, and on New Year’s Eve to mark the passing of the old year. This involves tying a leather pad (or ‘muffle’) to one side of the clapper ball so that it makes a muted sound when it strikes the bell on the back-stroke.