Beltower was first conceived in 1993. The author had started bell ringing in about 1974, at St Mary's, Woodford, and by 1976 had managed a quarter peal of Plain Bob Doubles inside, but when he moved to Crewkerne, Somerset, his ringing lapsed. When he restarted after a 13 year gap, he wasted a long time, trying to get to grips with Grandsire Doubles. He even went on a day course only to have forgotten what he had learnt when he finally had the opportunity to ring it (a familiar tale), and it was this hurdle that led him to write Beltower. All he wanted was exercise of the work at Bobs and Singles, so he might get it right on practice night. Based on DOS, it had a black screen with a scrolling display of bell numbers, red and blue lines, beep tones, on screen method selection and pop-down menus. He soon added a randomised touch generator and realised that if he added help, other ringers might find Beltower useful as well.

Since then it has moved on by leaps and bounds to include external sensors, interactive animation, the Listening Challenge (quiz), real-time striking fault reporting, raising and lowering in peal, splicing touches at any row, spliced touch composition, proving and much more.

Teaching with Beltower

The author has taught many local learners using Beltower's Co-operative Timing and Co-operative Speed which, combined, allow Beltower to fit in with the learner.   It also allows the tutor to reduce their effects in stages, so that the learner gradually gets to ring steadily before joining the band.

The Challenge has proved useful too, for starting the learner listening as early as possible, before they can handle a bell.