Bellringers
The Cathedral Bell
Ringers have always exulted in the "loud cymbals" of Psalm 150 and a more modern perspective is given by journalist and broadcaster Bernard Levin, who says, "I know of no era or culture which, having the technology to make bells, did not do so. They are, indeed one of the oldest symbols of mankind's feelings; bells, almost since time began, have accompanied solemn ceremonies and governed scenes of rejoicing, marked notable days and laid down the hearers' duty, warned of attack and signalled victory, roused the sleeping, harried the lazy, informed the unaware and, above all, called the faithful to prayer." The Winchester ringers are proud to be part of that link between the Cathedral and the City.
The Cathedral has a fine ring of fourteen bells in the key of C with a tenor bell weighing 1.81 tonnes (or 35½ cwt). Two further bells enable up to ten of the bells to be rung in the keys of F and G. They were cast in 1937 and 1992, except for the B flat bell which dates from 1621.
Click here for more information on the history of the bells of Winchester Cathedral.
Ringing At Winchester
Normal Sunday service ringing times are 8.45 am and 2.30 pm. The practice night is Wednesday from 7:30-9:00 pm. Visitors are always made welcome, but quarter peals are sometimes arranged on Sunday afternoons. If you are in doubt, please check at www.medd.org.uk/cathedraldiary
The duties and payments to the ringers are set out in a statute of Charles II, which we understand is still in force. Thus the members of the band are paid 2½ p(originally sixpence) per duty ring for a service and 40p for a "special" ring. The special ringing takes place at 7:00am on Ascension Day, St Swithun's Day and the Queen's Birthday (now the official one). Potential recruits should be aware that there are no plans for any allowance to be made for inflation since 1670.
The Band Of Bellringers
The Captain of the Ringers is appointed by the Dean and Chapter in consultation with the Band and represents the Band on the Dean and Chapter's Staff Meetings. The post is presently held by George Medd. The Band elects its own Ringing Master, Secretary, Treasurer and other officers. Our youngest full member ever was 7 years of age, whilst the oldest of our current members learned to ring during the Second World War. There are 25 members of the Band; all are affiliated to the Winchester and Portsmouth Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers.
2 Peninsular Square
Winchester SO23 8GJ
Telephone: 01962 849952
Email: paul_t_nolan@yahoo.co.uk
Above: left to right: John Collis (Ringing Master since 1990), George Medd (Captain since 2008), Carrie Eisenhauer (Captain 2005 – 08), Charles Lidbury (Captain 1996 – 2005),
Graham Grant (Captain 1975 – 96).’
Ringing Master is John Colliss
19 Downland Close, Botley,
Southampton SO3 2SG,
Telephone: 01489 785959.
Above - Ringing Master John
Listen To Erin Sextuples
Click here to download a 35 second sound sample of the Winchester bells being brought round from a touch of Erin Sextuples. The transfer file size is 362Kbyte.
Acknowledgement
We are happy to acknowledge Curtis Brown on behalf of Bernard Levin for their kind permission to publish this quotation, which is copyright © Bernard Levin 1991.
