Bellringing
Bellringing in Alcester Minster
There are two towers with change ringing bells in the Minster, Alcester which have 8 bells cast by Taylors of Loughborough in 1948 (one of the best sounding rings in the Country) 12-2-3cwt in F# and Coughton where there is a ring of 6 cast in 1886 by Henry Bagley 11-2-20 in F . Bellringing is an ancient Art used to call people to Worship, and for special occasions such as weddings or other important events. Bellringers also have to practice and strive to ring as evenly as possible.
The Art is dying out and many more bellringers need to be trained for the future. It is an interesting hobby and as well as ringing for services we have outings to try ringing other bells, and social events just for fun. Alcester bellringers are part of a larger ‘Cluster’ of towers, pooling resources in order to be able to ring for as many services as possible and to make teaching new ringers as interesting and easy as possible. Practices for the cluster are on a Rota and are held at Aston Cantlow on Wednesday evenings, Alcester on Thursday evenings and Bidford and Salford priors on Tuesday evenings. Coughton bells are not rung for regular practice at present but special ringing is arranged there.
It takes anything from a few weeks to a good few months just to be able to handle a bell safely, ours weigh anything up to 15 Cwt each. Then you must learn to ring it in the correct place and a mathematical or slightly musical interest can help a bit (but is not needed).
All the towers have ringers who can train recruits who have DBS certificates and training to ensure the safety of all involved. Most bellringers also undertake basic DBS training every few years. Anyone from 11 yrs upwards can be trained but our policy is that a Parent must attend with anyone under 18. We like to teach at a few locations as all bells are slightly different and it makes for better bellringers. Most of the bellringers in the cluster are also members of the Coventry Diocesan Guild of Church bellringers. The details of all the bells in the guild can be found on their website together with information and contacts.
If you are interested in learning more or organising a taster session to see what you think?
Please contact in the first instance
Katie Wheeler- Alcester Tower captain 07818092367
Email - katienetballga@hotmail.co.uk
