Welcome to Bell Ringing at All Saints’ Staplehurst

6/10/24 Update

Due to restricted access to the tower during part of the works on the roof, our bells have been silent for the past month.

This morning , we’re back ( at least for now).

Bell Ringing at All Saints' Staplehurst

Staplehurst Bell Ringers are a friendly band and enjoy ringing together for services, special occasions and practice nights. We are very happy to welcome new recruits and pass on our skills to keep this traditional practice going forward.  Our glorious 10 bells are well maintained, easy going and enjoyable to ring.  We hope you enjoy hearing them too! 

Ringing church bells can be learned by people of all ages from about 10 upwards but you will need to be able to climb the spiral staircase first.  Unfortunately, there is no lift access to the tower so ringers must be reasonably fit.  Ringing is a great activity for the whole family and stretches both mind and body in ways you never thought possible! 

The regular practice night is from 19.30 to 21.15 every Tuesday evening, service ringing 09.15-10.00 on Sundays and at other times by arrangement.  There is no obligation to attend services after ringing.  For a fee, the bells at Staplehurst can also be rung for weddings, funerals, celebration of life or any other special occasion or anniversary. 

You are welcome to come up to the tower and see what we do on a Tuesday evening (but please contact the Tower Captain in advance to agree a time) or join us in the Kings Head after ringing from 21.15.  Don’t be afraid of coming and having a chat with us over a glass of something refreshing after ringing the bells! 

If you would like any more information, please contact –  Adam Brady – Tower Captain 

All Saints Church Website (External link)

Staplehurst Bellringers Report October 2024

Number 2 Bell

NEWS FROM THE TOWER

In last month’s Magazine I reported that we had been able to continue ringing the bells during the current work on the turret and tower roof. Unfortunately, our optimism was somewhat misplaced.

Following an inspection by the Architect and Contractors’ Team at the end of August it became apparent that the structure of the turret spirelet (the hexagonal pyramid on the top) is potentially unsafe and is at risk of collapse. At the time of writing a structural engineer was due to visit, to confirm the safety or otherwise of the structure. Meanwhile the risk of debris falling down the stairway is considered too great to allow access to the stairway up to the ringing room. In addition the ringing of the bells may cause vibrations that increase that risk. Consequently it has been necessary to suspend all ringing until further notice.

Meanwhile our neighbours at Headcorn and Marden have kindly allowed us to practise on their bells, for which we are extremely grateful. We will provide an update in next month’s Magazine.

Roy Barclay

Tower Secretary

Visiting Us

All Saints Church Website (Opens in new tab)

Staplehurst Bellringers Report September 2024

Number 2 Bell

NEWS FROM THE TOWER

Despite our fears voiced in last month’s Magazine, I am pleased to say that we have been able to continue ringing during the current work on the turret and tower roof. However it has been necessary to remove the louvre on the south side of the tower so whilst the work continues the bells will sound louder than usual. Please be assured that this is only a temporary measure and the louvre will be replaced as soon as the work is finished.

For this reason, until further notice there will be no additional ringing beyond that for Sunday Services and our normal Tuesday practice.

Roy Barclay

Tower Secretary

Visiting Us

All Saints Church Website (Opens in new tab)

Staplehurst Bellringers Report August 2024

Number 2 Bell

NEWS FROM THE TOWER

As reported in the July magazine the Kent Young Ringers used our bells to practise for the National Youth Ringing Contest in London.  Their practice obviously paid off as they finished an impressive 3rd in their category in a contest which featured 36 teams in total.  The future of ringing in Kent certainly looks promising.

We have just been informed that, contrary to previous expectations, it may be necessary to suspend bell ringing for the duration of the work on the tower turret and roof.  If you haven’t heard the bells for the past few weeks, that is the reason why.

It is perhaps fortunate therefore that we have no weddings to ring for, nor are we expecting any visiting bands of ringers, during the next few months.  If we are able to continue to ring it will be just for the normal Sunday service, Tuesday practice night and our learning hub on Wednesday 21st August from 7.30 – 9pm.

Roy Barclay

Tower Secretary

Staplehurst Bellringers Report July 2024

Number 2 Bell

NEWS FROM THE TOWER

Staplehurst Bellringers Report July 2024 - Ringing Outing June 2024

June was a busy month for our ringers.  It started on Saturday 1st June when, together with ringers from Frittenden and Marden, we had our annual ringing outing.  The venue this year was the Southend on Sea area of Essex where we rang at five churches ranging from Eastwood, right next to the runway of Southend airport, to Leigh on Sea with its panoramic views across the Thames Estuary. We also enjoyed an excellent lunch together. The photo below shows us relaxing after the last ringing of the day at Orsett, before facing the usual traffic problems at the Dartford Crossing on the way home.

The following Thursday, 6th June, was of course the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings and we were honoured to ring as part of the beacon-lighting ceremony at Surrenden Field.

Staplehurst Bellringers Report July 2024  - D-Day Commemoration Ringers 6th June 2024

Saturday 15th June saw the National 12-bell Competition take place at Chilcompton in Somerset.  This prestigious event features some of the best bell ringers in the country and we are proud to say that our own Tower Captain Adam Brady was a member of one of the participating bands.  We will let you know in next month’s issue how his band fared.

We have an update on the restoration of the turret and the tower roof.   The main work on the roof is planned to take place from Monday 19th August to Friday 27th September, but isn’t expected to affect bell ringing.  However as with any project of this kind things can suddenly change and the ringers stand ready to adjust their schedule as necessary.  At the moment we only have two extra ringing sessions coming up. Firstly, on the afternoon of Saturday 29th June the Kent Young Ringers will be holding their final practice on our bells before heading up to London the following weekend for the National Youth Contest, the young ringers’ equivalent of the competition mentioned above. Then Wednesday 17th July sees our latest learning hub from 7.30 – 9pm. That aside we will be ringing for the regular Sunday Services, and for our normal Tuesday evening practice.

Roy Barclay

Tower Secretary