St Nicholas Church Bells
The Ringers
We are a friendly group with a wide age range and varying abilities/aspirations. We share, though, the commitment to ring for services and to try and provide a good standard of ringing.
Ringing is an excellent form of low impact exercise for body and mind, suitable for all ages from around 11 upwards. The ringers would like to welcome new learners to the band. We practice on a Wednesday evening from 7.45 to 9.00, and as you know ring for the Sunday services from 8:45 to 9:25 am and, when we have enough people, from 6 to 6.25 pm. If you are interested please come along at any of these times, talk to or email Andrew Cripps (a.cripps1@ntlworld.com).
Ringing Times
For the 09:30 Sunday Service 8:45 to 9:25am
For the 18.30 Evensong from 18:00 to 18:25 (depending on availability of ringers)
Ringing practice Wednesdays 19:45 to 21:00
Contact Details
Ringing Master: Andrew Cripps (a.cripps1@ntlworld.com)
Tower Secretary: Jane Fransella (jane_fransella@btinternet.com)
The Bells
The tower contains a modern ring of eight bells cast by John Taylor’s foundry at Loughborough in the summer of 1990. The bells are rung from the ground floor but are relatively easy to handle as the ropes are well guided.
The Tenor Bell (the heaviest) weighs just over 15 Cwt. and sounds F#
The 1990 casting used metal from six of the earlier ring. The old Tenor and fifth which date from 1612 have been retained as Clock and Sanctus bells respectively and are hung above the new ring of eight.
Although the ringers operate from the ground floor it is possible to climb the tower and look down on the bells from a viewing gallery. Here it is also possible to observe the sound control apparatus installed in 1990 which allows a significant attenuation of the volume when ringing is undertaken for purely social purposes. Arrangements to ascend the Tower must be made in advance with the Tower Secretary or Ringing Master.