How to Join ULSCR and What to Expect at a Practice

ULSCR (University of London Society of Change Ringers) is open to students, staff and alumni from any university in London, and no previous bell ringing experience is needed. To join, email [email protected] before you turn up so the band knows to expect you, then come to a Thursday practice during term time, 7:00–8:30 pm, at St Olave's, Hart Street, EC3R 7NA. The nearest tube station is Tower Hill on the District and Circle lines.

Who can join

The society describes itself as made up of students, staff and alumni from any university within London. Two points matter if you are deciding whether to get in touch:

• No experience required. The site states it doesn't matter if you've never touched a bell rope or if you've been ringing for years — anyone is welcome.
• You don't need to be a current student. Staff and alumni are part of the band too, so graduating or working at a London university doesn't rule you out.

How to arrange your first visit

1. Email [email protected]. The site asks interested people to do this so the band is ready for your arrival. Say you're new, and mention whether you've rung before — that helps them plan what to teach or which band to put you in.
2. Wait for a reply before travelling. The practice runs during term time only, so confirm the date you plan to attend rather than assuming any given Thursday works.
3. Go to St Olave's, Hart Street, EC3R 7NA for the Thursday session, 7:00–8:30 pm. Nearest tube: Tower Hill (District/Circle line).

What happens at a practice

The published details cover the time, place and day; the site doesn't describe a session-by-session format. What it does confirm is that the society rings together weekly in term time and runs a social calendar alongside ringing — a fresher's tour, pancake party, treasure hunt and pub trips, plus a formal annual dinner in November that brings past and present members together. If you're nervous about a first session, the practical move is to ask in your email what a beginner's first evening looks like.

Beyond the weekly practice

Ringing is only part of it. The social programme gives you a low-pressure way to meet people before or after you ring, and the annual dinner in November is the society's flagship event. ULSCR was formed in 1945 and is marking its 80th birthday, so there's a long alumni network alongside current members.

The site also points to a mailing list for updates — worth joining if you want notice of events, room changes or term dates. If you hit a problem with the website itself, the site directs you to email the webmaster.

Quick reference

The one step people most often skip is the email. Send it first, confirm the next term-time Thursday, and you can turn up knowing someone is expecting you.