Bells

From Wellington Cathedral of St Paul

Majestic Bells

Click on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjhDS7t0GLk to listen to the bells and the Ringing Master in conversation about bell ringing at Wellington Cathedral.

The Wellington ringers now have their own website at http://www.wellringers.willstrust.org: you are invited to visit it.

As you arrive at a service at the Wellington Cathedral, you will hear the majestic bells ringing out in welcome.

Wellington Cathedral has 14 bells, ranging in size from Little James, weighing in at 200 kg (4 cwt) to the People's Bell at 1,400 kg (27 ¾ cwt). The bell tower and bells were installed in 1984. Seven of the bells were already 100 years old at that stage, being recycled from the demolished St Edmund's Church in Northampton, England.

The Cathedral bells are hung for English Change Ringing. This is one of only seven towers in New Zealand where change ringing takes place. Change ringing is an ancient craft, dating back to 17th century England. Each bell is swung by a long rope, by a bell ringer in the ringing chamber below. The bells are sounded in sequences called methods. Methods are usually rung on 6, 8, 10 or 12 bells, depending on the number of ringers available.

You are invited to visit the bell tower while we are ringing, just take the lift to the 3rd floor. The bells are rung before Sunday services (9.15 - 10.00am and 4.00 – 5.00pm). They are also rung for other special occasions, such as weddings, funerals and at times of national celebration.

Visiting ringers are welcome to Sunday ringing and to Tuesday night practice, from 7.30pm to 9.00pm. Look at the Wellington Ringers web site (url above) for more details.

Bell tower contacts

Jenny van der Merwe

027 311 9363 (m), 04 439 3268 (w)

Mary Williams

9b Pitarua St, Thorndon, Wellington

021 031 9932

04 907 1574

Ringing Weekend October 2012

Eighth Annual Wellington Ringing Weekend

Friday October 19th 6.30pm - General Ringing

Saturday October 20th

9.00 - 10.15am, Rounds to surprise; Doubles to Royal

10.15.- 10.45am, Morning tea

10.45 - 12.15, Rounds to surprise; Doubles to Royal

12.15 - 1.15pm, Lunch

1.15 - 2.45pm, Rounds to surprise; Doubles to Royal

2.45 - 3.15pm, Afternoon tea

3.15 - 5.00pm, Rounds to surprise; Doubles to Royal and/or Special Methods

7.30pm Dinner

Sunday October 21st

9.15 - 10.00am Service Ringing

11.45 - 3.45pm Quarter Peals

1.00 - 3.15pm Ringing at Old St Paul's (5)

4.00 - 5.00pm Service Ringing

Monday October 22nd

9.00 - 10.15am, Rounds to surprise; Doubles to Royal

10.15.- 10.45am, Morning tea

10.45 - 12.15, Rounds to surprise; Doubles to Royal

12.15 - 1.15pm, Lunch

1.15 - 2.45pm, Rounds to surprise; Doubles to Royal and/or Special Methods

2.45 - 3.15pm, Afternoon tea

3.15 - 5.00pm, Rounds to surprise; Doubles to Royal and/or Special Methods

All ringing, except service ringing at Wellington Cathedral and ringing at Old St Paul's, is on the simulator at Wellington Cathedral.

Morning and Afternoon teas, and Lunch will be provided free on Saturday and Monday for ringers. The dinner on Saturday will be be subsidised for ringers.

Contact Mary Williams

Methods likely to be available (not an exhaustive list):-

Grandsire and Steadman - doubles to cinques

Plain and Little Bob - minor to maximus

Cambridge - minor to royal

Yorkshire - major and royal

London - minor and major

Bristol - major

Rutland - major

Pudsey - major

Lincolnshire - major

Superlative - major