Bells for St Clement's, Worcester

The bellringing community in the City of Worcester has never been stronger, and following the recent rings of bells at St Stephen’s, Barbourne and St Martin’s in the Cornmarket, there is considerable expertise and momentum available. This will include assistance and drive from the Worcester Cathedral Guild of Bellringers and the Worcestershire and Districts Change Ringing Association.

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Part of the Worcester Cathedral Band in the Cathedral Ringing Room

 

Therefore, an initiative is being launched to bring the sound of bells hung for change ringing to this historic tower.  A ring of bells, perfect for this project, are available.

 

With the neighbouring St Clement’s CofE Primary School, we would hope to nurture an activity which could provide both mental and physical stimulation/co-ordination to children whilst also welcoming them into the church community.  Bell ringing can encourage focus and might be therapeutic to those with autism.

 

To ensure that these bells ring for many generations to come, they will be hung in a new iron and steel frame and will be rung in an open space in the tower, below the clock mechanism.

 

To achieve these objectives, work is required in several key areas:

 

·         All bells provided with new fittings

·         A new frame to be installed to accommodate the 8 bells.

·         All necessary building work in the tower

·         Work to install sound control in the belfry openings, ensuring that the bells do not form a nuisance.

 

In order to carry out this work, the St Clement’s, Worcester Project has been launched to raise £45,000 over 12 months to enable the work to be carried out.

Why we need your help to bring bells to the tower

We now need your help to raise £45,000 to provide St Clement’s with a ring of bells. Such a ring will:

·        Be an important part of worship of St Clement’s

The bells at St Clement’s will play an important part of the worship in this church. As well as reminding passers-by of the ministry of the church, the sound of bells frequently encourages visitors into the building and to worship.

 

·        Promote the ancient art of bellringing

The very English art form of change ringing has been associated with key moments in life for many hundreds of years.  It is a key part of our heritage.  The call to Sunday service, the celebration of weddings and Coronations, and the mourning at funerals. Installing bells in St Clement’s will ensure that a tradition dating back many centuries is continued.

 

·        Create a training ground for bellringing

The City of Worcester does not possess a light ring of eight bells. The proposed ring of bells at St Clement’s will be designed to be very easy to ring thus making the teaching of ringers (particular in the art of 8-bell ringing) much more effective and thereby enhance the collective ability of bellringers in the City.

 

·        Adding to the City’s heritage

Once in place, there is no reason why these bells should not ring out from the belfry for centuries. Whoever contributes to this appeal will leave a legacy, not just for one generation, but for many generations to come.

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   Young Ringers meeting in the Cathedral Ringing Room                Visiting Ringers in the Teaching Centre

       A high angle view of a building

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                            The Cathedral Bells                                    Part of the Worcester Cathedral Band in the Cathedral Ringing Room