BELL RINGING ACROSS THE BENEFICE

Each of our churches has a band of ringers, but did you know the correct terminology for this traditional practice, believed to have started as far back as AD900 at Crowland Abbey, Lincolnshire? 

We have a band of ringers, a ring of bells, and what you hear ringing is a peal. 

In Bromham, the eight bells at St. Owen's are normally rung every Sunday morning prior to the 10:30 am service, occasionally for Evensong, and on special occasions.

Practice takes place on Tuesday evenings between 7:45 and 915 pm.

All visitors welcome whether they merely wish to ascend the tower, watch ringing taking place or try their hand, under STRICT supervision, at the end of one of the ropes.

We have an annual outing followed by dinner and opportunities are available to ring at other towers in the area.

For further details contact: Robert Jones on 881741
 

 

In Oakley, bells are rung on Sundays from 09:00 to 09:30 prior to the service, with the exception of the second Sunday, where the service starts at 10:30 and the bells start at 10:00. 

Ringing practice is on Friday at 20:00 -21:15.  The Oakley Guild of Change Ringers is a band of 13, and the Tower Captain is Graham Ridgway, who can be contacted on 01234 823461or by email gt@ridgwayg.fsnet.co.uk.  Tower Secretary; Bill Sellars should be contacted in the first instance. Tel 01234 823473 thesellars@tiscali.co.uk

 

In Stagsden there are six bells, and ringing practice is on Wednesdays at 8pm.  The Tower Captain is John Brett, and can be contacted on 01234 824065.

 

And finally, to show that bell ringers have a sense of humour, here is a set of rules taken from a bell ringing website!

The Rules

  1. The Tower Captain Always Makes The Rules.
    1. The rules are subject to change at any time without notice.
    2. No bell ringer can possibly know all the rules. Nearly all Tower Captains are born with this knowledge.
    3. If the Tower Captain suspects the bell ringers of knowing any of the rules, he may change any, or all, of the rules
  2. The Tower Captain Is Never Wrong.
    1. If the Tower Captain is wrong, it is because of a misunderstanding which was a direct result of something the bell ringers did wrong.
    2. If rule 2a applies, the bell ringers must apologise immediately for causing the misunderstanding.
  3. The Tower Captain Can Change Their Mind At Any Given Point In Time.
    1. The bell ringers must never change their minds without express written consent from the Tower Captain.
  4. The Tower Captain Has Every Right To Be Angry Or Upset At Any Time.
    1. The bell ringers must be calm at all times, unless the Tower Captain wants them to be angry or upset.
    2. The Tower Captain must under no circumstances let the bell ringers know if he wants them to be angry or upset.
  5. Any Attempt By The Bell ringers To Change Any Of These Rules Could Result In Ringing Properly.