Bell Ringing
About Us
We are a small team of people who partake in the traditional skill and living heritage of ringing the bells at Lytchett Minster Parish Church. We come from all walks of life – some people ring as their contribution to the Church, others simply because they enjoy ringing. In 2022, we had active ringers from age 15-90!
When do we Ring
Thursday 7-8.30pm practice night
Sunday 9am - 9.30am for morning service
We also ring for special occasions such as weddings, church festivals and national events.
In 2023, following the “Ring for the King” publicity, encouraging people to use the coronation of Charles III as an opportunity to continue Britain's longstanding campanological tradition, a few new people joined our group to learn. When the coronation came around, we undertook a number of ringing events throughout the weekend in celebration.
On the Saturday of the coronation, everyone able to attend came to a Bellringers Breakfast at the Church, before joining in with some rounds and call changes prior to the Coronation itself. On the Sunday, we continued the ringing for Sunday service in celebration of the King.
Finally, on the bank holiday Monday a select band of 6 ringers successfully completed a quarter peal! This quarter peal was remarkable for several reasons – it was the first rung at the church by a homeband of bellringers in 10 years, for 3 participants it was their first quarter peal, it was the tower captain Stephanie’s first time conducting a quarter peal, and the oldest bellringer of our group (91) was also one of the participants. We are very proud of them all!
We are looking forward to ringing for several weddings this year, including for one of our own bellringers. Wishing lots of health and happiness to all the brides and their families!
Learn to Ring
At Lytchett Minster we are always looking for people to join our enthusiastic and friendly band of bell ringers. If you have ever thought you might like to have a go at ringing, then this is the perfect opportunity to take up this unique and fascinating activity. Join us for a fun, social activity – no need to be musical though a sense of rhythm helps. Our teachers are registered with The Association of Ringing Teachers (ART) to teach bell ringing. If you are interested, please come along to a practise night or to find out more email churchoffice.1@btconnect.com
ABOUT THE BELLS AND TOWER
We have six bells at Lytchett Minster Parish Church - see Dove’s Guide for more in depth information.
The bells date from the 15th Century to 1910. The lightest bell weighs almost exactly 160kg, whilst the heaviest weighs a little over 500kg.
Sadly between 1910 and the 1950s the bells fell into disuse. Various repairs were carried out in 1974, and in 1994 the bells were removed completely to allow the main support beams to be replaced and the frames refurbished. The bells were then retuned before being put back in place. The ringing chamber is on the ground floor.
Photos of the bells copyright of Jack Pease Photography
We are affiliated to the Salisbury Diocesan Guild of Ringers (SDGR) and The East Dorset Branch Bell Ringers