Church Bell Ringing
Thursday Evening Practice
7.00 pm - 9pm
Sunday Service Ringing
10.15am - 10.45am
Ringing for Special Occasions & Weddings
As required.
Our Bells
There are 8 bells in the Tower, the largest of which is the Tenor weighing over 8cwt. The Tenor is also the newest bell, cast by Taylor’s of Loughborough on 20 April 2006 and installed by Pembleton’s on 28 April 2007. The Tenor was dedicated by the Rt. Rev. Tony Porter, Bishop of Sherwood, on Sunday 3 June 2007 during the morning service.
The new Tenor replaced the original Tenor cast in 1631 by George I Oldfield (Nottm).
Around 1500 there are records showing a Mellors Bell (Nottm) in the Tower. The original Tenor would then have been added in 1631 after the upper part of the Tower was erected in 1630. In 1799 records show the Tower to have a 5 bell frame to which was then added a Mears Bell. In 1841 the Mellors Bell was recast and one added by Samuel Midworth (Mansfield) making a ring of 4.
In 1969 5 new bells were cast by Taylor’s of Loughborough and hung in the Tower together with the original Tenor of 1631 to create a ring of 6 bells. In 1984 a further 2 (Treble bells 1 and 2) were added to create a ring of 8.
The new Tenor bell was cast in order that it should be of the same tonal quality as the other 7 Taylor’s bells. This has given St. Mary’s a super ring of 8 Taylor’s bells in excellent working order.
For many centuries Church bells have proclaimed the message of the Church to towns and villages throughout England. Ringing provides a valuable opportunity for fellowship and for service within the life of the Parish Church. Church bells are rung not only for service within the church but also for enjoyment. As each time bells are rung Is a "public performance", their sound travelling far and wide over the surrounding area, practice forms a very important part to allow the band the opportunity to develop their skills. Members of the band having reached the required standard for membership are affiliated to the Southwell Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers.
To ring Church bells you do not need to be strong, musical or brainy. Men, woman, girls and boys all ring. You only need to make a regular commitment to attend practice and be available to ring for Sunday Service. Ringing is a deeply fascinating and challenging art. Ringers use their skill at controlling their bells to make them ring in continuously changing orders. Some of the patterns they use are many centuries old and have strange names like "Grandsire Doubles". However, with bell ringing you never cease to learn and new "patterns" are discovered to offer variation and challenge to the ringers. Ringing also provides an opportunity to make new friends; once you are competent at handling a bell you are made welcome at towers throughout the country. Many people who have met through ringing become lifelong friends.
Our aims and objectives at St. Mary's are to:
Ring for Divine Service;
Encourage the art of Change Ringing;
Help ringers to improve their standard of ringing; and
Recruit and train new ringers.
New ringers are always welcome. There is no upper age limit, but for insurance purposes young people should be aged 11 years and over. We also request that young people are accompanied by their parent / carer when they attend for the first time.
If you would like to find out more about bell ringing, or to have a go you are very welcome to join us in church on a Friday evening between 7pm and 9pm.
For more information please contact:
Ian Rosillo on 07957 941 947
Or using the e-mail form below: