Bellringing at Cranmore

A quarter peal of doubles (Plain Bob, Reverse Canterbury & Grandsire was rung on 4th May. This was to welcome David Parr our new Assoicate Vicar to Cranmore and for Eva Cinnamond, the new granddaughter of the ringer of the 3rd, Barrie Newman.
This was the first quarter peal rung by Mark Uphill. Mark rang the tenor evenly throughout - an excellent first quarter.

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West Cranmore church, St Bartholomew's, has a keen band of bellringers. We try to ring for every service, practice on Thursday evenings from 7.30 to 9pm, recover afterwards at the Strode Arms and go on ringing outings to visit other towers. Many members also ring regularly at neighbouring churches for some extra practice and it is useful to be able to share ringers with other towers to cover for holidays etc. The bands at Doulting, Leigh-on-Mendip, Mells, Whatley and Evercreech have made this delightfully easy for us and some of their members join in on our practice nights.

We would love to have a bigger band and complete beginners ( of all ages ) as well as ringers are very welcome. West Cranmore is a good tower to learn at, nice bells and experienced instructors with endless patience. It does take a long time to become a skilled ringer but there is no need to rush and once learned it is not forgotten. Learners are able to join in with service ringing as soon as they feel comfortable handling a bell and are able to ring rounds and simple call changes. The next stage, trying some methods ( set patterns of ringing our six bells ), is learned at what ever pace you have time for. The only danger is becoming addicted to ringing.

You do not have to be religious to be a church bellringer but a respect for the Christian Church and its ethics is needed.

KIDS Have a go and join the national Bell Club - fun progress cards, learner booklet and badges. From age about 10.

Contact Chris Cawood ( 01749 880404 ) for further information or just turn up on a Thursday evening.

Link to Shepton Mallet bellringing / bell restoration appeal site.
The bell restoration project has started. West Cranmore, Doulting and Shepton Mallet belong to the same benefice and their ringers support all three churches where possible.