ST MARY REDCLIFFE GUILD OF RINGERS
This image shows how each bell is rung full circle, the clapper striking the bell after having swung through 360 degrees. Control is effected by the ringer when the bell is "on the balance" at the top of each swing. When not being rung the bell is set with the stay resting on the slider.
The present ring of 12 bells was installed in the tower of St Mary Redcliffe in 1903, and has been rung regularly almost every Sunday since. The oldest bell in the tower is the eleventh, which was cast in 1622 by Purdue and weighs 25 cwt. It has been rung in this place of worship for over 350 years. The ringers guild was founded in 1948 and was formed to foster the spirit of fellowship amongst its ringers, in order that they shall ring the bells for Sunday services and special occasions.
The bells of St Mary Redcliffe are one of the finest rings in the world, with a tenor (heaviest bell) weighing just over 2 1/2 tons, and people travel from all over the country to ring them.
Since the ring of twelve was installed, two more bells have been added (an extra treble and a flat sixth) so that a true diatonic scale can be rung without using the heaviest bells. This is useful for teaching people to ring methods, and on those occasions (infrequently, thankfully) when only a few ringers are available.
We ring for weddings when required to do so, along with special festivals such as Christmas and Easter. On special occasions, we ring "peals", usually about 4 hours in length. Sunday service ringing takes place between 17:15 and 18:20, and once a month in the morning between 08:45 and 09:25.
To enable the ringers to produce a more even and pleasant
sound on a Sunday, much practice is needed. To this end, Thursday
evenings at St Mary Redcliffe is set aside for this purpose; the
practice usually commences at 19:15. Any visitors interested in
seeing the ringers in action, or even in learning to ring, are
welcome. However, the door is locked at 19:45. Entry is via the
postern door (the very small door forming part of the Main
door)at the West (tower) end of the church.