Bellringers of St Andrews
Purpose of the bell ringers
- To call people to worship by the sounding of the bells
- To ring from 10 to 10.25am for each Sunday morning service
- To ring quarter peals for the Sunday evening services and at festivals
- To ring at weddings and funerals on request
- To practice regularly on Thursday evenings to improve our ringing skills
Details of the bells
The eight bells are in good working order, have a pleasing tone, and are of some antiquity. Four of the bells date from the first half of the 17th century. The three treble bells were recast and the whole peal re-tuned by John Taylor & Co. in 1912.
The frame and fittings are in good order, with the bells on roller-bearings. The ringing chamber is spacious with several interesting peal boards dating from the 19 th century.
| Bell | Weight: Cwt-Qrs-Lb |
Note | Date | Inscription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5-1-13 | Eb | 1853 | C & G Mears Founders London 1853 / Recast 1912 |
| 2 | 5-2-7 | D | 1778 | At proper times our voices we will raise in sounding to our benefactor's praise / Pack & Chapman of London Fecit 1778 / Recast 1912 |
| 3 | 6-2-27 | C | 1711 | Of the Church, of the Queen and of Sacheverall I sing the praises
(translation of the Latin) Phelps Fecit 1711 / Recast 1912 |
| 4 | 8-0-23 | Bb | 1759 | Our voices shall with joyful sound Make hills and valleys echo round / Lester & Pack Fecit J759 |
| 5 | 7-3-9 | Ab | 1640 | Love God 1640 (made by Ellis Knight I, Reading) |
| 6 | 10-2-12 | G | 1640 | Feare God 1640 (made by Ellis Knight I, Reading) |
| 7 | 13-3-26 | F | 1640 | Love God 1640 (made by Ellis Knight I, Reading) |
| 8 | 20-1-4 | Eb | 1641 | Love God 1641 (made by Ellis Knight I, Reading) |
Practice night
Our regular practice night is Thursday, starting with learners at 7.00, removing the clapper ties at about 7.30, and finishing at 9.00pm.
Visiting ringers are always welcome to join us on practice nights. We generally ring a mixture of rounds, call changes and methods. We are usually augmented by several ringers who are not members of our tower but support us on practice nights.
The St. Andrew's bell-ringers
The Sonning band of bell-ringers numbers about 18; men, women, boys and girls covering all ages from teens to the 70s. It is a very friendly band that welcomes new members.As well as our regular weekly practice sessions and ringing for Sunday service, we sometimes arrange an outing to ring at other towers. We also enjoy an annual dinner with other local ringers who support us on a regular basis.
Why we enjoy bell-ringing
- We are continuing a very English tradition which has lasted for centuries – the sound of church bells before services, at weddings, and to mark special events
- It provides healthy, gentle exercise
- We feel part of a group who have special skills – we have 'friends' anywhere in the country by visiting the local church on their practice night
- It provides exercise for the memory if we want to progress that far with our ringing
- We enjoy the team feeling of joint success when we ring well.
Could I ring the bells?
Almost certainly if you are interested in learning a new skill. No great strength is needed, just some coordination and a sense of rhythm.
How to learn to ring
You must learn with a local band that has bell ringers experienced in training beginners. The St. Andrew's Sonning band has a wide range of experience in training ringers.
Our normal practice evening is on Thursday but we arrange special practice sessions for beginners at other times.
If you would like to try what might become an absorbing life-time hobby, please contact one of the ringers below. The training is free and you do not need any equipment; just wear comfortable clothes that permit ease of movement.
Contacts – names and telephone numbers
| Address | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|
| Tower Captain |
Mr. Rob Needham 15 Bodmin Road Woodley, Reading Berks. RG5 3RZ |
0118 926 7724 |
