Church Bellringers

The bells of St Mary the Virgin are, surprisingly, a very ‘mixed bag’ – cast by different bellfounders and at widely differing dates.  The treble (lightest) is the most recent, having been cast by John Taylor of Loughborough in 1962 and weighs 3½ cwt.  The rest are as follows:

2nd      –  cast in 1752  by Eayres and weighing 4¾ cwt

3rd          –  (a rare pre-Reformation bell) cast in 1530 by J Wolley at 5¾ cwt

4th      –  cast in 1632 by H Watts and weighing 6 cwt

5th      –  cast in 1792 by J Briant at 8 cwt

Tenor  – cast in 1632, again by H Watts and weighing 10¼ cwt

Stoneleigh Church Bellringers practise every Thursday evening from 7.30pm until 9 o’clock in the Tower of St Mary the Virgin Church.

Once acquired, bellringing is a fascinating and challenging skill and is very much a ‘team’ activity.  Ringers come from all walks of life and are of all ages, from children of ten onwards, with no upper age limit.  There is a good social life in the bellringing fraternity, often with visits to other towers in the area and outings further afield.

New learners are always welcome – the aim being to ring for Sunday morning services.

If you would like more information, contact Bob on bob-bob49@hotmail.co.uk or 02476 503712 / 07979 868260