Bells and Ringers

The Cathedral has a ring of eight bells, which are hung for full-circle change ringing in the English style.

The bells are rung to mathematical permutations called ‘methods’. Each bell is rung by one person who turns it in a full circle by means of a rope attached to a wooden wheel and running down through the floor to the ringer below. The methods are rung by memory and co-ordinated by a conductor who rings one of the bells.

A “peal” in change-ringing is a long length of continuous ringing by the same band of ringers, usually over 5000 changes, and will take between two and four hours, depending on the weight of the bells. This must be rung without fault to be recognised by the Central Council for Church Bell Ringers and published in The Ringing World. St George’s Ringers more frequently ring “quarter peals”, around 1250 changes, for practice and experience. This will take between 35 and 55 minutes.

Bells are often rung half-muffled for funerals and in memorial of the departed where a leather pad is attached to one side of the clapper which makes each alternate stroke sound very soft. Bells are usually only ever rung fully-muffled on the death of the reigning Monarch.

The original eight bells were cast by John Warner, London in 1901, and were a memorial for Queen Victoria with funds being raised by public and private subscription. These bells were hung high in the tower and were very difficult to ring.

After the Meckering earthquake the bells became unringable. Subsequently, the first seven bells were returned to England and cast to a lighter ring of eight by John Taylor’s bell foundry, Loughborough, weighing 146kg (treble), 163kg, 174kg, 212kg, 259kg, 291kg, 368kg, and 567kg (tenor).

The tenor bell (renamed the Angelus Bell), weighing 916kg, hangs above the new bells and is electronically tolled as a Service Bell, and strikes the hour and at noon for a further minute.

Learning to ring

 

It can take several months to learn the art of handling a bell. After initial instruction with a tutor, a trainee ringer will join the rest of the band at Tuesday evening practice. When a new ringer has attained the necessary level of competence, he or she will be invited to take part in Sunday service ringing and special event ringing such as weddings. 

 

Learning to ring a bell is similar to learning any musical instrument; it requires commitment and perseverance. Change ringing is both challenging and rewarding – many ringers who learnt to ring in their teenage years continue to ring for many decades.

 

Trainee positions are available from time to time. If you are interested in learning to ring, you are encouraged to visit a practice to find out more. A warm welcome is assured. 

The Cathedral Bells ringing Grandsire Triples, half-muffled

The Cathedral Bells ringing Plain Bob Triples

Ringing times

Practice most Tuesday evenings from 6pm – 8pm (or sometimes 7.30pm)

Sunday mornings from 9am until 9.55am

Sunday evenings from 4pm until 5pm (usually a quarter peal is attempted at this time)

Visiting ringers are always warmly welcomed!