Bells

From Wellington Cathedral of St Paul

Majestic Bells

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 complex mathematical 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. Please let us know you are coming so we can arrange to let you in. Quarter peals are sometimes rung on Sunday evenings. Those wishing to learn to ring are invited to Tuesday night practice, from 7.30pm to 9.00pm. Please let us know you are coming.

Bell tower contacts

Pleasance Purser

473 Karaka Bay Road, Seatoun, Wellington

(04) 388 6755 (h), (04) 471 9624 (w)

Mary Williams

9b Pitarua St, Thorndon, Wellington

dbmmwill@clear.net.nz

021 031 9932

04 907 1574

Ringing Weekend October 2010

Sixth Annual Wellington Ringing Weekend

Friday October 22nd 6.30pm - General Ringing

Saturday October 23rd

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, Special Methods and/or Quarter Peals

6.30pm Dinner

Sunday October 24th

9.15 - 10.00am Service Ringing

11.30 - 1.00am General Ringing

2.00 - 3.15pm Ringing at Old St Paul's (5)

2.00 - 3.30pm Special Methods and/or Quarter Peals

4.00 - 5.00pm Service Ringing

Monday October 25th

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, Special Methods and/or Quarter Peals

2.45 - 3.15pm, Afternoon tea

3.15 - 5.00pm, Special Methods and/or Quarter Peals

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 (dbmmwill@clear.net.nz)

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