Home |
Music |
The Bells at St John’s |
|||
Tower bellsHand bells
|
Tower BellsWhen the Tower Bells can be heardPractice night: Thursday 7:30-9:00pm Sunday 10:00-10:30am and first Sunday of the month 5:00-5:30pm (by arrangement). We also ring for special services in the life of the church and by request for weddings. The BellsThe eight bells, tenor 13cwt, were cast by Mears & Stainbank during 1895 and rehung in 1972 by Whitechapel Bell Foundry, London. Outside the tower the bells are not very loud because the bells were moved down the tower during the work in 1972. They are below the louvers and as a result the bells are very easy to ring because the ropes have a short draught (or distance between the ringing room and bell fittings). The tower is equipped with an Ellacombe Chiming Apparatus for tune ringing, which is mainly used for Carols at Christmas. Access to the ringing room is by spiral stairs, with a handrail, from inside the base of the tower. Visitors, both ringers and non-ringers, are always welcome. We offer our thanks to the ringers from Nutfield, Reigate, Leigh and Horley who have helped us ring all the bells, especially for weddings. Over the last couple of years we have lost the services of several ringers and we would welcome anybody (church people or non-church people alike) interested in learning how to ring, though a parent due to the Children Act Regulations must accompany under 16s. No special requirements are required though a reasonable sense of rhythm and the ability to catch a ball are helpful! The ringers and tower are affiliated to the Surrey Association whose web site can be found at www.surreyassociation.org.uk. Contact Andrew or Jane Holland for more information. Jane Holland |
||
Hand BellsHandbell Tune ringing began at St John’s following the Centenary of the Tower Bells in the autumn of 1995. From a small beginning using eight bells, belonging to the tower bell ringers, we have progressed and now have the use of a three-octave set of new Whitechapel bells (37 bells in total). They are in the key of C with the largest weighing 3lb 2oz (1420g) and the smallest 7½oz (210g). Though we have been a predominantly Youth Team, there is no age restriction or requirement to actually belong to St John’s though since we do play at various services team members have to be prepared to come on those occasions. We play from ordinary music notation, which can be learned, as you only need to concentrate on your own two notes. Over the years we have also played locally at various Nursing Homes, Christmas Parties for various groups and East Surrey Hospital. The team is affiliated to the Handbell Ringers of Great Britain (www.hrgb.org.uk) and that has provided opportunities for training and ringing at events/services as far afield as Milton Keynes (Ring in Christmas Praise) and Guildford Cathedral (Festival Service). In the past several members have been involved with the South East Region Handbell Orchestra. Anyone interested in having a go at tune ringing during our practice one Tuesday evening is welcome to contact Jane. Jane Holland | |||
|
|
||