Bells, Training, Practices and Quarter Peals
St Mary’s Bells
St Mary’s Tudor Bell Tower (c 1485) has eight bells, three installed in 1576, 1616 and 1660 and the other five in 1897 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. Tenor 10½ cwt in G.
We have an active band of ringers of all ages and the tower has been designated as a Teaching Centre by the Association of Ringing Teachers (ART), one of just 40 around the country.
The Tower is affiliated to the Surrey Association of Church Bell Ringers and the ringers are also in close liaison with the ringers at other nearby towers.
Practices
Visiting ringers are always welcome. If you are interested in joining us or learning to ring please email the Tower Captain
Friday – Main (Advanced) Practice
7.45 – 9.00 pm (following the QP attempt at 6.30). All abilities from doubles to spliced surprise major.
Saturday – Beginners’ Practice
9.00 am – Simulator and handling practice (most weeks but check with the Tower Captain).
10.30 am to 12.00 noon – Open practice
New Recruits
Individual handling tuition by arrangement, either midweek or at 9.00 on Saturday mornings.
Quarter Peals and Peals
There is a Quarter Peal attempt every Friday at 6.30 pm prior to the general practice.
We allow up to 6 peal attempts a year. Please email the Tower Captain if you would like to request the bells for a peal.
- See below for link to the current Quarter Peal rota
- See Quarter Peal and Peal records on Bellboard
For service ringing times, finding out how to join and to listen to our bells view the Introductory Page
Training
In 2023 Barnes Tower was designated as one of the few Teaching Centres/Hubs by the Association of Ringing Teachers (ART).
Our Training Officer has gained full accreditation from ART the and our training follows their progressive learning scheme for bellringers.
Trainers and a number of others in the band are all DBS checked for Safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults.
Useful links
Surrey Association
View link for all Surrey Resources
(website, membership, training days, social media etc)
Surrey Facebook Page
fb: surreybellringers.
