An ancient tradition is set to take centre stage at a Hornchurch church.
St Andrew’s Church is inviting visitors to discover the unique art of change ringing on Sunday, September 20, from 11.30am to 2pm.
The event, as part of National Heritage Weekend, aims to shed light on the tradition, which has a strong history across England, where it was invented.
There are more than 5,000 churches with bells.
Change ringing began when church bells were reintroduced during the industrial revolution using a wheel and increasingly modern fittings.
During the Reformation, original Catholic church fixtures, including bells, were removed and destroyed.
However, with church bells reintroduced into the now Church of England using a wheel and increasingly modern fittings, the wheel enabled a bell to be swung through 360 degrees, held at rest and then rung in time with other bells; this heralded the start of change ringing.
Visitors to St Andrew’s, Hornchurch, will have the opportunity to climb the church tower and watch a real church bell being rung, experience the workings of a church bell in the churchyard, and even have a go at ringing themselves.
The event is free of charge.
St Andrew’s Church has a long history with bells, with records dating to at least 1552.
The original five bells were melted down and recast into six in 1779, with two more added in 1901 and another two in 2001, making a total of 10 bells.
The church is always on the lookout for new bell ringers.
Bell ringing can be learned from the age of 11 upwards and is an activity that brings people together for Sunday services, weddings, and royal occasions.
For more information, contact Clive Stephenson at clive-stephenson@sky.com or on 07896 342010.
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