In 1928 the existing eight bells were recast, and they proved excellent bells. But when, in 1991, a small crack was found in the tenor, the heaviest bell, an appeal was launched to raise funds and, in 1992, the tenor was recast and two extra lighter bells were added, hung in a new frame placed above the existing eight. Most of the work was carried out by the ringers themselves.

The bells are heard at their best in the churchyard and, apparently, out at sea. If you listen carefully you can count how many bells are being rung – usually six, eight or all ten. Each bell is attached to a wheel. A ringer pulls a rope, which swings the wheel round in a circle, and then back again, and the ringers change the order in which the bells ring by slightly varying how hard they pull the rope each time. The origins of change ringing lie in the sixteenth century when church bells began to be hung with a full wheel. We do not ring tunes as such, but alter the order of the bells in mathematical patterns - each time the bells are struck is called a ‘change’. Each pattern, or method, has a name – you have probably heard of some, like Grandsire and Stedman.

We are always eager to recruit new ringers to maintain a strong band. If you are keen to find out more and would like to get a better idea of what is involved, please contact the Tower Captain, Nigel Spencer, or the Vice Captain, Brian Butcher, who will arrange for you to visit a Friday night practice.