Ringers Needed

Ringers Needed

 Learn to Ring the Church Bells at Wanborough and Liddington

Wanborough and Liddington churches urgently needs volunteers to join the joint band of ringers who now ring the bells at both churches.  

So far, only three learners have been recruited in the last few years and the band is eager to recruit more learners so that the bells at both churches will continue to be rung. 

Church bells are rung for:

  • Sunday Services
  • Weddings and occasionally funerals
  • Christmas, Easter and other Church festivals
  • New Year celebrations
  • National and International Events
  • Local occasions
  • Practices

Ringers come from all walks of life and of all ages and ringing is well within the capabilities of most people.

Being able to count is all the maths you need to know.  And it is more skill than strength that is required.

Learners Practices will be arranged to suit our learners.

But if you would like to come along on a Friday night to see what bell ringing is all about, the main weekly practice starts at 7.30 pm and are as follows:

1st, 3rd & 5th Fridays at Wanborough
2nd & 4th Fridays at Liddington

If you would like to have a go or you need more information about church bell ringing, please contact Tony Pullan on 01793 790904 / 0774 5011 788.

Tours of the Tower

    

Guided tours of the church tower, including the ringing gallery, belfry, but not the roof, can be arranged for individuals or small groups of interested parties, who wish to see the old frame and bells and the new frame and bells.  The tours are by experienced bellringers.

For those who are interested, visitors can have a go at ringing a church bell.

Children must be accompanied by an adult.  Bring your camera and please wear flat trainer type shoes.

There is no charge for these tours but any donations received will go towards the PCC Bells Account.

Contact Tony Pullan to arrange your visit.
01793 790904 / 0774 5011 788

The New Bells

Wednesday 11 May 2016

35 people comprising donors, representatives from church, village, and local bell ringers travelled to the John Taylor Bell Foundry in Loughborough to witness the casting of the six new bells for Liddington.  This was preceded by a very informative history of the company and an explanation of how and with what the bell moulds and bells are made, as we toured the tuning workshop, ropewalk, carpenters workshop and the museum.

       

The Tour Party                                                 The Carpenters Workshop

 

    In the tuning shop

The casting was viewed from the purpose built gallery overlooking the busy foundry floor.  The bell moulds had earlier been lowered into the sand filled casting pit.  

  Before the casting

The furnace was roaring away heating the bronze to 1100C, and creating a haze that enveloped the foundry, and at 3.30 pm, the master founder started proceedings.  The treble bell was cast first followed by the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and tenor.  Some 20 minutes later, it was all over and our guide led us down onto the foundry floor to take close up pictures.

         

                       Pouring Bell Metal                                         Casting the treble bell

The bell castings were left to cool down for about a week, and then the moulds were broken open and the bells moved to the tuning shop.  Ropes, wheels, clappers, and other bell parts were manufactured over the next 6 weeks before they were all delivered to Liddington on Friday 1 July 2016. 

 

The bell frame under construction

 

 

Grants have been awarded towards the costs of the new peal of six bells, by the following:

                      

Gloucester & Bristol Diocesan Association of Church Bell Ringers

                    

Central Council of Church Bell Ringers  

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Allchurches Trust

 

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Garfield Weston Foundation

 

Barron Bell Trust