Society of Royal Cumberland Youths facts for kids
The Society of Royal Cumberland Youths (SRCY) is a group of church bellringers. They started in 1747 and are based in London, England. The SRCY is one of the two main old bellringing groups in London. The other one is called the Ancient Society of College Youths. These groups help keep the tradition of bellringing alive.
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How the Bellringers Started
People say that a famous London bellringing group, the London Scholars, rang bells at Shoreditch Church. This happened when William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland rode past in April 1746. He was the third son of King George II. He was coming back from a big battle called the Battle of Culloden.
Winning that battle was a huge deal back then. So, many groups started using the name 'Cumberland'. The London Scholars decided to change their name too. Later, in the 1870s, the word 'Royal' was added to their name.
We are sure about when the Society of Royal Cumberland Youths officially began. Their first record book is now kept in the Guildhall Library. It says the group started on 6 September 1747.
Early Days of the Society
In its first 100 years, many famous bellringers joined the SRCY. Names like John Reeves, George Gross, and William Shipway were members. Records of their amazing bellringing achievements are still found in old church bell towers in London.
One incredible achievement was by George Gross. On 27 March 1784, he led a special bellringing performance. They rang 12,000 changes of Oxford Treble Bob Royal at Shoreditch. This took 9 hours and 5 minutes! It was a huge deal for its time.
The SRCY celebrated the 200th anniversary of this event. On 27 March 1984, they rang 12,000 changes of Middlesex Surprise Royal.
In 1896, the Society welcomed its first female member, Mrs. George Williams. Back then, most bellringing groups were only for men. Mrs. Williams was the first woman to complete a full peal of bells. This was a very important step for women in bellringing.
Where They Ring Bells in London
The main meeting place for the SRCY is St Martin-in-the-Fields church. They also help look after the bells at Shoreditch Church. The Society has strong connections with other London churches too. These include Spitalfields, Holborn, and Clerkenwell.
Sharing Their Love for Bellringing
Even though the SRCY is based in London, they hold two meetings each year in other parts of the UK. These "Country meetings" happen in March and July. They make it easier for members who live outside London to join in.
The Society has also traveled to other countries. They have visited the US and Australia several times recently. Because of these trips, members living in the US have even started their own local bellringing groups.
In 2010, the SRCY hosted a big bellringing competition. It was called the National 12 Bell Eliminators. This event took place on 27 March at Shoreditch Church. A TV channel, ITV London Tonight, even covered part of the event. They interviewed the leader of the Society at the time, Mary Holden.
Images for kids
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The badge of the Society of Royal Cumberland Youths
