Bell Ringing
Bellringing has commenced after the pandemic and pratise night is on alternate Thursdays followed by some social time in the Royal Horseshoes.
There is an active Bell Ringing group which rings at St. Mary Magdalene, Waltham. It is affiliated to the Society of Framland Ringers, Practise night is Thursday from 20.00 - 21.00. The entrance to the tower is via a small door situated near the base of the tower in the churchyard.
Within the benefice are the following bells;
Chadwell – 3 bells (6-3-0), ground floor – unringable and the church is closed.
Eaton – 6 bells (7-1-19), ground floor. Practise nights Mondays on a rota as part of the High Framland Ringing Group
Goadby Marwood – 3 bells (5-2-0) – unringable / derelict.
Scalford – 3 Bells (8-1-22), ground floor. Ringing by prior arrangement only
Stonesby – 3 bells (10-0-0) – unringable.
Waltham on the Wolds – 6 bells (10-0-8). Practise nights Thursday, 20.00 - 21.00. Sunday service ringing on the fourth Sunday at 10.00 am.
The Waltham Tower Captain is Barry Gilchrist telephone 01664 560961. Beginners and ringers of all levels of experience are welcome to join the group, which rings for the 10.30 am service on the 4th Sunday of the month starting at 10.00 am.
The Society of Framland Ringers was founded at Waltham-on-the-Wolds on the 29th November 1875 covering the Framland Deanery around Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. More details can be found on their website framlandringers.wordpress.com.
Within the benefice are the following bells;
Chadwell – 3 bells (6-3-0), ground floor – unringable and the church is closed.
Eaton – 6 bells (7-1-19), ground floor. Practise nights Mondays on a rota as part of the High Framland Ringing Group
Goadby Marwood – 3 bells (5-2-0) – unringable / derelict.
Scalford – 3 Bells (8-1-22), ground floor. Ringing by prior arrangement only
Stonesby – 3 bells (10-0-0) – unringable.
Waltham on the Wolds – 6 bells (10-0-8). Practise nights Thursday, 20.00 - 21.00. Sunday service ringing on the fourth Sunday at 10.00 am.
The Waltham Tower Captain is Barry Gilchrist telephone 01664 560961. Beginners and ringers of all levels of experience are welcome to join the group, which rings for the 10.30 am service on the 4th Sunday of the month starting at 10.00 am.
The Society of Framland Ringers was founded at Waltham-on-the-Wolds on the 29th November 1875 covering the Framland Deanery around Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. More details can be found on their website framlandringers.wordpress.com.
Thanks to a former bellringer R. W. Rayson for this contribution;
“Waltham’s church tower houses a fine peal of six bells acquired over the centuries. Standing over 500 feet above sea level, their melodious sound can be heard for over a mile in the surrounding countryside. Long may they give pleasure to us all.”
No. 1: (Treble) Cast in 1879 by John Warner of London. Weight 4cwt 3qtrs 8lbs. A gift to the church by the Rev. Henry Twells.
No. 2: Cast in 1726 by Henry Penn of Peterborough. Weight 5cwt 0qtrs 19lb.
No. 3: Cast in 1744 by Thomas Eayre of Kettering. Weight 6cwt 1 qtr 2lbs. (This bell was found to be cracked in 2004. Funds are currently being raised to repair it by specialist welding.)
No. 4: Cast in 1879 by John Warner of London. Weight 6cwt 1 qtr 2lbs. (It is unusual for two bells to be the same weight.)
No. 5: Cast in 1580 – 1620 by Henry Oldfield of Nottingham. Weight 6cwt 3qtrs 16lbs. (This bell has been swinging away 400 years.)
No. 6: (Tenor) Cast in 1744 by Thoas Eatye of Kettering. Weight 10cwt 0qtrs 18lbs. (This bell strikes the hour on the church clock.)
During the Great War, the bells rang out merrily when any of the village men came home on leave from the front. In more recent time the memorial service for Air Vice-Marshall ‘Johnnie’ Johnson was accompanied with a fine ring.
Royal and national events and weddings are celebrated with the bells. The new year is ‘rung in’ muffled before midnight and full peal on the stroke of the midnight hour.
The ancient art of campanology is a wonderful and enjoyable hobby and we welcome all to join us.
“Waltham’s church tower houses a fine peal of six bells acquired over the centuries. Standing over 500 feet above sea level, their melodious sound can be heard for over a mile in the surrounding countryside. Long may they give pleasure to us all.”
No. 1: (Treble) Cast in 1879 by John Warner of London. Weight 4cwt 3qtrs 8lbs. A gift to the church by the Rev. Henry Twells.
No. 2: Cast in 1726 by Henry Penn of Peterborough. Weight 5cwt 0qtrs 19lb.
No. 3: Cast in 1744 by Thomas Eayre of Kettering. Weight 6cwt 1 qtr 2lbs. (This bell was found to be cracked in 2004. Funds are currently being raised to repair it by specialist welding.)
No. 4: Cast in 1879 by John Warner of London. Weight 6cwt 1 qtr 2lbs. (It is unusual for two bells to be the same weight.)
No. 5: Cast in 1580 – 1620 by Henry Oldfield of Nottingham. Weight 6cwt 3qtrs 16lbs. (This bell has been swinging away 400 years.)
No. 6: (Tenor) Cast in 1744 by Thoas Eatye of Kettering. Weight 10cwt 0qtrs 18lbs. (This bell strikes the hour on the church clock.)
During the Great War, the bells rang out merrily when any of the village men came home on leave from the front. In more recent time the memorial service for Air Vice-Marshall ‘Johnnie’ Johnson was accompanied with a fine ring.
Royal and national events and weddings are celebrated with the bells. The new year is ‘rung in’ muffled before midnight and full peal on the stroke of the midnight hour.
The ancient art of campanology is a wonderful and enjoyable hobby and we welcome all to join us.