ALL SAINTS CHURCH

The church tower holds eight bells; the heaviest (known as the tenor) weighs 19½ hundred weight (almost 1 ton). There have been bells in the tower since the 16^th century, when they would have been sounded for many reasons such as curfew, working hours, etc. Today they ring to proclaim the presence of the church at the centre of the community, for Sunday services, for weddings and funerals, and for State and Civic occasions.

Image (1) shows a bell with its wheel and all its fittings, in its ‘down’ or resting position. The other images show bells with their mouths uppermost, i.e. ready to ring;  (2) of a single bell, and  (3) of all the bells viewed from above. This is the starting position for ringing bells in the traditional English art of ringing changes, which dates back to the 17^th century. During this process the bells are rotated backwards and forwards through 360 degrees. This requires skill on the part of the ringer rather than brute strength. In addition, the ringer has to memorise the sequence of the changes through which he/she has to navigate the bell. 

This combination of physical and mental exercise makes bell-ringing a hobby that suits all ages and genders. As well as ringing for services, ringing has a social side; visiting other churches to ring on different bells and there are a number of ringing competitions, both national and local.

Currently, there are eleven ringers, all of whom are members of the ‘Lincoln Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers’. Having more ringers than bells is way above the average for the diocese, and All Saints is very fortunate in this respect. However, it is still not really enough and new recruits are very welcome; they would be taught by ringers who have been accredited by the ‘Association of Ringing Teachers’ and have completed the necessary safeguarding training.

The ringers practice regularly on Monday evenings, when they are joined by ringing friends from nearby churches. Visitors, both ringers and non-ringers, are always welcome; advance notice via the parish administrator would be helpful.