About Us

Who are we?

We are  a group of ringers based in Derby and responsible for ringing the bells at St Peter's Church in the city centre.

In addition to ringing for Sunday services, the bells are rung for practices, to mark local or national events, or sometimes just for fun. We also take part in ringing at other towers, both locally and across the country.

News

Note: for website updates, please see the What's New page.

Visiting ringers

On Saturday 9th March 2024 we were pleased to welcome a group of ringers from the Sheffield University Guild of Change Ringers and the Nottingham University Society of Change Ringers.

Published 10/03/2024

First quarter peal

One of our ringers, Stephen Brady, rang his first quarter peal on Friday, 19th January 2024. Details can be seen on BellBoard at https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=1691670.

Published 26/01/2024

Farewell

For the last 12 months the ringers have been joined by Tristan Lockheart, a Leeds University student on a work placement in Derby. During this time he has made excellent progress with his ringing skills, and been a valued member of the team. Sadly his time with us is coming to an end, and the ringers presented him with a card, engraved pocket watch, and an Amazon voucher. We wish him well with the remainder of his course, and hope that his future career will bring him back to Derby soon!

New booklet published

A new booklet, "Bells and Bellringing at St Peter's Church, Derby", has been published. Copies can be obtained in the church or ringing room.

Ringing for the coronation of King Charles III

Details of the ringing that took place for the coronation can be seen on Bellboard:

Published 13/05/2023

Ringing for the coronation of King Charles III

The bells will be ringing to mark the coronation at the following times:

Published 30/04/2023

Ringing for St George's Day

A quarter peal was rung to mark St George's Day.

Details can be seen on BellBoard.

Published 30/04/2023

Bell donors commemorated

A series of six quarter peals commemorating the donors who paid for the restoration and augmentation of the bells in 1900 was completed on Friday 10th February 2023. Each of the quarter peals was in a new method, named after one of the donors.

Published 28/01/2023
Updated 11/02/2023

First quarter peal

One of our ringers, Tristan lockheart, rang his first quarter peal on Friday, 2 December 2022. Details can be seen on BellBoard at https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=1565217.

Published 28/01/2023

Ringing for the funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth II

The tenor bell will toll for one hour prior on Monday, 19th September, starting at 10:00 and finishing at the start of the funeral.

A quarter peal of Kent Treble Bob Minor will also be attempted to mark the occasion, starting at 13:00.

The bells will remain half-muffled for both pieces of ringing.

Published 14/09/2022

Ringing for the accession of HM King Charles III

A quarter peal of Plain Bob Triples will be attempted to celebrate the accession of HM King Charles III. This will start at 18:00 on Monday, 19th September, after the muffles have been removed from the bells following the funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth II.

Published 10/09/2022
Updated 14/09/2022

Ringing in memory of HM Queen Elizabeth II

The bells are currently half muffled, and will remain so until after the funeral.

The tenor bell was tolled 96 times during the evening on Thursday 8th September. On Friday 9th September there was ringing at 12:00, and a quarter-peal in the evening, preceded by a shorter piece of ringing at 19:45. Details of this ringing can be seen on BellBoard.

Published 08/09/2022
Updated 10/09/2022

Special Practice: Beyond Plain Bob Minor

A practice will be held on Saturday 22nd October, 09:30 - 11:30. See here for more details

Published 24/08/2022

Cancellations

Due to the extreme heat warnings, there will be no service ringing on Sunday 17th July 2002, and no practice Monday 18th July.

Published 16/07/2022

Special Practice: Beyond Plain Bob Minor

A practice will be held on Saturday 20th August, 09:30 - 11:30. See here for more details

Published 13/07/2022

Ringing for the Jubilee 

A mix of quarter peals and general ringing took place at St Peter's to mark the Platinum Jubilee Weekend. Details can be seen on BellBoard.

Published 10/06/2022

First quarter peal as conductor 

One of our ringers, Corinne Shelton, achieved her first quarter peal as conductor on Sunday 27th March 2022. Details can be seen on BellBoard at https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=1506812.

Published 29/03/2022

R B Chambers commemorated

On Friday 25th March 2022, a quarter peal was rung in a new method, Robert Baker Chambers Bob Major. This is named after former churchwarden R B Chambers, donor of the second bell along with his fellow churchwarden Sir Edwin Ann. It is hoped to name similar methods after the donors of the other bells in the near future. Details of the quarter can be seen at https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=1505946, and details of the method can be seen at https://complib.org/method/14008.

Published 29/03/2022

50th anniversary celebrated 

Sunday the 20th February was the 50th anniversary of one of our ringer's first quarter-peal, which was rung at Bredbury, Cheshire. To mark the occasion, a quarter-peal was rung at St Peter's, which also included two other members of the original band. Details can be seen at https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=1494732.

Published 20/02/2022

Ringing room ventilation

A ventilation system has been installed in the ringing room. See here for more details

Published 20/02/2022

Ringing for the Platinum Jubilee

A quarter peal was rung on the 75th anniversary of the queen's accession. See here for details.

Published 20/02/2022

Ringing restrictions amended

Most pandemic-related restrictions on ringing have been removed. See here for more details

Published 27/01/2022

Ringing times amended

Practice times are now 19:30 - 21:00 on Monday. Service ringing is from 10:00 - 10:45 on Sunday.

Published 26/07/2021

Reduced restrictions

We are now allowing up to ten people in the tower. Potential visitors are strongly advised to contact us before attending, and also to read the relevant procedures and visitor information.

Published 21/07/2021

Ventilation Monitoring

The DCCR are purchasing equipment to allow the effectiveness of ventilation in the ringing room to be monitored, as suggested by the CCCBR. This will also be available for loan to other towers.

See the Ventilation Monitoring page for further details.

Published 14/05/2021

Ringing to start again

Ringing for services and practices will start again at St Peter's from Monday 17th May 2021.

Attendance will be strictly by invitation only for the time being. This is due to the need to comply with the 'rule of six'.

See the What's On page for further details.

Published 12/05/2021

Restarting ringing at St Peter's

It is hoped that some service ringing and practices will be able to start once the step 3 of the Covid recovery plan comes into effect (not before 17th May).

As this will be covered by the 'rule of six', social distancing, and other requirements, attendance will be strictly by invitation only.

See the What's On page for further details.

Published 27/04/2021