St Mary's Ashwell

Bell ringers

Ashwell has six bells, hung high in the tower of St. Mary's. 

We have a group of dedicated ringers who meet on Thursday evenings from 8.00pm to practise and who ring regularly for services.

Learners and visitors are always welcome - why not come along one evening and see how challenging and rewarding bellringing can be. Ringing is very much a team activity - we have ringers of all ages and all abilities, but more are always welcome. All you need is some sense of rhythm and the ability to climb the steps to the ringing chamber!

Our oldest bell dates back to 1694 and the youngest to 1817 with weights ranging from 6.5 to 19 hundredweight (nearly a tonne!), but don't worry it's technique not strength that counts. They are mounted in a wooden frame that is even older, dating back to the 15th Century.

The bells are rung from a ringing chamber half way up the tower, which is reached by a spiral staircase with doorways both inside and outside the bottom of the tower.

As well as ringing for services we also ring to celebrate weddings and special occasions, and we welcome visiting teams of ringers. We have in the past rung quarter peals, including one rung in recent years with the bells half muffled to mark Remembrance Sunday. 

If you would like the bells rung to mark a special occasion, such as a birthday or anniversary please let us know and we will do our best to oblige.

Steve White- Tower Captain (01763 853538  07981 393110)